Being pulled over

[Milk Hauler]

I have Arizona plates. In the 4 years that I have been traveling...I have never been pulled over or had a knock at my door...It's about doing the right thing all the time...!

Like I mentioned, it was the flashy car that caught everyones attention first. Even though it had "look at me" written all over it, I bought it due to the impeccable 20 yr service records. It served it's pourpose transporting from A to B, then 900 miles north through the worst heat in the country.

I dont miss random strangers walking up to me at the gas station saying "so you're the one who drives the Mercedes"

I do have to give Leo's credit, once they saw my cdl and realized I actually did legitamate worj, the always told me me to have a nice day. The car nor myself were ever searched. I understand its thier job to investigate anything out of place. Lol, that stupid car was WAY OUT OF PLACE.

Sent from my SCH-S968C using Tapatalk

 

[Sameer]

I wasn't referencing your comments, Mike...I was being general in my comments. I just drove down from Cortez, Colorado yesterday to Winslow, Arizona. A long stretch of construction where the speed-limit was 35MPH. I drove 35 while many trucks and cars were passing me driving much faster than 35. So my point is that...for me...I drive the speedlimit...I don't park on private property, etc....I don't take chances that might cause me a encounter any LEO....and so far it's worked for me. I carry everything I own in my van which may or may not cause problems if I am stopped.

 

[USExplorer]

I've been pulled over only once in my travels, for "obstructing traffic" by driving a few mph below the speed limit on a highway heading out of Pahrump Nevada. Once the officer ascertained that I was in fact the owner of the vehicle I was driving, he let me go. The law in Nevada states that having more than six cars behind you is obstruction, but enforcement is no longer practical in the Las Vegas metro area. I generally follow traffic laws to avoid giving cops an excuse to pull me over. Numerous times I have had rural cops tailgate me for miles on two-lane roads, waiting for a violation to occur, but none occurred.

I've gotten many knocks in the early morning hours, they don't worry me anymore. I don't even get out of bed to talk to the cops, just open the side door a little. I've never encountered a rude or aggressive cop doing a wake-up call. However, if I don't want to be disturbed, I simply find a parking spot where they will not find me.

I've also gotten plenty of police harassment in parking lots. For a while when I was living in North Carolina with New Jersey plates, it was quite annoying. The cops would apologize after they found out I was a local resident, but still... I have experienced similar behavior in several other states. If the cop is friendly, I will engage in conversation. If the cop plays interrogator, I give few answers and assert my rights constantly. They will say that I am not being detained and I am free to leave, and that is what they want me to do; leave.

Never tell a cop in a liberal state that you have a firearm. Such a statement can be dangerously misconstrued, so best bet is to refuse to answer such a question. Likewise, never tell a cop in a prohibition state that you possess weed, even if they try to bait you by saying that they can ignore it if you cooperate.

For those who rarely encounter police, it may be difficult to think clearly when the time comes. It may be beneficial to practice certain scenarios with friends to reduce the agitation that cops will tell you is a sure sign of guilt.

 

[Van-Tramp]

{see above}

Some good advice above

 

[SoulRaven]

For those who rarely encounter police, it may be difficult to think clearly when the time comes. It may be beneficial to practice certain scenarios with friends to reduce the agitation that cops will tell you is a sure sign of guilt.

Interactions with cops, even if entirely professional and kindly, are a PTSD trigger for me and can thus cause significant duress even under the best of circumstances. Last time I had experience with this was when a Dr's office thought that me mentioning that I "had been suicidal earlier this week" was grounds for surreptitiously calling in the cavalry on me as I sat in the car waiting for a therapist appointment half an hour from then. The ambulance and fire truck showed up first, I was absolutely shocked that the office had felt the need to say anything to keep me on the line (while I was trying to sort out insurance stuff and had thought I was actually getting somewhere) and was entirely caught off guard by all the first responders suddenly surrounding me. I was trembling all over but managed to answer all of their questions to their satisfaction, and eventually they left.

A couple minutes after they left, two police SUVs surrounded my vehicle and I was approached. I became pretty hysterical at that point, but I focused hard on communicating. "I have PTSD connected with police interactions. I am waiting for my therapist." I answered their questions as best I could, and kept informing them that no, I was not currently feeling the need to harm myself or others. "Then why would we be called out here?" They asked me. Hell if I know. I was trembling uncontrollably, sobbing, and cringing any time one of them got near. They decided to give me some space and wait in their vehicles until my therapist arrived for our scheduled appointment.

I mention this because it's a pretty sure thing that if I get pulled over I'm going to be very jumpy and anxious at best, and that's not something that can resolve anytime soon. In my experience--both this one and another when I was woken by a knock on the door by police--my behavior has resulted in them reassuring me and being more gentle and accommodating. I just make sure to keep my hands where they can see them, answer questions honestly, and avoid any sudden movements. They see how scared I am and if asked I mention the PTSD.

I've had several instances of a cop taking notice of my van and tailing me for a while. A couple weeks ago it was probably because I had a headlight out. I've never been pulled over by one following me, though--I think they get a look at a young Caucasian woman driving extra carefully with local plates and decide I'm not worth pulling over.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I mention this because it's a pretty sure thing that if I get pulled over I'm going to be very jumpy and anxious at best, and that's not something that can resolve anytime soon. In my experience--both this one and another when I was woken by a knock on the door by police--my behavior has resulted in them reassuring me and being more gentle and accommodating. I just make sure to keep my hands where they can see them, answer questions honestly, and avoid any sudden movements. They see how scared I am and if asked I mention the PTSD.

Was I you, I'd ask my doctor or therapist for a letter - on their letterhead - stating that I was being treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that interactions with the Police and other authority figures usually triggers a PTSD reaction.

 

[Richard]

Lots of good information shared in this thread so far. Thought I'd add a couple videos that I've found helpful over the years. They're 45-minutes and 48-minutes long so for people on data plans, these are probably best consumed when WiFi is available. Enjoy!


BUSTED: The Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters
Flex Your Rights (Flex) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit launched in 2002. As a civil liberties organization, we are laser-focused on improving the constitutional literacy of all Americans. To accomplish this, we create and distribute the most compelling, trustworthy, and practical know-your-rights media content in the universe.



Dont Talk to Police
A law school professor and former criminal defense attorney tells you why you should never agree to be interviewed by the police. 

 

[accrete]

Only got pulled over once in my ~40 years of driving and I deserved it. The officer was polite, to the point, and I took the ticket and paid the small fine.

The only other time I've chatted with a Peace Officer was a Sherriff that wanted a tour of our "Sweet Van" as he called it : )

Thom

 

[Wanderer]

Anyone have any stories where they were unfairly targeted or harassed by police after a pull over?

Let's see...Beat a ticket when I was 19 (Diving Mom's car doing 41) in a "Unmarked 25 mph" zone...Judge liked the defense Used a Super 8 film to show no 25 mph signs...Pulled over doing 64 in a 55 leaving a casino near Tama Iowa. No citation...whew!.......One "Morning" (About 1 am) Sheriff deputy bangs on van, "You gotta move" (No arguing, I was parked on side road) and then at the rest area, got hauled out by Stater, blocking my license plate with box hauling gen set.......

But never harassed, plenty others garnering the cops time (Lately street racers causing issues) so the cops chase them...