A positive encounter with LE.

[carpediem]

So, about a half hour ago I was traveling a state road in upper Otsego County. Passing through a small town, I was surprised to see headlights pop on and a vehicle immediately begin moving from it's spot somewhere in the darkness.
I knew immediately I was about to be pulled over for something.
They closed quickly and the light bar sprang to life, as well as the other dozen or so lights in the grille and brush guard.
I made my way to the side of the road and stopped with the window down and engine off.
It took them a couple minutes, but they approached my car and asked for my license and registration. I gave him my registration and insurance card. I didn't know exactly where my license was and didn't want to be digging around looking for it.
He asked for my license and handed me back my insurance card saying he didn't need it. Arguably, I would say he doesn't need my registration either since he already knows all the information on it.
I told him I would give him my license number.
He asked why I wouldn't show him my license and I told him I didn't want him getting nervous with me digging around. He said I wasn't making him nervous and he asked if there are any weapons in the car.
I said there is a handgun and I have a permit. He asked where and I told him.
I told him I have it because I drive a long way.
He said I don't need to explain and it is my right to bear arms as long as I have my permit. I had to pick through my other three permits to get to my NY. He didn't even have me take it all the way out of my wallet.
He then told me why he stopped me, which he probably used as an excuse to see if I had been drinking.
He made some small talk and went to run my license. He came right back, gave me my stuff and told me to have a good night.

I would think that the stop went smoothly and I am glad that pair of Otsego Sheriff deputies we're professional. Likely they will leave me alone now that they have made contact.

 

[96coal449]

About 6wks ago I went down to the local tavern to grab some chow. No longer any home cooked meals here. Since I've become somewhat of a regular, the barmaid quickly served me my favorite beverage. I finished that and she maid her way back over and served another. I told her I wanted to oreder some food and she said "okay." She never came back to take my order and I was almost finished with my second beer. The tavern was extremely busy.
I decided to leave and stop at the grocery store on the way home. I get a quarter mile away on a 55mph state route and I'm climbing a steep hill. Car in front of me does the ole turn the blinker on and get on the brakes with short warning. I get on the brakes and see headlights in my rear view approaching fast.
I moved over towards the double yellow then to the white and back over to the white. Since I was driving my pick up I was giving the guy behind me a chance to see around me that the car was turning. BTW this is after dark and the intersecting road is right at the end of a curve.

Red and whit swirly lights brighten everything up and I pull over for the state boy behind me. He asked me why I "swerved" and I explained what I already stated. Asks me where did I come frome and where am I going. I explain the rest of my previously stated story. After what seemed like a good 20-30mins he comes back to give me my sobriety test. I pass all of it with flying colors. Even with a bad hip, which he did take note of. Tells me to wait for his partners arrival so we can complete the test. He shows up and it's time for the breathalyzer. I'm still in front of my truck while they walk over to my drivers door with their heads close to the window. They review the results for a min or two and I'm told I'm free to go and, ''Sorry this all took so long."

Through this whole ordeal I showed nothing but respect. I've had other incidents where I was showed disrespect by the LEO. I showed that cop I wasn't going to tolerate being disrespected. I showed him respect back after he changed his tune. Another good outcome.

I think that's what it's all about. Having respect for others ..... LEO included.

 

[Darth]

He said I don't need to explain and it is my right to bear arms as long as I have my permit.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

A few years back, I was pulled over for speeding...











...I got a ticket...











...Trooper was a nice guy though. Professional and wasn't fishing for anything. Gave me a break at court and pleaded it down.

 

[nortatoga]

 

[Criticalt]

I will probably regret this without knocking on wood, but........I havent been pulled over sinse 1989.
I was 19 years old and pretty drunk.
So drunk that I gave up immediately, refused the field sobriety tests and went straight for the blood test......... .23 or something like that.
However, the cops were very nice and quite amused by my attempts at comedy in my drunken condition.
I have had zero comtact with police sinse then.

 

[camper4lyfe]

So why did he stop you?

 

[speedkills27]

So, about a half hour ago I was traveling a state road in upper Otsego County. Passing through a small town, I was surprised to see headlights pop on and a vehicle immediately begin moving from it's spot somewhere in the darkness.
I knew immediately I was about to be pulled over for something.
They closed quickly and the light bar sprang to life, as well as the other dozen or so lights in the grille and brush guard.
I made my way to the side of the road and stopped with the window down and engine off.
It took them a couple minutes, but they approached my car and asked for my license and registration. I gave him my registration and insurance card. I didn't know exactly where my license was and didn't want to be digging around looking for it.
He asked for my license and handed me back my insurance card saying he didn't need it. Arguably, I would say he doesn't need my registration either since he already knows all the information on it.
I told him I would give him my license number.
He asked why I wouldn't show him my license and I told him I didn't want him getting nervous with me digging around. He said I wasn't making him nervous and he asked if there are any weapons in the car.
I said there is a handgun and I have a permit. He asked where and I told him.
I told him I have it because I drive a long way.
He said I don't need to explain and it is my right to bear arms as long as I have my permit. I had to pick through my other three permits to get to my NY. He didn't even have me take it all the way out of my wallet.
He then told me why he stopped me, which he probably used as an excuse to see if I had been drinking.
He made some small talk and went to run my license. He came right back, gave me my stuff and told me to have a good night.

I would think that the stop went smoothly and I am glad that pair of Otsego Sheriff deputies we're professional. Likely they will leave me alone now that they have made contact.

Lemme guess, he gave you the old "your license plate light is out" BS

 

[Robin]

Failure to keep right is always a good one.
Robin

 

[Podmonkey]

On a one on one basis I have always had positive experiences with the police.
When I broke my neck in a car accident, because I was street racing like an idiot, the responding officer came to take my statement in the hospital. Or rather gave me the statement,
Wrote his report, made no mention of an tracing, even though it was obvious, issued no ticket, not even a warning. And he helped the EMT collect up all my belongings that had been scattered all over the place.
I have caught breaks from the cops that I really had no business getting frankly.
I once got pulled over doing 115 and was let off with a warning. Aside from that I have found that typically most cops will happily shit the shit with you if you just say hello. And they aren't busy.

 

[ECU Pirates]

About 6wks ago I went down to the local tavern to grab some chow. No longer any home cooked meals here. Since I've become somewhat of a regular, the barmaid quickly served me my favorite beverage. I finished that and she maid her way back over and served another. I told her I wanted to oreder some food and she said "okay." She never came back to take my order and I was almost finished with my second beer. The tavern was extremely busy.
I decided to leave and stop at the grocery store on the way home. I get a quarter mile away on a 55mph state route and I'm climbing a steep hill. Car in front of me does the ole turn the blinker on and get on the brakes with short warning. I get on the brakes and see headlights in my rear view approaching fast.
I moved over towards the double yellow then to the white and back over to the white. Since I was driving my pick up I was giving the guy behind me a chance to see around me that the car was turning. BTW this is after dark and the intersecting road is right at the end of a curve.

Red and whit swirly lights brighten everything up and I pull over for the state boy behind me. He asked me why I "swerved" and I explained what I already stated. Asks me where did I come frome and where am I going. I explain the rest of my previously stated story. After what seemed like a good 20-30mins he comes back to give me my sobriety test. I pass all of it with flying colors. Even with a bad hip, which he did take note of. Tells me to wait for his partners arrival so we can complete the test. He shows up and it's time for the breathalyzer. I'm still in front of my truck while they walk over to my drivers door with their heads close to the window. They review the results for a min or two and I'm told I'm free to go and, ''Sorry this all took so long."

Through this whole ordeal I showed nothing but respect. I've had other incidents where I was showed disrespect by the LEO. I showed that cop I wasn't going to tolerate being disrespected. I showed him respect back after he changed his tune. Another good outcome.

I think that's what it's all about. Having respect for others ..... LEO included.

If you passed a sobriety test with flying colors why would they make you take a breathalyzer? That seems excessive.

 

[carpediem]

View attachment 35731

Yes Darth, I too saw the irony in that statement as soon as he said it, but I am not about to be some roadside martyr at 1:15 am, or ever actually. Sorry.

 

[carpediem]

So why did he stop you?

The stop was for "loud exhaust" which it is a bit loud. A plugged converter has led to a blown upstream gasket and until the converter is fixed I am letting the excess back pressure vent out the gasket.

 

[Darth]

Yes Darth, I too saw the irony in that statement as soon as he said it, but I am not about to be some roadside martyr at 1:15 am, or ever actually. Sorry.

The fact that you even need to consider that speaks the real truth.

 

[Doc8404]

I don’t see that he asked why you have a gun.

Certainly wouldn’t be explaining that to anyone.

 

[carpediem]

I don’t see that he asked why you have a gun.

Certainly wouldn’t be explaining that to anyone.

He asked when I said I didn't want to dig around for my license and make him nervous. I added voluntarily that I drive a long way and he cut me short. I had a handgun in the car and I just didn't want anything to go wrong and me not make it home. I get it shouldn't be like that, but we need to face the fact that there are way too many scumbags out there. If you want it the way it used to be, you need to undo the last sixty years of social programming and dumbing down that have gone on. We need to realize that getting back our 2A won't be a one case in a court thing, or a one president thing. It will take decades and yes, most of us will never see it. Our collective lethargy as Americans have allowed this. Now comes the hard work of reversing course.

 

[96coal449]

If you passed a sobriety test with flying colors why would they make you take a breathalyzer? That seems excessive.

Because the breathalyzer is standard procedure for cumo's SS.
I drank 2 beers in about 45mins on an empty stomach. Throughout the whole procedure they took their time. Before and after the partner got there.
It had to be on my breath pretty good. I made no attempt at hiding it. I think they may have taken their time to let it absorb in to my system more?
After the breathalyzer they both hung out at my drivers door while I waited in front of my truck. They were going over the results and maybe trying to smell anything suspicious? I left the window down but had the truck idling spitting out diesel exhaust.

I sure as hell know I passed. they didn't bother me with anything else.
Wired front plate, no rear license plate light ....

 

[Blimey]

Send this thread to huffington post with all the examples of people never having a bad experience with police and they'll say it's just white privilege.

I've yet to have a bad encounter with a cop, they've all been very cordial to me. The very few times I've ever spoken to them, that is. Pulled over every several years at the most, never in situations in public in which I engage with them.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I don't understand the point of this thread. We've all had positive encounters. That doesn't mean that all encounters will be positive going forward.

What about the hundreds of reported negative encounters?

 

[carpediem]

I have had many negative encounters. I have been lied to, hit, cursed out and falsely charged going back decades. It is good to have a good encounter. Especially since we have so many cop bashing threads. Why are there so many of those?

 

[Marine Cpl]

Especially since we have so many cop bashing threads. Why are there so many of those?

A thread that reports a bad encounter or a violation of rights isn't a cop bashing thread. It's a report. Nothing more.

 

[Darth]

I get it shouldn't be like that, but we need to face the fact that there are way too many scumbags out there.

Yeah, I know. Working in a prison I get to deal with them every day. Real, convicted, criminals. Not "might be, might not be, probably isn't" ones.

And guess what? I choose the job.

So I don't get to use "have some sympathy for me, I deal with bad people all day :'(" as an excuse for improper job performance.

"Sir, you blew a toddler out of a sixth story window with a firehose...for a fire call on the fifth floor."

"HEY BUDDY, I DEAL WITH FIRES ALL DAY, DON'T TELL ME HOW TO DO MY JOB! THOUGHT THE KID WAS REACHING FOR A ZIPPO."

 

[Darth]

If you passed a sobriety test with flying colors why would they make you take a breathalyzer? That seems excessive.

It's a blatant 4A violation that they get away with "because driving is a privilege."

Except it's not.

And I wish gun rights people would knock it off with the "but gun ownership is a right, driving is not" BS.

 

[Darth]

Why are there so many of those?

Yes, why are there so many?

That's an excellent question.

 

[GOPerfect]

Chiming in...

I think it is awesome that you had a good experience with this officer. Great story to share.

My issue, all of them should be like this.

I have zero issue with getting pulled over if a traffic infraction was made by a driver, all good as far as I am concerned.

Just a damn shame that so many traffic stops turn bad, either by the fault of the driver or the officer.

 

[dsdmmat]

Chiming in...

I think it is awesome that you had a good experience with this officer. Great story to share.

My issue, all of them should be like this.

I have zero issue with getting pulled over if a traffic infraction was made by a driver, all good as far as I am concerned.

Just a damn shame that so many traffic stops turn bad, either by the fault of the driver or the officer.

I prefer not to get pulled over, it just makes the day go easier. The way I see it the best time for interaction with the police is at a children's fundraiser. Other than that I cannot think of a good reason to meet with an officer officially. Off duty unofficially for shits and giggles not an issue.

Edit: before I get accused of cop bashing.
Think about it, normally when dealing with police officially you are either a victim, suspect or a witness very little positivity if you are in a situation that brings the police to you in those instances.

 

[96coal449]

I normally "never" get pulled over. This year has been different. 3x but only one minor speeding ticket.
This year, at least the second half, has been absolute hell. Oddly, the 2x I got pulled over and sent on my way, ''free to go,'' have both been in the 2nd half.

 

[Cooolone]

It's a blatant 4A violation that they get away with "because driving is a privilege."

Except it's not.

And I wish gun rights people would knock it off with the "but gun ownership is a right, driving is not" BS.

Travel may be a "Right" but the method is another question, horse & buggy on an interstate, driving through private property because it's a shorter route... But there is no "Right" to drive a motor vehicle. Interesting to bring it up though... Lol

For the topic, I have never been stopped absent a reason I was responsible for, IE, speeding, tints, etc. And despite that, barely ever a ticket... So yeah... When things go bad, you have to ask - how, why, etc... Because in my 40 years of driving, my experience dictates otherwise! I'll reserve the right to change that opinion shall I ever encounter a negative, but until then, everyone has a job to do, let them do it. I'll keep avoiding being a part of their day!

Glad your experience was positive for you (OP).

 

[GOPerfect]

I prefer not to get pulled over, it just makes the day go easier. The way I see it the best time for interaction with the police is at a children's fundraiser. Other than that I cannot think of a good reason to meet with an officer officially. Off duty unofficially for shits and giggles not an issue.

Edit: before I get accused of cop bashing.
Think about it, normally when dealing with police officially you are either a victim, suspect or a witness very little positivity if you are in a situation that brings the police to you in those instances.

I agree 100%. A quick nod at the coffee shop is okay as well.

 

[dsdmmat]

I agree 100%. A quick nod at the coffee shop is okay as well.

of course but,
being pleasant to each other in day to day passings is not something I consider an interaction.

If I say hello to someone on the street only because our eyes met is not something that I consider interaction. I consider it like shorthand for, “I am not your foe.”