"The Danger of Bored Cops with a Quota to Meet"

[huskerwebhead]

Doesn't sound like the Officers did anything wrong to me. Your hesitation in giving your information and (likely) irritated attitude towards their questions raised flags. They were doing their job. They got the information they needed, discovered you were not the person they were looking for/not committing a crime and let you go on your way. All you got was some time wasted. Get over it.

 

[RockSP]

The more important question is was the female cop hot ?

Eh...average looking, IMO.

Doesn't sound like the Officers did anything wrong to me. Your hesitation in giving your information and (likely) irritated attitude towards their questions raised flags. They were doing their job. They got the information they needed, discovered you were not the person they were looking for/not committing a crime and let you go on your way. All you got was some time wasted. Get over it.

There was no hesitation on my part beyond a half-second of wondering why this cop is asking me...the passenger...a lot of stupid crap. If you need to imagine some "irritation" on my part to justify in your mind his behavior, okay.

Not sure what I'm supposed to be "getting over". I'm not in this thread crying, or talking about "retribution". If me posting this thread bothered you...oh well. Get over it.

 

[Alex The Great]

You should of told him that yuo had weed, then when you say your statement, say this.
Cop: Do You have anythign to say? It'll be recited in Court....
You: No, But I *reads cops name tag outloud* have a man crush on you, you honour.

Because he has to read that out loud!

 

[huskerwebhead]

There was no hesitation on my part beyond a half-second of wondering why this cop is asking me...the passenger...a lot of stupid crap. If you need to imagine some "irritation" on my part to justify in your mind his behavior, okay.

I guess I misinterpreted the multiple "(*pause* thinking…WTF???)'s" throughout your post. Cause half a second doesn't constitute a pause to me. You also mentioned that the cop told you not to get "hemmed up." Which tells me you were showing "some" signs that the cop picked up on. Irritated, confused, nervous...call it what you will, but the cop picked up on something.

Not sure what I'm supposed to be "getting over". I'm not in this thread crying, or talking about "retribution". If me posting this thread bothered you...oh well. Get over it.

You obviously are all bent out of shape about the cop pulling you guys over and asking all the questions that you "think" were unnecessary. Regardless of what you may think, passengers are routinely questioned during traffic stops. They are well within their duties to do so. And it doesn't necessarily mean you did anything wrong, but that you, the driver, or the car may have matched a description for something/someone else they are looking for. Or you may have been doing something suspicious. I wasn't there, I don't know, but the comments in your story seem to suggest that.

In any case, you're complaining about a police officer doing his job cause it inconvenienced you...sounds like crying from here.

 

[RockSP]

I guess I misinterpreted the multiple "(*pause* thinking…WTF???)'s" throughout your post. Cause half a second doesn't constitute a pause to me. You also mentioned that the cop told you not to get "hemmed up." Which tells me you were showing "some" signs that the cop picked up on. Irritated, confused, nervous...call it what you will, but the cop picked up on something.

Yeah once he asked my name and I gave it to him then he came back asking again and insinuated I was giving him a fake name, and hiding drugs yeah for me...someone who wasn't doing jack @#$$...that was cause for pause. The length doesn't have to be to your liking.

He interrupted me in the middle of doing what he asked for his "hemmed up" bs speech...why? Probably trying to provoke a reaction to where he could do more than ask questions. He failed. Again, you can come up with whatever you like to make it "right".

You obviously are all bent out of shape about the cop pulling you guys over and asking all the questions that you "think" were unnecessary. Regardless of what you may think, passengers are routinely questioned during traffic stops. They are well within their duties to do so. And it doesn't necessarily mean you did anything wrong, but that you, the driver, or the car may have matched a description for something/someone else they are looking for. Or you may have been doing something suspicious. I wasn't there, I don't know, but the comments in your story seem to suggest that.

Yup. Like I said before, sitting on the passenger side, doing absolutely nothing but waiting for my boy to get his ticket...very suspicious. *snicker*

In any case, you're complaining about a police officer doing his job cause it inconvenienced you...sounds like crying from here.

I told a story about a cop screwing with me for no reason. Even ended with a humurous (to me) moral. If that's "crying" to you...whatever.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

So you're upset because there aren't MORE cops? I would agree. Unfortunately funding for your area may be pretty slim. States are cutting lots of jobs including those of police officers.

I'm not upset there aren't enough police (my town probably has more than it needs). I'm upset that they are more worried about setting up speed traps to catch cars coming off the highway instead of getting people speeding through residential streets or directing traffic in the downtown area (where 2 people have been killed in the past few years). They should also be directing traffic at the schools instead of the moron crossing guards who walk into the middle of an intersection (without looking) and hold up their stop sign. My dad almost hit one because he was turning to the intersection and the guy didn't never looked to see that my dad was turning.

I would guess that the roads that are not travelled by many speeders are that way because of police presence.

People always speed on the long, straight roads near me. No one ever crosses them. And by speeding, I'm talking about going 35-40 in a 25mph zone. They aren't going 50+. The police presence has no impact except towards the end of the month when they're out to fill their quotas.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

I'm pretty sure the officers didn't do anything out of the ordinary. It was funny, but it all sounds completely in line with what I'd learned in Criminal Justice and martial arts classes (where we taught/were taught by police and such).

Quite frankly, profiling probably comes into it too. Profiling isn't illegal, and if you looked or acted suspicious, cocky, or downright rude, that probably even further pushed his desire to search you.

Also, these days, if someone doesn't have an I.D., I think it's safe to assume that they're commonly trying to evade some sort of arrest warrant, trouble, etc. Not all the time, but commonly. The cop did his job. You should be thankful of that. If cops didn't do that to people, there would be a lot more troublesome people wandering the streets- black, white, or whatever color.

Quite frankly, I'd have searched you too if you did indeed "hesitate" to give/spell your name, added to the fact that you had no I.D. They've got to err on the side of caution. It's their jobs.

 

[mrvlknight21]

. They've got to err on the side of caution. It's their jobs.

^^ True.

 

[The Guard]

It sounds completely standard.

Especially if the taillight actually WAS out. Route traffic stop, and cops do a lot of them. They stop cars over little things like taillights, etc, because studies have shown that this works. That this will net the types of people who carry drugs, etc.

 

[piccolo]

How awesome would it be if you actually did carry around missiles on you?

Totally badass.

"Son, do you have any missiles or grenades on you?" "Oh, not really, just this SIDEWINDER I took off an F-16 during Desert Storm."

That would have been sweet.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I'm not upset there aren't enough police (my town probably has more than it needs). I'm upset that they are more worried about setting up speed traps to catch cars coming off the highway instead of getting people speeding through residential streets or directing traffic in the downtown area (where 2 people have been killed in the past few years). They should also be directing traffic at the schools instead of the moron crossing guards who walk into the middle of an intersection (without looking) and hold up their stop sign. My dad almost hit one because he was turning to the intersection and the guy didn't never looked to see that my dad was turning.

People always speed on the long, straight roads near me. No one ever crosses them. And by speeding, I'm talking about going 35-40 in a 25mph zone. They aren't going 50+. The police presence has no impact except towards the end of the month when they're out to fill their quotas.

I don't think people accurately understand the "quota"... But that's beside the point.

It's impractical to have police doing things like directing traffic because police cost more than crossing guards.

It's also pretty lame to say that police presence doesn't affect the speeders on streets when you yourself say that the only streets where speed isn't an issue is the streets where cops are.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

It's impractical to have police doing things like directing traffic because police cost more than crossing guards.

No, it's not. The 2 middle schools and the 1 high school need police there the most because of the number of students. There are about 2 busy intersections at each, so that's 6 police. They only need to be there for 3 hrs each day (1.5 hr before and after school). They can afford to do that.

Directing traffic there or at a couple busy intersections in the downtown area are the most productive thing they could do. Other than that, it's catching people speeding on roads no one ever crosses or ticketing cars 1 minute after the meter expires. I'm serious, they actually do that. They've even ticketed people between the time they get out of their car to when they walk over to the pay station (we don't have individual meters anymore. There are 2-3 pay stations you go to and they can be quite a walk from your car).

It's also pretty lame to say that police presence doesn't affect the speeders on streets when you yourself say that the only streets where speed isn't an issue is the streets where cops are.

I didn't say speed isn't an issue on those streets. At least, that is not what I meant. No one is ever crossing those streets. Enforcing the speed limit there is like getting people speeding on a highway. They should be enforcing the speed limit in residential areas where there is a greater chance for an accident.

 

[Majic Walrus]

No, it's not. The 2 middle schools and the 1 high school need police there the most because of the number of students. There are about 2 busy intersections at each, so that's 6 police. They only need to be there for 3 hrs each day (1.5 hr before and after school). They can afford to do that.

How much would it cost for 6 police officers in your area for 1.5 hours before and after school?

How much would it cost for crossing guards?

In my area Metro cops start out at 28,800 dollars a year crossing guards that AREN'T volunteers (which means free and therefore much less expensive ) are usually making less than 10,000 a year working part time.

Maths.

Directing traffic there or at a couple busy intersections in the downtown area are the most productive thing they could do. Other than that, it's catching people speeding on roads no one ever crosses or ticketing cars 1 minute after the meter expires. I'm serious, they actually do that. They've even ticketed people between the time they get out of their car to when they walk over to the pay station (we don't have individual meters anymore. There are 2-3 pay stations you go to and they can be quite a walk from your car).

I don't really have too much sympathy when it comes to people who break the law. Even if it's one mile or one minute they don't really have a right to ask for a break or anything... They just get to suck it up.

I didn't say speed isn't an issue on those streets. At least, that is not what I meant. No one is ever crossing those streets. Enforcing the speed limit there is like getting people speeding on a highway. They should be enforcing the speed limit in residential areas where there is a greater chance for an accident.

I think I understand your second point better now and it's a valid point. I would honestly suggest mentioning this to a city council or some sort of metropolitan offical (City supervisors, town councils stuff like that). I wouldn't go to the police department about it because they're doing it the way they want to and you really won't give them a reason not to unfortunately.

But seriously though. Try and get that changed because it is better to cover residential areas than highways. In my area the city cops maintain all city work but interstates and highways are usually patrolled primarily by county and state police agencies.

 

[E-Man]

There is way too many other important things a this cop could've been doing besides trying to find something on RSP. All of that "you may have been acting sspicious" crap is just stupid justification to give into a personal stereotype. If a guy is sitting in a passenger seat minding his own business, then there's nothing else there. So he didn't have his wallet on him, big deal. Not having some I.D. is not some kind of criminal act. At some point in time common sense should have been used by the cop. Procedure isn't everything, and the guy should've just told the driver to get his tail light fixed, and sent him on his way. It seems like a situation that was made hard for no good reason.

 

[Majic Walrus]

There is way too many other important things a this cop could've been doing besides trying to find something on RSP. All of that "you may have been acting sspicious" crap is just stupid justification to give into a personal stereotype. If a guy is sitting in a passenger seat minding his own business, then there's nothing else there. So he didn't have his wallet on him, big deal. Not having some I.D. is not some kind of criminal act. At some point in time common sense should have been used by the cop. Procedure isn't everything, and the guy should've just told the driver to get his tail light fixed, and sent him on his way. It seems like a situation that was made hard for no good reason.

I don't feel the need to re-explain anything but...

The law says that not having valid state issued ID or not presenting one to a police officer upon request is a criminal act if you are an adult.

 

[E-Man]

I don't feel the need to re-explain anything but...

The law says that not having valid state issued ID or not presenting one to a police officer upon request is a criminal act if you are an adult.

And it's things like that that make the law a joke. The law is way too much about labeling people criminals, and not enough about protecting other people's rights from being violated. I know what your rebuttle will be, and I can see where you're coming from. You probably think that it's a valid law because people might have committed some crimes. I can get with that on some level, but there was no point in going further if RSP said that he didn't have his wallet on him. It was just a broken tail light. There was no need to go any further. I know there's the whole, "He might have been a criminal" but that pretty far reaching for a guy sitting in the passenger side of a car.

 

[terry78]

I remember coming home from the movies at about 1am a couple months back with a female friend, and we got pulled over. Wasn't speeding, didn't go through any lights, made a complete stop at the last light, and the reason he pulled me over was because, "he had a report of a car like mine that was involved in an earlier issue." There is about a 50/50 chance that's true, but I take things like that with a grain of salt.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

How much would it cost for 6 police officers in your area for 1.5 hours before and after school?

How much would it cost for crossing guards?

In my area Metro cops start out at 28,800 dollars a year crossing guards that AREN'T volunteers (which means free and therefore much less expensive ) are usually making less than 10,000 a year working part time.

Maths.

They should at least train the crossing guards to direct traffic and not just walk into the middle of it holding a stop sign. But since I don't go to school anymore, I don't care.

I don't really have too much sympathy when it comes to people who break the law. Even if it's one mile or one minute they don't really have a right to ask for a break or anything... They just get to suck it up.

Obviously it's illegal no matter what but getting someone going 40mph in a 25mph zone on a long, straight street off a highway is a lesser offense than someone doing 45mph around a bend in a residential area where people are often walking on the street. Enforcing the meters is a complete waste of resources and just an excuse for cops to basically do nothing all day. They should at least be ticketing the people who double-park by the schools during pick- up.

I think I understand your second point better now and it's a valid point. I would honestly suggest mentioning this to a city council or some sort of metropolitan offical (City supervisors, town councils stuff like that). I wouldn't go to the police department about it because they're doing it the way they want to and you really won't give them a reason not to unfortunately.

But seriously though. Try and get that changed because it is better to cover residential areas than highways. In my area the city cops maintain all city work but interstates and highways are usually patrolled primarily by county and state police agencies.

The streets they have speed traps on are technically in residential areas as there are houses on them. But they aren't neighborhood streets where people are always outside and walking/running.

 

[C. Lee]

And it's things like that that make the law a joke. The law is way too much about labeling people criminals, and not enough about protecting other people's rights from being violated. I know what your rebuttle will be, and I can see where you're coming from. You probably think that it's a valid law because people might have committed some crimes. I can get with that on some level, but there was no point in going further if RSP said that he didn't have his wallet on him. It was just a broken tail light. There was no need to go any further. I know there's the whole, "He might have been a criminal" but that pretty far reaching for a guy sitting in the passenger side of a car.

Have you ever watched an episode of COPS?

 

[Majic Walrus]

And it's things like that that make the law a joke. The law is way too much about labeling people criminals, and not enough about protecting other people's rights from being violated. I know what your rebuttle will be, and I can see where you're coming from. You probably think that it's a valid law because people might have committed some crimes. I can get with that on some level, but there was no point in going further if RSP said that he didn't have his wallet on him. It was just a broken tail light. There was no need to go any further. I know there's the whole, "He might have been a criminal" but that pretty far reaching for a guy sitting in the passenger side of a car.

The law is about labeling people as criminals in order to PROTECT people.

And what, criminals don't ride shotgun?

 

[huskerwebhead]

And it's things like that that make the law a joke. The law is way too much about labeling people criminals, and not enough about protecting other people's rights from being violated. I know what your rebuttle will be, and I can see where you're coming from. You probably think that it's a valid law because people might have committed some crimes. I can get with that on some level, but there was no point in going further if RSP said that he didn't have his wallet on him. It was just a broken tail light. There was no need to go any further. I know there's the whole, "He might have been a criminal" but that pretty far reaching for a guy sitting in the passenger side of a car.

Again, this is standard routine for police. In asking for the id for all people in the vehicle they very often find people that have a warrant out for their arrest, are wanted, parole violations, etc. When people refuse to produce id or don't have any, it "does" raise suspicion. Even when it's honestly forgotten at home. Asking for names, DOB, SSN, address information allows the officer to look up that person's information and validate their identity. The officers get lied to all the time by actual criminals hoping to hide who they are. There is nothing "labeling" about it, it's just the cop doing his job and taking the opportunity to find someone who they "may" be looking for. And what the hell...the guy was sitting in the passenger side, so he obviously wasn't a criminal? What kind of logic is that?

 

[E-Man]

Have you ever watched an episode of COPS?

A few times in my life, but what does that have to do with anything? Everybody who gets pulled over is not some drunken psycho that's going to take their shirt off after beating their woman.

The law is about labeling people as criminals in order to PROTECT people.

And what, criminals don't ride shotgun?

Labeling people never protects anyone. All labeling does give rise to stereotypes to prejudge people by. Cops are humans, and people unfortunately think in stereotypes. The law should be about protecting other people's rights, not labeling people as criminals because it(the law) says so. Stupid laws like having to register you vehicle every year do nothing to keep the whole of society safe.

And yes criminals do ride shotgun, but what reason did the cop have to suspect RSP? What did he do to make him seem like a criminal outside of sitting in the passenger seat? It's fine that the cop asked him a question or two, but after he said that he didn't have his wallet there was no point in going further. If the cop ran the plates and found out that the car had warrants, then I can see him going further. But there was enough reason to believe that the guy simply forgot his wallet. I'm sure that RSP and his friend told the cop the story, what more does he want after that? Is it such a far fetched story that you have to waste time digging up who the guy really is? While he was focusing on RSP's last name was fake or not, somebody else somewhere could've needed that cop's help. Someone could've been getting robbed or beaten, but oh no, we have to play the bureacracy game because someone might be "suspicious."

 

[Ghostvirus]

I would have bought into this "Routine stop" crap some you are spewing. Had the driver gotten the exact same treatment.

 

[huskerwebhead]

And yes criminals do ride shotgun, but what reason did the cop have to suspect RSP? What did he do to make him seem like a criminal outside of sitting in the passenger seat? It's fine that the cop asked him a question or two, but after he said that he didn't have his wallet there was no point in going further. If the cop ran the plates and found out that the car had warrants, then I can see him going further. But there was enough reason to believe that the guy simply forgot his wallet. I'm sure that RSP and his friend told the cop the story, what more does he want after that? Is it such a far fetched story that you have to waste time digging up who the guy really is? While he was focusing on RSP's last name was fake or not, somebody else somewhere could've needed that cop's help. Someone could've been getting robbed or beaten, but oh no, we have to play the bureacracy game because someone might be "suspicious."

Why would he not have pursued finding out his identity further because he said he forgot his wallet? The cop has just as much reason to suspect RSP at that point than to believe his story. The cop doesn't know RSP, had no idea what they were out doing, and was hesitating when giving answers to simple questions. I suspect the COPS reference was brought up because of the multiple episodes where some bozo tried to BS the cops with the "I forgot my wallet" line umteen times. For every person that legitimately forgot their wallet there's a guy who just doesn't want the cop to know he has a warrant.

Keeping that in mind, again, many criminals have been caught by these types of inquiries during traffic stops. Criminals that just murdered someone, escaped from prison, had drugs on them, etc. So it's not the worthless waste of time your making it out to be. And I'm quite sure that had a more pressing call came in the cops would have just let them go and headed off to that call...happens all the time.

I would have bought into this "Routine stop" crap some you are spewing. Had the driver gotten the exact same treatment.

Why would the driver had gotten the same treatment when he actually had his ID?

 

[RockSP]

Why would he not have pursued finding out his identity further because he said he forgot his wallet? The cop has just as much reason to suspect RSP at that point than to believe his story. The cop doesn't know RSP, had no idea what they were out doing, and was hesitating when giving answers to simple questions. I suspect the COPS reference was brought up because of the multiple episodes where some bozo tried to BS the cops with the "I forgot my wallet" line umteen times. For every person that legitimately forgot their wallet there's a guy who just doesn't want the cop to know he has a warrant.