10 Rules for Dealing with Police

Last Monday I was pulled over on my way to a friend's house by a uniformed sheriff's deputy at about 10pm.
There was absolutely no justifiable cause for him to make the traffic stop and when I asked why he stopped me, he said they were looking for a murder suspect.

Now that's all fine and good...but he then proceeded to essentially weasel his way into searching my car (my mom's car). Kept saying that if I had nothing to hide, then there wouldn't be any problem with him searching. I gave in almost immediately and let him search. Was there for only about 10 minutes sitting on the curb while he went through the car before he let me go.

So I was PO'd, obviously, and wanted to make sure I knew my rights for the next time this happens. Found this video series along with some other resources and wanted to share.

It's pretty \"Watch your language\" long, but it's entertaining. Only thing I don't like is the acting while they're in the court room haha.

The best thing you can do is just agree to let him do what he "needs" to do and be on his merry way. If you know there's nothing illegal or dangerous on you or in your car, let him waste his time.

Well that's the thing though...he's not just wasting his time, he's wasting yours...and essentially forcing you to give up your constitutional rights in the process. Like the first video says, it's hard to say no to a search request when the officer is holding the gun.

What was the Officers Probable Cause to search your car....

Insane Mercc wrote:

What was the Officers Probable Cause to search your car....

EXACTLY...nothing. Because I was driving on a quiet residential street and he's going through a tough divorce and wanted to vent?
Or maybe I fit the profile of a crackhead or dealer?

Just part one of the video is a big no-no (hence the reason they told him to be calm). If you give them attitude they're going to assume you're on something or hiding something. And of course they're going to portray cops as bad as they can. And excessive/unsafe lane changing IS against the rules of the road. Pretty funny (stupid) when people pass the test and then drive like shìt.

DrummerBoyz95 wrote:

Just part one of the video is a big no-no. If you give them attitude they're going to assume you're on something or hiding something. And of course they're going to portray cops as bad as they can.

No that's the thing...they're telling you not to have attitude. If you watch the whole thing, the host talks about that as being a no-no.
As for cops being portrayed that way, you really would be surprised at how well that description fits the police I've encountered.

The general idea to take from this whole series is that you need to know your rights...and more importantly, how to exercise those rights peacefully.

I've had cops stop my friends when I was in the car because he said he smelled marijuana. It's one of those things where it's like...*sniff*...there is obviously not the smell of marijuana in the air and it certainly isn't coming from the vehicle. You're obviously lying to circumvent (ignore) our constitutional rights and getting away with it because we're teenagers and don't know any better. I've had cops stop me walking on the sidewalk on the Hollywood strip and having me identify myself because I "look like a pothead" (his words). Just idiotic.

I understand this isn't all cops...and hopefully isn't even most cops...but the idea is to be prepared because you never know if you're going to run into those 1% of bad cops.

It's almost like the series was trying to encourage illegal activity. "If the police ask you to give yourself up, don't let them trick you!"

The good way to go is to not have anything to hide in the first place -_- no matter how stupid the reasons for illegality are

DrummerBoyz95 wrote:

It's almost like the series was trying to encourage illegal activity. "If the police ask you to give yourself up, don't let them trick you!"

The good way to go is to not have anything to hide in the first place -_- no matter how stupid the reasons for illegality are

No no haha...the idea is to not let them intimidate you into false confessions. If you notice in the video with the mexican guy being detained, the weed was there to begin with...but they were trying to get him to say it was his. It happens more often than one would think. Same for if you're in the area when a crime occurs...the police can try to get you to falsely admit ties to the event or get you to say something that could be interpreted as evidence, even if they have no evidence to back their statements.

The mindset of "why is there a problem if you have nothing to hide" is kinda childish. You'd forfeit your constitutional rights and risk embarrassment or giving a false confession because you "went along with it" out of fear for breaking the status quo of cowering in fear of the big bad bald policeman?

I don't know about you but to me there's absolutely 0 "risk" of giving a false confession. Unless I was high or something, but then it wouldn't be false . And even though it is a constitutional right to refuse a search, you know it's only going to make them suspicious.

DrummerBoyz95 wrote:

I don't know about you but to me there's absolutely 0 "risk" of giving a false confession. Unless I was high or something, but then it wouldn't be false . And even though it is a constitutional right to refuse a search, you know it's only going to make them suspicious.

Eh, that's easy to say when you're not being confronted by an armed individual and his posse. Sometimes their goal is to put words in your mouth and make it appear as though you are guilty, is what I'm saying. It's not always about intimidation or power, sometimes it's just that they've come to a misguided conclusion that you are somehow doing wrong. It's very easy for an officer to come into a situation with his/her mind already made up on whether or not you are guilty. Unfortunately, our enforcers sometimes believe themselves to be judges...and the integrity of their word is taken like that of a judge.

If you plead the 4th, the worst thing that could happen is that the cop will search your vehicle or clothing anyway...then you go right ahead and file an official complaint.

An officer can come up with any number of justifications that allow them to search your vehicle even if they do not have probable cause. If they really want to search your vehicle or clothing, they'll \"Watch your language\" well go ahead and search your vehicle/clothing. So you're only allowing them to propagate further violation your constitutional rights by other law enforcement officers, as well as the next person they do it to, without consequence. The best thing that could happen is that the cop realizes they have no probable cause and kindly lets you on your way.

You should not be scared to protect your rights.

This is what not to do to a cop...
(just watch the first 30 seconds)

Ok, give me a minute to watch these videos Durkee posted so I can post something serious.

LOL ya I don't agree with any of those violent anarchists that think hatred towards law enforcement is the answer.
This whole "fock the police" mindset is immature to say the least. So many of my generation have fallen into that pit, though.

Subtle acts of defiance are by far the most powerful means of change. Otherwise you're turning your actions into their ammunition.

Spl. Durkee wrote:

LOL ya I don't agree with any of those violent anarchists that think hatred towards law enforcement is the answer.
This whole "fock the police" mindset is immature to say the least. So many of my generation have fallen into that pit, though.

Subtle acts of defiance are by far the most powerful means of change. Otherwise you're turning your actions into their ammunition.

So true, comrade. I could go on an on about the various anarchist clubs on my campus, but I am on part three, and I'm way too lazy to type up a considerable response at the moment

Spl. Durkee wrote:

Insane Mercc wrote:

What was the Officers Probable Cause to search your car....

EXACTLY...nothing. Because I was driving on a quiet residential street and he's going through a tough divorce and wanted to vent?
Or maybe I fit the profile of a crackhead or dealer?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...I could see if you some how matched the description of the murder suspect or drove a similar vehicle that it would give him cause to stop you but other than that you were stopped for no reason I think..

Quote :

you need to know your rights...and more importantly, how to exercise those rights peacefully.

There it is !!!

Everytime someone aggrees to an unjustified or unwarrented search you are surrendering your rights and those of others, if it works once then it will work again........

You asked the Police why you were being stopped, they were looking for a Murder Suspect, Did you fit the description, a visula inspection through the windows is all the cop needed to do, if you allow him to search your car you opened yourself to the full fury of the law. What would be the need to search your vehical, what probable cause did the officer have, did he think the suspect was hiding in the glove compartment ??

You have the right to protect yourself from Illegal search and siezure, is it a pain in the a$$ when having to deal with the po-po, yes, it sure is, but if you don´t know your rights and know how to protect them, some law enforcement officials will continue to operate and use your ignorance to further themselves and their carreers.

A bit of info to keep in mind, if you ever have a confontation with the police where you believe that you are being unjustly treated of that your rights are being violated, stay cool and ask ( demand ) that their 1SG be called to the scene to straighten out the situation ( a requirement that must be filled in all 50 states, when requested by the suspect ).

For me, personally, the way I act in front of the fuzz sort of depends on the type of cop I run into. Well, I guess I should say that it influences my actions; sometimes strongly. We all know and love the typical hard-ass, iron fist, piercing glare, takes-no-crap-from-anyone cop who'll rip your head off as quick as look you in the eye. Around these guys, I tend to get nervous and up-tight, which further complicates the situation and makes me more likely to get angry at said officer. However, every once in a while you'll run into a cop who acts like a normal human being rather than a flippin' Drill Sergeant.
Ridiculous story-time! Huzzah!
Around March of last year, I was in need of some extra cash and had taken up a second job as a janitor for a local high school (yeah, yeah I said janitor, laugh it up). The day before I drove up to Southwest MO for a day of non-stop skirmishing, and when I returned home (about 1AM), I was so exhausted that I left my gun and my sidearm in the car. Upon arriving to work the next day, I noticed that my gear was still in the car...so I left the SAW sitting in the back seat and stuffed the pistol in the glove compartment. Keep in mind that this is at a school...face-palm moment dead ahead. Yup, you might of guessed it; some kid walking by my car peered in to see a machine-gun resting on the seat, which had a long strand of mock chain-link bullets connected to the box magazine, and said kid flipped and reported his findings. The school went into lock-down, the police were called and I was hassled into cuffs while my vehicle was searched. The only thought going through my head was you have got to be joking...and man they really got pissed when they found the handgun hidden away. My things were confiscated for several months, and when they were returned, the SAW's internals were a complete wreck (someone had obviously attempted to disassemble, then hastily threw it back together) and that required over $65 to get repaired.
I sort of regret not expressing concern to the authorities upon receiving my battered guns, however it really was my fault for being stupid and leaving those things in my un-tented car...and at that point I was lucky I didn't get my pants sued off by the school.
So yes, that is the day I will look back on as an old man and say, "boy, I am a man of freakin' genius".
EDIT: Ah yes, I forgot to mention that from then on, I became nicknamed "the Sweeper"

Hands AllTheGoodNamesWereTaken a baseball bat.....................

Please feel free to beat yourself about the head and shoulders.

You won´t ever make that mistake again , Wondering, Did you get billed for the roll out ?? Some townships and local law enforcement are starting to bill when they have to roll in cases of excesive stupidity ( Thier wording, not mine ).

slob212 wrote:

excesive stupidity

Haha, thats exactly what it was!
Well sort of; I recieved a pretty hefty fine (if thats what you mean) for "endangerment of minors" and "concealment of fake weapons in a public area" or something along the lines of that...