Well there's some flame-worthy trooper comments in that article. Where'd I hide the popcorn butter?

learned all that stuff when i was covering a graveyard shift for a couple of weeks in a diner where the CHP would hang out for "lunch breaks" in the wee hours. Cops are (justifiably) frightened people with guns and the power to make your life difficult to miserable, so don't do anything sketchy.

So, the general point of the article: Don't be a dick.

/sounds easy, wonder how many farkers will argue against it
//and the circle continues unbroken
\am i being detained?

1. Obey the Law
2. Use Common Sense
3. Stop Immediately.
4. Turn that Shiat Off.
5. Be Polite
6. Shut the Fark Up
7. Get a White Friend
8. Don't Ride With a Mad Woman.

Pretty much the Golden Rule.

Don't Be A Dick.

Folk with a gun, who sees people do bad things all the time, and often the worst behavior in people on a regular basis, and they sort of learn to expect it. Even if you don't intend your actions to be dickish, you sort of have to view them from that prism.

Are there bad and pissed off cops? Certainly, but almost every cop I've ever known and worked with wanted the exact same thing that damn near every bouncer I've ever worked with wanted: to have a boring, uneventful evening. Excitement is over rated when you realize that what is exciting for you, is tedious and wretched for them, and what's exciting for them, might just wind up with you getting killed...

Relatively Obscure:

Damn you.

FTA:" 'If people are honest and admit they're wrong', says Lieutenant Anglada, "90 percent of the time I'll drop their speed or just give them a warning."

Sure you will...

and:

"If you were speeding, admit it."

Worst advice ever.

I do all of the things listed in the article, plus a bit more:

1. yes and no answers whenever possible. short answers when not. don't get chatty.
2. NEVER consent to a search. NEVER.
3. Take your time sorting thru your paperwork. be visible, be methodical, but take your time. after all, you are being entirely legal and the cop is losing out on other traffic stop revenue while he wastes his time with you.
4. If the cop decides to place you under arrest - ask for a lawyer immediately. Do not consent to anything. shut up.
5. sign the ticket, contest it later if you must.
6. be polite.

I've had cops give up trying to cite me while I politely asked for clarification on every instruction, moved very slowly and methodically sorted everything out while they tried to gather information. Done correctly, you can turn a 20 minute traffic stop into an hour and a half affair. That's about $600 in traffic fines that Officer friendly just missed out on.

You will get out of any ticket if you manage to make the nice policeman laugh.

It is not easy.

Steak will do nicely.

Sumo Surfer: "If you were speeding, admit it."

Worst advice ever.

Not entirely true... while traveling in VT (where you could tie a brick to your steering wheel, set cruise control, and take a nap), I was going downhill and passed an officer doing ~95. I just pulled over, I didn't want to waste his time chasing after me. He came up to the window, asked "do you know why you pulled over?" All I said was "Yep. I was speeding."

I guess he wasn't used to such honesty, because he said "Well, just give me your license.. if there are no warrants out for you, you're free to go. Just slow it down a bit."

I've also gotten out of tickets by joking around with an officer. Out in Missouri, the closest Starbucks was bout 80 miles away. Coming back, iced white-chocolate mocha in hand, I got yanked doing 80. When he handed me the ticket, he asked if I had any questions. "Nope", i replied, "but this is the most expensive cup of coffee I've ever bought." He asked what I meant, told him why I was even out there, and ended up talking about frickin' coffee for 10 minutes. He ended up dropping the ticket down to a warning, then most likely went to go find a place to grab a cup of joe.

Weaver95:

2. NEVER consent to a search. NEVER.

I got pulled over for a broken headlight late one night, and the officer asked me "You don't have anything illegal or anything I should know about in the car right -so you don't mind if I check?

It was a tricky two-part question and it took me a moment to say "No I don't and yes I do."

Done correctly, you can turn a 20 minute traffic stop into an hour and a half affair.

I spend my free time differently, thanks.

/but whatever floats your boat.
//What ever stops your cop.
///Whatever humps your camel

I'll have to disagree about letting them know that you are armed. In Colorado, you are not under obligation to do so (it varies from state to state) My general rule is that if it is in a closed compartment, there is no reason to bring it up unless he asks me to open the compartment or if he specifically asks about weapons. I know that he might use it as a reason to ask to remove it himself "for his safety" which means that I'd be in the situation of either allowing a defacto search or escalating the situation. If it is on my person I'm going to let him know that immediately. Any extra inconvenience has to be balanced against the possibility of getting shot if he happens to spot it.

It's easier to remember than the article says.

Just remember this: By far the most dangerous thing a cop will ever do is walk up the window of a vehicle he's stopped. The easier and safer you make that for him, the more likely you'll leave the experience with nothing more than a warning (if that.)

I do one more thing not mentioned in the article. I pull way off the road (as far off as the shoulder will allow) so that the officer is not so close to the roadway. They do appreciate it. If I can, I'll even signal and slowly turn onto a side street or parking lot, and pull far enough to allow him safe room behind me.

It works. A little respect goes a long way, too.

Weaver95: I've had cops give up trying to cite me while I politely asked for clarification on every instruction, moved very slowly and methodically sorted everything out while they tried to gather information.


I've had cops decide not to cite me (on more than one occasion) after I cooperated with them and was honest about what I had and had not done.

Of course, the easiest way to not be ticketed for violating a traffic law is to not violate any traffic laws.

AntiNorm: Of course, the easiest way to not be ticketed for violating a traffic law is to not violate any traffic laws.

One of the largest sources of income for local cops is traffic stops. They nearly always ticket you for something. A common tactic here is to delay the cop as long as you possibly can, especially on a holiday weekend. eventually they either write you a fast ticket for something easily fought or they give up and leave.

I can only speak of my experiences in Florida.

Highway patrol = useless.

The complete elimination of them = nothing would change. There are LT's in Florida who require that the troopers under them write some type of ticket for every traffic stop. They track their stops using the in-car GPS.

Sheriffs and local PD's = have better things to do and bigger fish to fry...They really don't enjoy writing tickets. Some smaller towns = the exception. When your dealing with them one-on-one, unless your dealing with a rookie, you have to do something stupid to get arrested. Who wants to spend 4-8 hours writing reports?

/Remember kids, if there is more than one, it becomes a liability for them to look the other way.

Weaver95: 3. Take your time sorting thru your paperwork. be visible, be methodical, but take your time. after all, you are being entirely legal and the cop is losing out on other traffic stop revenue while he wastes his time with you.

FTA: A traffic stop is not the time to clean out your car, sorting through 10 years' worth of registrations and insurance cards.

I actually got out of a ticket by endlessly digging through the pile of crap in my glove compartment. I was friendly and apologetic while he shuffled his feet and lectured me about what a hell hole my car was. He finally got some kind of call on his radio and let me off with a warning. I doubt you could rely on this strategy.

The best possible way to get out of a ticket (for those of you with no morals... like myself)...

Fully fill out an application for the local police department academy (leave the date blank) and have it sitting in the passenger seat when they walk up. When they come up and talk to you for a minute and make their accusation, become a concern whore, pick up your application and ask, "is this going to hurt my chances to becomes a police officer".

If executed properly, they will want to see the application, verifying that you are serious. Their empathy and relation typically will save you.

bogey: I doubt you could rely on this strategy.

Hey, it got me out of a ticket on st. patty's day. And it's gotten me off the hook more than once with other cops. Working night shift and driving home late at night means i'm always getting stopped by local township cops.

"why are you driving around past midnight?"
"have you been drinking?"
"do you know what time it is?"
"Where you coming from? which bar?"

The thought that someone could legitmately be out after midnight on a sunday night never crosses their minds. they *always* assume i've been drinking and try to get me on a DUI. The only times I don't get pulled over is when it's raining or if it's cold out.

Weaver95: One of the largest sources of income for local cops is traffic stops.


So?

That doesn't change the fact that there are laws to be followed, and consequences if they are violated.

Just remember...

Shut the fark up and tell your passengers to do the same! Do not volunteer information and don't give attitude. Only answer when asked and then with 'yes' or 'no' answers. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.

Keep your hands where they can be seen. Don't make any sudden movements. At night, turn on your overhead light. Last thing you want is a nervous cop.

The side of the road is not the place to argue or try to fight a ticket. If anything, it'll cause the cop to conduct a safety inspection and find more things to write you up on. If you want to fight it, go to court.

Do not consent to a search. If a cop has to ask you to search, that means s/he does not have probable cause. Your refusal to search does not give him probable cause. Don't waive your 4th amendment rights to get out of there a few minutes faster.

Remember, a cop is not your friend. He is an agent of the local or state government.

/Not a lawyer, just passing on tips that I have heard

I would recommend installing a recording system in your car. Audio for sure, and video if possible.

If the police haven't got anything to hide, then they should have nothing to worry about.

The most important advice in that article is keeping your hands in plain sight, and not letting your gun be a surprise.

When a police officer approaches your car, [s]he is thinking, "Am I about to be shot in the face?"
Keeping your hands on the wheel is a great way to reply, "Not right now."

AntiNorm: So?

That doesn't change the fact that there are laws to be followed, and consequences if they are violated.

Nah, it's not about following rules or laws, it's about 'how much money can we make off traffic stops?'

Privately the cops agree with me. They've got quotas to meet, otherwise they get dinged on their performance reviews.

Sir Cumference the Flatulent: I would recommend installing a recording system in your car. Audio for sure, and video if possible.

If the police haven't got anything to hide, then they should have nothing to worry about.

Carlisle Pa. police officers threw some kid into county lock up for recording a routine traffic stop with his cell phone.

Stay classy pennsylvannia!

So?

That doesn't change the fact that there are laws to be followed, and consequences if they are violated.

And that doesn't change the fact that there are laws that have very little to do with public safety and are specifically on the books to levy money.

And it doesn't change the fact that, if the public is made aware of these laws which have 'very little effect on public safety' and are made aware that they are used to levy taxes, the public would stop supporting these laws.

And it also doesn't change the fact that, the more people that possess your OBEY attitude, the less likely things will change.

/Thank you for playing your part of sucking up America..

Neurochemist: he best possible way to get out of a ticket (for those of you with no morals... like myself)...

Fully fill out an application for the local police department academy (leave the date blank) and have it sitting in the passenger seat when they walk up.

Gee, do you think the police academy is considering 46 year old fatty applicant?

Gee, do you think the police academy is considering 46 year old fatty applicant?

I actually heard a rumor that they were making it a requirement

Damn, and here I've been offering to take the "special breathalyzer" all along, when these tips were out there.

Just once I'd like to get the "Fluid of Freedom" instead of the "Juice of Justice" out of the thing.

Neurochemist: And it doesn't change the fact that, if the public is made aware of these laws which have 'very little effect on public safety' and are made aware that they are used to levy taxes, the public would stop supporting these laws.

Actually, most of the laws that are in place are because someone did something stupid, therefore, we all must pay with a all-encompassing law that ruins the fun of using squirrels as slingshots to fire pancakes at the local Waffle House.

Mr. Coffee Nerves:
Just once I'd like to get the "Fluid of Freedom" instead of the "Juice of Justice" out of the thing.

How YOU doin?

The 'smilie' cops are not just being happy. They just find it amusing how ignorant you are when it comes to the law.

So my friends and I are sitting in the car in the middle of nowhere on Christmas eve. We're just talking, looking at a map, and listening to the radio.

A cop knocks on the window. I roll down the window. He says "Everything okay here?"

And I said "We're just fine, officer! Doughnut?" and passed the box of doughnuts we had with us out the window.

He looked at them, said "no thank you."

Wow is sucks living in the US. In Canada, if you go 10 kmph over the speed limit you have nothing to worry about... if you are a dumbass who is not going with the flow you will get pulled over. I haven't been pulled over since high school where I was driving after the 'bedtime' for my learners permit. I rolled through a stop sign and a cop was sitting hidden around the corner. I saw the lights and pulled over in the parking lot. I find it's a whole lot easier to get your papers before the cop comes up and have them just sitting on the glove box. I leave my glove box open as well so he can see there's nothing in there. After a short explanation and a little mea cupla, I'm on my way home with not even a warning.

I was stopped a few weeks earlier for speeding on the local military base and the military police were less amicable. I got a ticket and I'm pretty sure they would have given one to their own mother in that situation.

In the end, just do what the article says. Speed if you want to, but go with the flow and its a lot harder to stand out. Oh and make sure your car is in good working order... and clean... and with no breaks in the window. Cops assume dirty, broken cars have drugs in them.

..and I want cops to kill themselves. Everybody wants something.

AntiNorm:

Of course, the easiest way to not be ticketed for violating a traffic law is to not violate any traffic laws.

You mean like this guy

NYPD disciplines white officer who stopped black commander

RoxtarRyan: So, the general point of the article: Don't be a dick.

But it's in the Constitution somewhere that you're allowed to be as dickish a possible to the police and they're supposed to take it and then allow you to go on your way. I learned that by spending some time on Fark.

Tr0mBoNe: I find it's a whole lot easier to get your papers before the cop comes up

Do that in the US and a cop will possibly shoot you. And if so, will get away with it.

AntiNorm: Of course, the easiest way to not be ticketed for violating a traffic law is to not violate any traffic laws.

That's very good advice, but being a woman seems to work for me.

I'm not saying I'm the hottest piece of ass around, but I've been pulled over maybe a dozen times and gotten only four tickets. I think it helps that I have ample, uh, assets.

I was worried for a while, didn't see any articles so Farkers could get their daily fix of cop bashing.

I_AM_M

..and I want cops to kill themselves. Everybody wants something.

"Look at me. I hate the law. Once I get my license, I'm gonna soup up my Accord and no pig's ever gonna catch me."



I find myself using that image a lot in cop threads. For Christ's sake, give it a rest. No one particularly likes cops, because no one likes getting pulled over. We get it.

Marcus Aurelius: You will get out of any ticket if you manage to make the nice policeman laugh.

It is not easy.

Also works in a hotel room where underage drinking is taking place.

/my friend was clearly drunk the office BSd the breathalyser test in front of the hotel staff and let us drive home.

Neurochemist: And that doesn't change the fact that there are laws that have very little to do with public safety and are specifically on the books to levy money.


Just a couple of days ago, a student at a high school near where I live was killed by someone who ran a red light.

Go ahead, try and convince their family that traffic laws have nothing to do with safety.

AntiNorm: Of course, the easiest way to not be ticketed for violating a traffic law is to not violate any traffic laws.

And be a clean-cut, well-dressed white person.

If you're a minority, or you're a white guy with tattoos or long hair and a beard, your miles will often vary.

This article is right on the money. The last time I got pulled over I did all of the above. I was not even asked for a license. Best advice: Do not attract the attention of law enforcement.

FTFA: Although they don't insist on it, Lieutenant Hastings, as well as most other troopers, greatly prefer that you tell them where you're about to reach. "It puts me at ease if you say, 'I'm going to reach for my wallet now,'" he says, "or, 'I need to open the glove box, okay?'"

Ok, officer, I'm reaching into my jacket to pull out my wallet, ok?

/pulls out gun
//pow

AntiNorm: Just a couple of days ago, a student at a high school near where I live was killed by someone who ran a red light.

Go ahead, try and convince their family that traffic laws have nothing to do with safety

Wow, so you think running a red light is anywhere in the same ballpark as going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit?

There's what the cops would prefer you do (so the DA can more easily prosecute you).

And there's what you should do.

Take your pick.

What, are you going to tell us how drunk driving is just as dangerous as speeding or driving with no insurance?