Posted: 2/28/2010 7:49:21 PM EDT
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I'm driving up to Kirtland AFB. After driving through 50 miles of blizzard between Carricoza NM and San Antonio NM on 380, the rain and snow ended approx 20 miles prior to I25. I hop on I25 and go a short distance, not paying much attention to my speed but not exactly driving with the hammer down. I notice a car pull behind me and see the light bar. I look at my speed and see I'm a little over, but not excessively.
Blue lights flash. I stop, turn off my radio, turn on my interior light of my Quad Cab Hemi, roll down my window and put my hands on the steering column. What followed is one of the most professional stops I've ever had. "Sir, I'm Officer M###### of the Socorro PD. You were travelling 85 in a 75. Can I have your license and registration please." "Yes sir. Here's my license and my insurance and registration are in the glove compartment. Let's see... here's my registration... here's last year's insurance. Ah, a note from Mom... standby, I know its here.... Here you go." "I'll be right back." "Yes sir. Thank you sir." He returns "Here's you go, sir. Slow down and drive safe." He hands me my license/insurance/regisration and leaves. My point... it never hurts to be polite to police officers. Thank you guys and girls for what you do. I was tired, exhausted from a drive through taxing winter weather and he helped me recognize I was travelling a bit faster than I should be. You know... on the issue of karma, I stopped in Scorocco around midnight on New Years Eve for a hot chocolate. I noticed 4 officers in the parking lot across from McDonalds. I was feeling particularly altruistic so I ordered a coffee for each of them. What goes around comes around, I guess! Officer M###### had no way of knowing I did that, but I sure am glad I didn't get a ticket! Thanks again to those who serve and protect. |
I can tell you that the simple fact that you turned on your interior lights and placed your hands on the wheel made a HUGE difference to the officer. Everything else was gravy. Thank YOU for being considerate to that officer and I'm glad you got safely to your destination. I have yet to have anyone turn on the interior light for me when I stop them at night. Thank you OP. Yes, Karma does come around and it's nice when she does. 
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be polite and be honest gets you much further in my district.
I know it is going to sound like bs, and 75Scout can shoot this down, but I very rarely start out rude or coarse with people. I got warnings as a kid, as a result, I try to help people out too. At the same time, I am responsible for my district and I am going to let you know if I think you are endangering the people in my dist. Letting you know to pls be safe is not the same as giving a cite. A cite is usually the result of me thinking asking you to be safe is not going to be effective and a monetary incentive needs to be attached for the message to have effect. And just an FYI, I did this exact same stop tonight; however, I said drive safe slow down bc we had a high priority call come out down the street :D |
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I was pulled over recently along I-70 between Denver and the Tunnel. I was going maybe 4-5 over so 69-70 in a 65. Coming down the hill just a mile or two after the tunnel. It was night and he lit me up along a curve (I guess the whole thing is nothing but a bunch of curves when you think about it). I knew what was ahead of me so I drove an extra 1/2 mile to pull off at one of the new truck chain up areas. Put my hands on the wheel and waited (never thought about the light but will do that in the future). The chain up area is pretty well lit to begin with though. First thing he said to me was "Thank you for pulling over in the chain up area" I told him, there is no reason for him to put his life in danger just to write me a ticket. Grabbed my info and came back in 3-4 minutes and said have a good night. I do have as my wife calls them my "get out of jail free" stickers on my car (IAFF and Local Fire Stickers) but still being polite showing no outward signs of hostility and doing everything in your power to show the officer that you are not a threat and that you do not want to see him/her injured can go a long way. Now I am not saying to drive for 3 miles to find a safe spot but if you know what is ahead is safer I would go for it. But knowing how crazy I70 can be and having personally been hit on the seen of an MVA in the past I DO NOT want to see a LEO get tagged by another vehicle.
I once also drove a bit farther to stop under a bridge when it was raining, I think the officer liked that as well. Stay Safe |
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I can tell you that the simple fact that you turned on your interior lights and placed your hands on the wheel made a HUGE difference to the officer. Everything else was gravy. Thank YOU for being considerate to that officer and I'm glad you got safely to your destination. I have yet to have anyone turn on the interior light for me when I stop them at night. Thank you OP. Yes, Karma does come around and it's nice when she does. No kidding? I turn on so many lights Ray Charles could read the Bible in my truck. I can't imagine anyone NOT turning on their lights (unless of course they're up to some, uh...nefarious behavior). But then again, I know what it's like for the officer coming up to the vehicle. |
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Here in NY most traffic stop interactions are initiated by the defendant yelling out the window "Whad'ya stoppin' me for?". Especially south of Kingston. I usually just tell them that I'll write it down for them so there's no misunderstanding.... 
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you will have to show us all of your scars sometime....
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is it just me or does it seem like there arent a lot of depts doing the SALTS thing? I've gotten complimented by several other officers for how unflaggingly exact my statements are from TS to TS.
Sir or Ma'am, my name is ofc. 21Boom, XXXXX Police, license and registration please (the only variance is if they ask why they were stopped) Sir, i like to know who i'm talking to please, i've already introduced myself The reason i stopped you is you failed to stop at the red light at the intersection of X and Y, State law requires you to stop prior to the white stop bar in the roadway if the traffic light shows red, stay here in the vehicle i'll be back. Sir, today you're being issued a VA uniform Code summons for violation of 46.2-833.1 Red Light Violation, you failed to stop at the intersection of X and Y, Sign here at the X, this is not an admission of guilt it is a promise to appear in court on the above date and time, this is a prepayable offense if you so choose, you can call the court at the number in the top left of your copy of the summons. Drive safely sir. |
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This should be required viewing for all driver's ed schools
HOW NOT TO GET YOUR ASS KICKED BY THE POLICE |