StoneWolf
Father, Husband, CAD Drafter, Reader
StoneWolf's Guide to Getting Pulled Over.
Woo woo, there is a cop w/ their lights on behind you.
Take a deep breath.
Acknowledge the police by waving.
Do not reach for anything. Keep your hands either on the wheel or within sight.
Immediately put on your RIGHT hand blinker.
Remove your foot from the gas, and begin to coast.
ASAP move to the right hand lane if applicable.
Find a good spot for both you & the cop to pull over. Safe from traffic & preferably well lit.
Pull over as far as you can.
Put your vehicle in park.
Put on your emergency blinkers.
Roll down ALL windows.
Turn the radio OFF.
Turn on your interior lights, if dark out.
Turn your car off.
Place your keys on the dashboard where they are easily visable.
Keep your hands on the wheel or on the backs of your head.
Take a deep breath. Smile.
Wait patiently.
Remember, cops have the right to detain you for up to 24 hours w/o bringing charges. They also have the right to search your person.
They do not have the right to search your car, w/o probable cause (pot smell, someone yelling for help from inside your trunk or if you leave an open container in open sight, etc). However, if they arrest you, than they are going to search your car.
When the officer finally does appear (he was running your plate) smile & say, "How can I help you officer?"
Follow all instructions.
Answer all questions honestly.
If you have a weapon, tell them, if they ask or not.
If they ask if you have drugs or any illicit contraband, tell them!, (IF THEY ASK). (They are likely to find it anyway, & cops appreciate honesty.)
Do not fidget.
Take a deep breath.
Do not volunteer information not asked for.
Answer questions directly & make eye contact.
Do not make small talk.
If asked for your id, proof of insurance or registration (likely) ask permission before you reach for anything, each time, and do so slowly, returning your hands to either the wheel or the top of your head, between your wallet & glovebox, etc.
Look for their nametag & call them "Officer 'lastname'" or "Deputy 'lastname'". Police are officers, sheriffs are deputys.
Remember, cops are people too... people who are scared & in the line of fire. And oh yeah, they have guns.
When dealing with ANY armed person, loud noises & sudden movements are to be avoided.
Treat cops like you would a strange dog, with the respect that they just might hurt you, and give them no reason to do so.
Woo woo, there is a cop w/ their lights on behind you.
Take a deep breath.
Acknowledge the police by waving.
Do not reach for anything. Keep your hands either on the wheel or within sight.
Immediately put on your RIGHT hand blinker.
Remove your foot from the gas, and begin to coast.
ASAP move to the right hand lane if applicable.
Find a good spot for both you & the cop to pull over. Safe from traffic & preferably well lit.
Pull over as far as you can.
Put your vehicle in park.
Put on your emergency blinkers.
Roll down ALL windows.
Turn the radio OFF.
Turn on your interior lights, if dark out.
Turn your car off.
Place your keys on the dashboard where they are easily visable.
Keep your hands on the wheel or on the backs of your head.
Take a deep breath. Smile.
Wait patiently.
Remember, cops have the right to detain you for up to 24 hours w/o bringing charges. They also have the right to search your person.
They do not have the right to search your car, w/o probable cause (pot smell, someone yelling for help from inside your trunk or if you leave an open container in open sight, etc). However, if they arrest you, than they are going to search your car.
When the officer finally does appear (he was running your plate) smile & say, "How can I help you officer?"
Follow all instructions.
Answer all questions honestly.
If you have a weapon, tell them, if they ask or not.
If they ask if you have drugs or any illicit contraband, tell them!, (IF THEY ASK). (They are likely to find it anyway, & cops appreciate honesty.)
Do not fidget.
Take a deep breath.
Do not volunteer information not asked for.
Answer questions directly & make eye contact.
Do not make small talk.
If asked for your id, proof of insurance or registration (likely) ask permission before you reach for anything, each time, and do so slowly, returning your hands to either the wheel or the top of your head, between your wallet & glovebox, etc.
Look for their nametag & call them "Officer 'lastname'" or "Deputy 'lastname'". Police are officers, sheriffs are deputys.
Remember, cops are people too... people who are scared & in the line of fire. And oh yeah, they have guns.
When dealing with ANY armed person, loud noises & sudden movements are to be avoided.
Treat cops like you would a strange dog, with the respect that they just might hurt you, and give them no reason to do so.
