Question for all police officers, deputies, troopers, etc.

[VUPDblue]

I've never once asked someone "Do you know why I pulled you over?" I'd just tell them. "I'm Ptl. BBI, I need your license and registration, please." After I had that, I'd say, "the reason I stopped you is that you (insert infraction here) at (insert location here). Is there any reason for that?"

That's my MO as well.

 

[Captain Morgan]

I've never once asked someone "Do you know why I pulled you over?" I'd just tell them. "I'm Ptl. BBI, I need your license and registration, please." After I had that, I'd say, "the reason I stopped you is that you (insert infraction here) at (insert location here). Is there any reason for that?"

Every time I've ever been pulled over, I've been asked if I know why.

 

[Scutter01]

The last time I was pulled over, it was for a fishing expedition. The officer was hoping for a DUI. When it was obvious that I hadn't had a drop to drink, he graciously let me off with a warning.

 

[Trigger Time]

As long as they provide their name or DL I just issue a ticket. If the driver doesn't want to talk thats fine, but it doesn't give me any reason to give them a warning.

What Frank said. The questions I ask of a driver on a traffic stop are asked for several reasons, among them being whether or not I will give a ticket or a warning. If you want to play the silent-Sam game then that's up to you, but you will be getting a ticket from me.

That's fair and right. Can't ask for a better Leo interaction. I'm being serious. I'll remain silent besides basic courtesy.
if it was one of you guys or another Leo that I knew then of coarse I would talk.
Otherwise I'm claiming 'citizen safety' and keeping my trap shut. I want to go home at night

 

[Trigger Time]

The last time I was pulled over, it was for a fishing expedition. The officer was hoping for a DUI. When it was obvious that I hadn't had a drop to drink, he graciously let me off with a warning.

Yeah How gracious of that publi servant to let you off with a warning and not lie and say you were drunk. That's the reason I would stay silent. The majority do their jobs correctly and serve the public and their community as ambassadors by not being dicks and going the extra mile. Some others try to instigate and are in the wrong line of work. I don't want to chance it.

 

[KG1]

I've never once asked someone "Do you know why I pulled you over?" I'd just tell them. "I'm Ptl. BBI, I need your license and registration, please." After I had that, I'd say, "the reason I stopped you is that you (insert infraction here) at (insert location here). Is there any reason for that?"

Does anyone ever say that you have an odd name?

 

[femurphy77]

I bought a car once that had questionable speedometer accuracy. One night going home I was overtaking a leo and started to back off then decided to see if the speedo was truly off. As I passed the cop car he flashed his spotlight at me, then when I passed him he lit me up. During the initial conversation he asked me what my first thought was when he spotted me, I asked him "honestly"? He responded "honesty is the best policy". I told him my first thought was what the **** is this *******'s problem!! He stared at me sternly for a moment and then busted out laughing! He said that was the first honest answer he had ever had, told me to get the speedo fixed and let me go!

 

[Kirk Freeman]

"Do you know why I pulled you over?" and the driver simply remains silent

Remain silent and . . . and . . . blowing kisses!

1. It's just a traffic infraction relax, it's not a crime. You know how dogs sense fear? If you are spun up, then what is 24 year old Deputy Pukemeyer? Right, spun up too.

Don't be stupid, you aren't doing anything criminal since you have your Larry to carry.

2. Keep your baconhole shut. Don't be blurting out stuff. Don't play 20 questions. Don't tell him that your third cousin's dog is the Town Marshal in Gnawbone.

Your county's jail is FULL of people who would not shut up. No, really that is why they are there. Shut up.

3. He wants to see the papers, show him the papers.

4. He wants you out of the car? Get out of the car.

5. He wants to play CSI? Am I free to go? If yes, go. If no, don't go.

6. Keep your ride clean. Outside and inside. Don't want to be hunted? Stop looking like prey.

7. Oh, yeah, remember reading in Boston T. Party's wookiebook about running back to the police car? Yeah, don't do that! Stay in the car, relax, you are not going to jail. It's just speeding or a turn signal or you rolled a stop sign. All that nonsense we can divert or talk the DPA out of prosecuting since you have a clean driving record. It's just a traffic ticket.

Everyone relax, it's just a stupid infraction or ordinance violation.

 

[jbombelli]

Because you want to thank me for being such an awesome person, and ask for my autograph. Obviously.

 

[Kutnupe14]

The thread about Westfield PD brings this question to mind.

If you pull someone over for speeding (or some other minor infraction), walk up and ask the standard "Do you know why I pulled you over?" and the driver simply remains silent, how are you supposed to handle the stop? Do you simply ask for DL and registration? Let's assume you've asked for this and they ask why. You say why you pulled them over, they hand over the documents, but they sit there in silence to every question you ask them after that (whether it's about speed limit knowledge, weapons they might have, brake light out, etc.). How are you trained to handle the stop when they sit there in silence?

I don't ask if they know why I pulled them over. I tell them. While I was at the academy, we were told of case where a murderer was stopped by an officer who asked that, and the guy killed him on the spot. When they caught up with the guy he said he shot the officer because he thought the officer pulled him over and asked that question because "he knew" that he was wanted for murder. Lots of wanted bad guys, if stopped, play the "does he know? maybe he doesn't" game.

But otherwise, depending on the stop, I might call for another officer and have the guy exit the car as I hand over the ticket. I would kinda like to size up the guy to make sure he's not intoxicated, or something else isnt going on that I may have missed.

 

[Trigger Time]

I don't ask if they know why I pulled them over. I tell them. While I was at the academy, we were told of case where a murderer was stopped by an officer who asked that, and the guy killed him on the spot. When they caught up with the guy he said he shot the officer because he thought the officer pulled him over and asked that question because "he knew" that he was wanted for murder. Lots of wanted bad guys, if stopped, play the "does he know? maybe he doesn't" game.

But otherwise, depending on the stop, I might call for another officer and have the guy exit the car as I hand over the ticket. I would kinda like to size up the guy to make sure he's not intoxicated, or something else isnt going on that I may have missed.

Last paragraph: I think your the type of cop I fear I'll get pulled over by. What's your reason besides fishing or retaliation for me knowing my right to stay silent to pull me out of the car? Sure I'll comply but I won't play any of your dog and pony show games nor would I even speak

 

[public servant]

I only write tickets if the person is a douche. Most people aren't. You have every right to not answer any questions. I'll just blow you kisses and wink at you as I hand you your ticket. Have a nice day...and drive safely.

 

[Bunnykid68]

I only write tickets if the person is a douche. Most people aren't. You have every right to not answer any questions. I'll just blow you kisses and wink at you as I hand you your ticket. Have a nice day...and drive safely.

Want to go ahead and mail me my ticket now?

 

[public servant]

Want to go ahead and mail me my ticket now?

I should clarify that not every person who doesn't like to talk is a douche...and then there is you...

 

[Disposable Heart]

Last time I was stopped, they ran a field sobriety test on me (was tired, coming from designated driver duty and a friend's birthday, was out pretty much all night).

Officer: Can you recite the alphabet backwards for me, look at my light...
Me: (recites alphabet backwards, actually pretty well, adds on "tell me what you think of me..." at the end)
Officer: (looks up and stares...)
Me: Do you want me to walk the line next or the finger/nose touch?
Officer: Not necessary (writes in some pad)
Me: Want to watch me do a backflip? (goofy smile, almost child like impish grin)
Officer: Not required as part of the field sobriety test sir. Please sit in your car, stay warm, I'll return your license and papers here in a minute...

Had a Clermont cop (Indiana's largest self sufficient speedtrap!!) get mad b/c he asked if I had any illegal weapons in the car. I responded no (as I had no illegal weapons in the car). Next thing I know, he unsnapping retention and asking me to keep my hands where he can see them, NOW. (hands never left the wheel or moved even). He begins tirade about the Ruger on my hip. I retorted with, "well, you asked about illegal weapons, I have a license to carry and the Ruger SP101 doesn't fall within Indiana or Federal guidelines for an illegal weapon." Got a verbal warning that trip...

 

[Bunnykid68]

Never understood the alphabet backwards thing, I would be more likely able to do that drunk because I certainly cannot do it sober

 

[VUPDblue]

the backward alphabet test is not part of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests as outlined by NHTSA.

The three tests that are part of the SFSTs are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), the 9 Step Walk and Turn, and the One Leg Stand.

 

[public servant]

Here's looking at you, kid.

 

[Bunnykid68]

the backward alphabet test is not part of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests as outlined by NHTSA.

The three tests that are part of the SFSTs are the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), the 9 Step Walk and Turn, and the One Leg Stand.

I bet most times before you even start the test you know if you got yourself a winner

 

[VUPDblue]

I bet most times before you even start the test you know if you got yourself a winner

I don't want to waste my time with SFSTs unless I am reasonably certain that I am dealing with an impaired driver. The HGN test is the most telling of the three and it's impossible to "get good" at it thereby fooling the test administrator.