just when you thought you knew what stupid was

[Sigarms]

My point about wearing the uniform, and I meant LEO uniform was that law enforcement was not black and white. Not "you broke that law, you are going to jail", there is such a thing as officer discretion. In other words applying the law fairly, but even handed and not beating people over the head with a rule book when it will serve no good purpose. An example. 3 scared kids parked down at "the local kid beach" with a 6 pack of beer. They are all underage, and you pour the beer out on the ground, and threaten to call their parents. You let them off with a stern warning, thru their tears. Should you have taken them to jail? No, probably not, unless they were defiant and hateful or aggressive. That is officer discretion, and that was all I meant.

Understood.

My boys aren't old enough to drive by themselves, but I tell them that if they every have to deal with a LEO for whatever reason while driving, they HAVE to be respectful and do what they are told be it even if they think they are in the right. The person who has you pulled over does have the power at that moment in time on how things will play out. I'd be lying if I didn't tell them to keep their answers to "yes sir" and "no sir", and keep your mouth shut. Would be nice if I kept my own advice, but it's just irritating how it seems some cops go on fishing expedition for a seat belt violation, but I do thank them in a very nice tone for looking after my well being LOL

I always found it funny how I'd be asked "where are you going today?" when pulled over for a seat belt violation. I don't lie, tell them where I'm going, but it's like what are they expecting, for me to tell them I'm on my way to rob a bank? LOL

I'm getting better with seat belts as I've gotten older, added I now have to set an example so I haven't gotten anything for years.

 

[Sigarms]

I wanted to be an actor for many years. I figured what has Brad Pitt got that I don’t?

Let's see a full mirror shot of yourself and we'll go from there

Me, I'm just plain ugly.

 

[ovrszd]

Probably not the best example, but I understand your meaning.

As an adult, I've been pulled over for faulty equipment(lights burned out), license plate displayed improperly, speeding, etc... there was never a time that I had enforcement interaction with the police that I didn't deserve. Each and every time, I told the absolute truth and off I went. The one time I did get a large speeding ticket, I absolutely deserved it. The one time I got a 5 over during a michigan state police action period when they were pushing for raises, I just rolled my eyes and paid it. I was over, so yes, I was speeding, but man, 60 in a 55? Oh well.

I've been on the receiving end of that exact scenario you gave a couple times in my youth. It did nothing to stop us from drinking again. We'd pour the beer out, drive off, and head to the liquor store again. Yes, taking advantage of a cop's good nature. Too many people did the same thing as us, drove off drunk, got in a wreck and killed someone. The cops get sued for letting the drunk go, and the cops finally learned you should never let a drunk go. It's not worth risking other peoples' lives, or their career, to do someone a favor.

I really wish the cops would have arrested me, or at least made my parents come out and get me. Maybe it would have knocked some sense into me earlier in my life. Stopped drunking in 1985.

Moss, step away, you are simply sounding stupid now...

Yeah, as a teenager I wish they would have arrested me and called my parents!!!

Yeah right. Total BS.

There are a few here that have derailed to make a point. I expect you to be above that.

 

[MossRoad]

Moss, step away, you are simply sounding stupid now...

Yeah, as a teenager I wish they would have arrested me and called my parents!!!

Yeah right. Total BS.

There are a few here that have derailed to make a point. I expect you to be above that.

You're reading that wrong. As a teenager, of course I didn't want to get caught. Looking back on it as an adult, I do wish someone would have intervened. It would have saved 9 years of my life.

 

[Jstpssng]

You're reading that wrong. As a teenager, of course I didn't want to get caught. Looking back on it as an adult, I do wish someone would have intervened. It would have saved 9 years of my life.

Your experiences good and bad are what made you who you are today. Who knows what would have happened if you'd done things differently? So... Don't look back.

 

[k0ua]

I always found it funny how I'd be asked "where are you going today?" when pulled over for a seat belt violation. I don't lie, tell them where I'm going, but it's like what are they expecting, for me to tell them I'm on my way to rob a bank? LOL

That is not the reason the officer asked you the "stupid question". He asked the question to engage you in conversation for several reasons.

Reason 1: to see if you are lucid and can carry on a conversation. Are you drunk or otherwise under the influence of something?
Reason 2:. To gauge your reaction to his presence. Are you "antsy" or "guilty looking". Are you extremely defensive, and looking like you could either fight or run in a moments notice? In other words what are you hiding or don't want to talk about?

Reason 3: Engaging you in conversation allows him more time to do a visual outside search of your person and your vehicle. Just a good "eyeing up". not a casual glance. The conversation
is to keep you engaged, and see 1 and 2 above. Also if you have passengers, he may want to engage them also. Especially a woman, Does she look like a willing passenger? Is he holding her against her will, does she look frightened? All good questions to follow up to the inane question he asked you. Even that question could be germane if for instance you say you are going to Chicago and he stops you going south into Kentucky. \

Again, If everyone spent a couple years as a police officer, their outlook on life would forever be changed. You will never see human interaction the same way.

 

[k0ua]

You're reading that wrong. As a teenager, of course I didn't want to get caught. Looking back on it as an adult, I do wish someone would have intervened. It would have saved 9 years of my life.

What were your parents doing to guide your young wasted youthful life? For that matter what were your peers doing to help you along your way? Occasionally some of them have more sense than others. But only occasionally.

 

[MossRoad]

Your experiences good and bad are what made you who you are today. Who knows what would have happened if you'd done things differently? So... Don't look back.

:thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

I've never objected to the questioning. When my wife and I were dating we'd go down to the river and park and just listen to music, talk, etc.... once in a while a police officer would sneak up on us and tap on the window with his flashlight.

Evening folks. Everything all right in there?

Yes sir.

Then he'd look over at her and ask if she was there on her own free will. Glad she was never mad at me....

HE'S GOT WEED! HE'S GOT WEED!

:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

Reason 4 for the inane question:. And this is more of a "used to be" than an "is now". It used to take a little time to run a full Check on your vehicle and the likely driver. You call in the "10-28" License check and while they are looking that up in the computer, you also wanted an NCIC check on the owner of the vehicle, which could be the driver, AND a search for local warrants for said same. In the old days the locals were kept in an actual file cabinet. So all of this took a little time. Not so much anymore, that is all cross checked usually before the tires stop rolling.

But again the main reason for asking you stupid questions is to see what you will say and how you will say it. If you answer politely, clearly, and succinctly and seem to be pointed in that direction the officer is going to start losing interest in you real fast.