Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
I can sympathize with that. My approach is this...
First, I compare it to my own experiences. When I was pulled over, I too was afraid. I kept my hands in plain sight and I explained every move I was making prior to making it. Why? I was afraid that the individuals commissioned to protect and serve me might kill me. That's why. lol And here's what bothers me, I work with cops and I'm typically relaxed around them. However, in a traffic stop, the rules were different. Suddenly, I realized this guy doesn't know me. He doesn't know where I work. I could make a sudden move and be killed. And because I do know cops... I was worried. Because I know how on edge they already are when pulling a person over.
Second, I think about how I would like to error. Would I rather error on the notion that many are indeed afraid (as I was) or do I error on refusing to accept that anyone was afraid (though I was)?
I'd rather take her word for it until given significant reason to believe otherwise.
Since my own experience confirms her experience as she presented it, I have to ask... is such fear warranted? We used to be afraid of a ticket when pulled over, and we'd do our best to explain in the hopes of getting a warning. Now... we're just happy to be alive. I think there's something wrong with that. And I think it ties into the militant mindset that has been created in our law enforcement. They act more like soldiers than "cops". They are militarized. So, they behave more like a standing army charged with keeping the peace than they do public servants charged to protect and serve. Ever try to talk to a cop at a UDF? I had one cop get an attitude with me... just for trying to start a conversation with him while in line. What gives? If you can't do your job without becoming a jerk or abusive... you need to be fired so that you can find a job that you can handle. Especially if your current job requires you to carry a loaded firearm.
But, that's how I approach it. I'm sure some approach it differently.
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I stated the last time I was pulled over. I was even concealed carrying. Kept my hands on the steering wheel as I've always done. I was polite. I wasn't a jerk.
At no time was I afraid.
Now, Houston will say it's because I'm white.
But I've never been afraid or felt fear during interactions with police when pulled over.
I had one officer pull me over on my way home from working a second shift job. It was just after midnight, I had stopped by Hollywood video to get a movie and when I turned, I drifted into the right lane without properly signaling and changing lanes.
The officer claimed I was drinking, claimed he smelled alcohol on me (never drank a drop in my life). He had me exit my car and do a sobriety test. When I passed that, he told me I needed to take a breathalyzer test and if I refused, I would be taken to the station and be compelled to take one there. He cuffed me, had me sit in the back seat while I took the test.
I wasn't afraid then. I was a little upset, but still respectful. After passing the test, the officer uncuffed me and stated I was free to go.
My brother was a chaplain and close to the police chief. Shortly after telling my brother about it, I got a call from the chief apologizing for the stop and informing me of how to write a formal complaint, if I wanted to do so.
Not much longer after that, I had an officer follow me from the church where me and some friends finished playing basketball in the gym, a few miles to my friends house where I dropped them off. My friends got out and waved at the officer before going inside their house.
About a block later, the officer pulled me over. I waited a few minutes and then two other police cars pulled up in front of me. I didn't feel any fear, even though it was a quiet side street and was after 10 at night.
An officer approached on each side of my car while the others stayed in front near their cars. The officer asked what I had been doing. I told him I had just dropped some friends off after playing basketball in the gym at my church.
The officer told me they were called by another officer who had observed me standing on the unlit porch of a residence (another friend who lived a couple houses over from the church) and that I had looked threatening at an officer who was in a car across the street.
The car was unmarked. I remember the car. I didn't know it was the police. All I remember is seeing a car slowly roll to the stop sign and sit there while there was no traffic. I told the officer this and said I was watching the car because it was dark and late at night and just sat at the stop sign without moving. I was somewhat nervous as it was an area where people had been assaulted or shot at.
The officer stated they were looking for a suspect and I had matched the general description. He was polite, said to be careful going home and let me go.
Maybe it's because it was a different time back in the mid-90s when this happened, though I've been pulled over in the past year and haven't felt fear. Maybe it's because I've had a few cousins who were and are police officers. I've just never felt that I should fear the police.
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