Cops are assholes to me!

[saynefox]

Thats the point lampy, if he was nice to me I would have gladly complied. I wouldn't have cared. I'm a human being too, why am I not entitled to at least some amount of respect. Anyway I'm over it.

I'm just gonna go with it, I know he was doing his job. But in the past I've been illegally searched before because the cop thought I was a pusher. I can't complain because it will get me nowhere. I'm not "Playing a victim" I think I was at least entitled to know why I needed to give him my license to ride a bike home in the middle of the night.

[lampy]

Originally Posted by saynefox

Thats the point lampy, if he was nice to me I would have gladly complied. I wouldn't have cared. I'm a human being too, why am I not entitled to at least some amount of respect. Anyway I'm over it.

I'm just gonna go with it, I know he was doing his job. But in the past I've been illegally searched before because the cop thought I was a pusher. I can't complain because it will get me nowhere. I'm not "Playing a victim" I think I was at least entitled to know why I needed to give him my license to ride a bike home in the middle of the night.

He may or may not have been doing his job, your dissent could have made it worse, like a night in jail. Argue all your want, you're lucky you didn't escalate it.

[The_Nameless_One]

Lampy is just jealous of the attention maybe
Wouldn't you love to have a cop mandhandle you....search you for hidden possessions everywhere? And that...every day?

In the real world cops should follow rules and treat people decently, they do have a rolemodel function in theory. Dissent is not the same as asking why you're being treated like a suspect without just cause. Harassment and verbal abuse is not the same as doing one's job.
Regardless of how much crap they do or do not have to put up with abusing the authority of your function will put you on top of the shitlist.

[B-mage]

Hey man, you don't have to tell me. I know I don't look like someone who is up to something, I don't drive a fast lookign car with all that wannabe drag racign crap all over it, hell my bumper is a different color from my car from where my bro smashed it when he backed into it and we couldn't find an exact replacment, so when I ride down the street I do not look like the kind of punk kid other people might...

But regardless, one morning on my way to work it was slightly misty outside, it was light enough and the sun was up enough to where I didn't really need my headlights on... but I did anyway, because I am a safe driver. But despite my attempt to improve my saftey halfway to work I got pulled over for a headlight out.

Now I know this doesn't seem strange, it's their job after all to stop people with faulty equipment. But here's the thing: This cop was there for a reason, in the two weeks prior to this day, there had been 9 speed related accidents in that spot, 2 of them fatal, this cop was here for one reason: to pull people over who were speeding. Still he felt my headlight being out was more important that stopping the idiots doing 80 mph through that road. To make it worse I was not the only one with a headlight out. I was behind a dude with a tail light out, and durring the stop 4 people passed us with a headlight out, 2 on the same side of the road as me, 2 going the other way.

Still, just a routine warning right? Wrong, I told him I had no idea the light was out, I said that now that I knew I'd be stopping by the parts store on the way home to buy a new bulb, I even thanked him for letting me know. but what does he do next?, takes my licence back to his car to "do a check" then returns 15 freaking minutes later (there went getting to work on time) with a ticket for faulty equipment! It just went out and I couldn't very well replace it right then and there. But he gave me a ticket that I had to go to court over, the ticket was for 150 bucks and between the 15 dollars for new bulbs and the day of work I missed over it (the judge naturally drop the charge because I replaced the light and came to court with proof), I ended up paying about 100 dollars for that cop to be a jackass -.-

[Jumba]

I got stopped by a police officer once.

I did what he said
He did what he said he'd do
We walked away 3 mins tops.

The more you ask, the longer you'll take.

[DanTails]

I read this topic as "Cups are assholes to me!"

Woulda been a much more interesting topic.

[spongebathe83]

Cops can be douches, sometimes. Where is the line between asserting authority and being a dick?
I've had a courteous cop knock on our door to remind us that the garage door was left open late at night. But I've also seen vids of cops zapping phantomweight teenage girls.

You just gotta know your rights when encountering police and be courteous.

[LOD]

He's an asshole....

[genderhazard]

As I read this I saw many red flags you sent up. This is intended to help you when you are stopped again.

Originally Posted by saynefox

Afterward I drank with friends. Being that I was close to home and I took responsability by not driving.

You are of drinking age, so you would not be charged with underaged drinking. You took a bicycle to the event. Most cyclist think they are special (but that is another story) bicycles need to observe the rules of the road, just like cars, and many states have laws about operating any vehicle under the influence. And a bicycle is a vehicle.

I still had a buzz. Oh but fuck that, that was just a cock tease of a buzz.

I strolled by a street

So at three in the morning you are walking with a bicycle. - this is suspicious behavior if you have a bicycle, why are you walking. (perhaps the bike is broken and you need assistance, perhaps you are to drunk to ride the bicycle)

when I noticed a truck with Heavy lights stop and watch me ride for blocks.

So at three in the morning you are riding a bicycle. (I'm not even the cop, and you can't keep your story straight ) Three in the morning is an odd time to be riding a bike. does the bike have lights? are you wearing a helmet? are you wearing a reflective vest? something to warn passing cars that you are on the road. this puts you out of place.

Questions I have:

was this truck a police vehicle? or is this tangental to your story, were you walking towards the truck or away from it?

I was incredibly suspicious at first, I shrugged it off by going home a different rout.

You altered you behavior. If you were walking towards the vehicle (which I going to assume) lights are on you and turn to avoid them.

also why are you "incredibly suspicious" of a truck with its heavy lights on. Paranoia says he was watching you. Say...could it be that it was 3 am and in that context all people out and about at that time warrent extra vigillance ans hightened suspicision?

I turn a corner and a squad car is speeding towards me. I knew he was for me, I knew in some cosmic effect bullshit that this cop thinks I did something that some other asshole is laughing about later.

wow, you are a paranoid drunk. again I assume that the cop car came up from behind you in the direction of the truck lights.

So naturally I ignore him

BIG Mistake. At 3 am the cop speeds towards you (stops) and you ignore him. Were there six other people in the immediate area that you thought he might have wanted to talk to?

and he yells at me. "come here" I say, "Is there something I can help you with tonight officer?"

BIGGER Mistake first you ignore him and now you are being a wise ass. Why didn't you just quote Eddie Murphy "Is there a problem officer."

when an officer says come here you don't say any thing you "Come here" (go there) this does not require a response, but if you feel one is needed. Yes sir (or officer if it is a woman) is the correct response.

Immediately he gets pissy with me. "Yeah I need to know where your going, can I see your license."

he did not immediately get pissy with you. at this point you already have blown two opportunities.

Me: "Why do you need to see my license I'm just riding home dude."

and there is strike three.

he needs to see your license because your actions have already elevated this to the point that he is going to have to generate a report. and if it hadn't He needs to establish your identity, and we do this by drivers licience. also how many places in your town are open to three am that do not serve alcoholic beverages? so he needs to establish that you are old enought to drink, since even with only a buzz you breath will smell of alcohol. and because now he is going to run your name for out standing warrents.

Cop: "LISTEN, what are YOU doing riding home at 3 am?"

Me: "I'm just riding home man I live around the corner."

Cop: "Where are you coming from?"

(I said the city)

The correct answer is the coffee house. "the city" Geez not quick enough to come up with "Mom's womb"

By answering the coffee house you end the line of questioning. by saying the city he is going to follow up.

your not "just" riding home and producing your drivers liciense establishes you live around the corner.

Cop: "What house did you come from then?"

(I said the house)

"OKay, (Pause) I need to see your license."

Me: "I don't understand why you need to see my license sir."

He is a police officer not a civics professor. Your comprehension is not required. Your producing identification is.

Cop: "Don't give me that additude If someone broke into your house you would want to find out who did it, right?"

Me: (Sighs) "Yes, sir, your right. (Pause)

you should have stopped right there, you might have salvaged this. but noooo, you really had to go and screw the pooch.

Listen sir I didn't mean to sound offensive

STOP!!!!! for GAWD SAKE STOP!!! you know that you are going to be offensive to the point that you have to qualify your next statement. another phase to avoid is with all due respect, since respect seldom follows.

but I just feel a little profiled right now is all."

how did you think calling the cop "racist pig" would benefit your situation.
assuming you have any pigment in your skin "profiling" and "racist pig" are synonyms.

You probably were profiled, people out at 3 am, are more likely to be in violation of some law or ordanance than people out at 3 pm. all the more reason to do what the officer asks so you can be on your way, disprove the profile (if you have done nohing wrong) and be on your way.

Cop: "HEY WE'RE DOING THIS FOR THE CITY, THE NEIGHBORS PAY US. DON'T GIVE ME THAT PROFILE BULLSHIT OKAY?! If someone broke into your car you would want to find out who did it, right okay, so don't tell me that profile shit!"

Me: "Whatever man... (pause)..."Why didn't you stop that guy hes riding a bike."

*facepalms*

Cop: "Oh we'll get to him don't worry, DON'T MAKE THIS MORE COMPLICATED, I CAN MAKE IT MORE COMPLICATED FOR YOU."

you keep wanting to tap dance in the mine field. The cop probably would have stopped the other bicycle, you are taking up his time. You still have not produced your liciense. it is not like he's going to forget he asked for it. You are elevating a routine stop.

Me: "Listen dude, I can call my friend I have an ala by I can tell prove to you were I just came from man."

Dude? you continually called the cop Dude? that's insulting, call him officer or sir.
and why the fuck do you need an alabi? what have you done that needs an alabi?

he wants to know who you are. produce the damn ID.

You have a right to remain silent, but clearly lack the ability.

Cop: "Hey, your not Mr. Detective, you wanna do my job for me?"

(What the fuck is your problem? Why are you being such an asshole to me, I'm not being condenscending to you. Why are you treating me like a prick? Your a shitty suburban cop you cock sneeze!)

right now you're his fucking problem. why are you being such an asshole to him? you are being condesending.

A moment later he hands me my license and lets me go.

Your lucky, he could have made it more complicated for you. "Is that alcohol I smell on our breath? I want you to take a breathilizer. refuse automatic liciense suspension. you were operating a vehicle. Cop would say he obeserved impaired judgement.

Do you think this is okay, for a break in?

yes, there are no break-ins, there stopping potential drunks.

Why couldn't he be polite about it?

The police need to establish that they are the alpha dog of the situation. they are in control.

even if this was not the case you didn't give him much of a chance, you set the tone.

You ignored him and talked back, failed to identify yourself and accused the cop of being racist.

He asked you your name, address, age, (license) what you were doing out at 3am, and then let you continue on your way.

Just ask me a question and ask where I was at the time....like I thought they were supposed to.

you didn't let him. You get pulled over there is a routine checklist they go down. they establish your identity, ask if you know why they pulled you over (your answer should always be no.), they will then tell you. run a check to see if you have any outstanding warrents and let you go on your way, often with a warning, in a car sometimes with a ticket.

I was fucking Nice the whole way.

no you were acting like a punk.

you were giving him attitude.

I'm sorry but you won't understand how angry this makes a person unless it happens to you,

I've been pulled over several times, been a Northern pulled over in the South, been pulled over with out of state tags (good for getting tickets because of the low probablility that you will return to fight the ticket). Been pulled over leaving a Bar at 3 am on suspicion of being drunk (I was the designated driver and don't drink). Been pulled over on the highway for chnging lanes without signaling at 1 am (I went to pass a slower moving car in the center lane cutting off a speeding cop with his blue light off in the high speed lane) pulled over once or twice in some local speed traps.( I know they are there but they are at the bottom of the hill and you exceed the speed limit just coasting down it unless you ride the breaks)

all of these you do the checklist and go about your business without any incident.

Lights come on - you pull over check if possible reach for your registration and proof of insurance while doing this and if there is a very near by side street or parking lot turn on to that get two car lenghts, or place your car in a well lit area and then stop. (this gets the officer out of harms way with traffic, possibly lighting up your vehicle so he is better able to see - shows you care about his safety)

Officer approaches the vehicle, window should be rolled down return your hands to a clearly visible positioncheck
"License and registration" - hand them to him (it speeds things along if you have them ready.)check

"Do you know why I pulled you over". answer No. check

Officer will tell you. (a comment on you part is not nessisary) if asked a question answer yes sir no sir. (if the officer is female ) use officer rather than ma'am.check

they will do a background check.

A) If you are law abiding they will hand you back you information with a warning and an next time be more carefull reply "thank you I will" check

B) If you receive a ticket for the infraction, the officer will explain the administrative proceedure. acknowledge you understand. check

be on your way.

its infuriating because I look Latino

you weren't stopped because you "look latino", you were stoped because you were out at 3 am. If the truck was not part of the operation, how did the cop know what you looked like. If it was, you altered your behavor indicating you may have something to hide.

you became suspect when you acted suspiciously.

...i'm now a suspect...and they have my information!

They already had your information, what do you think they checked against.

Why is this okay?

because it is. an officer approached, asked you to identify yourself and what you were doing out at 3 am, and then let you go about your business. Why do you have a problem with that.

I should be able to fire that asshole if he works for the townsfolk or something, that would mean....He works for me too, right? They don't bust people for meth, deal with shootings or anything. They collect stolen bikes and hand tickets out, what gives?

I had a new bike stolen once, it seemed like a big violation, the cops found it and returned it to me, don't put down returning stolen goods. They take care of other things as well, one of law enforcements biggest tools for getting leads is routine stops.

I would have gladly complied if he was nice to me, easily. I had nothing to hide,

So you set the rules under what condition you comply, such ego. you comply because society tells you to.

but I have to sit there, be cursed at, yelled at and talked down to.

yes you do. you may have recieved more respect had you been more respectful.

Because I have no idea what to think about this whole thing? I guess thats life, fuck it.

think of this as a learning experience, and but it under the don't catagory.

[OhZone]

Some good advice there. Take it. But I know how it feels when an officer is checking you out. You just want to be an anonymous person going about your life, and this episode makes you feel hassled. I've been on late shifts before, and I've gotten stopped by car and on foot coming home or just walking for late exercise. I used to try to duck away from cops when I saw them late night patrolling or even during the day. Now I pretty much try to continue what ever I was doing and ignore them, unless they are flashing the lights or talking to me. When they do, I am very curteous and cheerful and responsive. Everything usually goes better that way. Once, when I was on foot. A cop drove up to me and stared. I smiled innocently, and said something like "may I help you" or "is there a problem, officer?" The officer just looked me up and down and didn't even talk to me. He just left. It was rude, but I was happy with it!

lulz

gh is right. They have to establish the alpha dog role. Especially since there is always the possibility the person they stop could be an armed, crazed, homicidal maniac. OHNOES! You have to see it from their side too.

[wolfman-al]

I read the whole thread in the subway on my mobile phone but didn?t answer till now because writing on my phone is a pain in the arse.
All I can say is, you really asked for it buddy! As genderhazard pointed out you where giving the cop a lip, you where giving him additude during a standart police check. Seriously, whats wrong with kids today? No respect for the state and its persons of authority. When a cop stopped me for the first time I almost shat meself, even thou german cops still had these ugly-ridiculus beige pants/mustard colored shirt/frog green jacket uniforms back then...

[OhZone]

Originally Posted by wolfman-al

I read the whole thread in the subway on my mobile phone but didn?t answer till now because writing on my phone is a pain in the arse.
All I can say is, you really asked for it buddy! As genderhazard pointed out you where giving the cop a lip, you where giving him additude during a standart police check. Seriously, whats wrong with kids today? No respect for the state and its persons of authority. When a cop stopped me for the first time I almost shat meself, even thou german cops still had these ugly-ridiculus beige pants/mustard colored shirt/frog green jacket uniforms back then...

Oh, really? I read somewhere that NJ state trooper's uniforms were based on Nazi SS uniforms. OHNOES!