By Smaktakula
It Can Sometimes Be Helpful To Remember That Not Every Situation Is An Ideal Forum For Your Rapier-Keen Wit.
Sometimes, when Johnny Law pulls over an out-of-state driver for one of a variety of offenses such as speeding or gun-running, he likes to preface his presentation of the offense by professing ignorance to the legality of the issue in the arrestee’s home state. For example, “Son, I don’t know how they do things in Arizona, but hit and run is against the law in California.”*
The outcome of the encounter will largely be determined by the first words out of your mouth. It is therefore a bad idea to say, “Really? You didn’t know that striking something with your vehicle and then fleeing the scene is illegal pretty much everywhere in the world that they have laws?”
The officer will not appreciate your helpfulness.
it’s a shame that police officers frequently are charm and humor free. So much comedy to be mined in those circumstances. No fair that you have to run the risk of getting hauled in because of it.
The cop is always right, even if he/she technically is not. The cop has all sorts of weaponry at his/her disposal- Tasers, firearms, handcuffs, etc. and the ability to call for more cops to assist him/her should you fail to cooperate. “Yes, sir (or ma’am) Officer” is generally the acceptable response, and compliance with the cop is generally an intelligent decision. You can always pay an attorney to argue that with the judge later.
As much as I love to be a wise ass and to show my inciteful side, cops are the exception to the general rule. I want as little contact with law enforcement as possible, and whatever contact I do have with them I wish it to remain positive and most cordial.
Yes, sometimes it’s best to just shut up and follow the rules. At least that’s what I tell my kids…
A long time ago, on a trip to Philly or a cheese steak, I got pulled over going from the left lane to the exit ramp at 70+ mph.
The cop, who was very nice about it, even pose for a picture for my friend afterwards.
I’ve found they respond well to those who seem to be impressed by them….
the size of an officer’s ego is only dwarfed by a total eclipse of the sun… 😀
Wow. That was a nice cop. Yeah, I think your attitude is a big determinant in how things go. I’m usually polite in these instances, which is probably why I’ve never been pepper-sprayed or hit with a K-Bar (although I came close on the latter, which has made me less lippy in such situations).
Do you still have the photo? Talk about a cool story.
The women are meaner – especially the ones who are 5’2″ and 100# soaking wet. My son learned the hard way (thankfully before he was ever of age to drive) that just because she’s a chick and you outweigh her by 80#, does not mean she won’t cuff your sorry ass and sit you in the back of that cruiser.
I’ve only had two female cop experiences. One was my friend’s girlfriend. She wasn’t short at all. We used to joke that she was a man (not to her! A) she could kick the crap out of us, and b) she was a sweetheart and deserved much better than this particular friend) because she wasn’t much to look at, but was a hell of a lot of fun to hang out with.
The other female cop was a campus safety officer at my school (she was a “real cop” in her off-time). She was also fairly tall. But unlike my buddy’s GF, she was a beeeeee-yotch. She HATED me. Now, don’t get me wrong–none of the campus safety guys was particularly nutty about me–but she despised me, and there didn’t really seem to be any reason for it (I mean, any reason for disliking me more than the other officers did).
Actually, there was one campus safety officer that liked me. I knew he was carrying on an inappropriate relationship with a student (she was 19 or 20, so it wasn’t anything perverse), and I never threatened him with it, even if he was writing me up for something. So he at least treated me kindly.
The only response to being pulled over is to release the hoard of squirrels you keep in your glove compartment.
It is literally the only way.
Do not mess with Johnny~Law….(and WOMEN cops are the WORST!!!)
Based on some of the other comments, I’d say you’re right.
Almost as bad as Airport security. Just be nice and get on with it…