What, is this *Lets Bash Cops* Thread?
The majority of you, all of you, would answer the cop because, more than likely, you were pulled over for something.
Cops don't just start asking people for their *Personal Information*, just because.
Cops don't ask to search cars--just because. There has to be just cause. If there is no just cause and no reason, there is no arrest and in the end, if they try to use any evidence, it gets thrown out.
As for a cop questioning you, just because--again, why? Why would a cop want to bother with an average Joe who was doing nothing but standing in line at WalMart or on the street?
So, given that, I was pulled over about a year ago. I was going below the speed limit and had my parking lights on. Just like every other car around me. Out of the blue, a State Patrol car, which had been waiting at a street to turn left on the street I was on, was suddenly behind me with lights on. I thought he had a call and needed me to move out of the way. So, I pulled over to get out of the way. I was going about 5 miles below the speed limit on a surface street. There were 6 cars ahead of me. It was about 3 pm.
The State Patrol pulled behind me and I was obviously his target!!! WTF?! I did nothing wrong. Nothing.
I stopped and turned off my car. I rolled down the window and waited. Nervously.
The officer walked up and asked for my license and registration and insurance card. I gave them over and asked what I did wrong?
He said driving with my parking lights on was a violation. Huh? He reached in and turned them off. HUH! WTF?! No one reaches in and touches my lights. He didn't look at my license yet.
He asked where I bought my car, how much I paid, where I get it serviced and all kinds of questions about my car. He has the same model, different year. He wanted to talk about our cars. He stood in the rain (it was raining lightly, which is why my parking lights were on) for 1/2 hour talking about cars, tires, horsepower and modifications to our cars.
He gave me my license, registration and insurance without looking at them.
I have seen him in his regular car. He honks and waves. I wave back.
This has never happened before and I'm sure will never happen again. It was the weirdest experience I have ever had. I am sure the State Patrolman didn't call in my license plate. He just turned on his lights and got me to pull over.
I have been pulled over before and have always been cooperative.
Are there A-hole cops out there? Of course. Chicago is full of them. Neoptisim is the rule of law. But, for the most part, they are honest and are trying to do the right thing. They are dealing with people who can hide weapons and know how like never before.
Perhaps, because of being in the JWs, our perception of people in power is skewed.