Do you get off your bike? Do you wait for the officer? Or do you pull out your 9 and start shooting 
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What do you do when you get pulled over?
abatt2006
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Hey guys, I’ve been a cop for over thirty years. I hate writing tickets, but I hate seeing people get killed more. I never approach someone with an aggressive demeanor, or at least I try not to. To me it is just business and never personal, no matter what the attitude of the citizen is. I will give more verbal warnings than tickets, and yes the individuals attitude can play a part in it. However I have no tolerance for drunk drivers or road rage because it gets people killed or injured. I think DarkHorse will agree that we are just doing a job and we all want to go home safe. I know some of the younger cops get a little badge heavy but that usually wears off fairly quickly. I hate to say this but if an officer is truly out of line the citizen can always go to internal affairs.
All my traffic stops are recorded so there is never a question as to what I did or did not say to the person I stopped. Not only that if I should later need to go to court I can review the dialog before hand. We are not the enemy, just the guys trying to keep some people from killing themselves or other innocent people.
All my traffic stops are recorded so there is never a question as to what I did or did not say to the person I stopped. Not only that if I should later need to go to court I can review the dialog before hand. We are not the enemy, just the guys trying to keep some people from killing themselves or other innocent people.
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17 Posts
10-4 on that Perry. I'm not a big fan of writing tickets either.
I am a coach officer, so I hope I instill some respect in the young officers that I train. Be nice, and then you can expect to be treated the same way.
I like investigating the criminal matters as apposed to the Highway Traffic matters, but I get paid to enforce the law period.
I am a coach officer, so I hope I instill some respect in the young officers that I train. Be nice, and then you can expect to be treated the same way.
I like investigating the criminal matters as apposed to the Highway Traffic matters, but I get paid to enforce the law period.
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990 Posts
I act the same way towards cops. They are usually just as nice to you as you are to them, with a few notable exceptions. The cop in the following story was nicer.
I was riding to a hillclimb event one time. The road was one of those incredibly boring central Wisconsin roads that is ruler-straight with soldier pines right up to the shoulder of the road. I had succumbed to road paralysis miles ago and was belting along at 80+. A mini-van was approaching in the opposite lane, and unbeknownst to me, Officer Friendly was right in the van's slipstream. As he passed me, I saw the front end of his Crown Vic take a serious nosedive that could only mean one thing, he was coming for me. I didn't go another quarter mile. I just shut her down and pulled over before the cop had even finished his Starsky and Hutch U-turn. He pulled up behind me and got out with a big grin on his face. He took my license and paperwork and started good-naturedly breaking my balls about cracking the speed limit by a pretty good margin. I was polite and just a little confused, usually the fuzz doesn't grin at you. He asked about my record (clean) and returned to his car for the formalities. He was in such a good mood, I figured he was calling a tow truck to get my bike while he hauled me off to jail.
He came back with a written warning and told me to slow down. No ticket, no jail time, no Rodney King treatment. It was awesome. He must have gone home on his lunch break for a little "afternoon delight" with the old lady and was just feeling too good to ruin my day. I thanked him profusely and got the hell out of there.
I don’t think many states you would go to jail for 80 unless it is in a school zone or something really stupid. The Rodney King comment really always gets to me. We don’t go around beating the hell out of people that have bad attitudes. Now if you pick a fight with us then that is a different story, you are going to get your ass kicked, and you will not win. The last thing any cop wants is to get into a physical confrontation with someone, I have had a few, mainly with drunks. Even then I only used enough force to get the individual under control. I have been punched, kicked, spit on, had things thrown at me, had a knife pulled on me, I told that idiot that you don’t take a knife to a gun fight, been called every filthy name you can think of, and I have never took out my frustration in a violent manner towards any of those people. Most citizens have no idea what cops put up with on a regular basis.
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990 Posts
That was a joke. It's good to see that Wisconsin isn't the only state that removes an applicant's sense of humor when they join the force.
I know you have it rough, lots of people have it rough. But remember this, you filled out the job application. No state that I'm aware of drafts people into police service. You want sympathy? Look in the dictionary between shi^ and syphilis.
I know you have it rough, lots of people have it rough. But remember this, you filled out the job application. No state that I'm aware of drafts people into police service. You want sympathy? Look in the dictionary between shi^ and syphilis.
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28 Posts
Where I live most of the hardcore riders don't wear DOT helmets, we just have these brain buckets or the odd WWII German helmet. Cops don't ever write tickets for not wearing our DOTs but this one time, a buddy got pulled over and he was just pissed and cussing and raising hell over it. Just being a real jack ass. Guess what, he got a ticket for speeding, no DOT helmet, and this one takes the cake, his shades weren't approved protective eye wear. I died laughing when I heard that one.
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990 Posts
Triple whammy!!!
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17 Posts
Well, I guess this is a motorcycle forum, so I just want to say I am going to be on two wheels like the rest of you and I like to think I am fair to everyone whether they ride in a car or on a motorcycle. All I can say is there are a lot of police in North America (I police in Canada) and you can bet your house that there is going to be a couple of coppers with something up their ass, so no matter what you do you will get a ticket.
Just a side note, my third year on the job I was going to work and was pulled over by the local police (not from my department.) Now I don't make it known I'm a cop off duty, but I do carry my driver's licence with my badge, so it would be quite obvious that I am a officer when I am asked for identification. Well, long story short I was given a ticket anyway, all be it was reduced for me. This goes to show even officers get pinched once and a while. Oh ya, I was doing 110 km/h in and 80 km/h zone (not sure what that translates to mph,) needless to say I got caught doing something wrong and I paid the fine. “Do the crime, do the time.”
Just a side note, my third year on the job I was going to work and was pulled over by the local police (not from my department.) Now I don't make it known I'm a cop off duty, but I do carry my driver's licence with my badge, so it would be quite obvious that I am a officer when I am asked for identification. Well, long story short I was given a ticket anyway, all be it was reduced for me. This goes to show even officers get pinched once and a while. Oh ya, I was doing 110 km/h in and 80 km/h zone (not sure what that translates to mph,) needless to say I got caught doing something wrong and I paid the fine. “Do the crime, do the time.”
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189 Posts
Just try to keep in mind that (most) cops are nice guys like you and I and they don´t really enjoy giving tickets.
If you treat them with respect and cooperate, they might just reward you for making their job a little easier.
Try not to assume that cops are out to get you or to punish you. It´s not a good attitude to have.
If you treat them with respect and cooperate, they might just reward you for making their job a little easier.
Try not to assume that cops are out to get you or to punish you. It´s not a good attitude to have.
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77 Posts
There is a lot of talk about RK, young officers, attitudes and other things here. As a former Officer who could still be one - for your safety and the Officer behind you- LET THEM SEE YOUR HANDS as soon as you put that kickstand down! I don't care how fast you were going, who you are, what your attitude is but if I can't see your hands-my hand will be on my 9mm too! It has nothing to do with what you drive or ride but it is something taught in the academy. It's a sad story when you look at all of the fallen Officers because they got "laid back" during a traffic stop and were more interested in being courteous than safe & got shot.
Once again - kickstand down, bike off, hands where they can be seen until the Officer is beside you! OH, WHEN I AM RIDING; I also have CHL and my gun is in my jacket so my hands are clasped together until the OFFICER knows I have a weapon and tells me exactly what he/she wants me to do.
Fortunately, I have only been stopped twice in 20 years but have stopped more than you can imagine. One biker would not stop and we had to get about 2 feet from his bumper to read his LP. He finally stopped and said he never heard the siren. "RIGHT"
Once again - kickstand down, bike off, hands where they can be seen until the Officer is beside you! OH, WHEN I AM RIDING; I also have CHL and my gun is in my jacket so my hands are clasped together until the OFFICER knows I have a weapon and tells me exactly what he/she wants me to do.
Fortunately, I have only been stopped twice in 20 years but have stopped more than you can imagine. One biker would not stop and we had to get about 2 feet from his bumper to read his LP. He finally stopped and said he never heard the siren. "RIGHT"
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2,051 Posts
Be polite.
Be polite.
Be polite.
I can't tell you how important it is for YOU, the rider, to set the tone. The officer is gonna be pretty serious. If you come across as combative or flip then you run the risk of pissing off the LEO.
One of my first motorcycle/LEO memories is when I was pulled over with 2 friends. One had a lot of run-ins with cops and was just being a jerk. The cop took the time to start thinking "do I know this guy?" (turns out he did). By the end of things my friend was cuffed and on the hood and the LEO told us "you can go now, ride safely".
2 of us were polite. 1 wasn't. He got all the attention and love.
"Yes Sir, No Sir" (or Ma'am) works wonders.
Be polite.
Be polite.
I can't tell you how important it is for YOU, the rider, to set the tone. The officer is gonna be pretty serious. If you come across as combative or flip then you run the risk of pissing off the LEO.
One of my first motorcycle/LEO memories is when I was pulled over with 2 friends. One had a lot of run-ins with cops and was just being a jerk. The cop took the time to start thinking "do I know this guy?" (turns out he did). By the end of things my friend was cuffed and on the hood and the LEO told us "you can go now, ride safely".
2 of us were polite. 1 wasn't. He got all the attention and love.
"Yes Sir, No Sir" (or Ma'am) works wonders.
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17 Posts
lmao
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109 Posts
Be polite, non threatening, and honest. I've been pulled over a few times in the last 15 years for a few differenct things, but haven't walked away with anything more than a warning each time. Having a clean driving record goes a long way towards keeping it clean, also, so be careful out there.
I also tend to say "No, Officer. Sure thing, Officer" (I'm respectful, but the guy still works for me, so no 'Sirs' here). Familiarize yourself with your local police agency uniforms and ranks, and if you can figure it out by the stripes on thier sleeve, refer to them by rank ("Yes, Corporal / Sargeant / Lt. / etc..."), or particular agency designation ("Yes, Deputy (Sherrif) / Trooper (State Police) / ect..."), which strokes thier ego a bit.
Another thing to think about - if your state requires it, get a Firearms ID Card / Permit / License / whatever, even if you have no desire to own one. Many times that will come up on thier car computers when they run your plate, and they'll know that you've been through a background check, which will put most of the more experienced officers a little more at ease. But, if you do have a firearm on you, be sure you're transporting it in accordance with your local laws (I think there are other threads dealing with that topic...). If you have a record, disregard this part.
I also tend to say "No, Officer. Sure thing, Officer" (I'm respectful, but the guy still works for me, so no 'Sirs' here). Familiarize yourself with your local police agency uniforms and ranks, and if you can figure it out by the stripes on thier sleeve, refer to them by rank ("Yes, Corporal / Sargeant / Lt. / etc..."), or particular agency designation ("Yes, Deputy (Sherrif) / Trooper (State Police) / ect..."), which strokes thier ego a bit.
Another thing to think about - if your state requires it, get a Firearms ID Card / Permit / License / whatever, even if you have no desire to own one. Many times that will come up on thier car computers when they run your plate, and they'll know that you've been through a background check, which will put most of the more experienced officers a little more at ease. But, if you do have a firearm on you, be sure you're transporting it in accordance with your local laws (I think there are other threads dealing with that topic...). If you have a record, disregard this part.
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10 Posts
ive never been pulled over on a bike and of course never plan on it but im shur when it happens, which im shur it will knowing me with my lead foot, id be wondering the same thing
I agree with the other officers, as a former officer I always felt much more comfortable with the engine off, stand down, and the helmet off. Stay on the bike. It is always best to treat the officer as you expect to be treated. At least that is the way I approached all my traffic stops.
I just got pulled over for 81 in 65. Is that really too fast? Does 81mph really warrant a ticket for a 29 year old's first ticket?
I realize that 75 is generally accepted as ok. When I'm in my car I won't even hit the breaks when going past a cop at 75mph. To me, it would be more of a disrespect to the officer thinking I was somehow outsmarting him by slowing down really fast. The thing is, on a gsxr-600 I can go from 75 to 81 by coughing. On a well lit, four lane, empty highway in the middle of the night, I don't think anything under 85mph should warrant a ticket. What a weenie.
I realize that 75 is generally accepted as ok. When I'm in my car I won't even hit the breaks when going past a cop at 75mph. To me, it would be more of a disrespect to the officer thinking I was somehow outsmarting him by slowing down really fast. The thing is, on a gsxr-600 I can go from 75 to 81 by coughing. On a well lit, four lane, empty highway in the middle of the night, I don't think anything under 85mph should warrant a ticket. What a weenie.
Right about 81 is where the tickets will start getting written most of the time. It's probably not too fast to be riding safely on an empty highway, but there is the revenue to collect for the state, that's part of the officer's job.
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109 Posts
You gotta start somewhere...
Seriously, I tend to speed, but I haven't had a ticket in 15 years. As long as you're not exceeding the speed of traffic by a huge difference or standing out like a sore thumb, you usually won't get bothered. When you're alone, slow down, and staying in the right lane won't hurt. On a well lit, empty 4-lane highway at night, all a cop will see is that one guy doing 85 in a 65. It's different when there are 300 vehicles / min going by the cop at 85 mph - he's not going to pick out anyone at random, he's going to notice the guy weaving in and out of traffic, the guy with the broken tail-light, the guy with the loud exhaust on his 4-cyl civic, the guy in the red sports car that says 'look at me!', and the one lone bike in sea of 4-wheelers. So, on a bike, it's even more important to keep a low-profile.
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2,817 Posts
It probably won't please you to know that I, being 19 years old, got pulled over doing 90 in a 55 and got off with a warning
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