What to do when pulled over by the Police

[Klc]

I believe that tasers use DC current.

The power supply is DC, but the pulses it uses are most definitely are AC -  at around 20hz

 

[Shamrock]

Personally, I'm a fan of "Listen, corporal, don't mistake your authority for my rank."  Pretty hard to fill out a ticket from the position of attention.

It's important to establish similar levels of dominance with civilian police.  Before they get there, whip out the ID and say, "My rank is (x) and you will address me as such.  You will provide me the courtesy my rank requires, even if you are not a serving member."

Sure, you're going to get the ticket, but imagine the horror you'll inflict on the next person to be pulled over!

 

[Old Sweat]

It is very important to demonstrate one's status, or class if you like. There was an old army story about an officer in the Black Watch battalion which was based at Aldershot in the days while Gagetown was still under construction. The young gentleman delivered a fatal blow to his already shakey career by exclaiming to a RCMP member who had stopped him for speeding, "Out of my way, Bufoon. I'm on Her Majesty's service."

 

[Haggis]

Membership has its privileges.   ;D

Be smart about how you play the ID card, though.  Maybe segway into something like "jeez, my sergeant major is going to kick my *** when I tell him about this".  Hopefully that will twig the officer to inquire about your status.  I never like "I don't know if it helps, but x,y,z".  I don't need "help" deciding if someone will get a break, and it seems like the inference is "you're going to give me a break, here let me make it easier for you". 

In our area the OPP and local police will usually call the offender's Sgt Maj (as a professional courtesy) if the offender identifies themselves as a CF member (or are found out during the "encounter").

Also, the OPP in eastern Ontario  have an SOP to inform the MP if a CF member is arrested by them.  I beleive this may be a province-wide policy.

 

[geo]

Heh... (same SOP Haggis) In our area, all police forces are in daily liaison with the MP CWO I work with.  We get the whole sad story - every morning... makes for interesting reading over morning coffee

 

[foresterab]

When I worked in Northern BC there was an officer who was quite the stickler over speed limits.  Yes..getting pulled over for speeding is my fault for going too fast but getting a ticket for being 71 in a 70 zone...annoying.

Later that summer the following story made it's way around town and all issues stopped regarding this individual:

This same officer later that summer pulled over a car and proceeded to do his usual "license, registration, insurance information" and proceeded to cite the fellow for speeding just over the same 70 speed limit.  He gave the same plea of "give me a break" and "can't you make an inspection" and the officer proceeded to tell him "the rules are the rules and there can be no exceptions" as he handed the ticket over.

At which point the driver proceeded to politely sign the ticket and started looking for the officer's name and details.  When asked what was going on the driver told him..I'm a member of BC's Workers Compensation Board doing safety audits and now...my turn since "the rules are the rules". You've failed to put on safety vest, you're not pulled over all the way and you haven't turned your tires when you parked...that's three safety violations and here's your ticket for failure to comply.

RCMP - $105
WCB - $450.

I guess there is a certain justice in the world.

All that being said politness and a willingness to co-operate helps a ton when pulled over. Especially when you don't know where all the paperwork is...

 

[edgar]

Does anyone remember the email joke that went around a few years ago - "Things you don't say to the cops when they pull you over"?
The only one I can remember is "Don't you guys have some sort of fitness standard your supposed to keep to?

 

[zipperhead_cop]

RCMP - $105
WCB - $450.

I guess there is a certain justice in the world.

I give you that issuing a ticket for 1 over most certainly highlights that Member as an idiot.  However, doing the "I enforce labour code" thing is what we call starting a war.  Yeah, you can lob out some buns too, but since your job entails driving on a highway it would be counter productive to the entire department to try that.  Ultimately, the ones who start it are rarely the ones who get piped in the ensuing bad blood.  The same thing happens with the CBSA guys from time to time, with there never being any good outcome.
And we are not required to wear vests to do vehicle stops (at least in Ontario), off setting on a vehicle stop is to create a safety lane and is allowed, and the wheels wouldn't need to be in any direction, since the cruiser is stopped, not parked.  If you're going to play that game, make very sure you have all your ducks in a row.

Does anyone remember the email joke that went around a few years ago - "Things you don't say to the cops when they pull you over"?
The only one I can remember is "Don't you guys have some sort of fitness standard your supposed to keep to?

I think if you do a search, you might even find that on this site. 

 

[edgar]

I think if you do a search, you might even find that on this site. 

My search fu is weak. 

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I had a “Mirrored sunglass Commando” from the Motorcycle squad give me a ticket for not having a complete front license plate (there was a little left after getting scrapped against a rock 4x4ing) He gave it to me a early Sunday morning, while he was waiting to escort the Sunrun runners at Beach Ave. I suspect he was trying to impress some of the cute girls looking at his Harley. I was in my CoastGuard uniform, clearly marked, I just looked at him and listened to his drivel, yes I was quite polite as always. After he had finished, I asked him if he had a boat, he said yes and I said “Oh Good, I am going to enjoy inspecting it” I was in a foul mood when I arrived at the base, where there was several RCMP types that worked closely with us, when I told them what transpired, they were equally disgusted with this guy. 

Back in the good old days we used to get quite drunk with our motorcycle escort, one time we had to return their steeds to the station via truck as none of the cops were capable of driving. That was an interesting visit.  ;D

Another story: Taking young constables from the various police forces that border the Fraser River on a familiarization ride on the hovercraft. One young guy asked what happens when we pick up a body in the middle of the River, how do we decide where we land the body? I replied: That depends on who gave one of our guys a ticket”   

 

[geo]

When I worked in Northern BC there was an officer who was quite the stickler over speed limits.  Yes..getting pulled over for speeding is my fault for going too fast but getting a ticket for being 71 in a 70 zone...annoying.

Later that summer the following story made it's way around town and all issues stopped regarding this individual:

This same officer later that summer pulled over a car and proceeded to do his usual "license, registration, insurance information" and proceeded to cite the fellow for speeding just over the same 70 speed limit.  He gave the same plea of "give me a break" and "can't you make an inspection" and the officer proceeded to tell him "the rules are the rules and there can be no exceptions" as he handed the ticket over.

At which point the driver proceeded to politely sign the ticket and started looking for the officer's name and details.  When asked what was going on the driver told him..I'm a member of BC's Workers Compensation Board doing safety audits and now...my turn since "the rules are the rules". You've failed to put on safety vest, you're not pulled over all the way and you haven't turned your tires when you parked...that's three safety violations and here's your ticket for failure to comply.

RCMP - $105
WCB - $450.

I guess there is a certain justice in the world.

All that being said politness and a willingness to co-operate helps a ton when pulled over. Especially when you don't know where all the paperwork is...

Heh... I am positive that the WCB guy thought he was smart.... I can promise you that, taking the issue to court would have one and only one reslut.... the WCB ticket would be thrown out... and the WCB officer would probably be up "on charges" for abusing his authority.

 

[George Wallace]

Heh... I am positive that the WCB guy thought he was smart.... I can promise you that, taking the issue to court would have one and only one reslut.... the WCB ticket would be thrown out... and the WCB officer would probably be up "on charges" for abusing his authority.

And the Cop?  How accurate is his radar?  When did he have it calibrated?  How accurate is a speedometer?  Have you ever had yours calibrated?  Get real.  1 km over the limit.  That is a farce.

 

[geo]

George,
I have no doubt thae 1Km over limit charge would be thrown out as well

 

[241]

Isn't there an SOP of sorts where they have to give 5 or 10 km/h grace to compensate for a speedometer being out slightly? Or is that just something most of them do on there own?

 

[geo]

on most highways, cops will tolerate up to 19km over the posted speed limit...
(on highways, I use cruise control to ensure I don't go beyond that)

Whren you get into school zones.... level of tolerance drops down quickly..... I keep to posted limit in school zones

 

[jimb]

In my experience, the first 60 seconds of conversation with a driver will decide how lenient an officer will be with said driver.  While walking up to the stopped vehicle, most guys will be watching the head and the hands of the driver, to see if any "furtive moves ' are being made under the seat or the dash.

Not opening the drivers side  window  fully or keeping the officer waiting too long, will all signal a red flag, most of the time.

If the first words from the driver are swear words, or abuse, things just got more serious, If the driver adds to the problem with "no lic " "no insurance " "no registration " and more lip, they will get a "attitude adjustment " . Followed by a in-depth records search and a few Provincial Offence Notices,  and of course, with no lic , they are "walking  home ". Car seized and towed, too. Elapsed time ,    at least  an hour or more, out of the shift.

Jim B. Toronto.

 

[Neill McKay]

on most highways, cops will tolerate up to 19km over the posted speed limit...
(on highways, I use cruise control to ensure I don't go beyond that)

19 over the limit is dangerous.  All speeding is dangerous to some extent, of course, but that much would erode the safety margins in the design of a highway to the point where you mightn't have time to stop for something in the road that came into view as you rounded a curve or crested a hill, e.g.  If you must drive that fast, I would urge you to keep it to straight and level sections of highway.

Speed limits are a function of several factors, some of which are not apparent to laymen.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

19 over the limit is dangerous.  All speeding is dangerous to some extent, of course, but that much would erode the safety margins in the design of a highway to the point where you mightn't have time to stop for something in the road that came into view as you rounded a curve or crested a hill, e.g.  If you must drive that fast, I would urge you to keep it to straight and level sections of highway.

Speed limits are a function of several factors, some of which are not apparent to laymen.

Thanks Dad  ;D

The best advise is not to do anything wrong that would warrant you getting pulled over in the first place.

 

[Thompson_JM]

19 over the limit is dangerous.  All speeding is dangerous to some extent, of course, but that much would erode the safety margins in the design of a highway to the point where you mightn't have time to stop for something in the road that came into view as you rounded a curve or crested a hill, e.g.  If you must drive that fast, I would urge you to keep it to straight and level sections of highway.

Speed limits are a function of several factors, some of which are not apparent to laymen.

+1 Recceguy

Also,  I wouldnt say +19 is dangerous, not overly dangerous anyways (since if it were, police would be pulling everyone over for dangerous driving...) I dont advocate speeding... but its not only speed that kills. driving beyond ones ability, or beyond road and weather conditions is what will get you killed. (speeding is really just a force multiplier for overall risk IMHO)

but, i am curious as to where your info came from. If you could Enlighten this layman, I would be interested to know just how speed limits are formulated...

like why the provincial 400 series highways have a posted speed of 100kph but highways like the redhill creek expressway, and Lincon alexander parkway in hamilton are limited to 90kph, when for all intent, purpose and design they are the same kind of divided roadway, with entrance/exit ramps, and no cycle or pedestrian traffic allowed.

Just wondering...

 

[zipperhead_cop]

19 over the limit is dangerous. 

Lame.
Please tell me that you aren't the 110 vigilante that drives in the left lane because "it's fast enough"?  :-\

IMO the speed limit could be raised to 120 with little impact, since that is what people drive anyway.  Special provisions could be made for 400 series highways (and their friends) that stipulate that fines become brutal fairly quickly, and you could ramp up the points starting at 5 over and every 5 after that.  Also require commercial motor vehicles (HTA definition) to remain in the right lane at all times and not be allowed to go faster than 110. 

Isn't there an SOP of sorts where they have to give 5 or 10 km/h grace to compensate for a speedometer being out slightly? Or is that just something most of them do on there own?

I think you are referring to the cosine error that comes from doing radar off the side of the road.  Think Grade 11 math, and x/y coordinates.  The cruiser is usually off the side, so while it is putting out radar/laser pulses it is on a slight angle.  This causes the monitored speed to be slightly lower than the true speed.  In order to get the true speed, you would have to stand out in the middle of the lane and hit the m/v dead on.  That has some obvious safety issues.  Also, the device rounds down fractions of km/h so if you were going 149.9 km/h, it would only read as 149.
So yes, the devices can be inaccurate, but in the favor of the victim motorist.    Also, some officers will drop the number at roadside if they are feeling nice or are working on their karma bank.  15 over is what you want, since it is a pretty small fine, but more importantly it is no points.