Written by Vito Rispo
The above video is the correct way to handle a traffic stop. After the jump, I’ve posted several very informative videos about dealing with police, including the complete video that this excerpt was taken from, called “BUSTED: The Citizen’s Guide to Surviving Police Encounters“.
If you get pulled over, just remain calm and remember your rights. Keep your hands on the wheel where the officer can see them. Police officers in some states have the legal right to search your car if they say they “smell” drug smoke. This is a very obvious loophole, but one you have to deal with since it is the law. The best way to deal with it is to only lower your window enough to talk to the officer and pass him your license and registration. You are under no obligation to lower your window completely.
When he requests them, show the officer your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. Try to remember the officers’ badge number and patrol car numbers, and write them down as soon as you have the chance. Police WILL try to intimidate you, and they WILL make you wait. Maintain your composure, don’t show fear, and be polite. The police officer will most likely ask you if you know why he pulled you over. Say no, never admit to speeding or try to guess why you were pulled over; just say no.
Don’t get into an argument with the police. You cannot win an argument with a police officer. Also remember that anything you say or do can be used against you, so say as little as possible. In some cases, police can search your car without a warrant based on “probable cause”. Make it clear that you do not consent to a search so you’re protected later on. It’s not lawful for police to arrest you simply for refusing to consent to a search. Remember that, NEVER consent to search.
Refusing a search DOESN’T mean you’re guilty. The age old argument: “Well sonny, honest people don’t have anything to hide” is nonsense. That argument has been debunked many times over. Don’t let that old line influence you.
At the bottom of this post, I’ve posted several very informative videos. The first two are from a talk given by James Duane, a lawyer and law professor, and the third is the complete Flex Your Rights video on how to handle a police stop.
Unfortunately, police enjoy a monopoly on protection. They’re the only game in town, so they aren’t pressured by the forces of the free market to make their customers happy. Police can generally act however they want and do whatever they please and we have to keep paying them to protect us. It’s an unfortunate situation, but until we live in a world with competing police services, where we can choose protection companies like we choose our cell phone provider, then we have to deal with it. So remember your rights, and don’t give in to police intimidation.
Don’t talk to cops, part 1:
Don’t talk to cops, part 2:
BUSTED: The Citizen’s Guide to Surviving Police Encounters:
FUCK DA POLICE PX 4 LIFE.
His only crime was wearing those puka shells.
“until we live in a world with competing police services, where we can choose protection companies like cell phone providers”, dude are you feeling ok?
They are called armies and when they clash its called war.
Why dont you protect yourself, then when the police come to get you for protecting yourself youll see who you really needed protection from.
It doesnt make sense that this article covers police lying and deceit then finishes with a hearty “we have to keep paying them to protect us”.
Dude, wheres your balls?
While I agree with bell’s point about the fact that rival factions of police leading to further injustice, I also believe that police need to be monitored more closely. Not only does the power of police officer attract a certain type of personality, once in power many just people can be corrupted, as psychological experiments (specifically which one, but it involves a stanford study of prisoners and guards) have proven. Police simply cannot be trusted, as my own personal experiences can attest to. Despite the fact that many in the force are, in fact, great officers and examples of what a policeman should be, it remains that many are not. Thus, police cannot be trusted. What will remedy the situation? I don’t know, but turning police into “companies” wont. Just look at the private security companies involves in the Iraqi War. Anyways, the best thing to do is avoid police when you can, and suck up to them when you can’t avoid them. Even the ones that try to bait you can’t do anything when you treat them respectfully – theyre getting what they want.