Rules for the person getting pulled over

[scottnshelly]

I've heard a couple different people saying different things regarding what a person should do when they see the flashing lights behind them. Other than the obvious (i.e. pull over), what are the rules, or do they vary?
Should we turn off the engine, or leave it running, put on the emergency blinkers or not, reach into the glove box prior to being approached...
Thanks.

[Legoate]

What I like people to do is turn off the engine and put their hands on the steering wheel where I can see them....because....

1. I hate it when people drive off as soon as I start walking up to the car.
2. I hate when people start digging around and I can't tell if they are hiding dope, getting their gun, or getting their license.

If I were to walk up to the car and see you sitting there calmly, I'd tell you exactly what I wanted you to do to keep us both safe.

If, on the other hand, you start digging around in the glovebox, you are likely to look back into the end of my service weapon with the big hole in it- especially at night.

[Bearcat06]

What I like.....
1) Turn off the vehicle.
2) Turn your inside light on if it's night time.
3) Put both hands on the steering wheel. And leave them there as the Officer approaches.
4) Do not reach for a thing until instructed to do so.
5) When reaching for stuff, don't make any quick, sudden movements. Tell the Officer what you are doing.
6) If you have a weapon in the car, tell the Officer that you have one and where it is located at. If you have a CCW license, make sure you tell them. Listen to exactly what the Officer says on what he/she wants you to do with the weapon. Don't argue or try and quote statutes about CCW laws. See #7 on why.
7) Don't argue....it's just going to piss us off even more. Save your stories for the court room and the Judge. And yes, some Officers will write tickets based on attitudes.
8) After the stop is over, listen to their instructions on how they want you to pull back out into traffic, then obey them.
9) Remember, 9 out of 10 times you are going to be on camera. So if you your acting like a jackass.....the tape will re-appear in court.

[txinvestigator1]

Is it OK to up north to ask the officer to hold your beer while you look for your insurance card?

[Reapp]

What I like.....
1) Turn off the vehicle.
2) Turn your inside light on if it's night time.
3) Put both hands on the steering wheel. And leave them there as the Officer approaches.
4) Do not reach for a thing until instructed to do so.
5) When reaching for stuff, don't make any quick, sudden movements. Tell the Officer what you are doing.
6) If you have a weapon in the car, tell the Officer that you have one and where it is located at. If you have a CCW license, make sure you tell them. Listen to exactly what the Officer says on what he/she wants you to do with the weapon. Don't argue or try and quote statutes about CCW laws. See #7 on why.
7) Don't argue....it's just going to piss us off even more. Save your stories for the court room and the Judge. And yes, some Officers will write tickets based on attitudes.
8) After the stop is over, listen to their instructions on how they want you to pull back out into traffic, then obey them.
9) Remember, 9 out of 10 times you are going to be on camera. So if you your acting like a jackass.....the tape will re-appear in court.

Hehe, when I see someone do all of the above steps it just screams Police Officer to me. :D

[mcsap]

Pull over and STOP. This doesn't mean drive along until the next parking lot or dirveway comes up. Pull over and stop NOW. I may want you or I may need to get to a call where someone is choking to death and I can't get there quickly if they just slow down thinking I can easily pass them , or if they don't see a huge shoulder to pull over onto.

I think ahead before I make a stop looking for a good spot if I want them but if I am going to an emergency call I'll just demand that you get out of my way and I have resorted to getting on my PA system and telling people to " PULL OVER NOW !!!"

[qpd158]

Basically like people to just pull over, and sit there until I get to the window, and then respond as instructed. Any sudden movements, brings r.s. that you are up to no good and back up arrives, and the fun begins.