Overreacting or standard procedure?

[springtucky]

A friend of mine was pulled over earlier this week for a broken tail light. His electronic windows don't work, so when the officer was coming up, he cracked his door, called out why he was doing so, then held out his paperwork. The officer apparently felt threatened and pulled his gun, yelling at my friend to get both his hands on the steering wheel. The officer then, still pointing his gun, opened the door and proceeded to call on his radio for backup.

At the end of it all, my friend was let off with a warning as the officer had watched the tail light go out, but no explanation was given as to why the officer acted as he did. So the question we have is:

Is it not ok to open the door when the windows don't work? If so, what is the best way of communicating with the officer and handing over the paperwork?

[G35 Mass]

A friend of mine was pulled over earlier this week for a broken tail light. His electronic windows don't work, so when the officer was coming up, he cracked his door, called out why he was doing so, then held out his paperwork. The officer apparently felt threatened and pulled his gun, yelling at my friend to get both his hands on the steering wheel. The officer then, still pointing his gun, opened the door and proceeded to call on his radio for backup.

At the end of it all, my friend was let off with a warning as the officer had watched the tail light go out, but no explanation was given as to why the officer acted as he did. So the question we have is:

Is it not ok to open the door when the windows don't work? If so, what is the best way of communicating with the officer and handing over the paperwork?

When the officer gets to the window, it's pretty easy to communicate that it's broken. Do that in the future.

[Samuel]

Do NOT do ANYTHING without the officer asking/ordering you to do it first. I.e. Do NOT open your door (or even crack it open) as an officer is approaching your car. Put and keep your hands on top of the wheel and, when the officer asks you to roll down your window, explain that it's broken.

[springtucky]

This was the first time he'd been pulled over, and he didn't know. He does now though, and he also is especially interested in fixing his windows now.

[BP348]

Think about what you just said, your friend opened his door while the officer was approaching his vehicle. I can assure you that the Officer didn't hear whatever it was your friend said after he saw the door open. From an officer safety stand point I would have done the same thing!

The others were correct, in the future tell your friend to keep both hands on the wheel and if stopped at night turn on the over head lights. If the windows are tinted it's not a bad idea to open all windows so the officer can see in the vehicle. Since your friends windows were broken then place hands on wheel turn on lights and wait until the officer asks/orders him to do it. He can then explain that the window is broken and he needs to open the door. It would be a good idea for your friend to get his window fixed.

I in no way believe the Officer over reacted to what you described.

[steelcityk9cop]

I can think of two officers shot in SC in this exact fashion.... one was a SCHP Sgt. and the other was a deputy who was shot in the face.

[CPL1897]

I agree with everyone here..In this day and age, we (LEO's) cant let our guard down or take any chances..Our #1 Priority is GOING HOME at the end of the day..People are going to think we over react at times or used "excessive force" and SOMETIMES there will be SOME OFFICERS that GO TOO FAR and it makes us all look bad, BUT 99% of the time what we do is for OUR safety AND YOURS...

[ET109]

Part of the academy included watching videos of cops getting shot. Some started just like that, with someone opening a door... followed by a gun barrel. Traffic stops are tense. Best to just wait.