I thought my 1st post would be in the welcome section but saw this and had to post.
As a LEO from IN. I cant speak to TX law but I can tell you that here we are NOT taught to using stops as fishing expeditions. If during the stop other facts come about then we will act on them. As an LEO I will say, DONT answer beyond the scope of the questions. 9/10 people get them selves into more trouble by talking to much or using these youtube videos as a law degree to attempt to argue..... bad idea. If you feel your rights have been violated, first comply to get out of the situation, then file a complaint with the PD and be ready to list the facts of what happened. I could write pages upon pages based on the nonsense spewed in this video. I'm not here for that. Be smart, be courteous, and short. If the officer is going to get you let him do his job, don't make it easy by running your mouth. Trust me when I say, unless you get "that guy" or a rookie, 95% of patrolmen wanna get you back on the road and them back to whatever we were doing.
Eddie Craig leans well to one side as does his web site Rule of Law Radio He and the others at the site seem anti establishment and their rhetoric is aimed at those that follow the anti government theme that there is too much government interference in our lives .. I believe several have gotten them selves in trouble with the courts for doing a few things that were against Texas laws ..
The theme there is government should not be able to do anything to them or anyone else ..
The video seems like its all BS to be .. lot of what if's and most states have laws as he said that require the showing of a driver license and vehicle registration and proof of insurance when pulled over in a traffic stop .. failing to show the respective documents will warrant one or more tickets .. and in some states the lack of showing insurance your car is towed ..
Do you really want to possibly go through all that and possible more on the teachings of a radio wacko ??
You didn't say but what do you think of this line of thinking ??
In my 60's now, I guess I have had maybe a dozen non voluntary police encounters in my life. The only negative one was my fault, and it was not that bad.
In my State (Iowa), it is not requiered to tell officer that you are carrying a gun. If asked, then do so. Keep hands on steering wheel at 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock. Follow officer's instructions!
I am very glad to read posts in disagreement with the video, especially from LEO's. When I listened, and took in to consideration how I was raised to respect law enforcement officers, and to be responsible for my own actions, I wouldn't and couldn't respond as described.
I would comply, produce the required documents, and remember the advice taught during my concealed carry class many years ago............."I have a concealed carry permit and I am armed. The revolver is holstered in my left front pocket. How do you wish to proceed?"
Dave
Really? Where? How long? Did you retire or move on to something else?
I've heard a lot of morons claim to be retired law enforcement. Then after a little bit of probing, you find out they worked for two years in a small town, before either changing career paths entirely, or another "law enforcement" position where they weren't sworn officers.
Eddie Craig sounds like he falls into this group.
And now for funtimes. Here's a picture of Mr Craig harvested from the Rule of Law (ha!) website:
Everything in this video is wrong. The law in most localities requires you to show your license, registration & proof of insurance. While I've been retired 20 years I was NOT trained to do anything but issue the ticket and get the motorist on their way as quickly as possible. There were times when I went further and came away w/an arrest, but only b/c something in the driver's behavior or driving actions caused me to go further. Most people are just going about their daily chores and not paying attention to their driving. Listening to the guy in this video will get you locked up for sure.
Do what the cop says and keep your mouth shut. 99% of the cops out there are decent hard working people like the rest of us. The other 1% are out there. Again keep your mouth shut and do what they say. I know. I met one last week.
No duty to inform in the Sunshine State. I spent over 23 years In E M S most officers in Florida unless it has something to with the stop dont want to or know about a carry. Dont ask dont tell. Dont be a Barney Fifeh
In NC, your license plate # links to the CCW holder list, and the law is when stopped to hand over your license, registration and CCW permit, then do what the officer says. I have been stopped once in the 7 years I've been carrying.
I gave him the required cards, he asked if I was armed. I said yes, and he handed me back my CCW and said thanks for telling me. I got a warning for speeding.
More than 99% of LEOs are fine professional people who do a difficult job. If I encountered one who wasn't professional to me, I'd be even more polite.
I got to 1:14 and quit when he says the cops primary job is to escalate it to a DUI or drug bust. The guy is clearly an idiot.
Get pulled over, keep your hands in plain view and follow your state laws regarding your duty to disclose the presence of a a concealed weapon. We need to be aware these guys are on edge right now so we need not give them a reason to be more so. Beyond that, don't act like an idiot and you probably won't be treated like one.
That said, if a cop wanted to search my vehicle "just because", I wouldn't allow it. As a matter of mutual respect, if I'm driving along minding my own business with a taillight out, then that's what it is and doesn't warrant a vehicle search.
2. To my UNeducated but not feeble mind, this sounds like THEORETICALLY good advice.
3. I am having trouble reconciling two seemingly conflicting views. One is the one in the video, which is that most cops are out to get me. The other is that I am already 72 years old, have interacted with LEOs in about half a dozen states, all over the USA, usually over how I drive, and have NEVER experienced ONE who seemed to have an improper motive. I have disagreed with one or two, and one clearly made a mistake (but didn't issue a ticket). I don't deny other folks' experience, but I REALLY believe mine.
Nothing in this video motivates me to change my MO of fifty years or so: Answer the policeman truthfully, don't volunteer information irrelevant to the reason for the stop, and don't assume that he is stopping you for some nefarious motive. Other people may have reasons for other reactions, but mine fit my long experience and present expectations.
The ONLY thing he said in that video that made any sense at all was that we should pull over in a public/visible area. Everything after that was ****.
Perhaps he's speaking into the *local* situation with his claim that police are taught to "escalate" the stop, but even still....I don't believe it!
In my years of driving I have been pulled over at least a half-dozen times, and in NONE of them did the officer "grill me" as this guy did in his role play with the radio host. It's pretty clear that this person is trying to capture people who have an anti-police bias. and drive them to his web-site in hopes they will buy what ever he is selling.
Personally, I think he's a sleaze ball.
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Last edited by Protected One; 03-29-2017 at 12:51 PM.
This garbage is what makes gullible people think that all law enforcement is out to get us.
The worst thing I've done during a traffic stop is laugh and say "Wow, you got me. I didn't see you hiding in there". Arguing or insulting a LEO doesn't seem like a very good idea.
Wow, I listened to the whole thing. Sounds like a great way to escalate a simple traffic stop int a nightmare and end up in cuffs. Should be labeled how to make things worse than they already are. Might get out of it eventually if you want to spend enough time and money. More than likely just more troubles. I have never had a cop give me a real hard time. Never even had one ask to search my car. I would never answer any questions about anything but driving. Was with my new wife when she got pulled over, she just did what most people do, was nice gave license registration insurance and took her ticket. She IS an attorney. Last 2 times I was stopped for speeding I gave em my paper along with my carry permit, got a warning and left.
The worst thing I've done during a traffic stop is laugh and say "Wow, you got me. I didn't see you hiding in there". Arguing or insulting a LEO doesn't seem like a very good idea.
I'll admit asking a cop once if I listened to his sermon did I get out of the ticket. I got both ...
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Last edited by AlHunt; 03-29-2017 at 02:33 PM.
Reason: typo
"I would comply, produce the required documents, and remember the advice taught during my concealed carry class many years ago............."I have a concealed carry permit and I am armed. The revolver is holstered in my left front pocket. How do you wish to proceed?"
I have done exactly that on several stops (1 ticket, a couple of warnings). Three "Thank you for telling me" responses.
In fact, I wonder if telling the cop may have softened him up a little, so that he gave me a warning (once was following too close to an idiot in the pass doing 1/2 the speed limit while waiting for a chance to pass=the other was speeding on the Rez in the boonies)
I listened to about four minutes of the BS. I don't think I would have changed my mind if I listened to the whole thing. When I heard him say, "I'm an ex-deputy" I figured he was let go for some reason; maybe for over doing what he was talking about. I made a traffic stop where the driver was so nervous he confessed to having just committed a crime, but that doesn't happen often. LEOs are doing their job and the reason for making a stop is because of a traffic violation. Many times something else emerges and an arrest is made, but is incidental to the stop not the reason.
I admit to not watching the whole thing. I'm an old white guy, so maybe my encounters with local PD, SO, and State Patrol are not representative of other stops. Indulge me for a couple stories.
I ran a school flashing light at about 35 when the posted speed was 20. There was an LEO facing my direction and I saw him start a U-turn so I pulled over. The first thing he said to me was "Not many people stop before I hit the lights." I said "I did not register the flashing light. I was over the speed and figured you wanted to talk to me." He took my license (I have a clean record) and insurance. Came back to my car and said again "No one stops on their own." I apologized for speeding. He didn't even give me a warning.
On the way home recently, a road I traveled a couple times a day for the last 15 years, I was stopped for 61 in a 55 by the Highway Patrol. He was all business but not rude. Saw my Glock between the seat and console. Said "I see you have a firearm, please keep your hands away from it until we're done here." Wrote me a warning.
When I'm stopped, which is not often, I roll down the window and keep my hands on the steering wheel. I've never thought an officer was fishing or trying to coerce me into anything.
If an officer seems in a bad mood, I take into account that his last stop may have been pulling a dead kid out of a wreck caused by a speeder or some jerk got his grill about the stop.
This is a tough one. I've only been pulled over 3 times in the 34 years I've been driving. Each time was for speeding and I deserved it. Every police officer is different, some have an agenda, for a lack of a better way to say it and some don't. The second time, the officer was definitely fishing and the third let me go with a warning due to me being in the military. There are crusaders out there as well as bad cops and good ones.
The biggest thing is to keep one's mouth shut. Be respectful and don't give the officer a hard time. You won't win at the side of the road in any case if they are a bad one or are indeed fishing for more. Save it for later when you have a chance at winning, whether that be in court, the magistrate, or the local council. The officer is in control during the stop and being belligerent and so forth is only going to make the situation worse.
Some may disagree with me on the police in general but the fact is, during a stop, the officer is in charge, like it or not. How soon you are on your way or whether you spend the night in jail is going to be decided by you in most instances.
The ex deputy gave an example of having an expired drivers license as a good reason not to show your ID. I can't see what could go wrong if everything is up to date and correct, which is very easy to do.
The jail has been full of folks that tried to exercise their internet lawyering abilities. This guy is a real work of art.
I made it through less than three minutes of this morons nonsense before I stepped out.
When I make a traffic stop I am alert for any signs of other unlawful activity (drugs, DWI etc) but my goal IS NOT to get inside each and every car. I provide as much respect to the driver as they allow me to.
- I don't play the guessing game, I identify myself and tell people up front why I stopped them
- You don't get to keep driving until you decide to stop. What may have been a warning will become a citation for fail to yield to an emergency vehicle. Our state law requires the driver to immediately pull to the right and stop for all emergency vehicles (police, fire, medical). Part of my stop process is to select a safe place to stop for both the driver and myself before I turn on the lights.
I'm sure that there other points of BS I could address, I just can't stomach the the idiot any longer.
I listened to the entire interview. Mr. Craig mentioned "escalating" the stop a few times and the advice he gave would not prevent the stop from being escalated, it would cause escalation.
I can't speak about Texas law, I didn't work in Texas. In my home state and adjoining states you are required to provide proof of motor vehicle insurance and a valid driver's license in the event you are stopped. A person who is stopped for speeding is the subject of a "non-custodial arrest."
If you don't want to answer questions, don't. There is no requirement for an officer to read a person the Miranda Warning on a traffic stop unless the context of the stop progresses beyond a traffic or business violation. Produce the required documents and tell the officer you respectfully decline to answer questions about the traffic offense. I've quoted people in court who stated "I would rather not say" and I never took it personally.
Having a lower IQ being a prerequisite to be hired as a police officer made me chuckle. I am not sure where he thought he heard that information. I've questioned my own intelligence when I was standing up to my behind in snow in freezing weather or worked a double shift on Christmas or my wedding anniversary.
A well trained police officer knows within the first few seconds of contact with a motorist whether or not the stop may turn into a custodial arrest based on a person's actions or mannerism's. If a person holds a valid CCW permit, a firearm in the vehicle is a non-issue unless the motorist "escalates" the traffic stop.
A lot of people carry firearms for personal protection, that's the way it has been since long before concealed carry legislation was passed in many jurisdictions. I've discussed carrying a firearm with a motorist on a traffic stop. Comments I've made are "Keep it holstered, I don't need to see it." or "Well, if it wasn't loaded, it would not do you much good would it?" or "You ought to have your husband clean and oil this thing. He should wash and wax the car while he is at it."
I can appreciate people wanting others to respect their privacy and LE to respect their rights under the laws of Search and Seizure and common sense, but Mr. Craig is off base.
One traffic stop came to mind when I read the first part of the thread and listened to Mr. Craig's interview. The motorist was stopped for speeding and followed some of Mr. Craig's recommendations. He also told me he had a "Constitutional right to speed". To make a long story short the motorist requested a jury trial and the jury came back with a guilty verdict in a matter of a few minutes. This occurred in an area where people are very independent minded.
I like seeing this sort of thing discussed, it needs to be openly discussed when people read or hear something that may or may not be good advice pertaining to contact with the police.
Once I began to behave like a mature law abiding citizen in the later part of my 20s... I haven't found being pulled over all that complicated to navigate. Being polite and respectful works real well for me.
A number of years ago, I was driving in New Hampshire. I came down a long, straight hill, with a set of railroad tracks at the bottom. The speed limit was 35 and I was doing 50.
At the bottom of the hill was also a NH State Trooper running radar. I saw him just in time to be too late to do anything about it. His brake lights came on, followed by a quick flash of his back up lights. I was caught and knew it.
I stopped almost before he had his blue lights on. I had the car shut off, keys on the dash, window rolled down, hands on the wheel, and was looking forward.
He asked for my license and registration, told me to sit tight for a few minutes (like I had a choice), and went back to his car. About five minutes later he came back, handed me my license and registration, told me to drive safely, slow down a bit, and have a nice weekend.
No BS on my part, no attitude. Which seems to be the key to driving away without an added piece of paper. I seem to remember reading that 90% of the time the officer has decided whether or not he is going to write a ticket before he even has you pulled over.
One thing I've been told to never do is slam on the brakes when the cruiser pulls behind you. It's too late anyway, so just find a safe spot (for both of you) and pull over there.
Police officers I know told me that they not only know if they are going to write a ticket, but they also have a good idea if the driver has any warrants out on them before they make the stop. That's before the run the plate or license number.
BTW, I didn't watch the video. I think that most of these videos are made by people who want to escalate the stop so they can prove a point. I just think that the point they prove is not the one they think they prove.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Inusuit
I admit to not watching the whole thing. I'm an old white guy, so maybe my encounters with local PD, SO, and State Patrol are not representative of other stops. Indulge me for a couple stories.
I ran a school flashing light at about 35 when the posted speed was 20. There was an LEO facing my direction and I saw him start a U-turn so I pulled over. The first thing he said to me was "Not many people stop before I hit the lights." I said "I did not register the flashing light. I was over the speed and figured you wanted to talk to me." He took my license (I have a clean record) and insurance. Came back to my car and said again "No one stops on their own." I apologized for speeding. He didn't even give me a warning.
On the way home recently, a road I traveled a couple times a day for the last 15 years, I was stopped for 61 in a 55 by the Highway Patrol. He was all business but not rude. Saw my Glock between the seat and console. Said "I see you have a firearm, please keep your hands away from it until we're done here." Wrote me a warning.
When I'm stopped, which is not often, I roll down the window and keep my hands on the steering wheel. I've never thought an officer was fishing or trying to coerce me into anything.
If an officer seems in a bad mood, I take into account that his last stop may have been pulling a dead kid out of a wreck caused by a speeder or some jerk got his grill about the stop.
I don't doubt that some police or their organizations promote this kind of thing, but I don't believe that it is standard, common or correct procedure. I've been stopped and this has never happened to me. In fact, most police don't want to go beyond the ticket phase.
I've some across a few jerks in my life, but mostly I've been treated more than well.
PS I do think that Police are likely to do this with young people, because there are very good chances that they will find more. I felt harassed when I was 19 with booze in the car and being a little close to the legal limit.
It could be exactly opposite of what he's espousing.
It appears as if his advice contains all the escalation an officer needs to investigate further.
A Trojan horse?
Frankly, there's enough stress and tension to deal with in life without adding to it. ( and I don't sport a black eye )
After my 2nd speeding camera ticket, I decided to take a picture of the check and mail that to the courthouse.
I got one in MD last year. There was a sign on I95 in Baltimore stating the speed limit was 45 and cameras were in use.
I told my wife it was BS and kept at 55. She said to slow down.
Two weeks later we received a letter in the mail from the State of MD asking for $25 , they had a picture of the license plates.
The plate belonged to my wife, she gave me "that" look.
Riding with my BIL a few years ago he got pulled over for 56 in a 45 mph. He knew he was busted and pulled over promptly. Gave his docs to the La. trooper. Refused to answer any questions about destination, anything in the car that shouldn't be, had he been drinking, etc. He just said "I'm not answering any questions sir". The trooper did not seem too put out. Did a cursory visual search, wrote the ticket and sent us on our way.
I've found that polite respectful behavior goes a long way. Pull over quick, keys on the dash beside my wallet, window half way down, hands on the wheel. A couple of stops, the cops had the courtesy to not just laugh at me. They showed great restraint. Try to have your hat brim to the front and your pants at waist level.
We had a local independent spirit who claimed that only the sheriff had legal authority, when stopped buy the highway patrol. He forgot about the part where cops carry shotguns. Guns pointed, a window broken, and he was ejected, cuffed, truck towed, and he had the law explained to him. He was a slow learner, as he had decided paper money wasn't real and that he didn't have to pay his mortgage or lose the building. He became involved in a live action SWAT exercise and came close to getting shot. Apparently when he read the Constitution, he missed the part that said the SCOTUS was the decider.
Nah, they kept the picture probably for their collection along with the other wise*****. I was served at my house two weeks later and did traffic school for 6 hours on a Saturday with a lot of folks in the class arrested for DUI. And I was simply flashed by a camera?
"I am not at liberty to answer any questions, or to allow a search of the vehicle absent a warrant."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aldonola
Riding with my BIL a few years ago he got pulled over for 56 in a 45 mph. He knew he was busted and pulled over promptly. Gave his docs to the La. trooper. Refused to answer any questions about destination, anything in the car that shouldn't be, had he been drinking, etc. He just said "I'm not answering any questions sir". The trooper did not seem too put out. Did a cursory visual search, wrote the ticket and sent us on our way.
Laws differ widely from state to state. Just a few miles south, in MA, a gun in a glove box is either "not under your control", if the police want to make an arrest for improper storage. Or it is "under your control" if you don't have a license and the police want to arrest you for possession without a license.
To make matter more confusing, if my wife were to carry a firearm in her purse while carrying the purse, that's legal. If she puts the purse down, the firearm is now not under her direct control.
I've found it helpful to read the laws of the states I'm traveling through.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aldonola
Which requires concealed carry permit in NH if it is loaded and accessible. Laws differ from state to state.
Years ago when I worked for the GA State Patrol I stopped the former Governor for speeding. He had served his two terms and retired to his home town. He had been out of office for about 3 months and was driving his POV all by himself down the highway, no doubt still a "new experience" for a man who been chauffeured around for 8 years. When I walked up to the window and saw his face I immediately recognized him! We had a nice little talk and we were both so sweet to each other that sugar fell from our mouths when we talked. I don't know who was more nervous, him or me, lol.
Years ago when I worked for the GA State Patrol I stopped the former Governor for speeding. He had served his two terms and retired to his home town. He had been out of office for about 3 months and was driving his POV all by himself down the highway, no doubt still a "new experience" for a man who been chauffeured around for 8 years. When I walked up to the window and saw his face I immediately recognized him! We had a nice little talk and we were both so sweet to each other that sugar fell from our mouths when we talked. I don't know who was more nervous, him or me, lol.
That's funny right thar.....
I just worked traffic on holidays and such.
Always tried to be as nice and helpful as folks would let me be.
Every encounter with the motoring public does not have to be an investigative interview,
course unless they got a bag of dope or something er other in plain view......
Side note, I was on detail with a governor one time.
He had gave a speech at a high school and getting ready to leave.
The governor stepped in to a restroom off the main hallway,
he left the door open a little bit....and I just reached over and pulled it to.
I did not know that that door would lock itself, really I didn't.
Long story short....I like to never heard the end of it,
for locking the governor in the **** house.
.
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Last edited by keith44spl; 03-30-2017 at 04:23 PM.