Stopped by the police.

I have a family member that is former LE. Depending on how your employee looks and dresses..that may give the cop the reason to stop and talk. If you look like a person that might be somewhat in the drug or gang culture, then they may want to say hi and look you over. But looks are deceiving..so they also arrest lawyers, dentist and anyone they stop with dilated pupils or smelling of hemp oil or Bud Light.

If you smart ass or bad mouth the cop he will become a dick, and then start looking for a reason(s). You have to remember 90% of the people they see are not having a good day, it could be domestic abuse, it could be an injury to a child, it could be they know there is some gang activity in that area.

I am a child of the 60's...so my attitude is little off at times, but when you hear the stories I have heard...they don't get paid enough for what they see and have to do everyday. Originally Posted by beachcomber789

I think the ones that are complete assholes get paid way too much.

I've never refused to ID myself. But I have refused requests for a search of my trunk. They've never done anything other than say, "OK" and sent me on my way. Of course, I'm as white as the Pillsbury doughboy, drive a BMW, and occasionally look like a lawyer. But the bottom line is that it's never a good idea to be discourteous to them. Most people can't get away with saying "No" if the cop really wants to do a search. And my privileged position, race, age, being clean cut, having a briefcase in the back, etc. buys me some latitude that even a white working class guy in flip flops, shorts and a T-shirt don't have.

It's horribly unfair, but the Court is biased as hell in favor of the cops. Shame on them for it, but it's a fact.

Since I've never had a warrant, and except for privately arranged "dates" I don't break any laws, if I were walking down the street, and a cop hassled me, depending on my mood, I would give him some shit....but not too much.

Every time I've done it, they've gotten irritated with me and moved on, concluding I'm a jerk and not worth the bother.
One thing I think you can definitely do is show your irritation but cooperate. I do that in virtually every interaction with the police - these days, they are a little concerned that you might be filming them, or you might complain. For the record, I have short hair, I always shave, I'm clean and wear nice clothes and drive an expensive late model car, though not a German overpriced one. I also sound reasonably smart and cops do not intimidate me. In fact, my biggest problem concerning cops is that hookers think I look like one!!

Unless you're recording the event on your phone your best bet is to comply with the basic info request. God only knows what they could say or do if you're not recording. Originally Posted by L.A.

You are welcome to your opinion, but your generalization of all police officers are like that is totally absurd.

Yo Texas Tush, I DO NOT trust anyone who drives a BMW LOL

History and recent events have led me to believe you comply and hope for the best.... it really depends on the attitude and mindset of the officer in question.. That's jmo

Yo Justin, Sounds like u have a story to tell.LOL

Yo Texas Tush, I DO NOT trust anyone who drives a BMW LOL Originally Posted by General Feuerbacher

C'est la vie! I've bern driving German cars for 35 years. Not going to quit now. Thinking about getting one more Cayman S (or even a GT4) before I fully retire though. I enjoyed the last one, but I think I also want a four door everyday driver, too, at my age this time.

Cops love giving out tickets to fund their departments with rich guy money.
Protecting the world from those evil german cars owners.

Unless you have something to hide, it is best to cooperate to at least the degree of providing id. It may not be fair or right but at that moment, you are at his mercy. The less cooperative you are the more likely you are to escalate the situation. If he decides to hassle you or even take you in, its going to happen. Who cares if they let you go later? You really want that hassle just because he asked for an id?

Yes always be polite and always refuse searches. That is my 2 cents.

Yes always be polite and always refuse searches. That is my 2 cents. Originally Posted by Ravasher

Excellent and concise advice that is appropriate in almost every situation. Any thing else you do, you do at your peril.

I'm not aware of any requirement to carry ID when walking. Crossing borders yes, but just walking around I don't think so.

Maybe he looked like someone with an APB. Maybe he staggered a little. Maybe he was in an area with recent problems. Just because you don't know his reasons for the stop does not mean he did not have a legitimate reason to do so.