The Annoyed Man wrote:I don't mind if a cop asks me for proof of insurance after he stops me. It's the law, and I am required to have it. I do mind fishing expeditions. Getting stopped to see if I'm breaking the law is a darn sight different from getting stopped because I've broken the law. It's like the difference between getting stopped for speeding or something and being asked for ID during the stop, and being stopped just to see if you have ID. One is acceptable. The other isn't.AFCop wrote:Actually, from a TLETS terminal (slightly better then a MDC) TLETS will tell you if insurance status is confirmed or if you need to manually verify. It is not a flawless system and can be outdated by a couple months. Furthermore, I am not sure if that would be a valid traffic stop, considering the system doesn't say expired or not, merely confirmed or manually verify.
I respect the job of an LEO, I want to have cordial relations with them, and they are absolutely necessary to an orderly society..........not because most of us need to be policed, but because a small few of us do. Treating all of us like we're part of the few that need it is insulting and oversteps the bounds of the relationship between citizens and government. Trust cuts both ways. Treat me like I can't be trusted, particularly when I know that I can, and pretty soon I stop trusting you. If I can't trust you, then I don't want to pay your salary, and I don't feel safe around you.
If I was speeding, then fine, pull me over and write me the ticket. I deserve it. Ask for my ID and proof of insurance, and I'll gladly hand it over. But if I wasn't speeding (or otherwise breaking the law), how about presuming my innocence instead of pestering me? It's like being pulled over to prove that I didn't do anything. Cops like that, I don't need. Departmental cultures like that are not deserving of respect.
BTW, I haven't been stopped for a moving violation since Christmas eve of 1999. I was stopped once a couple of years ago for an expired inspection sticker. It's not that hard to stay out of trouble. Just show a little respect for the law.......the same kind of respect that I expect from law enforcement. It's a two way street.
I've been told by certain LEO (who's name I won't mention), that is being "proactive".
