"This will be a citation stop"

[shoeless]

Driving home from doing some fly fishing for trout in southern OK, I get lit up by a Texas State Trooper. First time I wasn't carrying and didn't have any weapons in the car (I know, never leave home without it). He approached the car from the passenger side (busy highway - it was the day after Thanksgiving). Asked for the usual, I handed them over and included my CHL, but told him there were no weapons on me or within the vehicle. He said, great no need to see that then.

Asked where I was and where I was headed to, told him about the fishing. He asked if I had any luck. Thought this was a good sign, he's making a little small talk... Says, he'll be right back, looks at the windshield and checks for front license plate. Stops back by the window and says, "this will be a citation stop. I'll be back in a few".

Very professional, polite and for lack of a better term, personable. Young officer too, or he had a baby face. Having grown up in a police home, I've known a ton of police officers and a lot of the younger guys can try to "create a presence of authority". This guy was really great. If I had to get a ticket, I'd take one from him. First one in 15 years. Even came back and thanked me for the courteous stop and cooperative behavior.

I learned my lesson, getting home 10 minutes early isn't worth the cost of the ticket.

[RPB]

If I was with DPS, I'd probably issue citations to any CHL who wasn't carrying too.
(Kidding, but I'd tell them to start carrying, in case I need help some day.)

http://www.kc3.com/self_defense/officers_peril.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jul 16, 1999 Houston: Texan Travis Neel helped save a wounded Harris County deputy sheriff's life. Witnessing the shooting by one of a trio of Houston gang members after a traffic stop just west of Houston, Neel--who was on his way to his pistol range--pulled his gun and fired, driving the officer's assailants away. An off-duty sheriff's deputy also came on the scene and joined Neel in covering the deputy, whose life was saved by his body armor. The trio was captured after a manhunt.

[E.Marquez]

Good to hear your happy with the encounter..

Asked where I was and where I was headed to,

Sir I was back there and headed that way........


I understand it is human nature to answer unneeded, unrequired questions from law enforcement.. I simply choose not to.

Our obligations are to truthfully and fully identify ourselves when required and NOT lie.. No requirement to answer fishing trip (pun intended) questions.
No need to be rude, just no need to answer the inane silliness from a LEO.

I respect the job, dislike the intrusive nature of some of the LEO's I've encountered.
Sorry petpeeve,.. and unrequested thread hyjack

[terryg]

unrequested thread hyjack

Is there ever a requested one?

[gigag04]

no need to answer the inane silliness from a LEO

Wow...

[E.Marquez]

no need to answer the inane silliness from a LEO

Wow...

Whooooooo, there.. That cannot be taken out of context.... It was not a flame to most officers.. but some I have met in 45 years, go on a fishing trip... I understand why... they sometimes catch something,,, good for them... That has nothing to do with me... I did not rob that bank, steal that car, hold up the local store.. yes sir, My ID, Registration, my Insurance... Sir,why am I being contacted?

Polite, and courteous always but an officers desire to ask questions about,, why do you have a gun? Where have you been? where are you going? why are you in this area? why are you out so late?... are unneeded questions relevant to a tail light out. Speeding ticket, rolled stop sign. They are plain and simple,, a fishing expedition.

And before you assume otherwise.
I have not been in the back of a police car in the last 38 years. Only been pulled over driving or riding twice in the last 22 years.. and have not had a ticket since 1985..... An office can be polite and courteous when writing a citation or even arresting someone.. Yes? (I know they most often are ) A citizen can be polite and courteous in answering the required questions and not lying to a LEO,, while not answering LEO questions that have nothing to do with the reason for the contact. Required to Identify yourself, and not lie..everything else is optional.. No need to make it a pissing contest.

[PappaGun]

unrequested thread hyjack

Is there ever a requested one?

Great point terryg.
Next time I am going to ask.
If no response in 30 seconds, then proceed.

[powerboatr]

yes but us Texans are friendly.....most of the time
a blanket yes no during a stop simply is to much BLANKET response
i always gauge his/her attitude as a POR for answers or elaborations of said answers

I do have trust issues of some wearing blue......however they are not Texas troopers or my local folks.
new mexico is another elephant entirely

and for some reason the past 15 months i get pulled over often, not ticketed but pulled over.
license checks, guilty looking


IMO the folks stopping us....put alot on the line and we non guilty people should try to be cordial if possible, without being to chatty.
I wouldn't want to be a Dallas officer to save my life

i put my soap box back now

[Bob in Big D]

I really don't have a problem with answering simple questions like the one described by the OP. When there is still a chance I may get off with a warning.

[Keith B]

Here's my method.

Officer: Where you headed?
Me: To the donut shop. Wanna join me? I'm buying!
Officer: Are you trying to bribe me with donuts?
Me: Would that work?
Officer: I'll meet you there. Save me a jelly filled!



Seriously, I have no issues answering basic questions like heading home, going to the store, the donut shop, etc. It is your prerogative to not answer, but being friendly and courteous will almost always lead to a better outcome than being a sourpuss and refusing to cooperate.

[LAYGO]

I once went thru an entire stop w/o saying a word. I was pretty sure I was getting the ticket already & when asked, handed him my identification/insurance.

I was stopped recently by DPS & didn't have my current insurance, but when he asked for license/insurance, I responded:
"Here's my license, here is my expired insurance, but I'm sure you can tell I'm current."

He gave me a very brief second look & handed back my insurance. I got a warning for my missing front plate (they don't make plate holders for my 15yo car anymore).

[LAYGO]

If I was with DPS, I'd probably issue citations to any CHL who wasn't carrying too.
(Kidding, but I'd tell them to start carrying, in case I need help some day.)

http://www.kc3.com/self_defense/officers_peril.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jul 16, 1999 Houston: Texan Travis Neel helped save a wounded Harris County deputy sheriff's life. Witnessing the shooting by one of a trio of Houston gang members after a traffic stop just west of Houston, Neel--who was on his way to his pistol range--pulled his gun and fired, driving the officer's assailants away. An off-duty sheriff's deputy also came on the scene and joined Neel in covering the deputy, whose life was saved by his body armor. The trio was captured after a manhunt.

Maybe . . . MAYBE . . . a third of those were by actual CHL holders. The rest were just people getting a weapon & using an exisiting one, not necessarily a perfect example of a CHL holder coming to the rescue.

[RPB]

If I was with DPS, I'd probably issue citations to any CHL who wasn't carrying too.
(Kidding, but I'd tell them to start carrying, in case I need help some day.)

http://www.kc3.com/self_defense/officers_peril.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jul 16, 1999 Houston: Texan Travis Neel helped save a wounded Harris County deputy sheriff's life. Witnessing the shooting by one of a trio of Houston gang members after a traffic stop just west of Houston, Neel--who was on his way to his pistol range--pulled his gun and fired, driving the officer's assailants away. An off-duty sheriff's deputy also came on the scene and joined Neel in covering the deputy, whose life was saved by his body armor. The trio was captured after a manhunt.

Maybe . . . MAYBE . . . a third of those were by actual CHL holders. The rest were just people getting a weapon & using an existing one, not necessarily a perfect example of a CHL holder coming to the rescue.

True, couldda been carrying under the MPA, my point was, and some officers might lecture ...
a CHL SHOULD be armed, where those in a car COULD be armed. I wasn't using it as an example that a CHL did anything.

I used to gripe at a retired LEO in my church who's a CHL when he didn't carry and he'd reply "Why should I? You're wearing four ... toss me one." But, he does carry now.

[LAYGO]

If I was with DPS, I'd probably issue citations to any CHL who wasn't carrying too.
(Kidding, but I'd tell them to start carrying, in case I need help some day.)

http://www.kc3.com/self_defense/officers_peril.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jul 16, 1999 Houston: Texan Travis Neel helped save a wounded Harris County deputy sheriff's life. Witnessing the shooting by one of a trio of Houston gang members after a traffic stop just west of Houston, Neel--who was on his way to his pistol range--pulled his gun and fired, driving the officer's assailants away. An off-duty sheriff's deputy also came on the scene and joined Neel in covering the deputy, whose life was saved by his body armor. The trio was captured after a manhunt.

Maybe . . . MAYBE . . . a third of those were by actual CHL holders. The rest were just people getting a weapon & using an existing one, not necessarily a perfect example of a CHL holder coming to the rescue.

True, couldda been carrying under the MPA, my point was, and some officers might lecture ...
a CHL SHOULD be armed, where those in a car COULD be armed. I wasn't using it as an example that a CHL did anything.

I used to gripe at a retired LEO in my church who's a CHL when he didn't carry and he'd reply "Why should I? You're wearing four ... toss me one." But, he does carry now.

I guess to expand on my point, the website preamble to all the stories is that CHL carriers can help, but then lists stories that probably aren't relevant to a CHL helping. That was my point. Sorry to confuse! Here is a dancing banana:

[RPB]

LOL, not to worry, I'm so easy to confuse, I confuse myself a lot.