Chased by the Georgia Highway Patrol................

[gthomas]

They skirt around the 4th amendment by declaring that it's not "really" random. They do this by announcing on tv, radio or newspaper that they have this checkpoint set up, so technically, you "can" avoid them... and if you had the dumb luck of not seeing their notice, they will consider your stop voluntary, and if you refuse, that's probable cause.

Remember, time and time again, the courts have stated that it is NOT the police's job to protect you. Keep that .45 close!

Not cooperating is NOT enough for probable cause. If you read my above link, don't answer anything, just say I don't believe in these types of stops and I do not wish to discuss my affairs, and keep asking if you can leave.
I have been stopped, I don't answer, don't allow a voluntary search, and when they said they were going to get a dog, I merely said OK, and my lawyer will be reviewing so we can file a harrassment charge. I was let go at the 20 minute mark.
The only thing a cop can do at the stop in terms of search, is a visible search of what's in plain view. That's it, they cannot even move anything or go inside to look.

[Cop Magnet]

Not cooperating is NOT enough for probable cause. If you read my above link, don't answer anything, just say I don't believe in these types of stops and I do not wish to discuss my affairs, and keep asking if you can leave.
I have been stopped, I don't answer, don't allow a voluntary search, and when they said they were going to get a dog, I merely said OK, and my lawyer will be reviewing so we can file a harrassment charge. I was let go at the 20 minute mark.
The only thing a cop can do at the stop in terms of search, is a visible search of what's in plain view. That's it, they cannot even move anything or go inside to look.

I've got the Chase Cam on the back glass facing the cockpit for driver's schools. I need to get a video camera mounted in there to record these incidents on an as-needed bsis. In the end, it is your word against their's as to what actually transpired. They record us for their protection and to assist in prosecution. I think I'll do the same to defend myself.

[Cali Viper]

No kidding Warfang. When I was living in Philly, it was simple to get a carry permit. I was able to avoid getting mugged once because of my 380. CA seems to prohibit everything except medicinal pot.

[AviP]

When I was in uniform, making traffic stops, it was the attitude of the driver that dictated how things moved along.

Isn't that abuse of power.

If "I" stopped a vehicle it was because they did something wrong. I issued as many warnings as tickets, if the attitude came out, well, the Calif. Vehicle Code is very thick.

There you go again.

I have read on this board many times about guys getting pulled over for "nothing", not to say that it does not happen, bullsh#!.

1. Standing (not driving) next to my Viper on the beach in MA, eating a sandwich, state cops on motorcycles stop and ask me to empty my pockets for dope along with a cursory check to the car. No reason.
2. Driving on the same beach, 20 in a 25mph zone. I turned into my drive and some kids run up to see the car. This was 97 and the car was new. Cop tickets me with a "criminal reckless endangerment" charge saying I almost hit the kids. I had unbuckled my seat belt to pick up the garage opener. Fully stopped in my drive. He also ticketed me for "No seat belt". No reason.

I've also had other traffic stops for good reason. But it's the "no reason" stops that make the negative impression stick.

oh, buy the way, the ones that came right out and said sorry, you caught me, I was being stupid, etc. usually received a warning.

So you do like them whining to your ego. See the pattern developing. You don't seem to recognize the stereotype that you are.

My last five years on the job was narcotics, a year of that undercover. At least in that world you know who the bad guys are. It's not like walking up on a car at 2:30 am, that you stopped for speed and find out later that would be his sixth dui. You find out later because your vest stopped three 45 cal slugs. This happened to a friend of mine who thought that working dope was too dangerous. He left the job, said there were to many morons out there, how right he is.

Absolutely. Get it!

One last thing, Bandit118th, I guess I must fall into that uneducated unskilled department also. I have only two years of college, how did I ever get buy. I retired at 53, I have no debt, our properties are paid for, accept for the ones that shouldn't be, we have a stock portfolio in the seven figures, must just be luck. Ya'll have fun out there working.

So you are uneducated. Stereotype again. Retired with a fat and happy next egg. That means you were probably overpaid or took a lot of payoffs.

While I don't think all cops are bad, there are too many of them who have the "Have gun, will abuse" mentality and by your own admission, you seem to be one of them. Look into the mirror. If you feel really depressed, see a shrink.

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

If "I" stopped a vehicle it was because they did something wrong. I issued as many warnings as tickets, if the attitude came out, well, the Calif. Vehicle Code is very thick.

oh, buy the way, the ones that came right out and said sorry, you caught me, I was being stupid, etc. usually received a warning.

Randy, I don't know how long you've been out of law enforcement and by your own admission the last five years were narcotics, so how long has it been since you pulled anybody for a traffic stop? Regardless I'm 45 and in the past 30 years I have definitely seen a Nazi attitude emerge from your brothers in blue.

As for your "usually received a warning" comment. Maybe that's true for you but it's the same thing EVERY cop says. When the fact is, if they've got something on you, they're gonna ticket you no matter how polite you are to them.

Yes, there may be ocassions (light traffic, open highway) when I might exceed the posted speed limit.
Yes, there may be ocassions (late evenings, no traffic) when I might float a stop sign (I never run stop lights).

Sorry. But show me the victim of my evil doings or lighten up. I'm 45 not 20. I expect considerations for age. If you disagree that's your option, you have the badge, but the insurance companies tend to agree with me.

[BANDIT118TH]

WARFANG-- As a matter of fact I do how difficult a job it is since I did it for three years in New Jersey. Came back from Viet Nam, it was a shiat job with mostly a bunch of men who acted like women--all jealous of each other. All in all. I'm glad I did it, cause I have some cool stories. It's a dead end job for underachievers willing to work on a w2. I want to say more--buuut-- I;ll refrain, let others vent. John

[BANDIT118TH]

I try to leave, and they puullll me back in. But, noooo, Avip has made some stupid braggings about his net worth! Mr avip-- living up there in New Jersey, you'll need that much savings to get by. And speaking of savings-- that's much for a cop-- any midnight traffic court fines??? Why would anyone brag about their net worth on the Viper site?? Many in our Georgia club are wealthy young folks, what are you compensating for Avip?? Mr avip, in a nut shell, seems like you're a thin skin. Someone I'd never have a beer with. John, still hating cops

[BANDIT118TH]

Uh oh-- did I misread the rants??? My apologies and I'll try to direct next time to the proper idiot. John

[BANDIT118TH]

Had to reread-- it's Randy from california-- sorry Avip! Randy--- inherit it??? Still yer a thin skin. John

[AviP]

Had to reread-- it's Randy from california-- sorry Avip! Randy--- inherit it??? Still yer a thin skin. John

Apology accepted. We are both anti-cop.

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Had to reread-- it's Randy from california-- sorry Avip! Randy--- inherit it??? Still yer a thin skin. John

LOL It's those dang "quote" buttons.

[GR8_ASP]

Ha, I was thinking the same thing about Randy from California. Has a 7 figure account and the spelling of a child. And he enforced the law. Damn, hope he reads better than he writes.

Someone said it. The attitude of the police (all types) has changed over the years. It used to be only the red neck regions with the better than thou attitude. It is now pervasive through the entire police force. They expect, no excuse me, demand respect. Yet they provide absolutely no respect to the very people they are supposed to be protecting (and who pay their wages).

It is clear that traffic police are now the revenue providers of the 21st century. They are de facto judge, jury and executioners. They lie on the stand with absoluteness. And of course judges believe them as if their word is on some higher level ground than us mere mortals.

I am no teenager. I have no harassment stories to tell like AB. But I can tell you that the police in this country need to be redefined. They currently are a bunch of hateful a$$holes that prey on society.

Just my $0.02

Now, if the Viper community has accumulated this perspective of the police what do you think targeted groups think?

[RandyS]

Hey, I said there are cops out there that are badge heavy. There seems to be more the past ten years or so. I have run into a couple after retirement. Let them run off, ask them to call their supervisor. If they are wrong do file a complaint. I just did not like the ALL term, sure got a some of you going though. JMO, not trying to change yours.

Randy

[RandyS]

AVI
Sounds like they were screwing with you, did you do anything about it? If you did and they got away it, you got the shaft, if you didn't, well, you shouldn't rag on me for the way I did my job, lightin up a little.

Randy

[ViperBite]

I hate the cops that pull you over for speeding yet speed themselves. Today a cop pulled out in highway traffic with NO signal. He did this which caused the car in front of me to nail their brakes, which caused me to nail em, which caused the car behind me to nail them. Then this "cop" hauls it to the exit. He is passing everyone. Of course no lights on, nothing. I run my errand proceed back the opposite way on the highway and guess what the same cop is on the other side of the road waiting for the next victim. Its ok for cops to ignore the same laws they are enforcing.

This has actually happened twice in the last month, the cops just pull out into highway traffic causing everyone to hit their brakes hard, no turn signal on or nothing and speed off into the sunset. Yep, they get my respect.