Took a long time but, My first LEO encounter.

[tbrenke]

Well it final happened last night. I usually get out of work around 7 (electronics eng) well last night was a late one. I left the office around 11PM. up on the freeway and to my exit. turn left tward my house from a double left turn lane making me in the right lane. On the corner is a state patrol leaving the AM/PM quick stop. he is a few cars back and works his way up to behind me. I am checking my speed and lane movment. then he does something strange. he turns his headlights off then back on. I figure he is in a hurry to go someplace and I move over the the right lane. He fallows. here we go.

he lights me up and I pull off the main road into an apartment complex parking lot. I stop the car, turn it off. inside light on and both hand up on the top of the wheel. I see his shadow (from the bright spot light) on the apartment complex coming up on my right side. I do not look that way untell he taps on the side window. I have no need to make this harder then it has to be.
I roll the right side window down.
And he says, "good evening, How is it going?"
me: "It is going well"
State Partol: "Do you know why I pulled you over"
Me: "no idea"
SP: "Your licence plate light is out."
SP: "Do you have any drugs or weapons in the car?"
this is a not required to inform state.
me: " I have a permit and I am armed"
SP: "where is it?"
me: "right hip"
SP: "where is your wallet?"
me: "right back pocket"
SP: "ok, licence and insurance but move slowly."
I get my licence out of my wallet and take my permit out as well. then I say, "I'll look for my insurance card now, it should be in the glove box."
SP: "no need, this will do. What do you carry?"
me: "XD40SC"
sp: "good choice. I wish more people carried."
then I look at the lights dancing off all the bushes and buildings for a bit.
he comes back the the car and hands me my licence and permit and reminds me to get the bulb replaced.
then upon his leaving he says, "you handled that perfectly, Thank you."

no conflict, no you-must-disarm, and no ticket.
That is the way it should go.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[tkruf]

Exactly as it should be!

[Dsully]

good deal man

[XD 45]

good

[GM]

Very nice LEO! And you did everything right.

[joker1]

I love feel good LEO stories.

I got a ticket once for no tag light (long before CC in Kansas). When I got to work I got out and they were working. I called the police and they came by a verified they worked and voided the ticket. I was pleased with the end result but a TICKET for a tag light! I could see a ticket for a brake light or even a tail light but come on, it the least usefull light on a car, 99.9% of police cars have headlights which usually illuminate the rear portion of the vehicle in front of them. I can definately understand the stop and running the license and checking for insurance etc. but that should be a warning. I was perfectly respectful and polite with the officer, I don't know if he was pretty new and trying to impress or what.

[Guantes]

I have read a number of these threads and thought I would post a comment on them.

Police work is like fishing only you are trying to catch criminals. Other than those assigned to or specifically interested in traffic enforcement, minor traffic violations are a method of trolling. By and large they (cops) have no interest in harassing citizens, they are looking for bad guys. Traffic stops are a legal means of initiating contacts. More contacts means more bad guys found. Depending on the number of calls received, eight or ten stops a shift was not uncommon.

[WhoWeBePart1]

Glad it all worked out well. Most of us have no clue when our plate light goes out.

[joker1]

I have read a number of these threads and thought I would post a comment on them.

Police work is like fishing only you are trying to catch criminals. Other than those assigned to or specifically interested in traffic enforcement, minor traffic violations are a method of trolling. By and large they (cops) have no interest in harassing citizens, they are looking for bad guys. Traffic stops are a legal means of initiating contacts. More contacts means more bad guys found. Depending on the number of calls received, eight or ten stops a shift was not uncommon.

Good point and I applaud them for it.

[RemMod597]

Bravo! Textbook!
Great to have common sense displayed by all parties on a stop!

[imthduke]

I just love it when a plan comes together!

[Supertac45]

Sounds good to me.

[Matthew]

Glad it went well but why not roll down your window before he even opened his car door? I've only gotten pulled over once before my CHL but my thoughts are you know there going to talk to you so down it goes.

[jasdv357]

it is much easier to stick a gun out a open window and fire back at an officer than it would be with a closed window, at least on the first round. which is enough warning for an office to go into action. but the window down and it being dark and considering how little of the gun actually has to come out the window before it can be fired.. it's just a good idea not to do anything that is going to make the officer nervous( intended or not)

[tbrenke]

My drivers window was down, that may be the resion he went to the passenger side.