My girlfriend told me last time she got pull over, the first thing the cop did was yelling at her "show me your license or you are going to jail!". She wasn't trying to run away or looking like a criminal. Did the cop violated any regulation?
2006-10-20 08:15:25 · 17 answers · asked by w 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
No they are not. and your g/f is undoubtedly exagerating.
2006-10-20 08:22:38 · answer #1 · answered by Manny 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
maybe but most likely he did not. Her car she was driving may have matched a car they were looking for, or she violated a law severely, or did some other action to warrent strong action from the cop. The bottom line is officers must always maintain control of a situtation, esp on traffic stops as you don't know what you will get. Whatever it takes to go home at night is what an officer will do. Cops are allowed to be strong, and stern, but will remain respectful. THe cop may have been having a bad day, but i would bet that your girlfriend did something, or a series of violations, or did not immediately comply once she was pulled over to warrent strong verbal commands. Officers don't use language like that unless the suspect is uncooperative, or did something blatently wrong. What offense was she pulled over for. IF you are still not satisfied you are welcome to file a complaint against the officer.
2006-10-20 17:08:46 · answer #2 · answered by speedysundevil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no excuse for verbal abuse by police or citizens. Usually though, when it does occur there is a reason. The person stopped usually will tell you, "I didn't do anything wrong and the cop was nasty to me for no reason!" If you talked to the officer you would get another side of the story. I usually made it a point to let the citizen set the tone of the encounter. If they were polite and cooperative they were treated in kind. If they were surly, rude, or a smartass they got no break. Each department generally requires their officers, deputies, or troopers to be polite in the discharge of their duty. However, they do not have to take a blast of crap from citizens either. How would you do the job?
2006-10-20 15:27:13 · answer #3 · answered by rico3151 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Police officers don't have any demeanor to follow during routine or deserved traffic stops. Most of the time it depends on how the driver acts toward the officer. However they do act rudely if its the end of their shift and they just want to get home.
But... they do have the authority to act as a situation requires. Like another answerer said, they can do whatever they want because its their word against yours and them being a public servant will have more bias with the judge in court.
My best advice, just forget the incident unless it happens again. Then get the police officers name and badge number along with their precinct. Call and report him and request a hearing of police harrassment.
2006-10-20 15:27:19 · answer #4 · answered by James I 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cops do not have to be 'polite', however, they are not allowed to abuse their power.
I have a hard time believing the very first thing he said was, "give me your license, or your going to jail.."
But I can believe a cop had a short temper.
If it was bad enough, you can report him to his captain. If they get enough reports (which they will if it is a regular thing), they can get in trouble.
2006-10-20 15:24:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you tell us the entire story. I can think of many legitimate reasons why a Police Officer would do that. I seriously doubt she was minding her own business when the Police pulled her over for no apparent reason and started to yell at her.
2006-10-20 15:43:50 · answer #6 · answered by Judge Dredd 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Was she doing something very dangerous and stupid? You don't need to look like a criminal to be stupid. What was the violation?
If you want to complain about his demeanor take it up with his shift supervisor.
2006-10-20 15:48:28 · answer #7 · answered by Rob 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did she violate a law? The police are there to protect and serve, not to be nice.
2006-10-20 15:30:07 · answer #8 · answered by DR 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just file a complaint with the police station- if he gets enough maybe they will do something about it- but I wouldn't hold my breath.
2006-10-20 15:23:17 · answer #9 · answered by TJD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first lesson- cops can do whatever they want - its our word against theirs - who do you think the judge will believe. i have been treated rudely by a cop that pulled me over- but you have to bite the bullet and do what they say or it will cost you bigtime in the end...its not fair - it's just life, they let the authority go to their heads sometime, all police officers are not rude - i have met some that i highly respect - just not many
2006-10-20 15:20:40 · answer #10 · answered by beachnut222000 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
"show me your license or you are going to jail"
You may want to review the ACLU's website (American Civil Liberties Union). Sounds like the pig displayed an illegal show of authority, or show of force in his threat.
She can always (and should) file a grievance and request a formal investigation. They'll try to make her change her mind at the station, and I hope she refuses to allow it, and files her grievance
2006-10-20 16:09:50 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋