This happened to me last night. A cop pulled me and my friend over (she was driving) at 3am (and somehow saw from behind us that her registration was expired), and let us off with a warning. But he asked both of us for our licenses, and at the time I didn't think that was odd, so I gave it to him.. but I woke up this morning and realized that: 1) I wasn't able to get a good look at him or his car, so I don't even know if he was a cop, 2) he left with our personal information 3) without leaving us written documentation of who he is. That makes me feel weird. So I wanted to know if it was normal for cops to ask both the driver and the passenger for their licenses. Thanks!
2007-03-10 06:00:13 · 26 answers · asked by The Lord Amen Ra 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Haha, no, I'm not a thug. I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, none of that. And I'd be amazed if someone thought I looked 'shady'... no, we're normal looking people I would say. It just made me worried that I didnt get any sort of proof of who he was.
2007-03-10 06:09:21 · update #1
It is perfectly normal for a police officer to ask a passenger in a motor vehicle for his/her driver's license. Especially if this traffic stop was around 3 a.m. The reason for this is to determine who the passenger is and if that passenger has any warrants for his/her arrest. Depending on what state you are in, a passenger may lawfully refuse to give the officer his/her license. Only if the officer has reasonable suspicion to believe that the passenger may have committed some type of crime, may the officer REQUIRE the passenger to display their identification. However, the officer must articulate the reason. With that said, there are no restrictions for officers asking to see it. Any officer may ask to see passengers' i.d., and if the passenger consents, then o.k. Depending on each law enforcement departmental policies, some departments do not require a "written warning" which would provide documentation of who the officer was. However, some departments do issue written warnings. You could simply call the department of wherever you were, to see who the officer was, to verify that it was a police officer who stopped you, so that you have no concern about some stranger with you and your passenger's personal information. I would articulate this reason to the department, so they understand and don't think that you are questioning the officer for any reason....after all, he didn't give you a ticket!!
2007-03-10 08:24:09 · answer #1 · answered by justasking 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I had to write a report every time I pulled traffic I wouldn't pull traffic. So, whoever said that is mistaken. But yes. By federal law it is permissable to run warrant checks on all occupants of the vehicle as long tas the checks do not add to the length of the stop. Basically, I can check on everyone in the car if the checks do not take an enormous amount of time or hinder your freedom more than normal. A traffic stop is already a seizure. If it takes an xtra several minutes to run your passangers congress would consider this acceptable. If we are there so long that you begin to feel infringed, then there would be a problem if I did not have a ligitamite reason.
2007-03-10 07:54:29 · answer #2 · answered by wfsgymwear 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a mystery as to how he "somehow saw from behind" that her registration was expired. He ran her tag and it came back that her registration was expired. That's why they have the ability to run your tag and computers in their cars and dispatchers that can run tags, and it is common practice to ask everyone in the car for ID. You should really relax, it was a typical stop. How are you unable to get a good look at the person leaning into the car window or the car with the big flashing lights on top of it?
2007-03-10 07:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok Going to school to be a cop! They have to take both ids in the case where they check for warrants. Or depending on why you were pulled over! If an officer thinks your under age and your smoking! Things like that! Police officers do not need both names for there report unless both of you are involved. If the driver got pulled over for speeding the cop might ask for the second id if the driver doesnt have a valid license so he can have the passenger drive the car home. In most cases they will not ask for the passenger id. There are reasons for it! I suggest next time you are in doubt simply ask to see his badge! And maybe ask for his badge number and his work number. It is your right as a law abinding citizen to want to make sure he is an actual cop!
2007-03-10 06:26:08 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
definite. usually, law enforcement officials have a superb style of discretion to envision for identity's while they pull a vehicle over. they often justify it via asserting that's an officer risk-free practices situation or there is suspicious interest among the vehicle occupants. even nevertheless they are in a position to examine the identity of the passenger, they can't provide a passenger a quotation for not having an identity like they could the motive force. in case you have been in basic terms strolling down the line they can't end you and ask you for an identity except they have a 'clever suspicion' which you have been engaged in criminal interest.
2016-10-01 21:42:57 · answer #5 · answered by banegas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They typically ask for some kind of ID from all passengers in a vehicle. Normally it is a drivers license and then State ID if you do not have one. Have you asked your friend if it was a cop? You might want to start carrying a cell phone with you when in a vehicle. you can always verify if they are indeed a cop or not by calling 911 and asking if there is a unit in your area.
2007-03-10 06:06:10 · answer #6 · answered by michaelaorr 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is usually routine for newer officers to request the driver's licenses or IDs of all occupants of a vehicle when it's pulled over for a traffic stop. More-experienced officers tend to only ask for identification of people they believe are suspicious, acting nervous, etc. The reason for asking for the license or ID is really more of a convenience to both the officer and the person.
They are going to use the information on your ID to run a wants and warrants check on you. It is always easier for both them and you to just use the information on your license or ID rather than to write-down that same information that's on it to do the same thing. (As a side-note, they can get that information from your name and date of birth anyway.) Legally, you are only required to give your name. Some states may also require you to give your date of birth as well. Other than that, unless you are the one driving, they pulled over the driver for a violation and you are not subject to identifying driving privileges, etc. for that purpose. While it's not required to hand-over your ID, it's just easier for the both of you.
As far as your other concerns... 1) Try to be more aware of your surroundings and be aware of who is pulling you over and in what. 2) All officers have access to your personal information already, he has only associated some of that information with you individually for the purposes of the stop. 3) There is no requirement for an officer to leave you any written documentation of who they are in any state. If you wanted to verify who they are, _YOU_ can write-down that information.
If you are concerned with whether or not the person that pulled you over was a real officer, check with your local law enforcement agency. There are state laws that dictate what a police vehicle can have as far as colors and amount of emergency lights and there are departmental regulations on using unmarked cars and wearing uniforms. Typically if someone is using an unmarked car they have to be in full uniform. If someone pulls you over and they are not wearing a uniform they should have a marked unit with them on the stop as well.
Finally, if you believe that a person is not an officer, ask for their ID. Mind you, ID does _NOT_ mean their badge. A badge proves nothing. The officer should hand you their departmental ID which should also state that they are a sworn officer on it.
2007-03-10 12:22:16 · answer #7 · answered by nightkingdoms3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal to check the identification of all passengers. They'll check for any wants or warrants on everyone. As long as this was a policeman in uniform in a marked car. As for me, I would NEVER pull over for someone in an unmarked car and plain clothes without driving to a public place and calling 911 first. Best of luck to you.
2007-03-10 06:07:16 · answer #8 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you're really uncomfortable with the situation, you could always contact your local police department and verify the incident. In fact, I think I definitely would!
If you are being pulled over, never stop unless you are in a well lighted, well populated area. You could call 911 on your cell phone and tell them you are being pulled over, but you are scared to stop because you don't "know" this is a real officer, and that you are going to a safer area before you stop. Any real police officer will be on board with this, because that's what they tell us to do. If the little hairs stand up on the back of you neck, always act on your instincts.
2007-03-10 06:11:10 · answer #9 · answered by kj 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Normal procedure, he also probably ran for outstanding warrants while he was at it. No requirement to leave you with documentation of the stop.
Most stops a three in the morning results in good arrests.
Nothing good happens after midnight.
2007-03-10 06:14:26 · answer #10 · answered by Sgt 524 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋