What exactly are cops doing when they take your information and sit in their cars for a little while?

Question

Whenever you get pulled over for any reason they take some sort of identification and go back to their cars. Yet it seems to take 5-10 minutes every time. I was just wondering what exactly they were doing.

Answer 1

Surely you jest. They are running your license plates, your name, your social security number on the computer. They take their time and munch on a donut so you will get ever more nervous that you already are just from being stopped. Then if you have even the slightest blemish on your record they will search your car, claiming you gave them permission. If they find a reason to haul your a$$ off to jail they get a bonus donut.

Answer 2

We get a good laugh at your driver's licence photo!


Actually we ask the dispatcher to run your name to see if you have any warrants and to see if you are licenced. Depending how many other officers are asking for information (sometimes it is difficult to get airtime if it is really busy) and depending on how fast the computer system is running that day, it may take 5-10 minutes to get the information back.

Answer 3

They have a computer in their cars. When they go back to their car they are typing all your information into the computer. They are checking your driving record and if you are wanted for any crime. Plus they are making sure your car isnt reported stolen. Then they are deciding whether to give a ticket or not. Then they are writing the ticket.

Answer 4

They first run your plates, DL #, your name...see if you have any previous or oustanding tickets and what they are for...how many times have you been pulled over for this reason...they may check NCIC...run you for warrants...and sometimes, get a case # from dispatch can take a few mins...but trust me they want to be done as quick as you want to be gone.

Answer 5

They are running your information through the computer (either in the vehicle or via the dispatcher). They are looking to see if either you or your vehicle comes back wanted for anything, and if the computer verifies that your license is in good standing. The computer systems run painfully slow sometimes, believe me I know.

Answer 6

My take on it is that they are running your name/plates/drivers' license number through a database to find out whether or not you have anything on your record, i.e. warrants (and they are hoping you do) or whether or not the car is stolen. Or, they are waiting to see if you try to run or do something suspicious or something. Otherwise, they are just screwing with you and just want to waste your time because they were hoping to find something they can arrest you for or give you a ticket for and they couldn't (which has happened to me A LOT).

Answer 7

They are running reports on;
Your license plate
Your Drivers License
Checking for outsanding warrants or parole voilations.
They may also be filling out the ticket/citation so its done when the reports come in.

Answer 8

Checking your stats.

Two guesses why and the first one doesn't count...

They're making sure that they get to make it back home at the end of their shift and by checking into your information gives them more of an idea of what they're up against.

Last time I looked I saw a man in uniform doing his job to keep *you* safe...

Answer 9

They have a computer in their car and are looking to see if you have any prior record, outstanding warrants, the current status of the vehicle registration to see if it might be reported stolen, etc.

Answer 10

Personally, on my patrol car's computer, I'm playing Solitare or Free Cell. I'm just making them sweat and wonder what the heck I'm finding out about them on "the System."