Why do Police Officers Follow You?

Question

I realized I was being followed for about 5 miles by the police...all the while they followed at a distance, but every turn I made they made....until eventually I pulled in my driveway and in the garage. After that they drove off...

Why do they do that. It makes me nervous as hell.

Answer 1

You must look guilty....or you're just real paranoid.

Answer 2

Not being the cop who followed you, I can't tell you why you were followed-some ideas however:
1-coindence-the cop is going somewhere beyond where you live. I've done this a number of times,not 5 miles though. But I have ended up following a car half the way across my city when I was on the way to a call, I know I freaked out the driver, 'cos the called the station to ask why I was "following them".
2-Everyday we are provided with partial descriptions of cars that are "wanted" in connection with various investigations. Contrary to popular believe there isn't some computer system (at least in my state) that I can input things like "Red", "Saturn" or the first few digits of the plate and get a list back. So its up to the beat officers to develop intel from their street observations. You car might match a description of an wanted vehicle.
3-Maybe, without you knowing it you're aroused the officer's suspicions. For example there's an apartment complex in my city, that I try to hit up every vehicle going in or out of it. Drugs, stolen goods, gangs, hookers etc are a feature here. So if I see a car in that complex I either try to pull it over, or develop intel on the car and its occupants. Sometimes I'll follow the car to where-ever its going. Or maybe the PD are interested in someone who you know. As part of the intel gathering process, they are trying to figure out how you fit into the picture.
-Maybe pure boredom-you don't mention if this was late night/early morning, but sometimes to avoid falling asleep etc we play games with ourselves to stay awake. Things like following a car blindly without looking at the map ir street signs, and trying to make sure you know exactly where you are etc (kind of lame I know...)


Either way, if you're not doing anything wrong you shouldn't be nervous (I write that although I still get nervous sometimes when I have a cop behind me!).

If you're really want to see what we do and why, see if you can do a ride along with your local department. And forget what some of these worthless cop-haters spew.

Answer 3

They do this to intimidate you into doing something wrong. In this case, a traffic violation. Since you allowed him to follow you and you obeyed the rules he had no choice but to move on to someone else. Most cops that do this are consider delinquents. The system is set up that anyone who takes a very easy exam, pass several boards are in the academy. There's no real history of character because the background is limited and most department want to fill the billets quickly What's real important is that most of these people came from different working and social background. For example, milkmans, meat cutter, store clerk and so on with low IQ's and well you know the rest. Instead of serving the community and protecting individual rights, they focus their energy into working an 8 hour shift. It's also real scary when a delinquent is in charge to hold a service weapon and in uniform. That's why many in our country loath police officers. Instead of being peace officers they are actually bull sharks on the prowl. That's why people run when call to come to an officer.

Answer 4

Ever think that they may be going the same direction as you? Many people do, every time you drive people travel the same direction as you, including a turn or 2. Its just that most of them are civilians and you don't really pay much attention to it. That is until a cop gets behind you and you get paranoid, thinking its a conspiracy or he's harassing you when all he's doing is answering a call near your house or going home or doing wellness checks on the elderly. There's an infinite number of things going on.

Answer 5

There are many reasons. The car may look like one used in a crime. You may have made some sort of mistake ( a common one being your inattention to driving for some reason which caused your car to swerve or cross a center line,
this means a possible dui), nay be going someplace else in your area and there are officers who may do it because they have nothing else to do. If you have done nothing wrong dont worry about them following you.

Answer 6

Agree with Chris B. They follow suspicious people and it takes time for them to check your license plate. While they're doing that, you realize that you are being followed, make you nervous and more likely you may end up doing something wrong with your driving.

They're supposed to find a better way instead of following people and checking their license plates at the same time.

Answer 7

they want to catch you for a ticket, and/or they think your suspicious and they're looking your license plate up. or you could just be coincidentally going to a simelar route. usually its because of the ticket thing.

my dad got followed by a cop for a few miles and the cop was out of his jurisdiction and he only followed because after a while they drove into his city. the cop pulled him over and he said he didnt use his blinker and my dad was like im going to file a civil complain if you do this to me, and the cop responded: well ill let you off with a warning this time you drive carefull.

Answer 8

There could be any number of reasons, the could have been going home, and live in your area, that is the area they were assigned to and were patrolling the area, your car fit a description of a vehicle they may have been looking for.

Althoug its uncomfortable there is no short and simple answer to your question.

Answer 9

They want to catch you speeding or something. I know it's totally creepy but it's not like their stalking you. maybe you were going a little too fast earlier or they suspected you for some reason. Police officers sit on the side of the road monitoring your speed as you go by. It probably won't happen again.

Answer 10

They were probably on their way to a call and you just happened to be in front of them. Or... you or your car fit the description of someone they were looking for... Don't be nervous. If you aren't guilty of anything...you have nothing to worry about.

Answer 11

Well sometimes they do that because the car you're in matches the description of a vehicle whose owner they are looking for. They're just doing their jobs. (or trying to)