Why do bored cops pull you over if you have a tail light out or something stupid like that? can we say stupid?

Question

My fellow non-police and REAL citizens of america, read what these so called police officers type, I asked the question after watching cops myself, I was never pulled over for anything and these are the types of answers we get. Makes me wonder if not some but ALL cops have atitutude like the ones below. Remember you arrogant people, citizens like me pay YOUR salary.

Answer 1

The people make the laws, then pay the Police to enforce them. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Answer 2

When I was just a lad of 16 or 17 years, I was pulled over for tail lights being out. Go to find out, they were BOTH out. Having been behind drivers who did not have their lights turned on has terrified me before. He gave me a fix it ticket and all I had to do was show it to another law enforcement officer. That was it. With my military training, I have learned that some times officers pull people over for having objects hanging from the rear view mirror. Against the law... yes. Real reason you're pulled over... to check you out. Do you smell of booze or weed? Do you have warrants? Stuff like that. There is a Chris Rock video out that gives good advice on how to avoid getting beat up by the cops. I'm sure it'd also help keep you from getting harrassed by police officers also. Look it up.

Answer 3

First of all, a bored cop rarely pulls someone over for a tail light or some other seemingly innocent equipment violation -- as already mentioned it is typically the proactive, hunter-type of officer that is using that busted light as PC (probable cause) to pull you over and investigate your situation. Usually there is something more at work here i.e. how the car looks, the people driving, the neighborhood they are in, etc.

And just to be clear, this is entirely legal to use an equipment or other seemingly minor offense, as a pretext to further investigate a subject.

What's the lesson learned? Regularly check your car and don't look dirty. Chances are if it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck or smells like a duck ... well, you get the idea. ;-)

Answer 4

And why not? I have been pulled over for minor things. A soft answer turneth away wrath. The last time I was pulled over a long time ago as a young man I thanked the policeman for pointing out something I had not noticed and said I would have it fixed the next day (I did) There is little point in making comments about bored policemen pulling you over. If you are in the wrong the object of the exercise is to get him to let you off with a warning. Trying to be smart just makes it more certain that you will be booked. A polite manner works wonders especially when they expect abuse

Answer 5

The laws are written by your legislators, not by the police. The police enforce the laws, not just the ones you think they should. The fact is, I have made more arrests on this type of stop than moving traffic violations. Often times there is contraband in the vehicle or the driver is wanted or driving while suspended. It isn't the bored officers making these type of stops, It's the more aggressive ones that are.

Answer 6

Aside from the fact that it is illegal to have a tail light out, 99.9% of the time, if I stopped you for a broken tail light (or other "stupid" violation) I would tell you to get it fixed and be on my way. I was never "bored" when I did this stuff, I was enforcing the law, looking for legitimate arrests to make and keeping the public safe as is required by my job and my sworn oath to uphold the laws of my City, County, State and Country. The .1 percent that got tickets had attitudes that were so bad that they talked themselves into a "stupid" ticket or had all their tail lights out (usually a fuse) and it was unsafe to NOT issue a citation. I can be sued if I fail to act on certain public safety situations that result in someone being needlessly harmed and the safety of the public, my job/career, family and livlihood were too important to me to worry about someone else thinking that it was a "stupid" ticket.

But the majority of the time, I made good arrests from "stupid" stops like that.

Answer 7

I think they are looking for people with warrants or something. I got pulled over for not having a license plate light. Well,
I did not know. How would I? I thanked the officer, or park ranger, as it were, in this case, and did not get a ticket . Don't be an idiot. Let them explain why you're pulled over and you probably won't get a ticket.

Answer 8

I'm not gonna beat around the bush. We want to check you out, not write you a cite for your "stupid" tail light.

Something about you strikes police officers as being suspicious. Type/condition of car, area you're in, the way you look, the time of day, your behavior, etc.

We want to run you for warrants and see if you're dirty.

Its proactive policing. I do it all night long. I get dope, guns, gangsters and warrants with this. Does it inconvenience you for 5 minutes? Yes, but its a very small price to pay to have a cleaner city. Now fix that taillight.

Answer 9

Myabe because were're doing out job of enforcing the law and possibly being nice and letting you know that something is wrong with your car that you don't know about.

Technically, me and just about any Officer out there can give you a ticket for it. But this hardly happens, at the most drivers are issued a repair order or a verbal warning.

Answer 10

WOW! Can we say bad attitude! well that alone is suspicious! Ive been pulled over cause my bulb in my break lights blew and you know what since i did not know that i kinda really appreciated it! and fixed it the next day! also its not called a bored cop he is doing what our tax dollars pay him to do and keep our roads safe! also FYI an not so negative attitude with the officers when they pull you over will get you a Lil further than a bad one also fix the tail light please!

Answer 11

First of all, having a tail light out is a vehicle equipment violation. Second, many felony arrest warrants have been made on just such a stop, Look at it as hunting for real bad guys.