How not to get your ass kicked by the police

[miles]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR465HoCWFQ#t=70

 

[Balladeer08]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR465HoCWFQ#t=70

Someone edited out his first point, obey the law. You hear it when he summarizes, but don't see it at the start of the clip.

While humorously presented, a lot of his points are very valid.

He left out "Obey the police officer's instructions". If the cop tells you to raise your hands, raise your damn hands. Don't go clutching at your waistband, that looks like you are going for a gun. If your pants are falling down, let them. MUCH better than getting shot.

Here's a phrase that will serve you well: "Peaceful compliance with lawful authority." You think it is a bum petty traffic stop? Why turn it into a major incident? Cooperate, be peaceful, don't mouth off, go on your way. Then you can contact an attorney, file a complaint with the department, and never see the wrong end of a firearm. Or have to go to jail or the emergency room.

Remember Rodney King? Sure you do.

Does anyone remember the other passengers in his car? No. None of them so much as got their hair ruffled. Why? Because they all obeyed the police officer's instructions, and gave peaceful compliance to lawful authority.

Rodney KNEW better. He was an ex-con. It isn't like it was a new experience to him. And as his post-fame record showed, he was just too stupid to DO better.

It is much better NOT to repeat his mistakes.

You can't win the confrontation with the police on the street. Go about it a different way. Document any problems, any prejudice. Calmly, dispassionately, and without sounding like a crazy person. You can win in court, you can win in Internal Affairs. IF you go about it right. If you come off like some jackass who is acting out for the cameras, you won't get as far.

Peaceful compliance with lawful authority. It will go a LONG way.

 

[about_average]

Yes, always follow the instructions of a police officer and you won't get your ass kicked.
http://youtu.be/vtx1tYc7PxI

 

[Balladeer08]

Yes, always follow the instructions of a police officer and you won't get your ass kicked.
http://youtu.be/vtx1tYc7PxI

Nothing is 100%, as I'm sure you know. This is just treating the exception as if it were the rule. In other words, you are being a dick. Which I suspect was your intent.

Bad job by the officer. Didn't look like a good shooting to me.

That said, there are a couple of tips for the driver that would have helped.

When you are stopped by the police, do not exit your vehicle unless told to. Sit there with your hands on the steering wheel in plain sight. Palms up is best. At night, turn on the interior lights to make it easy for the officers to see inside your vehicle. Roll down the windows on both sides to make it easier to see in and easier to hear each other.

If they tell you they want to see your license, registration, proof of insurance, get them S L O W L Y. If your license is not in your pocket, tell the officer where it is and let him tell you to reach for it slowly. Likewise, since most of us keep registration & insurance paperwork in the glove box, tell them you are going to open the glove box, and do it slowly. If you keep a knife of a gun in the glove box, tell the cop that BEFORE you open the glove box, then follow their instructions on how to proceed. He may just tell you to sit still and wait for his backup to arrive. Do so, and don't bitch about how you have to be somewhere. You'll get there faster by cooperating and following instructions.

These seem like common sense tips to me. But my background is not anyone else's background, and it may be helpful. Personally, I'd like to go teach a class in schools on how to act when stopped by the police. I've never understood why departments don't do that. Probably too sensible.

 

[about_average]

Nothing is 100%, as I'm sure you know.

You mean like blanket statements, as in the OP?

As opposed to my post where I didn't make a blanket statement, despite you saying I did.

This is just treating the exception as if it were the rule.

 

[removed121614]

If you have enough political pull, none will touch you.

 

[phrodeau]

Nothing is 100%, as I'm sure you know. This is just treating the exception as if it were the rule. In other words, you are being a dick. Which I suspect was your intent.

Bad job by the officer. Didn't look like a good shooting to me.

That said, there are a couple of tips for the driver that would have helped.

When you are stopped by the police, do not exit your vehicle unless told to. Sit there with your hands on the steering wheel in plain sight. Palms up is best. At night, turn on the interior lights to make it easy for the officers to see inside your vehicle. Roll down the windows on both sides to make it easier to see in and easier to hear each other.

If they tell you they want to see your license, registration, proof of insurance, get them S L O W L Y. If your license is not in your pocket, tell the officer where it is and let him tell you to reach for it slowly. Likewise, since most of us keep registration & insurance paperwork in the glove box, tell them you are going to open the glove box, and do it slowly. If you keep a knife of a gun in the glove box, tell the cop that BEFORE you open the glove box, then follow their instructions on how to proceed. He may just tell you to sit still and wait for his backup to arrive. Do so, and don't bitch about how you have to be somewhere. You'll get there faster by cooperating and following instructions.

These seem like common sense tips to me. But my background is not anyone else's background, and it may be helpful. Personally, I'd like to go teach a class in schools on how to act when stopped by the police. I've never understood why departments don't do that. Probably too sensible.

Common sense? Don't keep your paperwork in the same place as your gun.