Ever Been Pulled Over and

[Scott Stein]

The cop shines their spot light right into your mirror so it shines in your face? This happened to me last summer and I turned the mirror down and he told me I can't do that! I was like whatever,I didn't know it was a law,which I don't think it is.

[Eckie]

Had this happen to me a couple of weeks ago, in Golden Valley. 5:45 in the morning, completely dark out. Shines the light in my mirror...I can't see a thing. He then says something to me over his speaker, but I can't hear that because of the morning roar of traffic going by...I'm wondering if he wants me to move to a safer place (we're sitting on the left shoulder of a freeway)....so I put my hands up so he can see me and as best I can, motion that "I don't understand what I'm supposed to do". He sits there for a few minutes, meanwhile I turn down my mirror so I'm not blinded.

When he does come to the car, he tells me not to act like a jerk and do what I'm told. I'm a little miffed, but maintain composure and ask what I did wrong (Keep in mind I was traveling at a speed of 52 MPH). -- he stares at me and says "what did you say??" So, I ask again...he then torts back, "tailgating"...(I thought I was simply staying with the flow of moving cars)..

Comes back 5 minutes later with a written warning and lectures me on acting like a jerk again and tell me I can't do that with my mirror. Did my best to politely explain what I did -- didn't matter in the least. My wife was with me at the time and as soon as she said one word, he told her he "wasn't talking to her"...

Sorry to vent my own story, but bottom line, apparently one can't do that with your mirror, nor should you try to look out for the officer's safety (kidding here, of course). I know plenty of officers who treat people with the utmost respect...

[Scott Stein]

Wow,I would of given him a piece of my mind! I don't understand why you can't move your mirror,for gods sake it darn-near blinds you! I love how SOME cops/sheriffs/troopers think they are all high and mighty just because they have a badge! Notice I said SOME,I personally know some sheriffs around here,that if they see you come out of the bar late at night, will stop and give you a ride home,and then you get the ones who will park around the corner and wait until you leave and nail them with a DWI/DUI

[Charley]

They do that so they can see you. Eckie -- you should go to the right shoulder. Was he a state trooper?

[BoxMN]

I've been pulled over twice, once for speeding (42 in 30, on the Ford Bridge...doh...) and it all wnet well, and once for having a headlight out. Got the tickie the first time (I admitted I was going 40), and a warning the second.

But, both were AFTER I had been a volunteer sheriff trainee, and learned quite a bit about how things go. The main thing is that most people write their own tickets by their behaviors and attitude, if it is not a real serious violation. Same with on the water.

But, I am not a cop, and not an expert, but I will always be extremely polite and cooperative even if I think the officer is being a bit short man syndromed and I know enough cops to know that happens, ha!

edit - oops, I did get pulled over a third time for apparently going through a red light, in Plymouth (I was living on East Side of St. Paul at the time). Was back in the partying days, and I had two girls in front seat of truck, buckled in, and two guys in the back topper area. He said he pulled me over to see if the guys in back were buckled in. I laughed and said "nope", but was very cooperative, and he gave me breathalyzer - I pass and he seriously, no kidding said, "Son (and he was barely older than me, ha!) you drop off your friends and get your [PoorWordUsage] back to your side of town." hahaha, kinda like be outta town by sundown Long time ago though...

[Dozer]

Most cops and troopers are just doing there jobs. First off you cant pull on the left shoulder, you must be on the right. I have been pulled over more times than I can count and there was only once I felt I shouldnt have been. He claimed I was following a school bus too close, got a warning. Most officers are pretty nice guys just trying to make a living just like me and you, how would you like to walk up to a strangers car not knowing if they are going to shoot you or not?

[Jeremy airjer W]

I just got pulled over the other night "breaking" in some breaks. The Woodbury cop walks up to the car looks at me, see's the work order looks back at me and and says I noticed you locked up the brakes back there. I said yup just put brakes in it and I have to make sure they work. He says you got my attention, license and proof of insurance. He comes back a couple of minutes later and says I completely understand I just have to make sure its not somebody screwing around and I'd much rather have you make sure they work than the owner find out they don't! Then he cut me loose!

[MN Angler]

Been pulled over once and was with my sister when she got pulled over once. The time I got pulled over I had a full vehicle and he was checking to see if everyone had buckles on. He asked for my license and registration so I gave them to him. He comes back and sends me on my way but for some reason he bent the top right corner of my license up.

With my sister she was being our designated driver eventhough she had just turned 21 the evening before. She played college soccer so they had a strick rule about drinking so she only had one drink that night I believe. Anyways we get pulled over, everyone has their buckle on, he checks all of our licenses to make sure we are legal age to drink and procedes to give my sister a brethalizer. The day earlier she would have gotten a dwi because she blew a .01. He tells her to get back in the car, he shuts her door, and then throws the plastic brethalizer straw on her lap and and says "heres your prize". Both officers were very short with us but If you keep your cool seems like your are much better off.

[IFallsRon]

I was pulled over one morning in bad traffic. The woman officer couldn't see all the numbers on my license place because the trailer ball was blocking one. Thanks for the fixit ticket.

[Eckie]

I should clarify one point -- normally, I always pull over to the right shoulder. I was on 394 Eastbound in the HOV (carpool) lane (which is the furthest left lane)....given the fact that this lane only allows entering and exiting at certain areas, I didn't want to cross the "double white line". Also, given the heavy morning traffic, it was impossible for me to move over 3 entire lanes to get to the right shoulder.

Sorry, I should've been more clear on this.

[Sutty]

The 90/10 rule applies here. 90% of the Law Enforcers you get to interact with are great people. Just like any other job we all get the priveledge :-P of working with the other 10% that makes us all appreciate the decent people a little more.

The 90/10 rule applies to troopers as well its just that the percentages are inverted. :-) I don't blame them though, under the guise of safety they are an income source for the state to keep us from getting to the cabin a little quicker.

[Eckie]

Great analogy, Sutty!

I whole heartedly agree!

[CJH]

My brother is a cop and basically, if you do anything that forces them to write you a ticket or arrest you they will (20mph over, warrant or DUI, or something like that).

However, if its borderline, be calm and polite and most often you will get a warning. Be a jerk or fidgety, and you will have problems.

I had a run in with a Trooper in WI coming back from my Grandma's funeral. Basically I had just pulled onto the interstate and had forgotten the speed limit is 65MPH there and was going 75MPH, so 10 over. He asked me and my wife why we were going fast and I explained everything politely. (we were both wearing black formal attire, so it was pretty freakin' obvious) Guy still gave me a ticket, just a jerk the whole time. Talked to my brother about it and he said he wouldn't have even pulled us over!!!! He was really surprised.

So, it just goes to show, that you never know. These guys/gals are human and they may be having a bad day too. Most of them are just trying to do the right thing, there's always a few bad apples. Shrug it off and move on, it will probably never happen to you again.

[Scott Stein]

I'm still wondering,is it really a law that you can't turn your mirror so the spotlight is not right in your eyes?

[Eckie]

Scottie....I'll take responsibility for turning your thread into a venting about officers forum! Sorry about that! Good question at hand...I know there of a couple of members here that are officers...can't think of their names offhand...hopefully one will chime in and assist...

[Scott Stein]

haha that's fine.

[titelines]

I've only been pulled over once.

I was on 24th Ave. and was stopped at a red light at Nicollet Ave. I was the first car and had my turn signal on to take a left onto Nicollet.

In the lane directly across from me was a policeman, also waiting at the red light. He had no turn signals on, so I assumed he was going to go straight over Nicollet and stay on 24th.

When the light turned green, I waited for him to go (yielding to traffic going straight), but he didn't. After about 10 seconds, he turned his left turn signal on, indicating that he was going to take a left onto Nicollet. Seeing that, I proceeded to take my left turn.

I didn't get 1/2 block when he lit me up. I pulled over, kept my hands on the steering wheel and waited for him (I have 2 friends who are police officers and know how to act). He side-stepped up to me with his hand on his revolver and asked for DL and insurance. I told him that my wallet was in my pocket and the insurance was in the glove box. He faced me, with his hand on his revolver and told me to retrieve them, which I did. He then explained that I had failed to yield and turned in front of him. I very respectfully disagreed and said that I was waiting for him to go straight, but that he then turned his turn signal on. He asked me to repeat this, as if he didn't understand what I had said.

He went back to his car, came back, gave me a warning and told me to "be on my way". I thanked him and left.

My only beef was that I had not done anything wrong. He could've at least acknowledged that he was in the wrong. Instead, he acted as though he was doing me a favor by letting me off...when it was his actions that caused the situation in the first place.

Again, having friends who are cops, I learned long ago how to act. Had I raised a stink, I could've crossed some line that would've given him the right to ticket me for something...or worse.

[Tom7227]

I'm still wondering,is it really a law that you can't turn your mirror so the spotlight is not right in your eyes?

No it is not a law. I'm a retired prosecutor so you can take that to the bank.

I suspect it is a tactic to keep you from seeing what's going on - officer safety sort of thing with a little bit of intimidation mixed in.