I got pulled over today... your gonna want to read this.

[ACBMWM3]

So today I was on the freeway and was pulled over for no front plate. Whatever, I never put front plates on my car even though its required by WA law.
Before I tell the story please night I pas open carrying in my vehicle in a kydex paddle holster and I keep my wallet in my right pocket which is also what side my weapon is on. and I do have my CPL.
Before you say anthing about how I probably acted like an ass. I did not, I was polite and did not give the officer any attitude.
Anyway the officer approached my window (my hands are on the wheel) and as he asked me for my license noticed I had a weapon. He the drew on me made me put my hands up and open the vehicle door from the outside. He then took my weapon and put it on my trunk. and then let me take my wallet out.
He cuffed me sat me in the back of his car and searched through my wallet. My Drivers License and CPL are in very clear view in the 2 clear flaps in my wallet. One id piece in each.
he then told me he was going to search my vehicle. I told him no hes not and he can go ahead and get a warrant if he wants. i then said if he wants to hold me hear any longer and wants to ask me anything else that I would like my attorney present.
After another 15 minutes of him talking on the radio he let me go no citation. I have his name, badge number etc... My father is also friends with the assistant chief of police so I will go and speak with her tomorrow. IM NOT INVOLVING MY FATHER, NOR USING HIS "CONNECTIONS" ITS JUST EASIER THAT I KNOW THIS PERSON AND AND HAVE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL MANY MOONS AGO.

I'm curious as to how you all feel the officer handled this.
I feel violated. I can understand he saw a weapon and was scared, but he could have asked me to step out of the vehicle ad keep my hands clear of it without holding me at gun point.

 

[steveno]

I would start by putting on a front license plate then none of this would have happened

 

[ACBMWM3]

Well im not going to say what I really think of your comment, but it wouldnt matter its a brand new BMW M3 they will pull me over for anything...

 

[RON in PA]

You come across as a smart ass, you know that the law requires a front license plate and you don't comply. You also drive a car that lends itself to being pulled over, do you compensate for this by being a more careful driver that doesn't push the traffic laws? Are you a spoiled brat that will try to use his father's influence to cause trouble?

 

[IRONFIST]

Personally, I think having a front plate on a car is stupid, but I have one on mine because I want the police to pull someone else over who doesn't have one on theirs, and leave me alone.

I will drive by and watch as you get rousted by the cop.

I am a very big guy. 6'2", 500 pounds, shaved head, tats, Bounced for years.

I scare cops just by how I look even when I'm doing absolutely nothing.

I have to go out of my way to put their minds at ease when I'm pulled over because I don't want to be shot by a scared cop, and I don't want to have to defend myself from one either.

So... the blue and red flashers come on behind me.

I pull over as soon as it is safe.

I roll my window down.

I turn the car off.

I put the keys on the roof.

I put my hands on the window edge where he/she can see them as he/she approaches.

I say "Sir/Ma'am, I would like to tell you up front that I have a valid carry permit and that I am armed, how may I help you?".

I do not reach for anything or fidget.

I follow the instructions given.

I will not allow a search of my vehicle, but I will comply in a reasonable tone of voice with most any other request.

Any complaints I may have about the officers actions or behavior will be acted upon after the encounter, not during, and a detailed report will be written as soon as possible by myself while the details are clear.

I actually rarely get pulled over anymore, but when I do it seems that the way I respectfully & calmly handle things has helped me avoid many tickets over the years.

I have to do things like this because none of my family is friends with anyone important.

Seems to work.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

8 ball says...this may not be the last time you're pulled over.

 

[kingpin008]

I feel violated. I can understand he saw a weapon and was scared, but he could have asked me to step out of the vehicle ad keep my hands clear of it without holding me at gun point.

Sure, he could have asked you nicely. But he could have also asked nicely and had his head blown off by some yahoo with a gun.

The officer doesn't know you from Adam, ok? When he pulls you over, and sees that you're packing, his stress level goes from medium to GUN in about three nanoseconds. Until he figures out what the situation is, expect him to be a little authoratative with you.

 

[Dr. Fresh]

You're all missing the point. Who cares what kind of car he drives or whether he has a front plate? Come on, it's a front license plate. It's not like he was drunk or anything.

I believe the officer acted totally inappropriately, and the OP isn't "causing trouble" by pursuing the matter.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

my opinion of the op is best summed up with "whatever"

they are real detailed in some areas and sparse in others

when they hada talk about daddy being friends with the police chief the word pissant came to mind

 

[kingpin008]

Come on, it's a front license plate. It's not like he was drunk or anything.

If the law requires a front plate, then he should have had a front plate. He knew that it was required, but didn't bother. He broke the law. Expect to be held accountable when you break a law.

I believe the officer acted totally inappropriately

How?

 

[doodle bug]

By pursuing this matter and involving your father i think you are sticking your head in the meat grinder?? and the cop will turn the handle every chance he gets?????? they also have long memorys

 

[iblong]

That kind of thing is why I dont open carry,I have the right to but I want to be in controll of how and at what point the officer is made aware that Im armed.such as handing him my permit and licence at the same time,with both hands on the steering wheel while he digests the info.Not reacing for a wallet sitting next to my gun,guess I dont want to be shot by a officer that might panic,could happen!Im not big on being hasseled for little things and used to get upset when being pulled over by the young ones for cracked tail lights or mud on my plates,sunglasses hanging from the mirror,ect.but because I carry
Ive had to learn to tone things down a bit and keep my cool.just part off the deal,I do know I feel a lot better if I see some gray in the temples.
Bob.

 

[R3dundantC]

I find its a lot less hassle if you handle being pulled over like Ironfist said. No I don't carry when I'm in the car, but I do keep a "can of seasoning" in the center console and I always have a knife on my person. I got pulled over yesterday and when he asked for my liscense the first thing I told him was that I was going to be reaching by a knife and a can of pepperspray, and things went smoothly after that. He thanked me for informing him and let me keep them in the car.

 

[SCKimberFan]

He let you go with no citation for an obvious infraction and you are going to pursue it further?! That would be doing something moronic.

 

[Geno]

Wow, fellas. The language is getting a bit harsh here. We need to keep this thread in a High Road fashion.

Doc2005

 

[SCKimberFan]

I was being High Road.

 

[lord1234]

I have to agree with the rest. What makes you think you are better then everyone else? You don't have to follow the law? If carrying you should definitely be wary of breaking any other rules. the cop could have easily stepped back and put a bullet in your ass.

 

[Prion]

A bit quick to judge, me thinks.

 

[cerberus65]

IRONFIST gave some very good advice.

My routine (used very infrequently, thankfully) is very similar.

Car off. Foot off the brake. Window down. Light on. Hands on the top of the steering wheel. No fast movements. Always respectful.

If they pulled me over it's because they think I broke some law. If it was at all marginal I want to give them every opportunity to decide to let me off with a warning.

I also hate front license plates. I'm very happy to live in a state now that doesn't do them. But when I lived in an unhappy state I obeyed the law.

Your demeanor has a great effect on how the interaction will go. And it doesn't take more than a millisecond to sniff out an attitude of entitlement or privilege. If you are open carrying your first thought better be how do I calmly communicate with the officer so I can put him/her at ease. Remember, it's a very dangerous job they do. If your first thought is "I can't believe these morons are pulling me over to hassle me again about that front plate" then, well, you're probably gonna end up cuffed and sitting in the back of the squad car.

 

[Prion]

Lord1234 That cop would now be sitting in jail if it was found the gun was holstered and he had a permit to carry and he shot him.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

To answer the OP, I think the officer did fine up until he reportedly stated he was going to search the vehicle. However, since the poster told the officer he wasn't going to search the vehicle, then I think the officer asked for permission and if so, he did fine.

No doubt from the tone of the post and the later posts by the OP in response to others here, we aren't getting the whole story and the attitude would have definitely come into play.

Gotta love it when somebody complains about feeling wronged when they are caught doing something stupid and admit that not only did they do something stupid, but that they have done it in the past and apparently will continue to do it.

My father is also friends with the assistant chief of police...

Whatever.

 

[2nd 41]

Let it go and learn from it. Move on.

 

[daniel1113]

Gotta love it when somebody complains about feeling wronged when they are caught doing something stupid and admit that not only did they do something stupid, but that they have done it in the past and apparently will continue to do it.

Give me a break.

And to the other posters, his lack of a front plate does not give the cop authority to treat him like a common criminal (assuming everything the OP stated is factual). A simple "I see you are missing a front plate. Here in WA you need a front plate, so I'm going to have to write you a citation. Oh, you're carrying a firearm? Well, that's completely legal and of no importance to this stop. Let me get that ticket." would have sufficed.

 

[moi_self26]

That kind of thing is why I dont open carry,I have the right to but I want to be in controll of how and at what point the officer is made aware that Im armed

Agreed. And even though the OP wasn't well concealed, he said that the officer only saw it when he reached for his wallet, why then, didn't he get his wallet out before the officer was at his door? I have ALWAYS had no problem getting my license and registration out and ready before the officer reached my car.

 

[Mp7]

get a pimpmobile = get treated like a pimp.

De-escalation is an Art.

Ironfist said it all.