Reckon he was a rookie?

[dev_null]

Got stopped for speeding the other night (gotta love those roads that go 55-50-55-50 ... ), and the deputy asked me "Do you have anything in this car that might hurt me?" What kind of question is that? What do I respond? "Yeah, ace, ME!" or "Well, I wouldn't eat that hotdog bun back there, it's been on the floor for three days now." or "I don't know, are you allergic to dog hair?"

Sheesh.

- 0 -

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Since inanimate objects typically don't hurt people I would take it as an personal affront.

 

[El Tejon]

Anyone else thinking of a great response that Art's Grandmother would not approve of?

 

[standingbear]

"Well, I wouldn't eat that hotdog bun back there, it's been on the floor for three days now."

Ive got about 4 french fries that fell between the seat and console,I can see em but there just isnt any way to get them outta there...wait a minute..theyre starting to move

 

[R.H. Lee]

Just smile and say "no". Why make a federal case out of it?

 

[8830]

I've been a cop for 11yrs. That sounds like a normal question to me.

 

[AirForceShooter]

The usual question I get form the LEO is "Sir, do you have any weapons?"
Really funny part is when I say yes and pull out my CCW we wind up talking guns not speeding.
I love Florida

AFS

 

[jojo]

That would be nice AirForceShooter, but I've only been pulled over about tree times in the last 10 years or so, and then I had done something stupid and I get a guy with a bad attitude.
Funny though how I've met, by chance, lots of LEO's that were of duty and not in uniform (so I didn't know until they told me) and we got along fine.
Is it something about the uniform for some of them?

I had a Sgr Major in the Marines told me that he had a lot of good Marines get screwed up by letting them FAP out to the MP's. He said "give them a badge and a gun and they think they're John Wayne." I some cases I think he's right.

jojo

 

[JohnBT]

Gasoline, antifreeze, tire iron, shovel, nylon snatch strap, flares, 3 d-cell flashlight, pocket knife, a rap cd somebody left under the seat and a gun or three. I know I'm forgetting something. Can I call my lawyer now?

John

 

[DelayedReaction]

"I have nothing illegal in my vehicle."

That's all you need to say.

 

[DMF]

I've only been pulled over about tree times in the last 10 years or so, and then I had done something stupid and I get a guy with a bad attitude. . .

. . . Is it something about the uniform for some of them?

I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the uniform, and what you call a bad attitude, is just the cop wanting to stick to just the business at hand. Traffic stops are the most dangerous thing cops do, and they never know what they will encounter so they often want to just do their job, and stick to business.

THE INCIDENT

Deputy Kyle Dinkheller, Laurens County, GA, was minutes from being off duty when he encountered
a speeding pickup truck going 98 mph. The deputy was an ICE (Interstate Criminal Enforcement)
officer that dealt with traffic infractions, speeding and the occasional drug bust. This was a low risk or
unknown risk stop for speeding. He radioed in the speeding infraction, made a U-turn in the median
and pursued the vehicle.
The driver, Andrew Brannan, stopped his vehicle, exited and started a crazy, dancing jig in the middle
of the road while swearing at the officer and shouting ‘I’m a god-damned Vietnam vet.†At first, he
ignored Dinkheller’s commands to step towards the deputy, which always began with `Sir’.
When he finally complied, he attacked the deputy and a scuffle ensued. The deputy implemented the
use of his asp and ordered Brannan to `get back’. This procedure was repeated, but after what
appeared to be a second scuffle, the suspect returned to his vehicle and retrieved a M-I Carbine from
under the seat. The first shots were fired nearly 50 seconds after Brannan returned to his vehicle
despite the deputy’s commands
Brannan ignored the repeated commands to put the gun down and Deputy Dinkheller apparently fired
the first shot. Brannan, a Vietnam veteran, advanced firing on the deputy. Dinkheller returned fire,
but succeeded only in breaking a window in the driver’s side of the pickup and wounding Brannan in
the stomach. Using `suppressive fire’, Brannan systematically, methodically shot Dinkheller in the
arms, legs, exposed areas that would not be covered had Dinkheller been wearing a bulletproof vest,
slowly executing him. Reloading his weapon Brannan continued firing with the final death shot to
Dinkheller’s right eye.

EPILOG
Kyle Dinkheller was 22 when he was killed. He left a wife and an 18 month-old daughter. The day
he was killed, his wife learned she was pregnant with their second child. This was the first murder in
the line of duty in Laurens County.
Andrew Brannan fled to property he owned in the area. Later he was found rolled in a tarp hidden in
some underbrush. His hiding place was given away by the barking of his dog who refused to leave
Brannan’s side. Brannan did not resist arrest. He has never shown any remorse. He knew he clearly
had the advantage. Brannan is now on death row and is appealing.

 

[wasrjoe]

I'm not one who likes to nitpick every little thing cops do, but that really is a strange question. In my opinion, asking if there are any weapons would get the point across much more clearly. There is a generally agreed upon list of things that are considered weapons, though I know anything can be used as one. Clear, succinct communication is an officer's friend.

 

[DMF]

That sounds like a normal question to me.

Yeah, very normal and there are good reasons for asking questions like that one. Find a friend who is a cop and ask him or her about why they would find those questions useful.

 

[denfoote]

While not required to under Arizona state law, I volunterally offer that I am a concealed carry licence holder, inform the officer that I am carrying, and ask his/her advice on how to procede. This alleviates any problems that may arise!!

Besides, most if not all officers usually ask if there are any weapons in the vehicle anyway!!

 

[Molon Labe]

I would reply to the officer as such:

"Your question is not relevant to the task at hand. As such, I decline to answer the question. Am I free to go?"

 

[dev_null]

Oh, in my case, I just said "no." But I maintain it's an odd phrasing. I have been asked about weapons, drugs, illegal stuff, and so on, and that's what I was expecting. I thought it was a rather wimpy way to phrase it, frankly, which is why I thought maybe he was a rookie or not used to doing traffic stops.

He also ignored my CHP (in Va. it's a concealed handgun permit, not a concealed weapon permit) and my Crowley TX. police jacket and ticketed me anyway. Ya just can't get slack when ya want it, huh?

 

[Ryder]

Are you kidding? They do not give warnings in Virginia.

 

[afdrookie]

I resent that!

 

[Ryder]

Well, I don't know about Ohio because I was never crazy enough to get caught speeding there I'll give you the benefit of the doubt though

 

[borderguy]

Just smile and say "no". Why make a federal case out of it?

Perfect!! Clear, Concise and to the Point.

Too bad it's too often overlooked by those who think they have someting to prove.

 

[jefnvk]

Well, I don't know about Ohio because I was never crazy enough to get caught speeding there

Find it kinda funny everytime I go to Ohio. Speed limit in MI is 70, OH is 65 (IIRC). Traffic is flowing great at about 80 in MI, hit the OH border, everyone is down between 60-65. With a state trooper sitting about a quarter mile past the border too, last time I went.

Sounds like you were more puzzled about the wording than the question.

 

[Standing Wolf]

My response would be: "Nope. I'm not planning to shoot you or anyone else."

 

[JohnBT]

"But I maintain it's an odd phrasing."

Of course it's odd phrasing. How would you know what "might hurt him." Maybe he's allergic to the peanuts you're munching or the Chinese takeout w/msg you're carting home. For all we know a copy of Playboy under the seat could cause him to go blind.

I know it's a hard job, but confusing people with absurdly general questions doesn't make it any easier. If he meant guns, he should have said guns.

John

 

[Chuck Dye]

Jojo,

I spent several years on the fringes of law enforcement (police department employee, not sworn, essentially a glorified baby-sitter.) The term used by the sworn personnel I worked with was "badge heavy jerk." A BHJ was (is?) as despised by his/her fellow officers as by the general public. Unfortunately, a very strong principle among all officers is that it is OK to lose later in court, just be sure you never lose in the field. The flip side of that, for people stopped by any officer, BHJ or not, is that you should set your sights on winning later in court, NOT on winning in the field (Yes sir! No, sir! Thank you, sir! I understand, sir! Sign the ticket...)

 

[isp2605]

"Quote:
That sounds like a normal question to me.

Yeah, very normal and there are good reasons for asking questions like that one. Find a friend who is a cop and ask him or her about why they would find those questions useful. "

Looks like the only people on here who think it's an odd question are the non-LEOs. Little do they know how many times we get incriminating responses. It's the questions that catch people by surprise that get the best responses.