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Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 7:32 am
by charliej47
Last Friday my wife and I took our niece home because we did not want her driving as she had a couple of drinks. She lives in Franklin, Oh.

It was 11:30PM and as I am following my wife who is driving the niece's car, I spot a LEO with his lights on next door to where we are stopping. As my wife parks the car and our niece gets out and goes into her apartment, I ask my wife if she see anything and she said no. We are talking about a possible break-in but the LEO turns off his lights and I realize that it is a Warren county deputy. I then notice another set of light further down the street.

I am guessing that there is a DUI checkpoint being set up or something.

Anyway we pull out and as we pull past the LEO he does a U-turn and then another U-turn and follows us. As we turn the corner, he continues to follow is. We are on Main street getting close to Speedway when he pops his lights. I pull over. turn on the dome lights, put my hands on the wheel and wait.

A few minutes later he comes up to the car ands shines his light in. As he starts to talk, I inform that I am licensed and am carrying. He stops and asks where it is. I tell him. He proceeds to tell me the reason he pulled me over was because of a burned out license plate light. He tells me that he is only giving me a warning and to get it fixed.

The LEO was polite but I knew that it was a fishing expedition. My wife asked me "what is wrong with him" as we drove away.

I said that he was an arrogant LEO with a "us Vs them" mentality. My wife and daughter and I talked about seeing more and more of this type of official. As an older generation, I miss the LEOs that we used to have.

When I was growing up and when my children were young I was taught and I taught my children to think of the LEO as a "go to" person.

Over the last couple of years I am seeing more and more LEOs with this attitude.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 7:33 am
by Javelin Man
Was your license plate light burned out?

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 7:37 am
by charliej47
Javelin Man wrote:Was your license plate light burned out?
It was not working. IT was a legal stop. When I got home, I checked it and it was not working. I tapped it and it came back on.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 8:24 am
by Brian D.
Charlie, I got stopped under that same pretense several months ago. Got home and checked, BOTH my license plate bulbs were okay. Although the sockets don't hold them very tightly. Since the plate bracket is part of the hatch door, closing it can loosen a bulb enough to make it turn off.

They're now both secured with a little electrical tape. Take THAT, bored third shift LEO's! They're trying to get drunk drivers off the road, that's fine. But when they "hook" a sober fish, they need to turn us loose more politely, and quicker. Some of them are downright gruff about it.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 9:13 am
by Stryker74
Brian D. wrote:Charlie, I got stopped under that same pretense several months ago. Got home and checked, BOTH my license plate bulbs were okay. Although the sockets don't hold them very tightly. Since the plate bracket is part of the hatch door, closing it can loosen a bulb enough to make it turn off.

They're now both secured with a little electrical tape. Take THAT, bored third shift LEO's! They're trying to get drunk drivers off the road, that's fine. But when they "hook" a sober fish, they need to turn us loose more politely, and quicker. Some of them are downright gruff about it.
I have been listening to my scanner app more in the evenings lately (since our family room is under renovation - no TV to watch right now!). Last night , amongst all the Columbus traffic on the citywide - I picked up unit 633 (a freeway unit) calling in a '6' (traffic stop). Twice. In about 10 minutes.

Granted, I don't know the outcome of those stops - only that they occurred, and within a few minutes of one another. It just struck me odd that a freeway unit in the vicinity of Polaris was busy stopping cars in the evening when there were a couple of calls holding in that area as units got reassigned to more urgent matters. (Like brawls - 10 on 1, ODs - at least 3 yesterday evening, burglary in progress, and a number of domestic complaints - the warm weather stirs things up!)


I know there are a lot of good cops out there - and no one ever comes along to say "Hey, Officer Jones stopped me for a burned out rear light on my car - just to let me know since I never see my rear lights! He is a great guy!".

What we hear about are the situation where the LEO was a jerk (or worse) - because that stirs us up to complain.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 9:24 am
by charliej47
Stryker74 wrote:
Brian D. wrote:Charlie, I got stopped under that same pretense several months ago. Got home and checked, BOTH my license plate bulbs were okay. Although the sockets don't hold them very tightly. Since the plate bracket is part of the hatch door, closing it can loosen a bulb enough to make it turn off.

They're now both secured with a little electrical tape. Take THAT, bored third shift LEO's! They're trying to get drunk drivers off the road, that's fine. But when they "hook" a sober fish, they need to turn us loose more politely, and quicker. Some of them are downright gruff about it.
I have been listening to my scanner app more in the evenings lately (since our family room is under renovation - no TV to watch right now!). Last night , amongst all the Columbus traffic on the citywide - I picked up unit 633 (a freeway unit) calling in a '6' (traffic stop). Twice. In about 10 minutes.

Granted, I don't know the outcome of those stops - only that they occurred, and within a few minutes of one another. It just struck me odd that a freeway unit in the vicinity of Polaris was busy stopping cars in the evening when there were a couple of calls holding in that area as units got reassigned to more urgent matters. (Like brawls - 10 on 1, ODs - at least 3 yesterday evening, burglary in progress, and a number of domestic complaints - the warm weather stirs things up!)


I know there are a lot of good cops out there - and no one ever comes along to say "Hey, Officer Jones stopped me for a burned out rear light on my car - just to let me know since I never see my rear lights! He is a great guy!".

What we hear about are the situation where the LEO was a jerk (or worse) - because that stirs us up to complain.
I have met several "good guys" over the years but I will say that I have noticed more and more the "good guys" show the same mentality I had when I was in combat. I have said this before about this perception. I believe our police are becoming militarized like most of the rest of the world. I have been is several countries where you could not tell the difference between the two except one had the word "police" on their backs and the other did not.

I believe that the Feds are supplying the equipment and the training for our police forces and all of the police come out with the same attitude.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 10:06 am
by Cruiser
Along with the fact that many of our LEO are ex Military or current Reserve Military. Bringing their training with them into the Police Forces.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 1:51 pm
by Sevens
Did you leave out something in the original post?
I read it 2.5 times and I'm still not seeing how panties got twisted. Seems plainly stated that he was polite and that you had a license plate light out... and you weren't cited. You were also not disarmed. Also doesn't seem like you spent much time with the interaction.

You tell us no more beyond "fishing expedition" but you come to the (strong) conclusion that he is "ARROGANT", has an attitude and a "mentality" that you don't like.

Sounds like America, where you have every right to be offended. Go with that emotion... watch for ulcers & high blood pressure.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 1:55 pm
by charliej47
Sevens wrote:Did you leave out something in the original post?
I read it 2.5 times and I'm still not seeing how panties got twisted. Seems plainly stated that he was polite and that you had a license plate light out... and you weren't cited. You were also not disarmed. Also doesn't seem like you spent much time with the interaction.

You tell us no more beyond "fishing expedition" but you come to the (strong) conclusion that he is "ARROGANT", has an attitude and a "mentality" that you don't like.

Sounds like America, where you have every right to be offended. Go with that emotion... watch for ulcers & high blood pressure.
Sir slamming me about what I write is a way to increase your numbers.

I was making an obs about an encounter I had. Yes it was short. That was because as soon as he looked in and did not find what he was looking for , we were dismissed.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 3:12 pm
by WestonDon
charliej47 wrote:
Stryker74 wrote:
Brian D. wrote:Charlie, I got stopped under that same pretense several months ago. Got home and checked, BOTH my license plate bulbs were okay. Although the sockets don't hold them very tightly. Since the plate bracket is part of the hatch door, closing it can loosen a bulb enough to make it turn off.

They're now both secured with a little electrical tape. Take THAT, bored third shift LEO's! They're trying to get drunk drivers off the road, that's fine. But when they "hook" a sober fish, they need to turn us loose more politely, and quicker. Some of them are downright gruff about it.
I have been listening to my scanner app more in the evenings lately (since our family room is under renovation - no TV to watch right now!). Last night , amongst all the Columbus traffic on the citywide - I picked up unit 633 (a freeway unit) calling in a '6' (traffic stop). Twice. In about 10 minutes.

Granted, I don't know the outcome of those stops - only that they occurred, and within a few minutes of one another. It just struck me odd that a freeway unit in the vicinity of Polaris was busy stopping cars in the evening when there were a couple of calls holding in that area as units got reassigned to more urgent matters. (Like brawls - 10 on 1, ODs - at least 3 yesterday evening, burglary in progress, and a number of domestic complaints - the warm weather stirs things up!)


I know there are a lot of good cops out there - and no one ever comes along to say "Hey, Officer Jones stopped me for a burned out rear light on my car - just to let me know since I never see my rear lights! He is a great guy!".

What we hear about are the situation where the LEO was a jerk (or worse) - because that stirs us up to complain.
I have met several "good guys" over the years but I will say that I have noticed more and more the "good guys" show the same mentality I had when I was in combat. I have said this before about this perception. I believe our police are becoming militarized like most of the rest of the world. I have been is several countries where you could not tell the difference between the two except one had the word "police" on their backs and the other did not.

I believe that the Feds are supplying the equipment and the training for our police forces and all of the police come out with the same attitude.
There are also certain elements in our society who have been taught from infancy that they are victims of oppression and that police are the vanguard of the oppressors. This has been going on for several generations now and is getting worse. I don't know which came first and I really don't care at this point. The situation has created a death spiral we may not recover from.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 4:55 pm
by Sevens
charliej47 wrote: Sir slamming me about what I write is a way to increase your numbers.

I was making an obs about an encounter I had. Yes it was short. That was because as soon as he looked in and did not find what he was looking for , we were dismissed.
It sounds like you don't like what I wrote.
I don't care for what you wrote.
(Both are perfectly fine, perfectly acceptable)

The one bit I'd point out is the one guy getting dumped on in the most obvious fashion doesn't know he's being slagged and isn't likely to post his rebuttal.

If the experience you had is the WORST experience you have in a (day, week, month, year) then you have a blessed life.

Even still, complain as you see fit. That is part of what we do on these forums. And I will be happy to comment honestly on what you post.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 6:05 pm
by JediSkipdogg
Stryker74 wrote:
Brian D. wrote:Charlie, I got stopped under that same pretense several months ago. Got home and checked, BOTH my license plate bulbs were okay. Although the sockets don't hold them very tightly. Since the plate bracket is part of the hatch door, closing it can loosen a bulb enough to make it turn off.

They're now both secured with a little electrical tape. Take THAT, bored third shift LEO's! They're trying to get drunk drivers off the road, that's fine. But when they "hook" a sober fish, they need to turn us loose more politely, and quicker. Some of them are downright gruff about it.
I have been listening to my scanner app more in the evenings lately (since our family room is under renovation - no TV to watch right now!). Last night , amongst all the Columbus traffic on the citywide - I picked up unit 633 (a freeway unit) calling in a '6' (traffic stop). Twice. In about 10 minutes.

Granted, I don't know the outcome of those stops - only that they occurred, and within a few minutes of one another. It just struck me odd that a freeway unit in the vicinity of Polaris was busy stopping cars in the evening when there were a couple of calls holding in that area as units got reassigned to more urgent matters. (Like brawls - 10 on 1, ODs - at least 3 yesterday evening, burglary in progress, and a number of domestic complaints - the warm weather stirs things up!)


I know there are a lot of good cops out there - and no one ever comes along to say "Hey, Officer Jones stopped me for a burned out rear light on my car - just to let me know since I never see my rear lights! He is a great guy!".

What we hear about are the situation where the LEO was a jerk (or worse) - because that stirs us up to complain.
Quite a bit of that happens all over the place. They create specialized units, which is good because they excel in those areas, but then they do not utilize them for basic patrol work. My department, granted many times smaller than Columbus PD, use to operate a traffic only unit. They handled lockouts, crashes, and wrote tickets. Anything else, unless a crime in progress and they were right there, they ignored. You could stack all other cars five deep but until a supervisor realized they had a car driving circles, it was never utilized for basic patrol work. I imagine in a much larger city it is much harder as you have 30 cars on and one person that can redirect cars. Unfortunately, they generally won't give that authority to dispatch.

And with the most recent CAD update, I think they are trying to make dispatchers more autonomous. The system is great for fire (GPS based) but not great for multi-jurisdiction departments. Just because the last traffic stop of a car was in Montgomery, does not mean that car is still in Montgomery. So do not sent a Deer Park car to a Montgomery detail. But that's what the computer suggests.

Sorry to sorta dive off topic, but I think a lot is they are taking the person out of law enforcement and going with hard policy and procedures and that is what is directing them. That is also then what is being hired. Let's stop looking for someone with a personality and look for people that can follow policy and procedure. BTW....my policy and procedure manual at my department is over 500 pages long. Add that an officer is suppose to know that, plus the ORC, plus case law....and now you see where the problem is in law enforcement.

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 8:11 pm
by MyWifeSaidYes
Which Senator or Representative has the OP contacted to request repealing the license plate light law?

If you failed to maintain your car and gave a police officer a reason to stop you, and then you think YOU were the person that was "wronged"... :?

I think the term 'arrogant' was applied to the wrong person. :o

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 11:02 am
by Chuck
I too, think the OP was "wronged"

He wasn't stopped for violating a law, he was stopped expressly to see if he was drunk or not, and the license light was just the excuse.
If the light was OK. it would've been for something else.
We all know that it is impossible, for all practical purposes, to drive a couple miles without doing something that a cop can stop you for if he chooses.
This is part of the big brother system that everyone is guilty of something, and therefore, the cops can stop anyone at any time; probable cause is always there.
This makes it easier to control the masses

I see no reason why he should be required to lobby the legislature before he complains about it online,,,,

Re: Late night stop

Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 12:17 pm
by Sevens
Like I said, I'm totally fine with him complaining about it in our forum. But I sure cannot see how he finds the Deputy "arrogant" or any of the other descriptive personal terms tossed about. Sounded like the quickest, easiest and most benign fishing stop anyone is likely to get.

Three characters in the story, only one person telling the story but the narrator seems to fit the terms tossed out.