From: ems@michael.apple.com (E. Michael Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: dealing with a police officer
Date: 15 Dec 92 23:35:38 GMT
Organization: Circle 'C' Shellfish Ranch, Shores-of-the-Pacific, California

In article <viking.724380552@vincent1.iastate.edu> viking@iastate.edu (Dan Sorenson) writes:
#ems@michael.apple.com (E. Michael Smith) writes:
#
##This is exactly what I would do now.  Engine off.  Hands on the wheel
##at 12 o'clock.  Smile to the officer and ask what he wants you to do,
##then AFTER HE TELLS YOU WHAT TO DO, mention 'I have a CCW and a {type
##gun in whatever carry position}, does that change what you want me to do?'
#
#	It's just an opinion, but it strikes me as being a more hazardous
#situation for the officer if he has to approach your car.  Even when I'm
#being pulled over for a simple 60 in a 55 (it was Labor Day weekend), I
#always get out of the car and walk back towards the cruiser.  

I did this in San Francisco and was immediately ordered back into my
car by a very mad officer barking orders over his P.A. system...

They WANT you in your car.  They can approach you from a quartering
angle from behind (where you can't see well.)  They have your car to
use for cover.  They don't have to worry about your martial arts skills
if you are firmly buckled into your seat.  They don't have to worry about
you getting nailed by traffic and them getting sued. etc...  

#First, I
#don't want an officer looking into my car, 

Which he DOES want to do.  So you've started off by giving him a 
problem, then followed up by stoping him from doing what he wants.
Not the way to win friends...

#and second he has ample time
#to observe me and make a good judgement on my intentions, demeanor, and
#sobriety.  

Which he can do by 'sneaking' up on YOUR passenger side... but with
better protection.

#I walk back and, if it is cold, I head to the passenger side
#and give a gentle knock on the window.  If invited, I sit inside where
#it is warm and we have a nice chat over the weather, my offense, the
#last guy he busted, what the radar gun says, etc...

I've done this once, but AFTER the officer walked up to my car.
#From the officers perspective, he doesn't know what is in your
coat.  He knows that HIS martial arts skills are hindered by being
belted into his seat.  You are in danger of being hit by traffic if
you walk to the driver side.  etc.  Think about the tactical problem
for him as you approach.  Think about the tactical problem for a 
bad guy as he approaches the passenger side of their car....

#	I suspect that the officer is more afraid of approaching my
#vehicle not knowing what I've got on the seat than he is of seeing
#an empty-handed citizen walking normally to his car.  

Not everyone will always remember to keep the hands in the open.
If you try this, DON'T put the hands in the pockets!

The biggest factor is likely to be how the officer was trained.
The CHP has changed to a passenger side approach from a driver
side for saftey issues.  They get a better look, and are out of 
the way of traffic.  The basic rule is don't fight their training.
Try to fit some standard model of a 'typical' good citizen.

#This has the
#side benefit of allowing me to hear any radio traffic that might be
#about me should he call in my plates, I can view the radar gun myself
#should I decide to fight the ticket in court, and I get a chance to
#prove I'm not some long-haired redneck, which is an impression some
#may get of me upon first glance.

All good for you.  But what about the officer?  It could go either way,
depending on local custom and the particular officer, but what I've 
experienced is that the 'harder' areas want you stuck in your car
seat, engine off, belt on, hands visible.  Only in the 'softer' areas
(often the 'sticks' where I grew up) were they comfortable with folks
wandering up to them and getting into their car ...

#	Since I don't carry concealed, I just walk with arms at my
#sides like normal.  Were I carrying, this brings about an entirely
#different situation.  Which is better, to make him worry as he
#approaches my car, or to make him worry as I walk back hands behind
#my head?  I think it depends a great deal on where you are at.  Here
#in Iowa they don't even call in my plates most of the time.  In
#California, this might be enough to cuff me and stuff me in the back
#of the car until a nationwide wants and warrants check is done.

If you were carrying, and walked up to him hands behind the head, you
would, IMHO, have about a 90%+ chance of being spread eagled on the
ground as he called for backup, searched your car, did a nationwide
check, etc. ...  Just my oppinion, though...  You have put yourself
in the profile  of a 'bad guy' rather than a 'good guy'...

#	I also think a bit of conversation is in order.  I believe I
#mentioned that I would state why I was keeping my hands behind my
#head, but in a non-threatening manner.  How would this go over on the
#professional and ex-police we have here on the net?  Comments?

They are the most qualified to answer.  How about it guys, what
'Makes your day'? ;-)

-- 

E. Michael Smith  ems@apple.COM

'Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has
 genius, power and magic in it.'  -  Goethe

I am not responsible nor is anyone else.  Everything is disclaimed.