Man, it's because I'm .....

[A-J]

A while back, I was watching a "Speeders" marathon and one of the situations was just too over the top. Two young black males pulled over for speeding (obviously). Trooper (I think it was a trooper, not in CA) gets the subject's info etc. and goes back to the unit to run it.

The cameraman or producer offscreen asks "Do you know why he pulled you over?" The driver immediately goes "Yeah, man, it's because I'm b--" then his eyes cut to the rear view mirror and he says "Man, I don't know man." I'd bet good money he was going to say it was because he was black. The problem is, the trooper was also black.

My question is this - how often do you guys (and gals) have situations like this, where a violator / criminal / etc. is adamant that the only reason they're being "hassled" is because they are people with a skin color different than the color of the officer's skin? I went general there, because I have actually heard a white person insist that a black officer pulled them over because they were white.

[Caddis]

Easy answer. All the time. It's a ploy to try and get out of doing something wrong despite the obvious violation of law. Most of the time it's more serious crimes other then taffic violations. My come back is usually something, like, "see these gray hairs on my hair, it means I've been around a while so save it for some young cop." That usually shuts them down. I don't get engaged in the race conversation because that's the bait that is being thrown out and just go about my police business. I've had many black people apoligize to me for them attemping to play the race card when they realized it was baseless under the circumstances of their arrest or contact and I treated them pretty well even after the race insults they leveled at me. Recording your contacts helps too but in all the years I've been at, I've never had a complaint based on race becasue I treat everyone the same by being as nice to them as they will let me.

[Galli1565]

Best one I had was similar to the OP. T-Stop for tint & cross double yellow line at approx 2100 hrs.

Approached the driver, who stated: "You are stopping me because I'm Black."

My reply, "Ma'am, I'm stopping you because you have tinted windows, and crossed the DY line. You are driving with tinted windows at night. Your windows do not allow me to see inside the vehicle, how could I tell who was driving?"

Her: "........"

[wazafuzz]

I used to look them in the eye and tell them "you don't know who you're talking to". I come from a multi-racial family and have children of different ethnicities. I always treated everyone exactly the same and never had a complaint upheld.
One of my first FTO's told me to give everyone, even the lowest bum their respect until they prove otherwise. Made my job a lot easier.
If you refuse to play the game, they usually give up.

[retired]

I had it occur a few times and would give them basically the same reply that others here have given; the reason for the stop.

I once stopped a speeder and the first thing out of his mouth was, "You stopped me because I'm Iranian." This was during the time Iran was holding our people hostage (yes, I know I'm dating myself).

I told him due to his tinted windows, I couldn't even tell what sex he was until I walked up to the driver's window, so I certainly had no way to know he was Iranian. I guess I was lucky that he didn't look at my name plate since I have an obviously Jewish last name. I can only imagine the accusation then

[tyrist]

It happens but fortunately it's not a daily thing.

[DIRTMAN556]

I remember getting pulled over for a front plate not being attached since I was waiting for the frame to get shipped. I was asked by officers if I was on parole. I'm Mexican.

[IrishJoe3]

I remember getting pulled over for a front plate not being attached since I was waiting for the frame to get shipped. I was asked by officers if I was on parole. I'm Mexican.

I'm still waiting for the punch line.....What does being Mexican have to do with anything?

[ivanimal]

I'm still waiting for the punch line.....What does being Mexican have to do with anything?

''We don't need no stinking front bages!''.

[Petro6golf]

Only once; I stopped a guy at about midnight a few months ago for his license plate light being burned out. He passed me and I saw in my side view mirror his light was not working. I stopped him, approached the car and was polite and professional. He was a total dick, started yelling that I stopped him for being mexican and for driving a pos car (an old explorer with hella vehicle code violations). as I was talking to him CHP showed up to back me, saw who I pulled over and immediately drove off. They told my ride a long they pulled him over 2 mins earlier for the same thing and he looked like he was about to explode and didnt want to deal with his crap. long story short, I talked to him for a few mins, explained to him the reason for the stop and how I cant see his race at midnight and how it looks like he is having a bad day that has nothing to do with me to which he agreed. I sent him on his way and told him to be careful which cop hes a dick to.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

All I ever did was explain the reason for the stop and go on with business. Inside, though, it was, "No, I stopped you because you're stupid or careless enough to (insert cause for stop here) right in front of me. Have a nice day and thanks for being on the show."

[CBR_rider]

Once a week at least. Also, I have found that generally the more adamant and loud the person crying racism/sexism/whateverism is the more likely they are trying to divert my attention to hide contraband or make a run for it. It's hilarious because once the contraband is located or they are on the way to jail they frequently deflate and are often halfway reasonable to deal with.

Some of my favorite encounters have been the times I have had to deal with a rude, obnoxious, ignorant, cop-hating jerk and have been able to kill them with kindness to the point where they apologize for their behavior and are reasonable to talk to the next time we run into each other.

[ckim34]

Once a week at least. Also, I have found that generally the more adamant and loud the person crying racism/sexism/whateverism is the more likely they are trying to divert my attention to hide contraband or make a run for it. It's hilarious because once the contraband is located or they are on the way to jail they frequently deflate and are often halfway reasonable to deal with.

Some of my favorite encounters have been the times I have had to deal with a rude, obnoxious, ignorant, cop-hating jerk and have been able to kill them with kindness to the point where they apologize for their behavior and are reasonable to talk to the next time we run into each other.

Only once a week? I get it at least once a shift.

[AdiosKali]

Only once; I stopped a guy at about midnight a few months ago for his license plate light being burned out. He passed me and I saw in my side view mirror his light was not working. I stopped him, approached the car and was polite and professional. He was a total dick, started yelling that I stopped him for being mexican and for driving a pos car (an old explorer with hella vehicle code violations). as I was talking to him CHP showed up to back me, saw who I pulled over and immediately drove off. They told my ride a long they pulled him over 2 mins earlier for the same thing and he looked like he was about to explode and didnt want to deal with his crap. long story short, I talked to him for a few mins, explained to him the reason for the stop and how I cant see his race at midnight and how it looks like he is having a bad day that has nothing to do with me to which he agreed. I sent him on his way and told him to be careful which cop hes a dick to.

What's up with that????

[pitbuljake]