Unusual Behavior at a Traffic Stop
I was pulled over on the side of Interstate 40 just before Amarillo TX. I was traveling with my two small children and two dogs. Not really a safe place to stop. The officer approached the car from the passenger side and he asked me for my license and insurance and to get out of the car which I did. He walked back to his car and got in the drivers seat. I walked around to the far side of his car and he rolled down the passenger side window and told me to get in. I said no. He said again to get in. I said no. I had dogs and kids in the car and it didn't seem safe to get in. He called me crazy and became really agitated that I wouldn't get in. He told me to get in over and over. He asked me what kind of example I was setting for my children. I said a good one. I wouldn't want them to leave their children on the side of a freeway in a car and get in another car with a stranger. He said he was a police officer. I said I didn't make exceptions. I also pointed out that it's not common practice in California (where I live) to ask the driver to get out of the car on a freeway. And I had never heard of being invited to sit in the front seat of a policeman's car. He mumbled something about it being windy. All it would take would be for my daughter to suddenly get freaked out that her mother was in another car and open my car door letting the dogs out. Huge freeway disaster. Did I really need to explain that to the man who does this for a living? I felt like this officer of public safety was putting me and my family at great risk. He gave me my license and insurance back. Then said "are you the kind of parent I see in the supermarket...." I cut him off before he finished his insult and asked if he was trying to engage me in a philosophical parenting confrontation on the side of a dangerous freeway? Did they teach him to be so insulting and aggressive in the police academy? I was under the impression that they taught them to behave professionally, impersonally. But since I did not comply with sitting in his car he was acting like some kind of juvenile rejected little boy. It was quite bizarre to witness. I returned to my car and he sped off very agressively.
I would like to know if anyone else has ever been forcefully requested to sit inside a police car during a traffic stop? I am planning on filing a complaint regarding this officers unprofessional and insulting behavior but I actually am concerned that he might have been attempting something even worse if I had complied.
Does this account sound as concerning as it felt?
Re: Unusual Behavior at a Traffic Stop
Some cops are jerks. Some are really nice. It's really just luck of the draw.
I've never heard of someone being asked to exit their vehicle and sit in the cruiser for a routine traffic stop. Certainly file the complaint.
Re: Unusual Behavior at a Traffic Stop
Sounds like he did not follow proper procedure .. he may get a verbal reprimand or worse depending on his record as an officer. He may have done this 100x before.
Re: Unusual Behavior at a Traffic Stop
that sounded really Creepy.....I wouldn't have left my children alone in the car either,....people get arrested for doing that at supermarkets and such....sure sounds like there was something else going on in his mind that day
Re: Unusual Behavior at a Traffic Stop
This IS a common practice on the Interstates , It allows thw Offiocer/Trooper to keep eyes on you and have a friendly conversation with you ,while he issues the waring or citation. Alot of Troopers are killed on Interstates and having the driver sitting beside you keeps you and him safe inside his marked patrol unit.