Police Question Videographer, Sorry I do not answer questions

[CAShooter]

So it looks like a couple guys were pulled over for no tie downs on a motorcycle in the back of their pickup. There were about 3 squad cars, and one motorcycle officer on scene, must have been a slow night.

One officer comes up to me, and another sneaks behind, so 2 deputy's at my 6 just because I was taking video of something the public finds interesting.

I am curious how many members on here give up their 5th A Right, and answer questions when police talk to them? IMHO it is never a good idea to answer questions when someone is on a "fishing expedition"



Real courage is found, not in the willingness to risk death, but in the willingness to stand, alone if necessary, against the ignorant and disapproving herd. — Jon Roland, 1976

"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom? Congress shall have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American ... The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the People."
— Tench Coxe, 1788.

 

[breakingcontact]

In before TXI.

"I don't answer questions."

Exercise them rights!

 

[vmax]

I got chased down by some UC guys once after I was sitting near an intersection taking a phone call while a drug stop was going on across the intersection from me. I admit I hung around and watched the show for a few minutes but I wasn't doing anything but sitting in my truck. They took notice of me, so I just drove off and two of them followed me for 5 minutes all through a neighborhood. I figure they ran my plates and figured I was not worth bothering and they broke off.

 

[BIGPAPIGREG]

How is it "giving up" my 5th Amendment right if I talk to a LEO?

 

[CAShooter]

How is it "giving up" my 5th Amendment right if I talk to a LEO?

Anytime an officer asks you a question, IMHO the only answer in regards to any personal info, like where are you coming from, where are you going, what is your name (give only if legally detained or arrested) where do you work, live, eat, sleep, your favorite color, should be, I do not answer questions. Anytime an officer talks to you , they are looking for something to tie you to something, it is just none of their business.

Example, where you coming from?
Answer -From (put in location here lol)

Now if the officer knows certain crime stats, lets say it is known for drug traffic, he now, whether legal or not, may ask to search your car.

It is proven that cops have planted evidence in cases.

In any event, you sit possibly handcuffed on the curb or in his car while he searches your car and tosses crap everwhere wasting your time.

I can post a crap load of reasons but the skinny of it is NEVER ANSWER QUESTIONS.
JMHO

 

[BIGPAPIGREG]

I guess you have had different experiences than I have. I don't see it as "giving up" my rights if I choose to talk to an officer of the Law. If I have done nothing wrong & have nothing to hide then I think I will be respectful and not make a big deal of it.

 

[breakingcontact]

I guess you have had different experiences than I have. I don't see it as "giving up" my rights if I choose to talk to an officer of the Law. If I have done nothing wrong & have nothing to hide then I think I will be respectful and not make a big deal of it.

I suppose by the definition you are choosing not to exercise your rights but that isn't giving them up.

 

[TX69]

seems you might have a thing for getting into interactions with the police?

 

[BIGPAPIGREG]

I do interact with them fairly often...when it's possible, they do have a perty demanding job.

 

[Younggun]

When you get stopped, the best thing you can do is get out of your vehicle, confidently walk back to the police car, tell the officer he better take his shit and go somewhere else cause shits about to get real if he don't.

Watch him sternly as he drives away, then get back in your vehicle and go about your business.

 

[TX69]

I do interact with them fairly often...when it's possible, they do have a perty demanding job.

Not you duffess, the OP

 

[breakingcontact]

How about them police pensions though!?

 

[BIGPAPIGREG]

When you get stopped, the best thing you can do is get out of your vehicle, confidently walk back to the police car, tell the officer he better take his shit and go somewhere else cause shits about to get real if he don't.

Watch him sternly as he drives away, then get back in your vehicle and go about your business.

That sounds like sound advice

 

[breakingcontact]

Not you duffess, the OP

You didn't say. I thought you were talking to me numb nuts!

 

[BIGPAPIGREG]

Not you duffess, the OP

I know damitz!!!! I was trying to be witty....I know, I know....FAIL!

 

[wakal]

I've sold guns to officers during a traffic stop.

No ticket, and the officer gave me money. It happens now and then

 

[BIGPAPIGREG]

HAAAAA!!! That's good stuff right there^^^^^

 

[Younggun]

Cops are just as bad as the "criminals" they arrest.

 

[benenglish]

It's a tough call and depends on the circumstances. The "book" answer is never answer questions. The "I'd like to get home sometime tonite" answer is to engage enough to disengage without drama or delay.

That second option is almost completely foreclosed for someone who is already shooting video of the police in action.

For most of us, though, it's a question of where we're going to draw a line. A simple traffic stop becomes something more when the questions go beyond what's needed to do a simple traffic stop. That's when you become suspicious and need to find a way to stop answering questions. It can be tough to find a method that works without pissing off the officer and making things (in a practical, not legal) sense worse.

I once posted this to another forum.

Given a "fishing expedition" during a traffic stop (and making no judgements about whether any has occurred during any of the many examples provided in this thread), I've generally found them easy to deal with. Keep in mind that I once spent a while trying to make a living as a standup comic so I can keep a straight face and never break character during these encounters.

When the irrelevant questions start coming ("Where do you work? What are you doing driving at this time of night? Where have you been this evening?"), I smile and blush and say "Thank you so much; that is sooooo flattering." If they don't respond immediately, I lay it on thicker with "it's been a while since anyone has shown such sincere interest and I'm really flattered by the small talk but I'm already in a relationship."

"Besides, I'm not really sure if you're my type. Of course, I'm sure that's not a problem for a big strong officer like you who's into bears; I'm sure you can find lots of guys ready to have some fun."

For those who need an explanation - "Bear" == gay slang for stout, bordering on fat, hairy guys. I'm straight but I can certainly blush like a schoolgirl at the romantic advances of the sexy guy in uniform who's obviously pulled me over just to start a conversation and ask for a date.

At some point, they always get a little confused and probe further and I just continue the spiel. When it finally hits them that I've assumed they're gay and coming on to me, in every case they've concluded the stop as quickly as possible with an absolute minimum of additional interaction.

I've always considered this a non-confrontational way to quickly move through a stressful situation. I always have the option to fully exercise my rights and would have no problem doing so under intimidation/pressure; I've held stages when audience members were actually throwing shoes at me so telling an LEO that "I do not consent to any searches" is no big deal. However, by playing the little scene outlined above, I've never actually had a traffic stop deteriorate to that point.

Surely I'm not the only one to utilize this strategy, am I?

Is there anyone here who knows me who doubts I have done this in the past or would hesitate to do it in the future?

My point: There are ways to not answer questions and there are ways to convince people not to ask them. If the latter is possible, it's preferable.

 

[Recoil45]

That video sucks. It would have been much better if the video camera was ripped out his hands and he was beaten. He needs to step up his game.