Walpole Police - Pulled Over?

Below are 10 things to do (or not do) if you get pulled over by a police officer, and with every point is an explanation why. There are many myths about why police officers do what they do when they pull a vehicle over. Some of the things may seem silly or unnecessary to people who don't understand. Please read on, hopefully you will be able to gain a better understanding why police officers act the way they do when pulling a vehicle over. If we can create a greater understanding between the motoring public and police officers, then it will make for a more pleasant encounter for everyone.

-Pull Over- This may seem like an obvious request, but you would be surprised how many people try to continue on down the road hoping that the cruiser passes by without stopping behind them. Once you see an emergency vehicle with it's lights on, immediately put your right directional on, and pull over to the far right side of the roadway.
-Why?- Using your directional lets the officer know, that you know, that they are behind you. Pulling as far to the right as possible gives the officer room to either pass you, or pull behind you and have room to safely walk to your vehicle. Being on the side of a roadway during a traffic stop is a very dangerous task, and officers need as much room as possible to safely approach your vehicle.
-Never!!!- Never try to slip away. Taking a series of turns in an attempt to make yourself difficult to find is a very poor decision. Not only have you more than likely assured yourself a citation when you are found, but failing to stop for a police officer is an arrestable offense.
-Stay Seated- First, and most importantly, put your vehicle in park and stay seated.
-Why?- Putting your vehicle in park is simply a safety precaution, it also lets the officer know that you are not planning on going anywhere. The most crucial thing to remember throughout the entire stop is that the officer does not know who you are, or what is in your vehicle. You may know that you are a law abiding citizen with every intention of cooperating fully, but the officer does not have the luxury of this information. The rear of a car looks the same, regardless if there is a sweet grandma driving with a trunk full of groceries, or a dangerous criminal driving with a trunk full of contraband. Officers ask that you stay in your vehicle so that you are not struck by a passing car. On the same token, they do not know if you are getting out to run, or fight, or tell us you are in a hurry. Either way, it is crucial that you stay in your vehicle during the entire stop, for your safety and that of the officer.
-Don't Fidget- Put your interior light on if it is dark out, and keep your hands on the steering wheel.
-Why?- Many people like to get their license and registration ready and waiting for when the officer arrives. This is not recommended. Remember, the officer does not know who you are, or what is in your vehicle. Put yourself in the officer's shoes. The driver of the vehicle is leaning over the seat and digging through the glove compartment. You don't know who the driver is, or what they are looking for in the glove compartment. Could they be looking for the registration, most likely, but could they also be looking for a weapon, or trying to hide something? The best thing to do is just be patient and remain like you were when you were driving, looking straight ahead with your hands on the wheel. Keeping your hands on the wheel allows the officer to quickly see that you do not have anything that can be a danger to them. When the officer arrives they will ask for your documentation, now you can feel free to look where you need. However, the officer will feel more comfortable now that he/she can see what you are doing.
-Don't Be Offended- A police officer may do many things that you feel are unnecessary for a simple speeding violation. It's nothing personal.
-Why?- Remember, police officers don't know who or what is in the vehicle they just stopped. Many "routine" traffic stops have ended in gunfire, and many officers have been killed in the line of duty stopping a "routine" speeder. Officers may saturate your vehicle in light. This is not meant to annoy you, but is for the officer's protection. Many officers will shine a flashlight on you or in your vehicle, this is so the officer can simply see what is going on inside the car. Some officers will touch your trunk, this is simply a safety precaution. Many officers will slowly and carefully approach your vehicle. This is due, in part, because officers are trying to protect themselves from passing cars, while at the same time, trying to approach your vehicle. None of this is meant to be offensive. A police officer's intent is not to treat the motoring public like criminals, it is all for the officer's safety, and in turn, your safety. Don't take it personal. Just allow the officer to do his/her routine, and they will be grateful when they end the stop safely.
-First Things First- Find your license and registration once you are asked by the officer.
-Why?- Seems simple enough, but it is not always the case. Remember, the officer wants to know who you are as soon as possible. Most officers will ask for your license and registration immediately so that they can find out your identity. This is not a good time to have a discussion. By all means, the driver has the right to know why they are being stopped, but produce your license first.
-Never!!!- Never tell the officer that you are not going to get your license out until the officer gives you the reason for the stop. Once again, remember, we don't know who you are yet. To an officer, this demand may seem like the driver is trying to hide his/her identity. The operator of a motor vehicle is required by law to produce his/her license upon demand by an officer. Refusal to produce a license is an arrestable offense.
-Remember What Mom Told You- Treat the officer how you wish to be treated.
-Why?- There is not much of an explanation needed here. Police officers are like anyone else, they don't want to be yelled at, or cursed at while they work. A polite, pleasant, and cooperative attitude will be a welcomed change for a police officer.
-Not The Time For The People's Court- Some officers will ask if you know why you have been pulled over. This is not meant to be a difficult quiz, honesty is the best policy here. When you are informed of the reason, it is not a good idea to begin a road side debate.
-Why?- If a police officer has pulled you over, then they have done it for a reason. On the side of a road is not the proper time or place to debate the speed limit, or the color of a light. If you feel that the officer has made a mistake, you have the right to appeal for a hearing, at which time you can make your objections known. All of the information you will need is on the back of the citation. Police officers are not immune to making an occasional error, however, for your safety and our safety it is not a good idea to get into a long discussion during a traffic stop. Walpole Police Officers will be happy to answer any of your questions once they have ended the stop and can move to a safer location.
-Patience Is A Virtue- Many people are in a hurry these days, however, do everything you can to be patient during a traffic stop.
-Why?- After getting all the information needed, the officer will return to his/her vehicle. Police officers don't wish to spend any more time on the side of the road than needed, but they have to do their job. With the dawn of the "Information Age" has come computers, statistics, records and much more. Officers must complete all of the tasks needed before they can end the traffic stop. Telling the officer to "hurry up" or that you "don't have time for this" is not going to make the computer checks come back any faster. Just try to be patient, and the police officer will get you moving again as soon as possible.
-Accept The Outcome- The officer will soon be back with your documentation and the outcome of the stop. Police officers have the discretion to give a verbal warning, written warning, written "money" citation, and if the situation warrants, a criminal application or arrest. It is not recommended to begin arguing with the officer, or offer them money to rip up the ticket, or to throw the ticket out the window and drive away. It is best to accept the judgment and drive away safely. If you have any questions about the stop or the outcome, you can feel free to ask them. Police officers are happy to explain the situation to help you better understand the reasons for the stop or outcome. If you object to the ticket, you can following the instructions on the ticket and appeal, which is the proper way to handle the discrepancy.
-Know The Officer's Purpose- Traffic stops and traffic citations are not meant to harass the public, raise money, or increase statistics. Police officers pull over vehicles that break the law simply to keep the roadways safe. Imagine if half of the population didn't feel like paying attention to red lights, and no one was around to stop them. Would you feel safe driving through a green light if you knew someone may drive right through their red light and run into you? Police officers stop and fine people who run red lights so that the public can feel safe when going through an intersection, but more importantly, so that the public IS safe when on the roadways.

Hopefully this information will help you understand a police officer's position. Understanding what an officer's goal is can help you feel more comfortable during a traffic stop. No one likes being pulled over, but the Walpole Police Department works hard to keep the roads safe in town, and hopefully understanding our goal will make the unpleasant situation more pleasant for everyone involved.