they run your license for everything here , I had hit a deer was pulled over in a private parking lot just off the county highway hood up adding water, he had already called in disabled motorist , so he ran my license , they do it to make sure you have no warrants.

he told me I wouldn't have any trouble the rest of the way home , he was the only deputy on for the west side of the county that night.

which is also why almost every deputy and rural cop is now running a plate carrier with 2 AR mags and 3-5 pistol mags around here. they know they are the only one on for half a county and help is at least 20 minute away.

Yes, my natives must be different than yours.

It is against Pennsylvania regulation for the State Police to maintain a database of firearms owners, therefore they cannot see that you own one or have a CCW (called a LTCF in PA) by running your plate number.

They were caught in violation of this regulation and sued by a 2A lawyer I'm acquainted with. It cost them some money and embarrassment.

It's all about generating revenue.

Next time you get one of these illegal stops, whip out your phone and record the lies.

Mmm but no revenue was generated!! He got a warning and was released to continue. Sequel 19 to be released before 2026

Also they ask a lot of gun questions looking for illegal firearms to seize.

So now we're entertaining hypotheticals to warrant detaining someone. Fantastic.

Maybe this cop should've just pulled his piece and smoked PF on the spot... Just in case he might become a serial killer in 10 years.

This is a perfect example of why law enforcement is losing when it comes to public image.

Mike

Questions you don't have to answer.

I have a cpl and believe by MI law I have to let the officer know that and tell him if I am carrying. I am smart enough not to stress a public servant about the presence or lack of presence of a gun. That would be a dick move.

I have six daughters all of which but 1 is driving. I treasure patrols. Wish more were around my neck of the woods. If you are not breaking the law all they can cost you is some time.

BTW we all profile everyday. Think about it. For example: I have a job applicant come in that has had 4 jobs in the last year. Red flag.

People typically complain about the law when they are in the wrong or want to be a constitution hero. I love the constitution but give us all a break.

A dirty cop would use that for an excuse to beat you to a pulp, and then plant his half drank Bud Lite in your drink holder.
Therefore I'm voting nope on getting out.

We all profile every day. No doubt about that. And in this case we are profiling a certain profession.

Mike

My profile as well as others is different than yours. Wonder why?

Because you like the taste of boot?

Mike

Possible, I guess, but not likely. Even small town cops have body and dash cams these days.

lol good reply. I doubt many on this site have been pulled over or given tickets more than myself. For many of my younger years I was at very close risk of loosing my license and paid a annual driver responsibility fee to the state due to points I had incured. Also had a mouth and attitude on me. Some how could not get any of those pricks to give me a good booting. Tried as I did but failed.

Shame could has used me a good booting though. Prob. would have changed my ways sooner!

Cool. I meant licking boots if that clears it up for you.

And just to avoid having you jump to any conclusions about my past "negative experiences" involving law enforcement... None. Never even had a parking ticket.

I have however been privy to the hiring process for the police department in our town. Actually went to school with the guy who is now our police chief. Nice guy but the biggest doofus you'll ever meet. Couldn't hold down a job in any other line of work.

Had another one that couldn't pass the psych eval to join the army... But CLEET certified him.

I could go on and on...

And it's not just our little town, we've heard the same thing from other municipalities in the surrounding areas.

And I'm smart enough to know that there are plenty of good cops out there. But in reality, "the few bad apples" seems to be about half.

Mike

Was originally training to be a police officer right out of high school. Two professors were such little "little man syndrome" word I can't say. That I was unimpressed enough to quit the career direction after investing almost two years in it. After many life experiences from the very bad to good I would greatly disagree with your 50% bad apples half. Only chimed in on this post cause I am tired of the anti blue crap. Most of these posts come from the same folks. B.S. I say but just my opinion.

Just read each and every post, I'll give you my perspective. I spent 25 years in law enforcement, 20 with the Kentucky State Police, 5 of them with a Sheriffs Office after I retired from KSP. I've stopped thousands of vehicles in my career, to include, "rear license not illuminated" which is the violation here in KY. Most traffic charges are violations, not misdemeanors or felonies, although they can turn into those if certain criteria is met. Example, speeding 26 MPH or over can then escalate to reckless driving, or even wanton endangerment if certain elements are met.

I did not wake up every day to violate peoples rights, harass them, inconvenience them, or play "tough guy." I knew I wanted to be in LE from the time I was 16 and took the necessary steps to achieve my goal. I had spent 7 years in the Army (Military Police) before I joined KSP. When I came out of the KSP Academy in 1996, I had plenty of "life experience" from my Army days, which also included a deployment to the first Gulf War.

I never felt the "need" to manufacture, or lie, about a traffic stop to the person I was stopping. There are far too many moving violations out there to lie about why I was stopping you. If it was for a "rear license not illuminated", I would check you DL, registration, and insurance, make some small talk, then send you on your way with a verbal or written warning if it went smoothly. But, I will tell you without a doubt, I was always on the lookout for other indicators which would lead me beyond the initial stop. People talk, "I pay your salary" , so I would respond with yes sir or yes maam, I wouldn't want you to think I'm not earning my pay, so I'm doing what you pay me to do. Some thought was hilarious, some understood, and some just, well, you know........ The biggest load of drugs I took off a traffic stop was for excessive window tinting. I can say this with absolute clarity, the people committing crimes, which often involves a vehicle, aren't blatantly committing traffic violations, they are trying to "blend in" or be normal drivers like everyone else.

Agreed, with the OP that he has a right to be upset and angry if his license plates lights do indeed work. I will not defend that. I will also agree that todays LE officers seem to be a "different" breed. I started to notice that change around the mid 2000's or so.

We could talk about "tactics" all day long when it comes to traffic stops, but as long as I could see "hands", I didn't get too wound up. If I could not, and you argued with me about please putting them on the steering wheel, or continued to ignore my request to see them, then we would have an issue. I think any "reasonable" person would/could understand that. Every situation is different and it can change in milliseconds....