Caught this COP in action today while out on the road...

Actually...I can appreciate that answer or response...I actually find it refreshing, honest and fair...

Although the only attitude I have is standing up for the dignity of all mankind...a villian to you now..

a hero to many later....

 

It does create reasonable suspicion. It's not law, it's left up to the officer. I've seen people do it in front of a cop and the cop did not go after them because they were not otherwise suspicious (they actually were but the officer didn't notice.)

This does not mean that the cop can come beat the #### out of you for it. It does mean that he can check you out, ask a few questions, and see if you really are suspicious. Usually it's nothing and off you go on your separate ways, no big deal.

Cops have taken a lot of dangerous criminals off the street this way and while it may annoy otherwise innocent people I see nothing wrong with it as long as it is not abused (which it usually isn't.)

 

Exactly!!!

 

Honestly, if someone is running away, the thing for a police officer to do is keep the "perp" pinned until backup comes. You don't beat and pepper spray them if they are not a physical threat as far as I know...

 

There is always the possibility that "Pinning" the perp would only make him more angry and aggressive, causing more physical harm to the perp than it would have if stopped immediately. Also, the officer has to think of officer safety. Also, without knowing what had just happened previously, we do not know that he was not a physical threat. He could be a fleeing felon who just killed someone for all I know.

 

I once witnessed a incedent where a cop was almost rammed head on by a drunk driver driving down the wrong side of the street...

The cop let him go...had another person drive their car to the hotel room which was right across the street...after a stern lecture...

The cop let the guy go...even though he was driving down the wrong side of the road and almost rammed the cop...why did he let them go...

Because they were about to go on lunch break and didn't want to be bothered with paper work...and cause the guy was middle class, and in the Navy...

Cops, like every one else, tend to villify who they choose or want...for whatever reasons...

 

Not all cops are like that. Like everyone else, cops can be both bad and good. I believe most are good. In most departments, anymore, a cop will not allow a passenger to drive the car. If the driver is arrested, their vehicle will be towed at the owner's expense. It is a liability issue.

 

Actually, they have no right to stop a passenger from driving a vehicle if they are legally capable and licensed.

It is also not legal to detain a passenger who has done nothing illegal or suspicious.

 

If the vehicle is in the drivers name, and the driver is impaired or under the influence, and the cop tells the passenger to drive the car home, and the passenger gets into an accident, they could turn around and say the cop was responsible for allowing the passenger to drive the owners vehicle when the owner was unable to make a clear decision. For that reason, some departments automatically have the vehicle towed.

 

Never seen it happen. Been around alot of the drunks and such. Must be a local rule where you live.

If the driver gives permission for a passenger to use the vehicle, there is no liablility at the police department level.