Comply THEN Complain

On a regular basis when we are reporting on an accident or incident we watch someone talk the Officer into arresting them.  We call it “begging to be handcuffed.”

On the other hand, we often see someone who is polite and respectful get a break. In many cases the facts are right on the line between a ticket or an arrest and a warning.  The officer makes the call. The citizen’s attitude affects that call.

In a press conference in Richmond last week citizens were advised to “comply THEN complain.” That just makes sense. You cannot and will not win on the side of a road by abusing an officer.  However, you can win by filing a complaint. You can also win with good manners.

Citizens were also advised to keep their hands on the steering wheel in plain sight until the officer approaches.

For years I have been doing exactly the wrong thing when I see flashing lights behind me.  I promptly whip over to the shoulder (the theory being the less time the officer has to follow me the happier he or she will be.) Then I reach to the glove compartment, get the registration, whip out my license and have them ready.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

From the officer’s perspective I vanish behind the seat, twist around a bit and wait.  He doesn’t know if I am getting license and registration or a weapon.  In today’s climate, he is nervous. He doesn’t want to take chances. He just wants to do his job, finish his shift and go home.

If I am smart, I am going to make it easy for him to do just that.

I also don’t understand resisting arrest.  You will lose.  The officer is armed, has backup and even if you get away for a while you will be arrested later and with a few more charges.

The so-called “peaceful guy, selling CD’s to support his family” wasn’t peaceful, he was resisting arrest. While his shooting and death may have been unjustified, (we don’t know all of the facts yet) had he complied now and complained later he would still be alive.

The shooting will be investigated and hopefully the facts will clearly document what happened and justice will be done.

Even If I am innocent and there is no reason to arrest me, I can guarantee it will never take two officers to handcuff me.  I’ll do it myself and turn myself in.  Heck, they can give the cuffs to a six-year-old and let her do it for them.

I may be allergic to handcuffs but I like the possibility of bullets even less.