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bisley
Posts: 10,815 Senior Member
I like Texas State Troopers
bisley
Posts: 10,815 Senior Member
About 30 years ago, I attended a personal safety class, in which some of the speakers included State Troopers and Texas Rangers. They made it very clear that all of their efforts were directed toward protecting and serving the good people of Texas, as opposed to being martinets that strictly inform the 'letter of the law' against a populace that doesn't spend a lot of time studying what those laws are. This was before CHL permits, but maybe a little while after the days when every pickup had a gun rack with a loaded .30-30 in it. They were quite clear in saying that they had no interest in prosecuting a family man that carried a loaded .357 in the glove box, or the average citizen who was afraid to park in the neighborhood surrounding the Cotton Bowl without a snub-nosed .38 in his pocket. I've been curious through the intervening years, as to how widespread that philosophy was, and still is, today. Every indication I've seen is that the State Troopers are very professional and no-nonsense when it comes to dealing with shady acting characters, but are completely reasonable with those who are very obviously solid citizens that pose no threat to their neighbors.
Last week, I got stopped on I-20, while coming home from work. I had spotted the State Trooper in my mirror, but I wasn't speeding, so I was surprised when he pulled me over. I got as far off the shoulder as I could, and sat with both hands on the wheel until he approached the driver side window. When he asked if I knew why he pulled me over, I admitted that I did not. He informed me that I had changed lanes a couple times without signaling, and I nodded and told him that yes, I had gotten out of that habit, somehow. He told me that he had to issue me a citation for it, and asked for my driver's license. I retrieved it and my CHL card, at which point he nonchalantly asked me if I did indeed have a gun. I replied, 'yes sir,' and he said, "ok, just leave it wherever it is," asked me a few questions about where I was going, etc., and then walked back to his patrol car to run me through the computer, I guessed.
When he came back, he addressed me by my name and told me he was issuing a warning ticket that would cost me nothing. I signed the ticket, he said, "please signal your lane changes," wished me a good day and left. I had the distinct impression that he had intended to issue me a 'real' ticket, and changed his mind after checking me out.
All in all, it was a good experience, and reassured me that these guys are out there to serve the public, not harass them.
Last week, I got stopped on I-20, while coming home from work. I had spotted the State Trooper in my mirror, but I wasn't speeding, so I was surprised when he pulled me over. I got as far off the shoulder as I could, and sat with both hands on the wheel until he approached the driver side window. When he asked if I knew why he pulled me over, I admitted that I did not. He informed me that I had changed lanes a couple times without signaling, and I nodded and told him that yes, I had gotten out of that habit, somehow. He told me that he had to issue me a citation for it, and asked for my driver's license. I retrieved it and my CHL card, at which point he nonchalantly asked me if I did indeed have a gun. I replied, 'yes sir,' and he said, "ok, just leave it wherever it is," asked me a few questions about where I was going, etc., and then walked back to his patrol car to run me through the computer, I guessed.
When he came back, he addressed me by my name and told me he was issuing a warning ticket that would cost me nothing. I signed the ticket, he said, "please signal your lane changes," wished me a good day and left. I had the distinct impression that he had intended to issue me a 'real' ticket, and changed his mind after checking me out.
All in all, it was a good experience, and reassured me that these guys are out there to serve the public, not harass them.
Replies
For those who don't know, in Tx, if a police officer asks for your ID (driver's lic) and if you're packing, you're required by law to tell the officer up front that you've got a CHL and are armed. Which I have always done. And of course, soon as the cop runs your license, your CHL comes up on the screen, too.
So it's been typical like this...
"May I see your license and proof of insurance?"
"Sure, officer. You also need to know that I've got a concealed permit and I am armed."
"Where's the pistol?"
"Center console. A Glock 30." or "Left rear pocket, KelTec .380"
"Okay, just leave the gun where it is." (collecting my driver's license, insurance card, CHL card)
Presently the cop checks it out, comes back to the car, hands me my stuff. "You were going a bit fast there. You need to watch your speed."
"Thanks, officer. I'll do that."
"So... how long have you had the Glock?" and we have a brief discussion about pistols, after which I'm sent on my way with a "Watch your speed, okay?"
I have always noticed a slight change in attitude as soon as the cop knows I've got a CHL. It's like he knows that I'm on his side. Now of course if I'd been drinking or I'd done some crazy dangerous driving thing, I'd probably get a ticket (or go to jail if boozed), but for your routine, mild bad driving act, having that CHL seems to get me a pass.
Another thing that seems to help is my "100 Club" sticker in my back window. The 100 Club is an organization that supports families of first responders who die in the line of duty.
But regardless, I have NEVER been giving any static or rude treatment by Houston cop, Tx Highway Patrol, or county LEOs here. It's always been polite and very professional, especially when they learn I'm carrying and have my CHL.
What also helps is respecting the officer. He's doing his job, don't make it harder on him. I've always had good interactions with LEOs as a result.
Glad to hear it went good for you since Texas State Troopers have been under fire lately for cavity searching innocent women on the side of the road.
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/07/04/texas-dps-facing-claims-of-another-illegal-roadside-cavity-search/
Adam J. McCleod
The stop was pretty dramatic- - - -one officer had his .357 trained on me while his buddy covered me with the riot gun. After a pretty thorough search that included checking everywhere in the car and my luggage for weapons, I was told that a vehicle resembling mine had been involved in an armed robbery and shooting just a few miles away. I just happened to be driving a "red Volkswagen with one tail light out"! That tail light got fixed at the next available stop!
Jerry
Yeah, I happened not to be wearing my 'Daisy Duke' shorts and smoking marijuana that day. :bang:
Similar one I had here in Austin:
"License and Insurance."
"Sure, officer. You also need to know that I've got a concealed permit and I am armed."
"Where's the pistol?"
"Uhh... which one?"
Ended up talking guns with him for 5-6 minutes and being let go with a verbal warning.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
Daisy Dukes and the possible smell of weed justifies a pre-arrest cavity search on the side of the road? That was one set of women. The "arresting" officers are now fired and suspended.
The second set of women were cavity searched on the side of the road for:
Once again, the cop "smelled weed". I guess in Texas that's DPS code for "Let's sexually assault women in PUBLIC and record the event for all to see. Afterall we thought we smelled weed."
Nothing was found. The female trooper on scene said the smell must've been cigarette smoke. These women were released without charges.
If the women were caught with RPGs and 200 kilos of black-tar heroin, the troopers should've taken them to a secure facility for a cavity search.
Adam J. McCleod
I've met some creep cops and yes, they are bad news. Thankfully they are few and far between in my experience. And fewer than in the 60s for sure.
My experiences the same. Understand, of course, I wasn't drunk or going 65 through a school zone, just pushing the limit a bit, being slightly aggressive (or as I call it, "assertive", coming from my old motorcycle days).
Exact same thing happened to a pal in his red Mustang GT, stopped by Georgia state troopers, guns drawn, rousted out. Guys driving the same type car had been engaged in a double murder and robbery about an hour previous.
Afterward the cops apologized as best they could.
It happens to all cops, a few bad apples. Back in my "hippie camouflage" days I'd often get stopped in my little ratty car and given a rough time, in the 60s. Price I paid for looking the part, kinda like Fat Freddy of the Freak Brothers.
Trooper: "Where you going?" Me: "Taking my dad fishing for his 80th birthday."
Trooper: "That's cool, can I see your license please?" Me: "Sure thing."
Trooper: "Got any weapons in the truck?" Me: "Heck I got one on me!"
Trooper: "Don't reach for it." Me "Wasn't planning on it."
Trooper: "What you carrying?" Me: "Kimber Pro Raptor."
Trooper: "Nice gun! You guys enjoy your weekend."
Me: "Thank you sir, same to you."
On my way I went. Law enforcement seems to take a whole different view of me once they find out I have a CHL. I think it's because they know you pretty much have to be a model citizen to get a CHL here in Texas. I have been pulled over 3 times over the last 14 years since I first got my CHL and I have always been treated with courtesy and respect.
AKA: Former Founding Member