You know, I hate to say it, but one of the best ways to avoid getting pulled over is to wear a helmet in a "helmet optional" state. I've heard from countless folks who strongly agree with this one.

 

dgator, too bad you didn't sue for back wages. Any court would have awarded you that. Glad it worked out for you in the end, but it sucks that you had to suffer for that time, and I would still be bitter too.

A lot of profiling is done, and a lot of it is learned though real life experiences. We see what people drive, how they dress, hear the language they use, watch their actions, and we judge people based on that. First impressions make an impact, but some times people are not what they seem. I once saw a "tongue in cheek" thing written about profiling young males of arabic decent in regards to terrorism. It was pretty accurate as far as pointing out that the majority of people that do a certain thing are statistically represented by a specific age, race, & gender etc. When you see that guy in the BMW with a Gucci suit on and his cell phone glued to his ear, don't you think you know what he is like right away? When you see a $200 POS car with $4,000 spinnerrims, tinted windows and the bass booming so loud it hurts your chest, don't you pre-judge the person in the car?

Bottom line is how we handle it (both sides: profiler and profile-ee). Be polite, professional, understanding, but realize that there will periodically be jerks that we all run into, and not to let it ruin your day.

 

I don't think that you were profiled in either of the instances you noted in Myrtle Beach. Your apes were clearly visable and clearly in violation in S.C., hence the first stop. The Trooper knew about the reciprosity regarding the apes, but he was interested in something else - the mirror, (he said).

In both instances, once you made known your occupation - LEO - everyone was buds. Most of us do not have that cushion, and probably would have been subject to a little more "professional" treatment in those circumstances.

I'm often surprised at how many people who are stopped actually allow a search of their vehicles without cause just because the officer asks to do a search. I'd never, ever do that! If they think I might have contraband, then let them convince a judge somewhere that there exists probable cause and obtain the proper warrant. Otherwise, see ya later and have a nice day.

We depend upon our LEOs (and all other Public Safety) and the "thin blue line" everyday to help ensure our safety and quality of life. Those officers that choose to mount fishing expeditions and procede to stop likely prospects due to the prospect's appearance, mode of travel, or whatever, and not for anything they were observed doing wrong are the ones who cultivate much of the negative feelings harbored by the public regarding traffic stops and like activities.

 

Wife and I were out riding a couple weekends ago with her sister and her husband and her sister mentioned that she forgot to bring the receipt to stop by Diamond store to have it inspected to continue the warranty. I said lets go back and get it and that was important to due. So we get the receipt and proceed to the diamond store. They have to buzz you in. Here are four bikers in black leather standing out waiting to be buzzed in. I thought they would never let us in, but they did and we got the eyeball the whole time. i could feel the employees reaching under the counter to have a grasp on the gun in case we tried anything. We all work proffesional careers and my sisters husband is a LEO to boot.

 

Amen brother! Prime example was the profile for the DC area sniper. Boy did they ever miss that one!

 

Been riding 40+ years. Have a high visibilty position. If I told you, I would have to kill you. Never could stand long hair on myself. Hang out with some bikers of questionable reputation. Sometimes you get profiled by who you associate with. Wish you guys would clean up your act. Then I wouldn't be profiled.

 

In trying to keep the post short, I omitted a couple of details. Each time I was stopped, I was riding alone. On two occasions, there were other guys in front of me with a lot higher bars than I had, but they had the "clean cut yuppie biker" look. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Heck if you make killer bucks and want to blow it on a bike to haul around, I say go for it. At any rate, I was the only one who got stopped. When I was out with my other friends, all who were on the same type of assignment and looked worse than me, we just got stared down, but not stopped. As far as the "professional courtesy" goes, any other time I have been stopped, I've tried to make every effort to hide my credentials. My occupation should have no bearing on the law if I am doing something wrong. The main reason I felt I had to make it known in MB, was because I have seen them slam many a biker and cart them off to jail. A ticket is one thing to explain to the Sheriff, but an arrest is quite another. Having that "gut feeling" about what was going to happen next, I did what I had to do to protect my job. Which to me makes it even worse. I didn't like being put in that position. Either way it's water under the bridge and I'm just a regular Joe now. Since then I've changed my riding style some, and don't hit the bike week events much anymore, and when I do, I make sure I ride with a group. Law Enforcement changed a lot in the 5 years I worked it. I still have the same friends, and hear about how much more it has changed since I got out of it. I think overall that was my best bet. Now I make more money than the Sheriff I worked for, and don't have to worry about a law suit all the time, just because I did my job. Right or wrong, I have been there and know what it's all about, and the pressures that come from administrations. It just sucks that people judge based on appearance. Of course that's just human nature I guess, and that's a factor no one can remove from law enforcement. After all, the Police are still human.

 

well- im an officer in a large city that has its share of 'outlaw' m/c gangs... and anytime there is a problem with any of them, my unit is called to intervene. ive come to learn that the vast majority of riders are normal people doing the same thing that i do on my days off- riding.

however, after having arrested ALOT of people for possessing guns/drugs- i ask EVERYONE i stop. men, women, old, young- biker, hippie... doesnt matter, because the one time i let my guard down is the one time that i just let a gun get past me.

ive arrested 40+ year old 'normal' men for carrying guns. ive arrested women for carrying guns. ive arrested 'normal' guys who have their pregnant wife sitting next to them for guns...

so- to put it simply- if you consider the availability of guns and the nature of an LEO's job- everyone gets profiled.

the FBI has a 'profiling' unit (thats quite effective).

profiling based on race (etc) isnt acceptable (hell- its illegal). however, me stopping someone for a legitimate infraction (no matter how minor you may think it is)- and taking the totality of the circumstances into account- asking someone if theyre armed (or in possession of contraband) is fine.

when i say totality of the circumstances, i mean:
- did i see a bulge on the person?
- did the person reach for anything?
- did the person stuff anything?
- is it a high crime area?
- am i a seasoned officer who knows what to look for?
- have i had prior interaction with the person im stopping? (and know them to carry guns?)
- the persons behavior?

for the initial poster to be a former LEO- to say hes been 'profiled' is kinda lame. he said he was 'under cover' and on a 'plain clothes' assignment... so, it shows me that he was TRYING to look different... and blend in with 'another' element.

when i was in plain-clothes, i would get stopped ALL the time (while working). many times was because 2 clean cut white guys didnt belong where my partner and i were! (and we knew it!)

99% of the cops who stop you are stopping you for a legal/lawful reason. however, there is still that 1% who are douches.

 

My opinion is the 1% being douches is a little low. We have an unusual amount of young (21-25) kid officers around here. I got pulled over a few weeks ago and got harrassed by one of them. I was a little scruffy because I was off. Fast forward to this friday, I was downtown at an event but had the high and tight and clean shaven because I had to go to my future unit the following day. I was with my wife and I couldn't believe the same young cop with his kid cop buddies sitting around "controlling the crowd" all the while dipping and spitting and almost breaking their necks checking out every girl walking by in a low top or skirt. Didn't matter if the girl was with her guy or not. They were eye ****ing each and every gal. Now, I say to my wife, maybe if these kid cops join the military for a tour overseas in combat, they would come home with some respect and self control. I know law enforcement doesn't pay crap but there needs to be more stringent screening of these jokers who join. I don't thing at 21 most guys have the maturity to be an effective officer. Now for the older idiots, I have no solution other than better pre-employment screening and training.

 

Too bad nobody ever profiled Ted Bundy.[X(]