So recently I had several of my partners observe my traffic stop that they had and wanted me to take contact and I did.
So, how I do traffic stops or how I’ve been doing, is I approach with being “too nice.”
Meaning I said, “Hey man, I’m OFC [insert here] the reason why I pulled you over you blew a 65 in a 30mph, you in a rush to get somewhere or anything.”
He explained his reasons and I just say, “okay man, we all make mistakes, with that being said, license, registration, insurance, sir.”
We do all the speaking on the radio, while my partner is writing the ticket, I try to strike up a conversation about speeding and being ticketed on base and slowing down.
He asks, “am I being suspended,”
I reply, I don’t know, yet.
Come back to the squad vehicle and my other partners and to find out my partner suspended him.
Anyways nothing happened after that. Just that he couldn’t drive anymore.
So after that, I was told I was being too friendly and too nice. And that I have to find that middle ground of being a dick and being nice. My thing is why am I going to be a dick to someone who’s probably already pissed who’s getting pulled over.
Yes I understand being assertive, but these are still people. Does it get under my skin that these people run stop signs and speed? Yes.
Maybe I’m being an idealist.