Quite a disturbing encounter with an officer of the law...

[Kneelbeforerobb]

Let me first start off by saying:

I have nothing but respect for all law officials, I served my country in the military for 4 years, I know that's not much, but it certainly taught me a lot when it comes to uniformed personnel. Wether it be military or civil service members.

But tonight I had my first encounter with a person with convictions that were motivated by some sort of personal belief.

I left the gym about an hour ago, and was on my way home. About 3 miles from my household I was pulled over by a sheriff. I checked to see if I had been speeding. Negative. I checked to see if I had a light out, my display said I was fine. So I pulled into a pharmacy parking lot, killed the engine and took my I.D. Proof of insurance out and layed it on the dash.

The sherrif came over, looked at me, and my left arm. Now, I have a partial sleeve of Aztec glyphs and a pyramid on my left arm, as well as my newly acquired DD. Also, I'm rather young. Twenty one to be precise.

He looks at me and asks what my ethnicity is. So I tell him. (Hispanic)

He continues on to say:

"That watch isn't stolen is it? You're too young to have a watch like that. Where did you get it? Are there any drugs in the vehicle? What do you do for a living?"

I answer all the questions in a calm and controlled manner. He grabs my license and insurance. Checks them and then returns, with a scowl on his face. Probably because I'm cleaner than a surgical operating room.

He said to be careful and not to get caught up in anything that I might regret later on in life.

So, I ask the members here, particularly the younger ones... Has anyone had something like this happen to them? I found it to be quite disturbing. I'm not really sure what to think about it.


Thanks,

-Robb

[Old Expat Beast]

You must have joined up at a young age. Sorry to hear about your experience. But as far as injustice goes, I expect that this will slide further down your list as you grow older. Learn from it, and move on.

[zion_rasta]

Unfortunately the officer was probably profiling.

Nice watch by the way. Looks great! What model is it?

[LA_LEC]

Racist prick.

I would tell you to file a report of this a-hole but it would probably come back to haunt you with that sort. Just move on and know that the majority are not like that one...but it only take one apple as they say!

[nikhsub1]

A few things here... People often do things that aren't right, it doesn't necessarily mean they are bad people - This officer was probably a bit jealous combined with the fact he was trying to get a rise out of you... either for his own enjoyment by making you uncomfortable or because it is part of his training to ask antagonizing questions like he asked you. Perhaps someone guilty of something would have reacted differently and maybe that is why he asked those questions. IMO there is no sense in you getting all worked up over this, in the end he let you go - as you get older it becomes easier to brush things like this off as they just don't matter as much.

[Ector495]

I would like to know the reason he stopped you. Some of the questions that he asked you sound sketchy. You can't just come out and question someone who is young with nice things. I'm pretty sure we can assume where he was going with his line of questions.

Please don't judge all officers by one bad experience. If you feel like you have a legitimate complaint, I would call the department and speak with either his supervisor or someone in IA. If what you say is true, and I don't have any reason to doubt you, this needs to be addressed quickly.

That's just my opinion and I hope you get the answers you were looking for.

[superdog]

Nice tats and a great watch.

Truthfully, honestly. I read this thinking: how has a 21 year old spent 4 years in the military.

But then I thought, some people can go in at 17. At least I think they can.

But then I thought, how does a guy just out of the military afford such an expensive watch.

But then I thought, it might be a family thing. Which is totally cool.

Just saying that there are always differing perspectives.

Thanks for your service, and again, love the watch and the ink.

[subtona]

You did exactly what i would have done, i would add that my hands would also be on the dash, after they turned on the dome light...nothing worse than having a police officer approach a dark car not knowing what he might find.

Everyone has personal triggers or biases, certainly not condoning them, just acknowledging they exist. It can be challenging for a police officer to deal with different folks from moment to moment, from really good people to people that would do you harm.

In the end, Ill take a tongue lashing over a ticket most of the time. I dont know if i would take the encounter personal, he was basically fishing to see if you would give him something? He doesn't know you to pass judgement & if he went ahead and did that without knowing you, his loss.

Did you find out why he pulled you over?

Thank you for your service!

[Yinger]

Unfortunately profiling happens everywhere and in every industry. Don't like something small like this bother you. Maybe he was just jealous you can afford if and he can't. Nice watch and tat by the way!

[srf52]

Here in SoCal, that would be a typical 'shake, rattle and roll'...

[McLovin]

It happens all the time. I represented a Hispanic man pulled over in New York by cops who decided they wanted to do the job of border patrol, with racial profiling and pullovers on the Thruway. An African-American buddy from NY was shocked when he went to Rice U. with the problem he had with local cops when he visited a professor in the Houston suburbs. Don't let the bastard get you down.

[bde]

Originally Posted by Yinger

Unfortunately profiling happens everywhere and in every industry. Don't like something small like this bother you. Maybe he was just jealous you can afford if and he can't. Nice watch and tat by the way!

X2. Definitely a shame, but don't let it consume you. Continue enjoying your watch!

[Laszlo]

You kept your cool and your composure. You did as I would do. Sorry those things were said.

[Kneelbeforerobb]

Originally Posted by superdog

Nice tats and a great watch.

Truthfully, honestly. I read this thinking: how has a 21 year old spent 4 years in the military.

But then I thought, some people can go in at 17. At least I think they can.

But then I thought, how does a guy just out of the military afford such an expensive watch.

But then I thought, it might be a family thing. Which is totally cool.

Just saying that there are always differing perspectives.

Thanks for your service, and again, love the watch and the ink.

Yes, I enlisted on my seventeenth birthday, I left for training 2 weeks later.

And as for my watch, the entire year I was deployed I didn't spend a dime. I saved my money and spent a little when I gr back in the winter of 2011. But I managed to pick up a good job for a government contractor for a security position. I was very fortunate to have gotten it, combat experience set me apart from the other candidates for the position. 56 bucks an hour with an average of 60 hours a week. Plus, the fact that I have almost no debt helps. But as for everyone else, I'm not worked up about it. I'm just stunned I suppose. I honestly don't care if he's racist or not. It doesn't bother me at all, it's kind of expected in my region of the country.

Just thought I'd share this story, because it seems that there's a stereotype of what a "Rolex Owner" should look like. I've had a fascination for watches since I was a child, because of my father, a Vietnam veteran, had a few rolexes and an omega. He's the one that have me the fever. I appreciate the advice guys!

[jjnd08]

Sorry about your experience. My college roommate had a run in like that in college. Cop was questioning him about breaking into cars in a parking lot because he had a duffle bag, full of gym clothes. My roommate from college is half black. He wasn't thrilled when. He got home.

[Kneelbeforerobb]

Originally Posted by zion_rasta

Unfortunately the officer was probably profiling.

Nice watch by the way. Looks great! What model is it?

It's an older one, older than I am actually haha. 18238, I picked it up for a very good price from a jeweler that my familiy has known for a few decades.

[AF_Rob]

That's very unfortunate, and I'm sorry to hear about that. The reality is, he's a racist dick. You won this battle, because he showed his ass pretty bad since everything came back clean.

I enlisted when I was a junior in high school, and left for basic right after gradation. I know from experience you are a better, more mature 21 year old than most. Know your better than this jackass, and don't let him get you down. I commend your service, and your great taste in watches!

[Kneelbeforerobb]

Originally Posted by AF_Rob

That's very unfortunate, and I'm sorry to hear about that. The reality is, he's a racist dick. You won this battle, because he showed his ass pretty bad since everything came back clean.

I enlisted when I was a junior in high school, and left for basic right after gradation. I know from experience you are a better, more mature 21 year old than most. Know your better than this jackass, and don't let him get you down. I commend your service, and your great taste in watches!

Always good to meet another Vet named Rob! And thank you!

[SUBversive]

Sorry to read this and sorry for your experience. No disrespect to honest law enforcement but idiots like that should be dispatched. As I keep think I'm getting angry for you. Why do you have to answer a question what ethnic background you are?

[FeelingTheBlues]

I'm sorry to read such a thread, profiling is indeed shameful and surely this man either wanted to test you or just amuse himself.

I'm afraid there's nothing more I can add to this thread as I've never been judged that way with a watch (I'm 23 years old myself), however, I must applaud your attitude towards this situation. As far as I'm concerned you did everything right and it tells a lot about your person.

P.S.: A complaint would usually be in order but I don't know if it would really do anything, I'd say you're doing a good thing by moving on.

[GradyPhilpott]

I did four years in the Marine Corps before my 22nd birthday, so that's not impossible.

You might like to consider that the officer was looking for someone based on some data that you might have fit to some degree.

His questions while seeming rude or racist might have been directly to his point and it might have been your demeanor that he was interested in more than your verbal responses.

Many years ago, a friend of mine, who is Polish, by the way, was pulled over by deputies in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana one night on his way home.

Two officers approached his car and began to question him about where he'd been, where he was going and such.

He admitted that he was becoming quite nervous when one of the officers asked him what year his Cougar was and when he replied that his car was a Montego, that ended the discussion and the officers excused themselves and went on with their business.

[Wesley Crusher]

Not surprised. Some cops are complete idiots.

[Stonedcl]

There was a cop in my small town that did not like me. Before he was a cop he used to try to get with my old girl and could not get her so he did not like me for that reason. When he became a cop he gave me 8 tickets in the 1st month of being a PO. He thought he was above the law and died while drunk speeding back from a bar... He was around 25 when he died and was drinking at a bar and accedent happen 1/2 mile after leaving the bar..

[foxp3]

Glad you played it cool. This one of the best things about this forum. People from all ages, nationalities, occupations etc all sharing their enthusiasm about this hobby and supporting each other!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Stonedcl

There was a cop in my small town that did not like me. Before he was a cop he used to try to get with my old girl and could not get her so he did not like me for that reason. When he became a cop he gave me 8 tickets in the 1st month of being a PO. He thought he was above the law and died while drunk speeding back from a bar... He was around 25 when he died and was drinking at a bar and accedent happen 1/2 mile after leaving the bar..

Drunk driving... Pathetic.

One less idiot in this world.

[Rock]

Police officers are just like any group of people from any occupation.
Some are charming and courteous and some are obnoxious and rude.
Some are very good at their job and some are less so.
But unlike the average salesperson or hospitality worker, their job is inherently dangerous.
As a salesperson you probably will never be shot at in the line of duty.
As a salesperson you probably never need to take a brave-pill just to do your job.
I tend to cut them a bit of slack because of this.

[Rags]

As a retired NYC Police Officer I am appalled when I hear stories like this. It gives every man & woman who wears a shield a bad name. There are asshol*s in every profession. Please don't judge all officers based on the action of the one you had contact with. Most cops are out there doing a tough job with no appreciation from the public or their superiors.

[teqp]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Not surprised. Some cops are complete idiots.

X's2. Had a similar incident happen to a buddy and me when we were in high school. Some LA Sheriffs have given them a bad reputation. But I guess there are always bad apples in a bunch.

Good for you and thanks for the service!

[threemonkeys]

If you believe you were victimized you owe it to yourself and your community to file a complaint. This is important particularly if it helps demonstrate a pattern of bad (illegal?) behavior.

[daveathall]

I'm very lucky, I'm 56 and have never had a bad experience with the UK police, they have always been polite and very professional, as has all the emergency services I have had dealings with. And I'm no angel.