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We're having a bit of an issue at our house.

We are both police supporters.

In fact we have a friend and customer who are officers, I used to ride dirt bikes with the Chief of Sanger police.

Here is the issue.

When I see or hear of an officer exceeding their authority, remember the police pulling an innocent family out of a car at gunpoint because the officer didn't know that different states didn't have the same license plates.

I believe the officer should be disciplined.

My wife believes they should get a pass because, honest mistake.

What would you think is correct in this situation?

It's late at night, you're pulled to the curb on a street, parked legally, answering a phone call.

A cop pulls up behind you lights flashing, they approach your car, and ask what you're doing.

You answer "I pulled over to answer a phone call"

The cop asks for your I.D.

Do you give them your I.D.?

Or do you invoke the 4TH amendment?

Sangersteve wrote:We're having a bit of an issue at our house.

We are both police supporters.

In fact we have a friend and customer who are officers, I used to ride dirt bikes with the Chief of Sanger police.

Here is the issue.

When I see or hear of an officer exceeding their authority, remember the police pulling an innocent family out of a car at gunpoint because the officer didn't know that different states didn't have the same license plates.

I believe the officer should be disciplined.

My wife believes they should get a pass because, honest mistake.

What would you think is correct in this situation?

It's late at night, you're pulled to the curb on a street, parked legally, answering a phone call.

A cop pulls up behind you lights flashing, they approach your car, and ask what you're doing.

You answer "I pulled over to answer a phone call"

The cop asks for your I.D.

Do you give them your I.D.?

Or do you invoke the 4TH amendment?

I tend to agree with you on this.

A cop pulling up behind me in the dark asks me a few questions and asks for an id?

That would be no problem for me..otherwise I’d just be looking for trouble.

A cop pulls a gun against someone not committing a crime or being threatening?

I hope that s.o.b was fired.

I would probably give ID just so I didn't look like I was hiding something, I probably wouldn't even think, "They are not supposed to ask without just cause."

Disclaimer: I do volunteer work with my local police department.
As part of my training I had to do 2 "ride alongs" with an officer for his shift. The second officer I rode with seemed a little too eager to pull someone over. I just didn't like his zeal. I struggled with reporting that or not. I didn't report because there was nothing fact based to report--just the vibe I got from him that evening. I don't think he is with our city anymore. I have not seen him since covid.

Invoking the 4th is your right if you have not been arrested in Texas.

Admittedly if you invoke the 4th a bad cop will give you some grief.

A good cop will say I'm just checking on your welfare have a good night.

Texas 38.02

(a)A person commits an offense if he intentionally refuses to give his name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has lawfully arrested the person and requested the information.
(b)A person commits an offense if he intentionally gives a false or fictitious name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has:
(1)lawfully arrested the person;
(2)lawfully detained the person; or
(3)requested the information from a person that the peace officer has good cause to believe is a witness to a criminal offense.

I believe that when you get a license to drive, it is understood that you will comply with a request as simple as presenting your license when requested.

Now if you are just walking down the street, maybe it's a different story.

Mark wrote:I believe that when you get a license to drive, it is understood that you will comply with a request as simple as presenting your license when requested.

Now if you are just walking down the street, maybe it's a different story.

I agree. If I'm stopped, I comply. I've never had any problems with a police officer.