first Leo contact while carrying

[billfromtx]

The boy and I where going deer hunting and got stopped by a Texas State trooper for 76 in a 70. I gave him all my paperwork license and CHL. We chit chatted about hunting and his grandpa has a ranch near mine. He handed my stuff back and said my big tires probably has my speedo off some to be careful. We shook hands and he wished us luck hunting. No ticket no mention of guns or CHL's nothin. Great guy!

[kw5kw]

Yeah, I think they are all great guys.

[Armybrat]

Yes they are. Some Austin PD guys have sense of humor too, as I posted in this forum two years ago:

A couple of years ago I was hurrying back home after picking up my brother & SIL from the Austin airport. Had just dropped them off at their house in Balcones Village after midnight, and was going about 10mph "over" on Lake Creek Parkway to 620 on the way back to my Brushy Creek neighborhood.

Two APD cruisers pulled me over in the gas station (now closed) on 620. The LEO who approached my car was very courteous and asked the usual questions (I admitted I was probably going too fast, but explained why the hurry - it was waaay past my bedtime after the late nigt airport run), while I kept my hands in plain sight with both IDs.

While examining the cards, he asked me if I was armed... to which I said yes, but that weapon was in the car console. He did not ask to see it, but did inquire as to what kind it was. When I told him "A Keltec .32", he just kind of looked at me...and I swear his eyes teared up a bit & his lips were quivering like he was gonna bust out laughing. I felt about as small as a .22 short.

He just gave me a verbal warning & sent me on my way.

Not long after that, I bought a Kahr PM9.

[kingalls]

The boy and I where going deer hunting and got stopped by a Texas State trooper for 76 in a 70. I gave him all my paperwork license and CHL. We chit chatted about hunting and his grandpa has a ranch near mine. He handed my stuff back and said my big tires probably has my speedo off some to be careful. We shook hands and he wished us luck hunting. No ticket no mention of guns or CHL's nothin. Great guy!

When you have a great experience with a state trooper, write a letter to the commander at the Austin HQ. Every correspondence goes into the trooper's files, good or bad, and a good letter will be remembered by that trooper the next time he stops you. I know, I wrote one years ago and got stopped by the trooper about 3 months later, he thanked me for the good words and let me off with a verbal warning.

[flintknapper]

The boy and I where going deer hunting and got stopped by a Texas State trooper for 76 in a 70. I gave him all my paperwork license and CHL. We chit chatted about hunting and his grandpa has a ranch near mine. He handed my stuff back and said my big tires probably has my speedo off some to be careful. We shook hands and he wished us luck hunting. No ticket no mention of guns or CHL's nothin. Great guy!

When you have a great experience with a state trooper, write a letter to the commander at the Austin HQ. Every correspondence goes into the trooper's files, good or bad, and a good letter will be remembered by that trooper the next time he stops you. I know, I wrote one years ago and got stopped by the trooper about 3 months later, he thanked me for the good words and let me off with a verbal warning.

Agreed!

[mgood]

Yeah, I think they are all great guys.

I think most law enforcement officers are pretty good guys.
But there are a few uptight jerks in every profession, law enforcement included.

Having been a truck driver, I have more experience in roadside discussions with LEOs than the average person. Most are just doing their jobs and are not "out to get you."
I've talked to lots of truckers who've had lots of bad experiences with the law though.
I belive attitude has a lot to do with it.
I strongly suspect that most of they guys with multiple horror stories about run-ins with cops got the bad cop attitude because they gave them the bad driver attitude to begin with.

[The Annoyed Man]

I must be driving like a little old lady lately (not my usual MO). I haven't gotten any driving awards for almost 10 years now. I'm a little worried that I'll forget how to talk to a cop.

[stevie_d_64]

I reside myself to the fact that it IS going to be a great experience regardless if I get a citation or not...

My CHL is not a "please only give me a warning" pass...

And I tell my wife (who is licensed as well) not to get upset or cry anymore...It only makes them write faster...

[Crossfire]

I must be driving like a little old lady lately (not my usual MO). I haven't gotten any driving awards for almost 10 years now. I'm a little worried that I'll forget how to talk to a cop.

I have friends in the business. I could arrange to get you a little practice, if you need it.

[The Annoyed Man]

I must be driving like a little old lady lately (not my usual MO). I haven't gotten any driving awards for almost 10 years now. I'm a little worried that I'll forget how to talk to a cop.

I have friends in the business. I could arrange to get you a little practice, if you need it.

Heh, heh. You can always count on your friends for help.

[pedalman]

Hmm....What is the old saw about "with friends like these...."?

[Nicolai]

Early last summer, we were rear-ended on our way home. Thankfully for all concerned, no one was hurt and there was no real damage to either vehicle. We reported the accident and a Comal County Deputy arrived promptly. I handed him all my documents--driver's license, proof of insurance, registration, and CHL. Told him my wife also had CHL but neither one of us was carrying. Deputy smiled and asked, "Why not?"
The "why not" was we had just returned from an errand at Fort Sam Houston, but I sure did appreciate the Deputy's attitude.

[CopOnce]

And I tell my wife (who is licensed as well) not to get upset or cry anymore...It only makes them write faster...

Most LEO's know when he/she exits their vehicle whether they're going to issue a citation or not, at least I did. There are times that attitude can change that decision, but the getting upset and crying bit never made me write any faster. I always had a philosophy, if you're going to write a citation, be very polite to the driver. If you chew them out for what ever it was you stopped them for, I don't write a citation. That may change if it had to do with the safety of children involved. CHL, I wouldn't have a problem with it and I wouldn't let it change my decision to write a citation.