Are You Safe in the Hands of the Cops???
By LadyMarissa
@LadyMarissa (12148)
United States
October 29, 2008 11:29am CST
I just saw on the news where a guy was just apprehended that had been impersonating a police officer. He turned on his flashers & when he got up to the car, he'd rob his victims. They warned you on the news that official officers always have blue lights even in unmarked cars. WOMEN BE AWARE (GUYS, THIS FOR YOU TOO) ...If you feel unsafe when being stopped, slow down & turn on your flashers to let the officer know you're aware you're being stopped & then proceed to a well lit area before letting him/her approach your car. If you have your cell phone, you can even call the local police *HP or 911 to find out if an officer has reported he/she is stopping a vehicle. If there is no report, they are supposed to send the nearest officer to your location. I don't know how reliable this will be in an emergency & I hope NONE of us ever have to find out!!! Have you ever heard any of this??? Do you think you'd be aware enough to remember what to do??? Or would you just assume it's a "real" officer stopping you???
5 people like this
7 responses
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
2 Nov 08
I've heard about these cop impersonators and what you've advised have been forwarded to me by other concerned friends. But I also saw in the news a while ago about this young girl who did what you said and it turned out the cops were for real and I think they had to follow her for about a mile until she got to a well-lit gas station. Then they handcuffed her and stuff because they said she led them on a chase. I can't remember the outcome but I think she still had to pay the fine of whatever traffic violation she committed. We just can't win in some things, huh???
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
2 Nov 08
That's where the cops say the slowing down & turning on your flashers help. Also grab your cell phone & call dispatch to let them know what you're doing. If it's a real cop, then dispatch will instruct you to stop. If NOT a real cop, then dispatch will send a real one to your area. I think I'd rather deal with the cops than a rapist!!! I've gotten to where I go nowhere without my cell phone. I know if I was on the jury for a person accused & fleeing the cops, I would find them NOT GUILTY!!! I would think a reasonable judge would too!!!
2 people like this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
30 Oct 08
One thing I know not to do, when I am in my car, is to let myself be pulled over by a police officer. I will actually use my cell to call the police to check on them first as I have heard this happening.
Unless I know the officer, in my area, I will drive to the station or call if I am not sure, or go to a crowded area.
The same with people who come to my door. If someone says that they are from a utility, unless I am sure, I will not answer the door and I will say, "I am calling your company to make sure you are who you say you are."
I have a panic button in my house with my alarm system. If I hit it, it will send the police, asap.
So, to answer you, no, I would not assume they are an officer.
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
30 Oct 08
I've always known that you are one smart cookie!!!
2 people like this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
11 Mar 09
Thanks!! I just think it is better to err on the side of caution.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
2 Nov 08
HI LadyMarissa thanks for the tip. It is sad to hear that bad people take advantage of people trust to harm them in this way. I think most of us would panic when you are stopped by a police officer. You have to remain calm in this situation and use your mind a lot more. © ronaldinu 2008
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
2 Nov 08
He deserves to be in jail a long time!!! To look at the positive side, atleast he ONLY robbed his victims & didn't rape. About 10 years ago we had one who was raping the females he stopped. 
2 people like this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
5 Nov 08
Lady since I have only been pulled over by a cop twice in 34 years of driving I have not experienced such a thing and I have never been pulled over at night. I have always been with a group of people or in a well traveled area where there was a lot of people. I know there are people out there who impersonate police officers and there are bad cops also. So I think we need to be aware and be wise no matter where we are.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
5 Nov 08
I have always been lucky too. I started this discussion simply to help make people aware. I have found that during my lifetime, little things like this that I've heard have popped back up at well needed times & saved me from making a HUGE mistake. If this discussion can keep even one person safe due their reaction to a situation, then it is worth it!!! 
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
30 Oct 08
It was late at night on a lonely stretch of road & very dark. With the headlights shining in their eyes, they couldn't see what he looked like. She already had her window rolled down & her drivers license out & ready when she saw he was wearing a hoodie. We have pretty much been conditioned to be polite & obey police officers. He had the upper hand as he knew what he had planned & his victims were still in trust mode!!!
2 people like this
@lady_cayote (153)
• Philippines
30 Oct 08
I think I wouldn't know what to do if this ever happened to me. Maybe I would just assume that it's a real officer stopping me. But thanks for this information, it's really helpful I just wish I could remember all the precautionary measures you've mentioned when I am already in that situation.
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
30 Oct 08
I just hope you're NEVER in that situation. However, if you ever are....SLOW down, turn on your flashers & drive to a safe location!!!
2 people like this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
30 Oct 08
Hi ladyMarissa,
Over here the police alwways works in pairs never alone, because they are scare as well, so if a lone police ccomes over to you, we are very weary, but it doneen't happens here
Tamara
2 people like this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
30 Oct 08
You are lucky!!! They used to work in pairs here, but somewhere along the way they stopped.I'm just glad they caught this nut!!!
2 people like this
