As a retired LEO from NJ- Now living in the free state of Georgia, I can say that leaving the AR home is MOST PRUDENT- and It holds no bearing on travel through NJ. NJSP, and Most local LEO's in NJ are not in the habit- despite whatever BS you may hear of giving a law abiding citizen, in state or visitor a ration of crap for no good reason. Like anywhere, We got our "robo-cops" but I can say honestly, With a couple of exceptions mentions, We don't go out of our way to mess with good polite people. the point is- If you are going to be just another polite, decent citizen- No problem!
Now to the caveat on this-
If you want to be a ASSHOLE, (sorry but let's be plain about this) You'll be regarded and treated as such. If pulled over- Keep you hands on your steering wheel. and for crying out loud- STAY IN THE CAR! Nothing tells us "He's got something I want to see" faster then the Goobersmootch who gets out of the car/truck/camper, and walks to the Patrol car. ESPECIALLY out of town/county/state whatever- Fireman, Security guards, Auxillary Police, EMT or COP-lawyers and Judges are great for that one too! that's right- You're not your jurisdiction. the officer has a job to do like it or not. If you belong to a PBA or FOP or Mickey Mouse club- You should know how to present ID- and How not to! If you uncles Cousin's Nephew is the dispatcher in Shell Pile NJ- IT DOES NOT MEAN A DARN THIS TO US. If you want us to know you're a _____ when presenting the ID's asked for"accidentally" add your ID card/FOP/PBA from your department in there. if the police officer sees it he will most likely look at it and say "I did not ask for that" and hand it back with little else to say for the moment. He may have a camera/Microphone on you and the situation. RELAX ABOVE ALL.
Here is an Actual conversation I was present to hear once-My Dept. and the local PD doing drunk checks at the county line there was a guy and what I assumed to be wife significant other Nicer line of car- Like a Buick or Cadillac. they had a "Adjoining state license plate" on the car-rental maybe? No matter- he had to stop like everyone else.
LEO- "good evening Sir, Madam- License and registration please? Sorry for the delay- Its the Holiday weekend a lot of Folks come to the Shore and drink too much-Ya know?...
Guy- Yeah, I know what ya mean- My ________ is a Cop in ________town in (some other state) Do you know him?
LEO, No but tell him thanks for his service there. May I have your License registration and Insurance please?
Guy- Yeah Sure- (pulls down visor and gets plastic card, gives to LEO) know what THAT is?
LEO- (it's a courtesy card from PD in his state) But the Officer says "You tell me what that is..."
Guy- Its a Police card from my________. He said to give you this and I should have no trouble.
LEO- Well Sir, Its from another state and though we issue something like that, its to show that the person is a safe driver. But this is different. No exceptions -We need your registration, Insurance and License. We are looking for Drunk drivers, folks under the influence and if there is anything illegal going on.
Guy- I don't drink, I am coming from a party a friend from college had on his boat. (tries to open the door of the car) I know my rights, I don't have to tell you anything- Now give me my card and I will be going home.
LEO- Why are you being belligerent? Is something wrong? Who's car is this? I think I would like you and the lady to step out of the car please...(4 more cops including me are now around the car)
Guy- Ok look, I know my rights! you need a warrant! I don't have to ....(he is "helped" from the car, Handcuffed and searched- he has a .25 caliber "pocket pistol" He is now SCREWED. Hollow points are a big deal in NJ - that gun was not registered he did not have a CCWP either, So much for the Card the whatever gave him!
the 4 cars before him? we stopped them, said "good evening, Sorry for the delay..." asked and got the proper ID's Asked the driver where they were going (or coming from) and if we did not smell anything in the car or on the person's breath- Off they go, total stop time? 90-120 seconds!
Sorry to drag this- But my point hopefully is very clear- regardless if you are perfectly legal, Have the proper permits and all - If you want to act like anything other than polite and cooperative, You will be asking for a hassle! Stay in the car, Answer the officers questions politely and to the point. Yes and No answer if at all possible. If you have a pistol- Legally on your person or in the car.It's up to you and what the law says to or not to tell the officer that you are a legal permit holder- You have a pistol on your person and ask if he would like you to unload or otherwise secure the pistol in a glovebox or whatever he likes? I have been stopped. I first listen and follow instructions, Identify myself as a retired LEO. I also tell the officer I have a pistol in my possesion and give him the option of he'd like me to either surrender it while the stop is going on or lock it up. I have never been asked to do anything other than keep it.
If you got something in the trunk, legal or maybe legal- don't say a word. If you were speeding or otherwise pulled over. Be very polite, listen to the officer, DON'T ARGUE!! Apologize if you were speeding, forgot to signal or whatever- If it wasn't aburdly over the speed limit- say you're sorry- A. "in this car it does not fell like you're going that fast, or b. You were following along with the general flow of traffic and guaged yourself to the traffic pattern. Unless your wife is in labor or other emergency- anything else is not going to cut it. If the police officer gets a hint you are lying, You are asking for more troubles.
