What to do if you’re stopped by the police

No one grabs the car keys anticipating an encounter with the law. But if you see flashing blue lights in your rearview mirror, don’t panic. You may drive away with a ticket, says URI Director of Public Safety Stephen Baker, but at least you’ll drive away.

• Pull over in a safe spot, as far from the side of the road as possible. If there is a parking lot nearby, go there. If it’s at night, try to choose a well-lit spot, and turn on your interior lights so the officer can see inside your vehicle.

• The officer could approach from either side of your vehicle—roll both windows down.

• Keep your hands visible and on the steering wheel.
Remain still unless the officer asks you to get something.

• If you have to retrieve your license and registration, tell the officer where you are moving to comply with the request: “I’m going into my glove box to get my registration.”

• If you have passengers, ask them to be quiet and to leave the exchange with the officer to you.

• If you really have no idea why you’re being stopped, you can ask the officer, but don’t demand answers. Most will tell you, but they may have reasons not to—such as when police are on the lookout for a vehicle similar to yours that is associated with criminal activity.

• In most states, it’s legal to tape the encounter, even though the officer might not like it. If you want to do that, don’t put the cell phone in the officer’s face. Set it down to record—you shouldn’t have anything in your hand.

• You can ask for the officer’s name and badge number, but don’t argue at the scene. Once the ticket is written, it won’t be retracted. If you feel you weren’t committing an infraction, you’ll get a chance to argue your case in court. “Escalating the situation never helps,” Baker says. “You don’t want to raise suspicion. Most traffic stops are for minor violations like speeding, so don’t turn a minor thing into a major confrontation.”

• If you have a complaint with the way you were treated, deal directly with the officer’s superior after the encounter. “You can ask to see the officer’s supervisor at the scene, but that might not be the best course of action,” Baker says. “Calling the police station after leaving the stop and making an appointment to speak with the officer’s supervisor ensures that things de-escalate sooner rather than later. You can give your account, and the supervisor will read the officer’s report and get back to you with potential resolutions.”

“You want to end the encounter as soon as possible, and end it without any aggressiveness,” he says. “Everybody goes home safe. That’s the main thing.”