Brush with the Police

[MsJoann]

I was just wondering if in fact any of you have been involved in a traffic stop by the police?
How were you treated?
What really gripes me is these cop shows on TV where they always manage to feature a crossdresser being stopped...and not only the cop shows but some news stories.
I've never been stopped before but I hope that when I do, I will be greeted by an understanding officer/trooper.
I know for a fact that they receive training on things like this. Also they must report every stop on a seperate form called "Stop Statiscic Form" (here in CT).
One part of the form has the officer check-off "Male...Female...Other". Hmmm...wonder what (Other) is meant for? Certainly not a deer.
I am sure that there is an underlying issue because of "identification" due to the fact that some of us are very capable of pulling off a crime unidentified.
Just wondering if ano others have been in that gut-wrenching situation?

[Emily Ann Brown]

I have posted earlier about my stop......I sweat bullets, the officer got a real shock, and it was no big deal.


Emily Ann

[Stephenie S]

Yeah, what she said.

No big deal. CDing is no crime. If you are breaking the law you are gonna get busted, but they won't care what you are wearing.

Stephie

[Frankie-Dear]

Well, they might care, if they like your outfit... :heehee:

[kathy333]

the truth is! i know this because thay had it on t.v. one day. the charge is called. "counterfiting the oppesit sex" the cops on tv were saying that it is a charge that is imposable to in force. the way they put it is if you are a man dressed as a woman,and you can't pass.you cant be charged. then if you are a man dressed as a woman and you can pass.how are they going to know you are a man.


now that is the way they put it on t.v.:2c::2c:

[trannie T]

I got stopped at a DUI checkpoint while en femme. The cops showed no interest in my clothing, just in whether or not I'd been drinking. They let me go when they decided I was sober.

[SandyR]

Check out my replies to posts. I was stopped in girl mode, all out attack, out of the car, case of mistaken identity. It all worked out now, but then I purged big time!

SandyR

[KandisTX]

There was a law in San Diego California which stated "It is illegal to be crossdressed, IF said crossdressing is being done to hide ones identity in the commission of a crime".

Many states have similar laws which basically means if you are a guy and you disguise yourself as a woman to commit a felony or any crime, there is just another charge they can lay on you.

Many of the laws in many states currently on the books are being challenged by groups like Tri Ess and others. We as a community are trying to get such ignorant laws repealed. it is a slow process.

The best thing to do is as follows:

1) Be Honest
2) Cooperate
3) Do NOT get beligerant

if you follow the first two, number three shouldn't be an issue. Usually if you cooperate and are honest with the police officer, you will get through a traffic stop easily enough. Even if you get a ticket, you're still going to be alright.

Kandis:love:

[Reba Kay]

I had an expieriance 4 years ago. I was going to a meeting in St. Louis of a group I belonged to at the time. It was a two and a half hour drive. Well, I was dressed al pretty, althought I don't pass real well. I was late and was stopped by an Illinois State police officer. My heart sank all the way down to you know where, when the lights came on. He walked up to the car and ask me for all the paperwork and just sorta looked me over. I told him I was driving a little fast because I was late for a meeting. Well if the my looks didn't give it away the voice did. I thought this is going to be fun. He said just a minute and walked back to his car. He came back and said everything was in order and that he was going to just warn me. Then he started asking about how to get in touch with this group about joining, boy was I blown away. So I gave him the web site, He said thanks for the info and said drive safe and enjoy your evening. You talk about a surprise. Reba Kay

[Jenna Lynne]

I got stopped at a DUI checkpoint while en femme. The cops showed no interest in my clothing, just in whether or not I'd been drinking.
And that's worth underlining -- if you drink, don't dress and drive! Getting thrown in the drunk tank is bad enough (never been there ... heard stories) if you're dressed like a guy. If you're en femme, don't expect to be put in the ladies' cell.

When I was younger, I'll admit, I used alcohol to loosen up so that I could experience a total transformation, the emergence of a second personality that was hiding under a very fearful guy-self. I don't use "liquid courage" anymore, not even a little tiny sip. But I suspect I'm not the only one in the group who has been down that road.

So yeah, be careful out there.

I've never been pulled over, but I always took a probably silly and maybe even dangerous precaution: I always tucked a hundred bucks in folded-up twenties right behind my driver's license. That way, if a cop ever asked to see the license, I could hand him my wallet and I wouldn't actually be OFFERING him money to go easy on me, but if the money had been missing when he handed the license back, I sure wouldn't have squawked about it!

I don't recommend this. I'm just saying, that's what I did.

***Jenna***

[katlinmarie]

twice. Once in FL while driving around I was stopped. I was wearing a sweater and a pair of jeans, but I had black sheer hose on and no shoes (i had taken them off) with my silver toe rings and blue nail polish. i looked male otherwise. I was in an SUV, so the cop never noticed.

the other time was in dallas. I was driving around again in jeans and a white button up shirt. this time i had on white pantyhose, but with black nail polish and again my silver toe rings as well as a tempory tattoo of a pink fairy on the top of my foot. stupidly, i was about 30 miles away from my hotel when the car started shaking violently. so i pulled off the road to a closed gas station. I got out and it was flat. I started to change it, but I first took my heels off, because i figured my stocking feet would be less noticable then my pink and white 5" heels clicking on the pavement if anyone pulled in. of course the nail polish, tattoo and toe rings were quite visible through the nylon. Unfortunatly, (or fortunatly) a cop pulled up behind my car just as i began to jack it up. the officer got out, and thankfully it was a woman. i tried to hide behind the car, but she got out and walked around to see the tire, shining her light directly on the ground, and my feet. She noticed the pantyhose, and asked if i had shoes, i told her yes, and she suggested i put them on. i told her they were high heels. she asked me where i was going, and then told me to grab my valubles from the car, that she would take me to my hotel. i grabbed my purse and shoes and got in the front seat of her car. she told me it was a pretty bad neighborhood, and if someone saw my pantyhose, it wouldn't be good. She did run my name, and after finding out i was clean, we left. we rode for the thirty minutes and we talked about her job, my job, my wife and her husband. she was very polite, and even asked me where i got my shoes since she liked them, and if my tatto was real. she asked me about my dressing, and told me her cousin was a crossdresser as well. she asked me my fem name, and then called me katlin the whole time. when we got to the hotel, she walked me up to my room, and i told her thanks. the last thing she said was "no problem maam, but next time you should think about having some less obvious shoes with you"

[Sheri 4242]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Di GG and Sher had such an experience not too long ago and all turned out quite well. They had, as I recall, gone for a walk and two officers were working the area. One officer talked to them and told them of problems in the area (gang-like, or something of that sort). If memory serves me -- and Di or Sher will have to confirm this -- the officer they spoke with was polite and courteous. And, from the way it was described, the officers made sure -- from a distance -- that they got home safely.




There was a law in San Diego California which stated "It is illegal to be crossdressed, IF said crossdressing is being done to hide ones identity in the commission of a crime".

Many states have similar laws which basically means if you are a guy and you disguise yourself as a woman to commit a felony or any crime, there is just another charge they can lay on you.

Most jurisdictions have laws that make it illegal to alter and/or disguise your identity in the commission of a crime. Since 9-11, some of these laws have been revisited to fine-tune them. In the States, as it stands now, one's ability to crossdress is a Constitutionally protected form of expression. A charge of altering your identity for the purpose of committing a crime would be something that would be added after the fact.




Many of the laws in many states currently on the books are being challenged by groups like Tri Ess and others. We as a community are trying to get such ignorant laws repealed. it is a slow process.

Some of these laws need to be challenged, but it, IMO, depends on exactly what is being challenged. Altering one's appearance, or wearing a disguise, for the purpose of committing a crime should be against the law. Going out enfemme, or however one wants, for purely personal purposes (that have nothing to do with the commission of, or future commission of, a crime) have no place "on the books" in any society that claims to protect freedom of speech (and expression) as a hallmark of civil rights and personal liberties.





The best thing to do is as follows:

1) Be Honest
2) Cooperate
3) Do NOT get beligerant

if you follow the first two, number three shouldn't be an issue. Usually if you cooperate and are honest with the police officer, you will get through a traffic stop easily enough. Even if you get a ticket, you're still going to be alright.

ABSOLUTELY right, Kandis!!! Your attititude is often everything when dealing with law enforcement!!! (I have an association with law enforcement and law advocacy -- if you're interested in knowing about it, PM me b/c it really isn't relevant to our discussion.)

:thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: What is unfortunate is like what I saw on television Monday night. It was one of those "cop" shows, which IMHO often show law enforcment being over-zealous. The police were trying to pull a CDer over -- and the CDer called the police dispatcher on his cell phone to say that he didn't want to stop b/c he was dressed. The police told the CDer it was okay, just to stop, no big deal. BUT, the CDer kept going -- apparently wanted to get his make-up and wig off -- so, as far as the police were concerned, the "chase" was ongoing, and more patrol cars got involved. When the CDer finally stopped, the police were, IMO, over the top in how they treated him (with the foreknowledge they had). I imagine some sheriff or police chief was happy how his officers handled this (which is why it was on the air), but I thought the officers went too far -- forcing him to the ground (in a great miniskirt and matching jacket -- gasp, it was horrible), handcuffing him, and basically being overly rough. BUT, that happens frequently when a police chase goes on too long (there's a whole psychology to this effect). AND, let's not forget, the CDer did have assurances from the police that how he was dressed was no big deal -- they had seen it before and could care less, so he pushed things. It was a troubling scene, IMO, from both sides!!!

At any rate, PLEASE, PLEASE REMEMBER Kandis's points b/c if you do happen to go to jail, you're going to the jail of your anatomical sex, not how you are dressed!!!

Sheri

[Joy Carter]

:thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: [B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]What is unfortunate is like what I saw on television Monday night. It was one of those "cop" shows, which IMHO often show law enforcement being over-zealous. The police were trying to pull a CDer over -- and the CDer called the police dispatcher on his cell phone to say that he didn't want to stop b/c he was dressed. The police told the CDer it was okay, just to stop, no big deal. BUT, the CDer kept going -- apparently wanted to get his make-up and wig off -- so, as far as the police were concerned, the "chase" was ongoing, and more patrol cars got involved. When the CDer finally stopped, the police were, IMO, over the top in how they treated him (with the foreknowledge they had). I imagine some sheriff or police chief was happy how his officers handled this (which is why it was on the air), but I thought the officers went too far -- forcing him to the ground (in a great miniskirt and matching jacket -- gasp, it was horrible), handcuffing him, and basically being overly rough. BUT, that happens frequently when a police chase goes on too long (there's a whole psychology to this effect). AND, let's not forget, the CDer did have assurances from the police that how he was dressed was no big deal -- they had seen it before and could care less, so he pushed things. It was a troubling scene, IMO, from both sides!!!



Sheri the guy should have just stopped. The consequences of his actions resulted the police officers actions. If you run from the cops they are going to suspect you have a good reason to do so. I can understand his reasoning for doing so. But look at it from the officers point of view. Is this person intoxicated ? Is this person involve/committed a serious felony ? Is this person armed and likely to be a threat to the community and officers ? I could go on but I think you have the idea. Being a police officer is dangerous. There have been four fatal shooting of officers in the US in the last few days. You can't blame them for what you view as an over reaction. They are trained to react this way. Regardless what he told the 911 operator. People do lie don't they ?

We had a saying on the department. "Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six."

[MsJoann]

I'm glad to hear that we are all acting on our best behavior.
As promised, I have attached a copy of the stop statistic form which is used by our troopers.
Check out the "gender" section!!!

Hugs and love to all!---JoAnn

[MsJoann]

Here it is.........

[Karren H]

The security guard at the casino I was at enfemme last night came over and asked me to stop taking photos on the floor... It was "maam" all the way and he was very curtious.... So typically it's not a problem..

Karren

[Emeralddragon]

Another thing about not drinking and dressing as mentioned above in relation to driving. If you have a nice pair of shoes on and youre taken in alongside everything else you may never see them again. Friends of mine were taken in for drunkenness and had their shoes take from them (Safety reasons aka hanging with laces using heels as weapons) and never saw them again. Happened to friends of both sexes too.

[Shakina]

Hi
Yes I agree with what KandisTX has said. There is no crime in driving dressed as the opposite sex.

[MsJoann]

We have two casinos here locally.
Any casino...even in Vegas does not allow photos to be taken.
My tenant is a security guard at one of them. They are cognizant of CDs and I hear it is a common thing to see CDs at a casino. Why not, there are many worse people walking the floors!

[Jocelyn Quivers]

:thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: What is unfortunate is like what I saw on television Monday night. It was one of those "cop" shows, which IMHO often show law enforcment being over-zealous. The police were trying to pull a CDer over -- and the CDer called the police dispatcher on his cell phone to say that he didn't want to stop b/c he was dressed. The police told the CDer it was okay, just to stop, no big deal. BUT, the CDer kept going -- apparently wanted to get his make-up and wig off -- so, as far as the police were concerned, the "chase" was ongoing, and more patrol cars got involved. When the CDer finally stopped, the police were, IMO, over the top in how they treated him (with the foreknowledge they had). I imagine some sheriff or police chief was happy how his officers handled this (which is why it was on the air), but I thought the officers went too far -- forcing him to the ground (in a great miniskirt and matching jacket -- gasp, it was horrible), handcuffing him, and basically being overly rough. BUT, that happens frequently when a police chase goes on too long (there's a whole psychology to this effect). AND, let's not forget, the CDer did have assurances from the police that how he was dressed was no big deal -- they had seen it before and could care less, so he pushed things. It was a troubling scene, IMO, from both sides!!!

At any rate, PLEASE, PLEASE REMEMBER Kandis's points b/c if you do happen to go to jail, you're going to the jail of your anatomical sex, not how you are dressed!!!

Sheri[/QUOTE]

Bad choice on the CDer's part. What were the police supposed do, when they have a vehicle that is basicaly disregarding a signal to pull over. In most states that is a criminal offense regardless of speed. They have to consider the driver, not pulling over because he has, drugs, weapons, a dead body etc in the car. Could he not be stopping because he just robbed a convience store, or is wanted? Yes he called the dispatcher to say that he was dressed and that's why he's not stoping, but the officers have to consider that the person might be lying. As far as the officers going too far. Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous things a police officer can do. Just recently 2 New York City Police Officers were killed during a "routine" traffic stop. Jocelyn

[TerriM]

Hi
The info that you ladies have given is all true. I say this from experience. I retired from the P.D. and have been dressing a long time. I got stopped once when I was dressed and it was no problem. No, I didnt tell him that I was a cop, lol. The only thing I did disagree with was the money next to your license trick. First of all officers will ask for your license and reg. You give him or her anything else, you are asking for trouble.

Yours Terri

[Frankie-Dear]

Be polite, be honest, and if they've got you for a traffic violation, looking/being apologetic goes a long way towards getting you a warning, rather than a citation. How you're dressed is a non-issue.

[terrilynn]

I posted my one experience of being pulled over in a previous thread ( don't remember wich one, so check in my thread history). It was by a state trooper here in Tx one night while driving to Amarillo ,enfemme, with a burned out tail light. The officer was very curteous and professional while I was a basket case for several minutes at first, but he stayed and chatted with me while I put a new bulb in the light and let me go on my way.

If you thought learning to walk in heels was difficult, try changing a tail light buld with false nails, LOLOL.

Terrilynn

[AmberDay]

:thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: [B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]What is unfortunate is like what I saw on television Monday night. It was one of those "cop" shows, which IMHO often show law enforcement being over-zealous. The police were trying to pull a CDer over -- and the CDer called the police dispatcher on his cell phone to say that he didn't want to stop b/c he was dressed. The police told the CDer it was okay, just to stop, no big deal. BUT, the CDer kept going -- apparently wanted to get his make-up and wig off -- so, as far as the police were concerned, the "chase" was ongoing, and more patrol cars got involved. When the CDer finally stopped, the police were, IMO, over the top in how they treated him (with the foreknowledge they had). I imagine some sheriff or police chief was happy how his officers handled this (which is why it was on the air), but I thought the officers went too far -- forcing him to the ground (in a great miniskirt and matching jacket -- gasp, it was horrible), handcuffing him, and basically being overly rough. BUT, that happens frequently when a police chase goes on too long (there's a whole psychology to this effect). AND, let's not forget, the CDer did have assurances from the police that how he was dressed was no big deal -- they had seen it before and could care less, so he pushed things. It was a troubling scene, IMO, from both sides!!!



Sheri the guy should have just stopped. The consequences of his actions resulted the police officers actions. If you run from the cops they are going to suspect you have a good reason to do so. I can understand his reasoning for doing so. But look at it from the officers point of view. Is this person intoxicated ? Is this person involve/committed a serious felony ? Is this person armed and likely to be a threat to the community and officers ? I could go on but I think you have the idea. Being a police officer is dangerous. There have been four fatal shooting of officers in the US in the last few days. You can't blame them for what you view as an over reaction. They are trained to react this way. Regardless what he told the 911 operator. People do lie don't they ?

We had a saying on the department. "Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six."

As a former volunteer for the Fairborn Police Department and a potential officer for the City of Dayton(was hired, but delayed in a hiring freeze), I agree with Joy. In that case with the CD calling the dispatcher does not matter. So if you rob a bank, all you have to do then is just call 911 and say that you are a crossdresser and then the police will treat you with love and understanding. Who cares about what crime might have been committed, we don't want to hurt his feelings.

[AmberDay]

Here is a repost from a few years ago:




The Red and Blue Lights
Here is what not to do when driving while dressed up. My cousin, Jim is a police officer in a major city in south west ohio and he told me an incident that happenend last year (He does not know about my crossdressing). He was doing regular street patrol at 3am in the morning when the car in front of him gunned the gas through the yellow light. Jim caught up with the car down the street and turned on the overhead lights. He was just going to give a friendly 'reminder' that yellow means slow not accelerate. (Jim claims he hardly ever writes traffic citiations except for wreckless driving and speeding in school/construction zones.) Anyway the car didn't pull over right away so he beeped the siren a couple of times. After 4 city blocks of lights and siren beeps, he was about to call in a pursuit when the car pulled into an alley and stopped abruptly. Jim called for back up. Him and another officer approached the car and saw a person with a paper bag over their face. Jim politely asked them to remove it and they heard a husky no; surprised him since the person was wearing a mini skirt. They asked for license, registration, proof in insurance, and heard a no again. The 'subject' gunned the gas down the alley, but a dumpster stopped their 'getaway.' After pulling the subject out of the car and cuffing them did he realize it was a man dressed like a woman. He was brought off to the city jail.

It got me thinking about what the cd should have done. I was a volunteer police officer for two years and tried to see the incident from both sides. Here is what I came up with:
1. Stop ASAP in a safe place i.e. shoulder, gas station
2. Don't try to hide who you are. Provide all documents requested. Obviously the officer would probably be taken back, but they are profesionals. They have seen worse stuff, TRUST ME. They will ask you questions why you are dressed and be honest (Unless you were prostituting then lie) **sorry if that offends anyone** Many male criminals dress like women to throw off the police.
3. Remain calm and consistant. Don't act like you are wired on drugs.
4. Don't give them a reason to take you to jail. TRUST ME again, you do not want to spend the night in a jail with 50+ male criminals while dressed like a woman.

I was just wondering if anybody has been pulled over while dressed. I would like to hear about their experience.

Amber
____________

[Sheri 4242]

Sheri the guy should have just stopped. The consequences of his actions resulted the police officers actions. If you run from the cops they are going to suspect you have a good reason to do so. I can understand his reasoning for doing so. But look at it from the officers point of view. Is this person intoxicated ? Is this person involve/committed a serious felony ? Is this person armed and likely to be a threat to the community and officers ? I could go on but I think you have the idea. Being a police officer is dangerous. There have been four fatal shooting of officers in the US in the last few days. You can't blame them for what you view as an over reaction. They are trained to react this way. Regardless what he told the 911 operator. People do lie don't they?

Joy,

I agree with you in principle -- and for the record I was a state law enforcement officer, so I definitely understand what you are saying. (In fact, I was in a position where, moreso than any, I had to consider that everybody I stopped was armed - take it from there or PM me!) So, I absolutely agree in principle.

That said, had you watched the video of the stop, I would hope that you would (a.) have been aghast, and (b.) thought it should have been handled differently given the exact same situation. You would have had to have seen it to understand, I guess.

Let me set the scene and get your opinion: once stopped, she exited the vehicle properly (and it was clear that there wasn't anywhere a weapon could be (not even a deringer -- lol). She was complying with all due orders (stepped away from the vehicle to where he was told to be, hands on head, then knelt down). At that point I thought everything was okay -- she was definitely compliant and under control, especially with 7-8 officers still holding their Glocks on her.

I would have walked up and handcuffed her from that position. But, no'ooo -- two officers then rushed her, shoved her flat (very roughly), and one knelt on her back and handcuffed her -- again in what appeared to be an overtly rough manner. (I could name two sheriff's w/in 200 miles of me that, if watching, would have been hysterically happy, but -- strictly IMO -- there ar some people that shouldn't have badges! Personally, and again this is just my opinion based on what I saw and compared with my own experiences, it was as I originally stated: "over the top" and the type of thing that gives law enforcement the occasional black eye! I detest some of the "cop" type reality shows b/c, to me, they frequently illustrate how NOT to do things.

Joy: as I'm sure you have, too, I have been in some potentially very dangerous situations! I've been shot at more than once! And even though I went on to a second career (academia), and now am starting a third (retirement just isn't in my vocabulary) I have kept a position as an auxillary agent. But, here's the kicker, so to speak, I don't like some tactics of a very small minority of police! Thanks to certification requirements, educational requirements, etc., things are better than even a few years ago, much less 10-20-30 years ago.

(BTW, without telling my wife "why," I called her into the den and asked her to watch a replay; she didn't know I was not in agreement with the way the stop unfolded -- she thought I wanted her to see the video b/c a crossdresser was involved. After she watched it, her first reaction was to ask me if the way the officers acted wasn't a bit extreme.)

Anyway, this is just my opinion -- and I agree the CDer should have stopped -- and has great culpability for the way things happened!!!

[Frankie-Dear]

Once she was out of the vehicle and complying, there was no need for anything further than simply handcuffing her and transporting. The police were out of hand. I see it from both sides, but I'm afraid that these policemen were venting their own frustrations, rather than maintaining their professionalism. It's sad to see, but at the same time, particularly after a chase, adrenaline and frustrations are running high. :sad:

[Sheri 4242]

Once she was out of the vehicle and complying, there was no need for anything further than simply handcuffing her and transporting. The police were out of hand. I see it from both sides, but I'm afraid that these policemen were venting their own frustrations, rather than maintaining their professionalism. It's sad to see, but at the same time, particularly after a chase, adrenaline and frustrations are running high.

Exactly my point, Frankie!

And, I think that all of our sisters on this forum who do go out need to realize (a.) if you get stopped, do just that: stop and comply -- do your part to keep things from escalating; (b.) there have been a number of studies attempting to gage differing reactions by police when there was a chase involved; the general results are that, with adrenaline pumping by the quart and frustrations high, there is an increased likelihood by some officers to be overly reactive; and (c.) most in law enforcement are highly professional -- they've seen it all and someone CDing is no big deal -- so go back and follow item "a."

Be Careful Out There!!! While we are on this subject, I was reminded the other day of a situation where someone was impersonating a police officer -- pulling women over on backroads in a supposedly unmarked police car -- he then would attempt to handcuff and rape the women. The thing was, it was not a police vehicle, and the man was not law enforcement So, be careful of unmarked vehicles with blue lights. In some states you are not required to pull over for an unmarked vehicle. Know your local and state laws on this, especialy if you are driving en femme and could be mistaken at night for a GG.

Just for general interest b/c it is not a CDing story (but still to illustrate a point) a number of years ago I had been hunting with a friend, and we had bagged a deer. While cleaning the deer, my friend, who was a heavy drinker, consumed many beers. Without my knowledge, he tossed an empty can into the bed of my truck -- a fact I noticed several days later when it started rolling around back there, where I left it, planning on cleaning everything after hunting season. A few weeks later I went through a "license check" roadblock late one night -- I was drab, but it was a road on which I have driven en femme. Anyway, the officer, a fairly young man, checked my license and my insurance card, then my license plate -- then he returned my license and insurance card, and instructed me to wait. He then proceeded to walk around my truck, carefully looking it over with his flashlight.

When he returned to me he said, "Mr ___, I need you to pull over onto the median where you see those police cars and mobile DUI van." I said okay, then added would he mind telling me why." His response, "Sir, I smell the distinct odor of beer on your breath -- it is unquestionable, so I am going to have you go through a sobriety check."

I looked at him and said, "I don't drink -- did all the drinking in the world in college, and haven't had a beer in 30 years -- you don't smell the odor of beer on me, you saw a beer can in the bed of my truck." His face tuned bright red and he stammered to say something, but at that point I pulled out my badge and asked him if he had any other questions. He didn't.

My point? Most law enforcement perform an invaluable service to the public, often at great personal cost. Then you run into that "one" -- the one who lies, or who is over-zealous -- and it taints all the good work of all the others who share the thin blue line!!!

Now, the purpose of this story is simple: had I been an average citizen, dressed or not, I would have been detained for awhile. Had I been dressed, I would have been put through a sobriety check -- with an audience. Frankly, that's fine in one sense b/c while I may not flaunt what I am, I don't hide it either. BUT, in that situation, I would have been put through it on a young cop's bluff/lie -- and that I don't like, personally.

[monika40]

I have had that experience. Worse on my side than on the officer's. The officer asked for license, registration and insurance. I gave him the documents, he went back to his patrol car to check things out. Meanwhile, I'm worried about going to jail. Officer comes back, says everythings ok, just slow down. So, the advice you are recieving is valid. Follow instructions, be polite, take your ticket, continue living.

[Joy Carter]

Sheri. I searched my memory for the conclusion to that video. But I can only recall that subject standing out there in a skirt suit. And starting to neel down. It been several years ago that I saw it.
Myself I used only what force necessary. The job had enough things to get you into trouble without causing troubles of your own. So if he was treated roughly that was on the officers. I won't go into any of the real world adventures. Just that the Adrenalin high is a major factor in stops of this nature. The chase. The anger. And the fear all work against you in controlling your emotions when you end up confronting the suspect.

[Sheri 4242]

I always took a probably silly and maybe even dangerous precaution: I always tucked a hundred bucks in folded-up twenties right behind my driver's license. That way, if a cop ever asked to see the license, I could hand him my wallet and I wouldn't actually be OFFERING him money to go easy on me, but if the money had been missing when he handed the license back, I sure wouldn't have squawked about it!

Jenna,

The money bit is NOT a good idea -- and probably wouldn't even work vis-a-vis fundamental procedure.

First, if you are stopped and asked for your license -- and if you then go and try to hand the officer your wallet (maybe you've opened it up to your D.L with the $100 behind it, whatever), common procedure is for the officer to ask you to please take your license out of your wallet and just hand them the license. This is common procedure in most jurisdictions -- it (taking your D.L. out of your wallet) is even common if you go to cash-in traveler's checks in some Las Vegas casinos!

Second, that would leave you with one other option regarding your $100: you'd have to hand the officer your license with the $100 folded behind the D.L. Common procedure (again in most jurisdictions) would be for the officer to ask you to step out of the vehicle and then place you under arrest!!! Offering a bribe is a crime. You may have been pulled over for doing 61 in a 55 zone -- and the officer may have been planning on just giving you a warning. But, depending on how the officer reacts, you might be facing a bribery charge -- and depending on the state, that could me a misdemeanor of "a high and aggravating nature, or a felony. Of course, if you did this -- and if you were dealing with a nice officer -- you'd probably be rebuffed and/or repremanded (and not put under arrest). ((( Also note, if you ended up in court on whatever the original charges were, the fact that you attmpted to bribe the officer might be brought up as affirmative proof of your guilt!!! ))) The last thing you "might" face -- and this is a very low percentage thing, especially with the prevalence of stops being video recorded, is that the $100 (ahem) disappears -- and then you either get what you paid for or you don't - bribes are no guarantees!!!

[Angie G]

Not yet thank god :hugs:
Angie

[lahr]

Yes. In upstate New York I was pulled over by a female cop.I was wearing a unisex sweater, tight fitting jeans, hose and heels. When I saw the flashing lights I kicked off the heels and pulled over. Franticaly trying to hide them under the seat and I slipped on my deck shoes. I was ordered out of the car and asked what I was trying to hide under the seat. (I didnt think that she caught that) I was so embarrased that I blurted out shoes. She took a look and the heels were half under the seat. They wouldnt fit all of the way under. Gurls! She was really suprised. She ran my plates and licence and stuff. I was given a verbal warning but she was very cold and i'm sure that this whole thing didnt sit well with her.

[KandisTX]

Yes. In upstate New York I was pulled over by a female cop.I was wearing a unisex sweater, tight fitting jeans, hose and heels. When I saw the flashing lights I kicked off the heels and pulled over. Franticaly trying to hide them under the seat and I slipped on my deck shoes. I was ordered out of the car and asked what I was trying to hide under the seat. (I didnt think that she caught that) I was so embarrased that I blurted out shoes. She took a look and the heels were half under the seat. They wouldnt fit all of the way under. Gurls! She was really suprised. She ran my plates and licence and stuff. I was given a verbal warning but she was very cold and i'm sure that this whole thing didnt sit well with her.

The first thing that probably didn't sit well with her was your movements as she was trying to pull you over. They can see the movement of your head and upper body and honestly they don't know what you are doing. They must at that point prepare for the worst, like you are pulling a gun out from under the seat or trying to hide drugs or something else illegal.

While I have never been pulled over en femme, I have been pulled over many other times en homme and the most important thing is to not be "stupid" (not saying any of you are, just a word used to describe the actions of some like you see on COPS or that type of show), cooperate and be honest with the officer. The more cordial you are with them, the better off you will be in the end. If you are speeding, don't argue with the officer. Listen to him/her and you may well just get a warning. If you argue with them, odds are they will write you a ticket because of your attitude.

To use a cliche' "The Police Are Your Friends". They are there to protect and serve and if they stopped you odds are you have done something wrong, or your vehicle and you match a description of a suspect they are looking for.

Kandis:love:

[Frankie-Dear]

Right on. If I'm stopped at night, the first thing I do is turn off the engine, turn on the dome light, and put my hands out the window. Once, a PO kind of grinned at me and said, "You've done this before, have you?" :heehee: He appreciated it though, and after looking over my license, registration, and proof of insurance, said, "How about slowing it down, Ace?" I said, "Yes sir. I promise, I will." (And I did!) I was fortunate enough to get a verbal warning for speeding and running a red light. Real boneheaded move... :rolleyes::p

[Butterfly Bill]

As a matter of fact, I had to show my license, insurance card, and registration to a Forest Service policeman when I entered the Rainbow Gathering site three weeks ago, and I was wearing a light yellow rayon dress with little blue flowers printed on it. He finally said "have a great day" when he gave them back to me, and made no comments on my attire.

It has happened to me several times in the past 13 years I've been out, and if they said anything at all about my clothes it was "why are you wearing a dress?", to which I have answered "I always do", and "I consider myself a transgendered person" if they asked any further. It is not illegal to crossdress unless you are doing so as a disguise when committing an actual crime.