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...

[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.

[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

[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]

[SIZE="3"]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. [/SIZE]

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.

[SIZE="3"]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. [/SIZE]

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.

[SIZE="3"]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. [SIZE="4"]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.[/SIZE]
[/SIZE]

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.

[SIZE="3"]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.)[/SIZE]

[SIZE="3"]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 [SIZE="4"]if you do happen to go to jail, you're going to the jail of your anatomical sex, not how you are dressed!!![/SIZE][/SIZE]

[SIZE="4"]Sheri[/SIZE]

[Joy Carter]

[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]

[SIZE="3"]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 [SIZE="4"]if you do happen to go to jail, you're going to the jail of your anatomical sex, not how you are dressed!!![/SIZE][/SIZE]

[SIZE="4"]Sheri[/SIZE][/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]

[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
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