I have a question... for cops if possible...?

Question

I just watched this show on discovery channel. I don't really remember what it was called... maybe Urban Legends Revealed or something. Anyway, the story was: this women was driving home. someone was following very close behind her. then, the lights went on, it was a cop. so she pulled over and the cop got out. he was in full uniform. he told her she was swerving and she said she wasn't, but she couldn't argue with a cop. so, she had to take a drinking test and failed. she said repeatedly that she hadn't been drinking or swerving but again, she couldn't argue, he was a cop. he told her he would have to take her home because he couldn't trust her to get home safe (because he believed she was drinking). when they were driving, he missed her exit. he took her to the country and it turns out he wasn't a cop and he raped her.

MY QUESTION: how could someone prevent this from happening?

Answer 1

If you are being pulled over and are unconfortable with the location of your traffic stop, put on your flashers, go the speed limit or below and drive to a gas station that's open. An all night 7-11 or something like that works too. If you are on the highway, don't pull off at a deserted exit.

If you are still not sure, dial 911 and state tell them your situation. They will resolve it on their end.

The most important thing is to look for the police car. If it is a marked unit with a light bar on top, you're probably ok. Unmarked units with only a small bubble light or dashboard light should cause you to be more cautious.

The laws in most states say you have to pull over safely or at the safest opportunity. Not immediately.

Answer 2

If you are alone or maybe two girls or even guys, you turn on your flashers to let the "officer" know that you are aware that he is behind you and drive until you come to a populated area or someones home with their lights on.

Answer 3

In my country, Poland,uniformed police officers can forced sb`s car to pull over, even in the night. But if a driver is not sure, whether it is a real police, he supposed to drive to the nearrest Police precint or unit. Or, of course, he can make a phone call (the number is different- 112) to the officer on duty. What`s more, I think, than it is less resonable, that in the United States, policeman is all alone on duty in the night.

Answer 4

ask for his badge, badge number and as stated previously a superior officer. even call the local PD to make sure that he is an officer if need be. Explain that you are not trying to be rude but just heard stories and were afraid of it happening to you. It happened in my city a year ago not as bad but the "cop" sexually assaulted the female.  

Answer 5

If you ever have reason to suspect the person you are dealing with is not a cop you can ask to speak to their superior officer. He or she at that point must call to have their superior come to the scene. You can always ask for the cops badge number as well. Also in this situation they cannot insist they drive you home, all they can do is insist you do not drive yourself home, but if you find yourself in this situation let the officer know that you would rather call a friend and have them drive you home. You can remain in your car, but the officer will also remain on the scene until your ride comes.  There is also a number that you are supposed to be able to call to check if a cop is indeed pulling you over. I forget the number sorry, but the basis behind it is, the incident you have discribed is happening more often and to protect people especially women are recommended to call this number. All cops have to call in to dispatch and let them know that they are pulling over a vehicle with the make, model and license plate number so the number can let you know indeed it is a cop pulling you over they just radioed it in.  

Answer 6

If you have reason to believe that he isn't a real cop you can try calling 911. They usually won't know who's behind you but they may be able to send another officer to the scene.

You can ask him to call another officer to the scene but he is under absolutely no obligation to do so (regardless of what some of these other answers say). Keep in mind that in many areas there may be only one or two officers on duty for an entire town or county. In many rural areas it is common to have only one or two officers on duty to cover an area of hundreds of square miles.

If you can't do that you could do as others have suggested and drive to a populated place. Failure to stop immediately is illegal so you'll have to make your choice and live with the consequences. Also, if the reason you are being stopped is serious enough, the officer could forcibly stop you.

The way to combat this problem is to restrict sale and possession of police uniforms and insignia to real cops. Make it a felony for anyone else to possess flashing lights, badges, police type uniforms, etc.

The only other thing you could do is avoid travelling alone or protect yourself by carrying your own firearms if it is legal to do so.