When is it legal for an officer to pull his gun on you?

Question

My friend recently had a police officer pull a gun on him during a routine pull over after he slowly reached for his registration in his glove compartment. He feared for his life, and it made me wonder if the officer really needed to do that. What are the official guidelines for when an officer can and cannot pull his gun on a civilian?

Answer 1

Officers can pull their gun anytime they fear for their lives, others lives or grave danger to themselves or others.  

That being said, I don't agree with several posters who say that people being pulled over have to be fully knowledgeable of those procedures that officers wished people would do.  There is no class in school teaching proper technique for when you're pulled over; furthermore, as citizens in a relatively free country we should be able to act freely so long as it is not obviously threatening and reasonably responsible.   Clearly reaching for glove compartment after being pulled over by law enforcement IS a reasonable reaction as the majority of citizens keep their paperwork in the glove compartment.  However, I also agree that officers should be able to pull their gun in that case, if they so desire.

If our politicians and officials actually had a larger percentage of law enforcement concentrating on REAL crimes against people and property, there would be less time spent on relatively trivial things like traffic laws.

Answer 2

They can pull a gun on you pretty much for anything, they don't know what the situation can lead to and if you reach for anything they may think you are a threat to them or the community.

There is no situation when they cant pull a gun.

Answer 3

If and when the officer feels a need to.

Answer 4

An officer can pull his gun on you whenever he wants to.  The officer goes through special training and licensing to be granted this right.  If he fires it is different.

Answer 5

I believe that the officer has to believe that a person represents a threat to himself, or to others, to justify unholstering his gun.

Answer 6

Your friend is an idiot.  

How was the cop supposed to know what he was about to pull out of the glove compartment?

Answer 7

Number one rule: Do not reach for anything inside the car while a cop is there. Always tell the officer first, what you need to get from the glove compartment, then only do so after he tells you too.

A cop doesn't know but what you aren't reaching for a weapon!

Answer 8

anytime he/she wants too. if they feel threatened your fair game. its either your life or mine. and I'm always going home at the end of every shift :) for further references though, always keep your hands in plain sight until he asks you to grab for something

Answer 9

As a former officer, they are allowed to pull their guns whenever they feel threatened.  Making sudden moves, not following orders, acting nervous and suspicious are all good reasons.  Always follow the directions of the officer, do not make sudden moves or act aggressively or abusive.  I worked with one officer that was shot twice in two separate incidents, where he was just pulling a vehicle over.  Everytime I worked with him after that his gun was out everytime he approached a vehicle.  Hope this helps

Answer 10

Chances are your friend went to reach for something when he was asked to get out of the car.  For all the cop knew, it was a gun.  When you are pulled over, have your license, registration, and proof of insurance in hand before the cop walks to your driver door.