It can't be put more directly than this.

[Nexus2]

[Hoyt]

1. I've been stopped a few time where I think that would have worked better

than what I said.

My local news last summer had a video of an officer stopping a lady on the interstate. The lady was scared and the policeman kept saying, “Mam, I’m not going to shoot you, I promise.” I think that officer actually got it.

[Snackshack]

2. It really is...

Unbelievable that police officers don’t seem to realize it is their actions and behaviors that is making the public think poorly of them and its not just 1 or 2 incidents but multiple incidents over an over an over.

There is a vid on Tik Tok of a cop who just walks into a persons house and claims the front door was opened. Then the cop arrests the guy who asks him politely but sternly to please exit his home.

[Permanut]

3. Almost impossible to get the bad ones out..

thanks to the police unions.

[HotRod Deluxe]

4. Oh yeah...and

Did I mention my skin color?

[Rhiannon12866]

5. I'm still a nervous wreck when I've been stopped

And I'm a blonde white woman who doesn't drink.

[BigmanPigman]

6. Me too, except for the blond part.

Too many cops love the scary, authoritative figure they portray. It is often abused and this has been going on my entire life. A lot of them get off on making people nervous. Sickos!

My friend who is really pretty and is a dead ringer for Peggy Lipton (Mod Squad) and she was stopped while driving in the snow to go skiing. The cop was a real dick who obviously was loving harassing her. She had chains on her tires, etc. He just wanted to be a dick. She told him, "You don't have to be mean to people". I think that took guts. I would have been trembling.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. I remember what I've read you're supposed to do, hands on the wheel and just answer questions

And actually some of them have been pretty nice since I never have the slightest idea why I was stopped. Once my headlights went out and another time I went out the wrong exit of a gas station. Those two were nice, but the others never explained. Not that it's happened all that often, but I still get nervous when I see a cop car, silly I know, but I do. And I'm the same way, I've remained nervous for the rest of the night.

[KS Toronado]

8. I always give them a big friendly hello and say something to put them at ease.

This car isn't for sale
No guns or knives present
I've been looking for someone to talk to
I see from your lapel pin you're a ..blah blah blah
If you're planning on inviting me to lunch, I'm behind schedule already.

[SoonerPride]

9. Just curious, are you a black male?

[yowzayowzayowza]

10. I use: "How can I help you serve and protect the public this...

fine Morning/Afternoon/Evening, Sir?" Respectful, direct and focuses the discussion.

[KS Toronado]

13. LOL, but how does that focus the discussion?

When you get the officer Laughing Out Loud? Excellent idea, make them feel at ease that you're not out to
harm them and you're more likely to get a verbal warning vs a ticket.

[uponit7771]

11. "...something to put them at ease." Don't forget, be white ... cause for some of em that's what

... they'll need.

[OverBurn]

12. I see a video of a out-of-control cop almost daily. It's sickening.