Sitting Duck Policy

Recently we ran an article detailing our recommendations on how to conduct yourself during a traffic stop while armed. Ironically, one of our writers, Joe Levi, ran into just such a situation only days after the story was run. The following is his account in his words (used with permission).

It’s been years since I was last pulled over, but having a brother and a next-door-neighbor in law enforcement has kept me close to the their community. Although I respect the man behind the badge, I also respect the fact that “anything I say or do will be used against me”.

I left work shortly after dark and was “lit up” by a police officer. I pulled to the side of the road, put the car in “park” and cut the headlights.

I rolled down my window and place my hands on the top of the steering wheel while I waited for the LEO to come up to my window.

When he got to my window he did something I’ve never seen a LEO do before: he introduced himself by name and department: “Hi there. I’m Officer Smith from Clearfield Police Department.”

“Good evening, I’m Joe Levi, Syracuse, Utah.” Now, if I were on foot, that’s all the identifying information that I’d be provided to give, but since I was driving a vehicle at the time, I was prepared for the next question. It didn’t come, well, not right away.

“It looks like you’ve got a headlight out on the passenger side. Were you aware of that?”

“I didn’t know it was out, but it’s been acting up, so I’m not surprised,” I replied

“Yeah, it’s was out when you drove past me, that’s why I stopped you. Can I see your driver’s license?”

“Sure thing, it’s in my front pocket.” In my experience, LEO’s like to know what you’re doing so there are no surprises. Telling him that my wallet was in my front pocket, then digging my wallet out of my front pocket reassured him that I’m one of the good guys. I removed my driver’s license AND my Utah Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP), place the wallet on the dash in front of me, and handed him BOTH forms of ID, then returned my hands to the top of the steering wheel.

He looked at both (CFP was on top of the driver’s license) and said “Oh, okay. Are you carrying this evening?”

With my hands still on the top of the steering wheel I replied “Yessir. Right hip.”

“Thank you for letting me know. I’m also going to need your registration and proof of insurance.” He didn’t miss a beat, didn’t make a big deal over the fact that I had a loaded firearm on my hip.

“No problem, they’re in the glove box.” I paused before reaching for the glove box, then reached over with one hand, opened the glove box and removed the envelope that I keep that information, then handed him the requested papers.

“Great. I’m going to go back and run this, sit tight.”

“Yessir.”

A couple minutes later he came back, handed my my papers, permit, and license. “I’ve entered this stop into the computer as a warning with a note that I’ve advised you that your headlamp is out and that I requested that you have it serviced. I’m not going to cite you for anything and you won’t be getting any paperwork, just make sure you get that light looked at as soon as you can. Have a good evening.”

“Will do. Thank you.” He returned to his car. I re-filed my paperwork in the glove box, put my cards back in my wallet, turned the headlamps back on (both came on, ironically), signaled to my left, put the car in drive, waited for traffic, and drove the rest of the way home.

The total traffic stop was no more than 5-7 minutes and was the easiest, most hassle-free stop I’ve ever been involved with.

Mutual respect goes a long way, and I truly felt this officer respected me.