Fake Cop Killing People

[myreality]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/15/justic...html?hpt=hp_t1

Police: Phony officer could be killing Mississippi drivers

(CNN) -- Someone who may be posing as a police officer is pulling cars over on Mississippi highways and then shooting drivers dead, authorities said.
After two such shootings this month, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is asking for the public's help to find the person.
The agency was receiving leads and processing forensic evidence, bureau spokesman Warren Strain said Tuesday.
John Champion, district attorney for the state's 17th District, said there were no good descriptions of a vehicle.
"Both of the shootings occurred in very remote areas," Champion told HLN's Vinnie Politan.
Authorities were asking citizens to be careful if they are pulled over and feel uneasy.
They advise drivers to call 911 and verify that a legitimate officer is pulling them over or drive to a well-lit, crowded place before stopping, actions permitted under Mississippi state law.
"The concern is that someone is posing as a law enforcement officer and that is how these vehicles end up on the side of the road," said MBI director Lt. Col. Larry Waggoner.
How you can make sure an officer is not an imposter
The first shooting occurred on May 8. Thomas Schlender, 74, was found dead about 1:30 a.m. in his car in the median of southbound Interstate 55 in Panola County.
On Friday, Lori Anne Carswell, 48, was found dead outside her car on the shoulder of Mississippi State Highway 713, in Tunica County, about 2:15 a.m.
The shootings took place about 55 miles apart, and the victims did not know each other, authorities said.

Posted for those BGers that live around the area. That and its scary as hell someone is doing this.

[hey]

They advise drivers to call 911 and verify that a legitimate officer is pulling them over or drive to a well-lit, crowded place before stopping, actions permitted under Mississippi state law.

Really, who doesn't do this anyway?

[myreality]

Really, who doesn't do this anyway?

I never even considered that a chance happening of running into a fake cop would pull me over. So no i do not.

[MaachaQ]

Really, who doesn't do this anyway?

I've only ever been pulled over once, it was around 8am and in the middle of my university (MSU) so I didn't have to worry about it. I've always heard that if you are uneasy about being pulled over, for your safety and for the safety of other drivers, to find a place to pull over that is as far from fast moving traffic as possible and is public and well-lit if possible. I'd hate to be pulled over on a freeway for instance, since both me and the cop would be in danger of speeding vehicles passing by and either hitting us or our cars, causing a terrible accident. I used to watch "Real TV" as a kid, and I remember far too many videos of cops getting out to issue a citation, nd being slammed by drunks or inattentive drivers.

Stories like this scare the crap out of me, since my family used to take 12+ hour road trips through national forests to visit grandparents/cousins, and I can just imagine what might have happened if such a fake cop had pulled us over on one of those deserted roads...

[Bregor]

drive to a well-lit, crowded place before stopping

My fiancée did this in North Carolina, where it is also law AFAIK. The cop yelled at her for not stopping immediately when he turned his siren on. But he was so worked up about it, he just gave her a warning about speeding and took off.

As for the link, it's a good rule of thumb not to trust anyone in Mississippi.

[hey]

I've only ever been pulled over once, it was around 8am and in the middle of my university (MSU) so I didn't have to worry about it. I've always heard that if you are uneasy about being pulled over, for your safety and for the safety of other drivers, to find a place to pull over that is as far from fast moving traffic as possible and is public and well-lit if possible. I'd hate to be pulled over on a freeway for instance, since both me and the cop would be in danger of speeding vehicles passing by and either hitting us or our cars, causing a terrible accident. I used to watch "Real TV" as a kid, and I remember far too many videos of cops getting out to issue a citation, nd being slammed by drunks or inattentive drivers.

Stories like this scare the crap out of me, since my family used to take 12+ hour road trips through national forests to visit grandparents/cousins, and I can just imagine what might have happened if such a fake cop had pulled us over on one of those deserted roads...

Right, this is another issue. Any time it is at all possible, you should always find a safe place to stop. Even if you're not worried about fake cops, it's best for everyone to find a parking lot or something to stop at. And if they complain, just say the last time you were pulled over the cop was killed by a drunk driver, and you didn't want that to happen to him.

[Celeste]

Yeah, this is very scary. Could happen anywhere too.

[bechyni]

I've actually been yelled at by a cop as well for not pulling over immediately. Basically told him I wasn't pulling over on the side of the highway because I didn't want to put him or my newly purchased footlong from Subway in danger.

[Churchill]

Real cops will always take 5-10m sitting in their car getting your information before approaching you (assuming you did something to warrant being pulled over), if they get out and approach immediately my hand is pushing the safety off.

[Fhloston]

Real cops will always take 5-10m sitting in their car getting your information before approaching you (assuming you did something to warrant being pulled over), if they get out and approach immediately my hand is pushing the safety off.

^Pretty much what I thought. Some people who have never been pulled over won't think of this though. Thanks in part to TV/movies.

[zoobernut]

I used to live in California and I am not sure what the laws are there but I have been pulled over three times and in all three cases I didn't pull over immediately I kept going until I had a safe place and in all three cases the cop got really pissed at me. In one case the cop pulled his gun on me and called for backup, if you are allowed to do that they should remind the cops...

[Melena]

Unless the cop is a real douche, and you do it slowly and signalling, they will thank you for pulling over somewhere that's safer for all involved. Never been pulled over on a freeway so I haven't had to worry about it, always been on city streets over stupid crap (dead headlight got me twice in 20 minutes). Also as Churchill said, they will usually take a few minutes running your plates for warrants and to see if your listed as known dangerous before coming on up.

[zoobernut]

The one time the cop really freaked out and pulled his gun on me and called for backup (and ended up not giving me a ticket) I turned on my turn signal and slowed way down and pulled into a parking lot that was 4 or 5 car lengths ahead of where I was when he turned on his lights. I have no idea wtf that was about.

[Celeste]

The one time the cop really freaked out and pulled his gun on me and called for backup (and ended up not giving me a ticket) I turned on my turn signal and slowed way down and pulled into a parking lot that was 4 or 5 car lengths ahead of where I was when he turned on his lights. I have no idea wtf that was about.

Was he new? Sounds like a newbie kind of move.

[zoobernut]

Was he new? Sounds like a newbie kind of move.

No idea but the other cop that came as backup pulled his gun out too and the cop who originally pulled me over said I was swerving (which I wasn't) did a field sobriety test on me and grilled me about where I was and where I was going. Then he let me go without saying anything else.

I always have a bad experience with cops when I get pulled over though every single time they do the field sobriety test on me and ask if I am on drugs for some reason even though I never am.

[Nephlite]

Another thing you should remember is if you ask an officer for identification, they have to present it. When they come up to the car, just ask them nicely if you can see their commission and advise them you would like to be sure of whom you're talking to. If they hesitate or deny it, then you gotta be extra careful and ready to roll if things turn sour. Never put your car in park, always keep your mirrors pointed to blind spots and remember common police tactics.

For example, if you're on any street and you pull off to the right, chances are the officer will approach from the passenger side to keep him out of the line of traffic. If there is no side pull off area and they approach the drivers side, they're either a moron (impersonator) or a vet who won't change their tactics. Also watch your mirrors for the approach and be ready for a subtle "rocking" of your vehicle. That's the officer placing his hand on your trunk and giving it a good push to make sure it's closed and to put his prints on the car for identification purposes later. Also, a real officer won't stand directly beside you during a stop. They will always lean from the middle post towards the front of the car in some fashion.

All in all if these things are missed during the stop, chances are you have someone who's too comfortable in their ways to do the smart thing. But always be ready to haul ass out of there because that 1% of the time, it's an impostor and you gotta be ready to fight your way out of it.

@Zoober Think they might be profiling you? People will deny it left and right but it's an (unfortunate) part of law enforcement to racially profile. Especially if you're in a high crime/drug area.

[zoobernut]

@Zoober Think they might be profiling you? People will deny it left and right but it's an (unfortunate) part of law enforcement to racially profile. Especially if you're in a high crime/drug area.

Do generic looking white guys get profiled? Maybe it is my goatee.

This also has happened in different areas, 2 times down in San Luis Obispo, 1 time in the Monterey Bay area, and 1 time up in the SF bay Area.

Every time the cop thinks I am stoned/drunk.

One cop (in Monterey) actually asked me how often I "smoke out" and what the last time I "hit the reefer" was. (I was completely sober)

[Yugl]

Another thing you should remember is if you ask an officer for identification, they have to present it. When they come up to the car, just ask them nicely if you can see their commission and advise them you would like to be sure of whom you're talking to. If they hesitate or deny it, then you gotta be extra careful and ready to roll if things turn sour. Never put your car in park, always keep your mirrors pointed to blind spots and remember common police tactics.

For example, if you're on any street and you pull off to the right, chances are the officer will approach from the passenger side to keep him out of the line of traffic. If there is no side pull off area and they approach the drivers side, they're either a moron (impersonator) or a vet who won't change their tactics. Also watch your mirrors for the approach and be ready for a subtle "rocking" of your vehicle. That's the officer placing his hand on your trunk and giving it a good push to make sure it's closed and to put his prints on the car for identification purposes later. Also, a real officer won't stand directly beside you during a stop. They will always lean from the middle post towards the front of the car in some fashion.

All in all if these things are missed during the stop, chances are you have someone who's too comfortable in their ways to do the smart thing. But always be ready to haul ass out of there because that 1% of the time, it's an impostor and you gotta be ready to fight your way out of it.

@Zoober Think they might be profiling you? People will deny it left and right but it's an (unfortunate) part of law enforcement to racially profile. Especially if you're in a high crime/drug area.

This doesn't seem like an effective plan from what I'm reading. If you ask for proof, he'll probably just pull his gun out and shoot anyways.

[Byrthnoth]

Every time the cop thinks I am stoned/drunk.

Haha, maybe you should consider not driving like a drunk/high person.

[Mojo]

The one time the cop really freaked out and pulled his gun on me and called for backup (and ended up not giving me a ticket) I turned on my turn signal and slowed way down and pulled into a parking lot that was 4 or 5 car lengths ahead of where I was when he turned on his lights. I have no idea wtf that was about.

I have had a very similar experience. I invested the 30 seconds to turn off the busy and crowded road I was on and got yelled at for it, even after explaining that I did it for the officer's safety. Some cops are just fucking assholes.