# Ask the cop
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [December 2, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973 "2002-12-02T16:25:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 6
### Author:  [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/101 "2002-12-04T14:34:42Z")
There’s a lyric in a song by Lenny Kravitz(Mr Cab Driver Man).
My Sweetie thinks it refers to a police code or something like that. We don’t know the codes, and there are other songs that use this method, so my question, **Badge** , is, does it??
LYRIC:
_Mr Cab Driver thinks we’re all one sixty five’ers_
What’s a 165?
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### Author:  [@welby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/welby)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/102 "2002-12-04T15:01:18Z")
Let me echo the thanks of everyone else **Badge** , for answering the questions in this thread. I’ve a couple for you:
1. I was arrested many years ago (possession of marijuana) and _didn’t_ waive my rights. For the record, it was a traffic stop, a misdemeanor, and I had a lot of cash, so they thought I was dealing. Though I smoked at the time, the roach they found wasn’t mine, and I had a bunch of cash because I had cashed my paycheck about 5 minutes before being stopped.
The officers who arrested me spent roughly 2 hours trying to explain to me why I shouldn’t get a lawyer, why I should just go ahead and talk to them, etc. I was stolid, and refused to say anything until I contacted an attorney. What’s the deal with this? I was under the impression that if I asked, they had to leave me alone and allow me to get an attorney. They made no move to allow me to do so until after I simply refused to say anything at all.
1. In the carrying of concealed weapons, I’ve heard that it’s okay to have the gun loaded and ready in your car, that you should have the clip or ammo out of the weapon but nearby, that the clip or ammo and weapon have to be in separate places, etc. etc. What’s the right scenario if I am licensed to carry a firearm?
2. Do you feel that female officer are more apt to make an arrest or be hard on someone they’ve pulled over? I ask because the arrest described above was made by a female officer, who was unbeleivably contrary and suspicious during the stop.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/103 "2002-12-04T15:33:46Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Ringo \*
> \*\*So, **Badge** , what are your feelings about occasions when those of us citizens on the street feel like helping you out with a cantankerous member of the public? \*\*
As much as I appreciate someone willing to back me up, I wouldn’t want anyone to actually get involved. I’m likely not to know what your intentions are, and may strike out at you, too. If I’m taking someone down, an extra pair of hands that don’t know what I’m doing may actually get in the way more than help.
Of course, if I’m getting my ass kicked and seriously losing the fight, please save my ass!
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/104 "2002-12-04T15:39:01Z")
[QUOTE]
\*Originally posted by Dragonblink \*
\*\*Would it be worth it to, along with emergency flashers and such, dial 911 on my cel to let a dispatcher know that I see the police car and intend to pull over when I find somewhere more brightly lit?
Hey, that’s a good idea. The suggestion of putting on the emergency flashers was a good one, too. I’m learning things in this thread, too.
\*\*
> [@](#):
>
> even while wearing his bulletproof vest in full sun! (are those things as hot as they look?) \*\*
I’m impressed, too. That officer certainly understood his role in things, by keeping up a good contact with the kids.
The vests are getting better and better all the time. I’m getting a new one soon (we get ours replaced every five years), and the new one feels like a heavy sweatshirt (bulky, but flexible). The first vest I was issued felt like I was wearing a barrel strapped to my chest.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/105 "2002-12-04T15:44:59Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by TVeblen \*
> **This question may be too vague or too personal to answer. Apologies! But how do you _handle_ all that and still function?**
I guess you just get used to it when you hear it so often. When I started, the belligerant assholes could get my blood boiling. Now about the only thing that will upset me is when someone threatens to come after my family when they get out (that’s why I always carry a gun off duty, and my wife packs as well).
I’ve learned that these guys are just blowing off steam and it really doesn’t effect me. I let them rant and rave, and as long as they don’t get physical I continue to treat them respectfully. Many will realize that and calm down, and you’d be surprised how many come by the next day to apologize for their behavior.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/106 "2002-12-04T15:53:17Z")
[QUOTE]
\*Originally posted by jackelope \*
\*\*This is a fascinating, informative thread; thanks, **Badge**.
I’m really glad everyone is enjoying this as much as I am.
\*\*
> [@](#):
>
> As a serious verbophile, I’m curious about any interesting jargon you may use on the job. \*\*
Wow, there’s a lot of that. And I’ve realized that I don’t even notice most of it, until I have a civilian around who has to ask what we mean.
As **Tony Montana** said, **Sideways** means things are going bad or someone is acting strangely. As in, “When I asked what he had in his pocket, he went sideways on me”.
**Hinky:** someone or something that is suspicious. “He was really hinky”.
**Adam Henry:** phonetic code for AH, or “asshole”. “Watch him, he’s a real Adam Henry when he’s drunk”.
**Light him up:** Turn on the lights (initiate a traffic stop).
As I said, I use them without thinking about, and those are all I can think of right now. I’ll post more when I think of some.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/107 "2002-12-04T15:59:56Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by effac3d \*
> \*\*Let me expand the question,is there an official policy on how to respond when off-duty and witnessing a crime?
> \*\*
My department’s official policy is that we _should not_ get involved in enforcement while off-duty. That means getting physically involved, making any arrest, badging people and telling them what to do, etc. Trying to do law enforcement while off-duty is dangerous. You don’t have your vest, a radio, back-up, and while you probably have a gun and cuffs, you don’t have any of the other tools we use (pepper spray, baton, etc.).
We are all trained that if we observe a crime in progress, the thing to do is report it and act as a professional witness. Get all the details to which most witnesses wouldn’t know to pay attention.
As far as observing a minor crime among family or friends, I would just ignore most. If someone pulled out a joint with me there, I would probably either leave or take it away and flush it.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/108 "2002-12-04T16:02:30Z")
[QUOTE]
\*Originally posted by TVeblen \*
Wow, I just realized that I was complimented by a **Mod**! I’m tingling!
(beside that, this has been great for my post count!)
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/109 "2002-12-04T16:04:37Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Shirley Ujest \*
> \*\ ***Badge** \* How come the people questioned in their homes and businesses in **Law and Order** can’t sit still? \*
> \*\*
LOL. Good acting, I suppose. You would be amazed at how easy it is to tell that some people are lying, even when they think they are cool as a cucumber!
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/110 "2002-12-04T16:07:08Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by The Big Cheese \*
> \*\*
> LYRIC:
>
> _Mr Cab Driver thinks we’re all one sixty five’ers_
> What’s a 165? \*\*
I haven’t a clue! Just like most everyone else, the only common law code I know is 187 (the California Penal Code for Murder). Each state has different codes, and the only reason 187 is so well known is it spread in gang graffitti and then in music.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/111 "2002-12-04T16:15:24Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by welby \*
> \*\*.1. The officers who arrested me spent roughly 2 hours trying to explain to me why I shouldn’t get a lawyer, why I should just go ahead and talk to them, etc. I was stolid, and refused to say anything until I contacted an attorney. What’s the deal with this? I was under the impression that if I asked, they had to leave me alone and allow me to get an attorney. \*\*
Two possibilities:
One, they just decided to ignore your rights in hopes that you would talk, then they would cover up the time difference in their reports.
Two: While you say you never waived your rights, did you actually ask to speak to a lawyer? There is a vast difference. If someone says they don’t want to talk to me without a lawyer present, I can keep coming back to him or her and ask him to change his mind and waive the rights. However, if he or she says, “I want to talk to a lawyer now”, we’re supposed to make every effort to get them in contact with a lawyer as soon as possible.
\*\*
> [@](#):
>
> 1. In the carrying of concealed weapons, I’ve heard that it’s okay to have the gun loaded and ready in your car, that you should have the clip or ammo out of the weapon but nearby, that the clip or ammo and weapon have to be in separate places, etc. etc. What’s the right scenario if I am licensed to carry a firearm?\*\*
This may vary from state to state. In Washington, the gun can be loaded and anywhere in the car, so long as the person with the concealed pistol license is present. Check your local laws to be sure.
\*\*
> [@](#):
>
> 1. Do you feel that female officer are more apt to make an arrest or be hard on someone they’ve pulled over?\*\*
I don’t think so. Female officers have the same range of personalities and enforcement styles as male officers. Studies have shown that female officers are less likely to get in fights and shootings, however.
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### Author:  [@welby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/welby)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/112 "2002-12-04T16:20:55Z")
Wow. Thanks for the fast response!
I asked to be allowed to contact my attorney immediately. I felt that the way it was handled was wrong, but it was my word against the other 4 or 5 officers present, so I figured I should just let it go. It was a misdemeanor arrest anyway, and they were just trying to get me to fess up to being a drug lord, which I wasn’t.
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### Author:  [@Riboflavin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riboflavin)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/113 "2002-12-04T16:51:55Z")
Thanks Badge, in the case where I got pulled I failed a field sobriety test and were preparing to arrest me, but they let me go when I mentioned chronic ataxia. I suspect that since I was able to talk clearly etc., they didn’t really think I was drunk in the first place but couldn’t just let someone who failed the field test walk away for no reason.
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by welby \*
> 2. In the carrying of concealed weapons, I’ve heard that it’s okay to have the gun loaded and ready in your car, that you should have the clip or ammo out of the weapon but nearby, that the clip or ammo and weapon have to be in separate places, etc. etc. What’s the right scenario if I am licensed to carry a firearm?
That depends entirely on state law, asking a Washington cop what you’re supposed to do in Virginia is a good way to get arrested in Virginia. State laws vary widely, and something that’s legal because of a neat trick in one state can very easily be a crime in another. [http://www.packing.org](http://www.packing.org) generally has good information on that kind of thing.
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### Author:  [@welby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/welby)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/114 "2002-12-04T17:27:21Z")
Thanks **Riboflavin**. Good resource, and I appreciate it. I haven’t been carrying since I moved, and was more curious than anyhting else. I’ve asked a lot of police officers this question, and they all tend to have different answers, even three state troopers from Florida in the same unit!
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### Author:  [@aenea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aenea)
#### Post date: [December 4, 2002, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/115 "2002-12-04T17:55:30Z")
**welby**.
When I start getting conflicting answers like that from several people that work together and should know, it irritates me mightily. SO, since I am a big fan of erradicating ignorance, and thanks to this place, I feel encouraged to do so…
Personally, I’d head down to that unit HQ as soon as I got a few spare minutes, and ask to speak to the unit commander. Politely explaining the dilemma will not only educate you, but also most likely cause him to go over this information with his officers, thereby spreading the education around.
😃
It usually works really well!
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### Author:  [@plain\_jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plain_jane)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2002, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/116 "2002-12-05T02:36:47Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Badge \*
> \*\*You would be amazed at how easy it is to tell that some people are lying, even when they think they are cool as a cucumber! \*\*
This is a great thread, thanks Badge!
I have an idle question that I’ve wondered for some time now. I watched a show on television a number of years ago that said people look to the left or right while they’re trying to recall a memory (depending on their dominant hand–lefties look left and righties look right, I think). And when they’re making up a story, they look the opposite way. The tv show said cops use this to determine if a person is lying to them.
Is it true? I’m ambidextrious so it’s always worried me! heh
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### Author:  [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2002, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/117 "2002-12-05T02:51:35Z")
> [@](#):
>
> LYRIC:
>
> Mr Cab Driver thinks we’re all one sixty five’ers
> What’s a 165?
Probably this won’t help at all, but when I owned an Austin-licensed taxicab, it _was_ number 165. I still flinch whenever I hear that number, as my radio ear became tuned to it.
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### Author:  [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2002, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/118 "2002-12-05T04:39:42Z")
What a cool thread…
I’m lucky around here. Good police, the Chief did the CC for us and I ride as a Santa on a Harley[/h] in the local parades. They also use me for traffic control and laughs I think.
I do not have a Speedo on my chopper so I always go extra slow. What happens is that traffic backs up behind me as no one has the gall to pass the biker, I am scary ya know. LOL When I get to the edge of town, I am leading a parade, I get the 'wave’ from the local officer which causes much consternation to the drivers. he he he
( Town has no traffic light and we are only a few miles from the state line so a lot of folks are still in ‘go fast’ mode when they hit town. )
Here in AR. We are told to present out CC card with our DR license right away if we are in fact carrying at the time… YMMV
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2002, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/119 "2002-12-05T05:34:06Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by plain\_jane \*
> \*\*\people look to the left or right while they’re trying to recall a memory . . . And when they’re making up a story, they look the opposite way. \*\*
I have heard abou this, and there are classes to learn to read these physical signs when people are lying. I’ve never taken one, though.
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### Author:  [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)
#### Post date: [December 5, 2002, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/120 "2002-12-05T05:41:35Z")
Politics in the Department?
People who hate you, fellow officers and such?
People who you hate?
Backstabbers?
Gossip?
Are these common problems inside “The Blue Wall”, or whatever it’s called.
You work within a very regimented heirarchy. I figure this type of thing must run rampant. Am I right?
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