LEO Question

[taurusgirl]

I really appreciate this forum it's very informative. Now, I have a question hopefully a LEO would like to answer. I just got my CHL about a week ago and I keep thinking about "what if I get pulled over" in my CHL class we were told turn on the dome light, hands on wheel don't move until the LEO asks you for license and registration. Okay, got that... the problem is my gun is in my purse and so is my license. Should I first explain to the LEO that I have a CHL and it's in my purse, so is my gun and ask him what he wants me to do, or should I just get my license when he asks me to. I'm afraid I may make him mad if he knows I went for my license in my purse before he knows I have a CHL.

Help...

[Mrjayjay00]

I think about this all the time I sometimes tend to think like a LEO wish I was one. That was my dream job till I became a family man. At night turn on the dome light leave your (licenses) in a very easy to reach place insurance as well. When you see those lights light up behind you turn on your dome. Begin to reach for all that he will ask for. Roll window down before he gets there. Place left hand out with (license's) and insurance keep right hand up in the air rested on seat or somewhere he can see it at all time with left arm still extruding from drivers window until he says other or releases you. In the day time try and do the same but you probably won't need the dome light. Also if you have others in the car you may tell them at that time for them to keep there hands in plain view as well their now more than likely going to find out that you are now carrying and have a CHL as well! Please have your digging in the purse complete before he gets to your window. A friend of mine was stopped on I-10 one night around midnight she had to dig in her purse for all of her info. The TROOPER was not happy! No she didn't have a gun or CHL but it was late and a rural area so the officer was just doing his job when he continuously shined the light into the car and in her face! By the time she got home she was in tears and scared to death by his actions. I explained to her he was only protecting his own life. So be prepared they do not know who they are stopping! As long as you keep up your good record and keep doing things by the book their should be no reason for those lights to come on behind you.

[Baytown]

I have not come upon this situation, but I would suggest, that you wait until the officer comes to the window and explain the situation. I know I would be much more understanding on that, than if I were to walk upon you and you were digging in your purse for DL and had to move the heater out of the way.

Just my two cents, but all of us are different. Some officers get you out of the car, I leave people in.

Glenn

[quidni]

When I got my CHL, I copied a friend's idea and got a small folding ID holder with a keyring from Walmart. It has one window pocket on the outside, & one on the inside when you open it up, and it's not much bigger than a business card holder. IIRC it cost approx. $5.00. The DL goes in the outside window pocket. The CHL and a current copy of the auto insurance are tucked into the inside window pocket. The whole thing goes into a dedicated, small outside pocket on my purse, so it's easily accessible without looking for it or having to reach into a deeper pocket where my hand - and the pocket contents - can't be seen.

I can show just my DL (for checkwriting and such) or open the ID holder up to hand the entire thing to an officer if necessary.

If my pistol's in my purse (instead of on me) it's in a totally different pocket, by itself, on the inside of the purse.

(Something else I've learned: sometimes, a Walmart $20 special makes a better carry purse than a custom, leather "designed-for-carry" $150 purse! )

[gigag04]

I would be hesitant to stick anything out of a window at night. Open all your windows if they are power, turn on a dome light (Open windows before you pull over - esp if tinted). Hands on the wheel and don't move until instructed.

This is passed down to me from a TCLEOSE instructor - it SHOULD change the entire way he or she (LEO) behaves during the traffic stop. He said when an LEO goes up to that window his/her life flashes before thier eyes almost every time. Help them out by letting them know you're a good guy.

-nick

[longtooth]

Both you ladies are in pretty good shape just thinking about it. The vast majority of Tex LEO's are very 2 Amendment friendly. This is a proceedure given to me by a 20 yr veteran who now teaches the class. Keep your ID in a very accessable place separate from your weapon. (good job ladies) If you are able to safely get your id out before a stop that is OK but not manditory. If you are driving your personal vehicle registered to you, he knows at appproach, "the owner of this vehicle has a Tex CHL." Hand him your ID, CHL, & Ins. My name is _____ I have a CHL & I am armed. If not armed, My name is ________ I have a CHL & I am not armed. He will go from there. May ask where it is. May not. If you do not have your ID out no matter where it is, "My name is _______, I have a CHL & I am armed. My ID is in ____________ & my weapon is ____________. How do you want to proceed? If you are not armed at the time everything the same. My name is ________. I have a CHL. I am not armed today. My ID is _________ & my weapon is at home? The statement that the weapon is at home lets him know that you do not think armed means on your person. Trafic stops are the most thought about incidents. Use this greeting & introduction if you are approached & asked for ID by LEO away from your vehicle. This advice came in handy once. I live in code yellow. Walked out of Wal-Mart one mid morning (may be the most dangerous shopping place in the nation). Three cruisers on the lot scattered out. One officer standing at the corner of the building 30 ft or so from the door. Can see a couple of officers walking. I raise threat level to florescent orange & continue to truck. I had my trailer & two mowers on it headed for the church to mow. One cruiser crosses my path & stops. Me too. Officer steps out. Sir can I see some ID please. Yes sir, My name is _______ I have a CHL & I am armed. My ID is in my billfold in my left back pocket & my weapon is at 3:30 under my shirt. How do you want to proceed? Where are you going? To my truck & pointed it out. Thank you sir have a good day but go ahead on. Never asked to see it, but probably was making sure I knew they did not need any help. Several LEO's on the forum. Gentlemen add or subtract for us. (By the way my wife's carry purse is also one of those $20.00 specials that has a place for her "hardware" {our term in public so we can talk} & plenty of pockets & places for everything else to be put w/o just being dumped in the bottom.)

[Paladin]

After I stop, I pull out my wallet and set it on the dash. Then I put my hands on the wheel and wait.

Then I just do what they ask. When they ask for ID I give it to them and tell them I also have a CHL and that I am armed.

Haven't had any problems yet.

[Geopagus]

If you are driving your personal vehicle registered to you, he knows at appproach, "the owner of this vehicle has a Tex CHL."

I just asked about the quote mentioned above in another thread and it was stated that LEO's do not have CHL info. when running license plates. Unless I misunderstood. If someone can clarify, that would be great.

As to this thread, I agree with Paladin and keeping it fairly simple. Pull out your info and set it on the dash, if nighttime (domelight on), window down and hands at the 2 and 10 position. Greet LEO and wait for his instructions.

[longtooth]

Well, that's what we were told in our class. Come on LE's. Carlson, You got a buddy that will tell us if dispatch gives them that info?

[txinvestigator]

Well, that's what we were told in our class. Come on LE's. Carlson, You got a buddy that will tell us if dispatch gives them that info?

Your CHL is linked to your DL, and whenever a LEO runs your DL he will know that you have a CHL.

SOME, and I stress some, agency computer systems will automatically run a DL check on the registered owner of a vehicle that the officer runs a computer check on.

[Geopagus]

SOME, and I stress some, agency computer systems will automatically run a DL check on the registered owner of a vehicle that the officer runs a computer check on.

Thats interesting. I'm surprised that all agency computer systems do not automatically cross-reference the check.

Thanks for the clarification txinvestigator.

[Baytown]

Ours does not cross reference. We have to run DL status and warrant checks seperate from running a registration.

Glenn

[RPBrown]

Longtooth is correct,
Son in law is LEO and I asked him this question. He almost quoted Longtooth to the word.

His department does not cross reference LP with DL.

It would be strange in my case as I drive a company owned truck most of the time. The registration is in owners name who is also CHL. Could mean for an interesting stop. Has not come up before when I was stopped though.

[longtooth]

Brown, your post is another prime example of the same intorduction as for when not in a trafic stop. Also this should be used when driving another persons vehicle. Kinsman visiting & the "here lets take mine this time. You drive, you know where we are going." Or for me someone else driving mine. When I am FORCED to go to the big city. I give mine up easily. (drivers seat that is.) It is good to know your son-in-law agrees. I ran this by a local PD friend that has been here about 6-7yr. He said he had never had it done that way but thought it was great & asked if I thought it up. I told him who & he said something like, that sounds like something he would put together. I wish all CHL teachers were as thurough & also interesting as he.

[txinvestigator]

SOME, and I stress some, agency computer systems will automatically run a DL check on the registered owner of a vehicle that the officer runs a computer check on.

Thats interesting. I'm surprised that all agency computer systems do not automatically cross-reference the check.

Thanks for the clarification txinvestigator.

A good dispatcher will also be checking these things for an officer as radio traffic allows. But dispatchers are a WHOLE 'nother topic. ;)