(My) Racist Cop Story, In Business Letter Form!

"Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert" (joshuagilbert)
09/09/2014 at 10:54 • Filed to: Racist Cops, Police, Traffic, Racism, Life, Stories, Truth, Morals, College, Brown Problems, The Fuzz

This is my racist cop story. Where I got pulled over because of my mother's expired tags. I was profiled, searched, and had my car locked and plates confiscated. I did not join the long list of minorities being killed or physically harmed by police. But the fact is, are we training police to handle situations professionally and with intent to serve the people? Or are we letting them cover boredom, abuse of power, and racism under the guise of public safety and 'protocol'? I'm wasn't and still am not safe from this ridiculousness, be it from the LCSD, FBI, or the TSA. I'm 20 years old and love my native country with a burning passion, but police consider me a outsider and a threat because of my slight tan. Not all brown people are Muslims, Indian IT-specialists, 711 storekeepers, or hispanics. And not all Muslims are extremists. And not all college students consume drugs.

I wrote this letter as an exercise for an English course. But beneath this polite and politically correct prose, I want you to see how I've grown tired of this, I'm sorry, bullshit . My best friends are black and well (I'm not sure yet we're still talking <3 ) girlfriend are all black. And even though its hard for me, I can't begin to image the decades their parents have dealt with, and how the deaths of their peers make the news only when the media feels they can make a good story.

Why are we surprised when these things happen? Can we truly call our police forces the most well trained and civilized in the world when they continue with this behavior. Europe is laughing at us.

April 21, 2014

Loudoun County Sheriff's Department

25216 Loudoun County Parkway

Chantilly, Virginia 20152

To Whom It May Concern:

In late November, I headed down Route 7 to visit my friends at Regal Theatre and see a movie with them, around 9PM. I was driving my mom's car, since I do not own one. Shortly before I was going to arrive, I was pulled over by a Loudoun Sherriff who had been following me since I had passed through Drainesville and Sterling. The officer approached the window, and as I rolled it down, he only asked me if I had weapons, guns, or drugs. He repeated the question and then asked for my license and registration. My wallet had fallen into the crack between the driver's seat and the center console of the car. Not being able to find it, I assumed that it was missing, and he told me I'd receive a ticket for not having my license on hand. The officer did not introduce himself or ask me to ask him why I had been pulled over. He told me that my tax tags were expired, and that I had to exit the vehicle and that they'd have to search my vehicle. I told him that it was a family vehicle and I was not the legal owner, but he issued me a ticket nonetheless. I stood outside in my t-shirt, in the frigid cold, as he and another officer who he had dispatched searched my vehicle, not to mention, without my consent. He told me that my vehicle could not be driven from where it sat, and he and the other officer removed my plates, and told me I could not drive it anymore and that the plates were confiscated evidence. I asked if I could drive the vehicle into the parking lot, but he simply informed me that he had already called a wrecker, which pulled in shortly after he had said this. After paying the wrecker $350 dollars to move the vehicle 10 feet into the parking lot, I had to walk to the theatre in the cold from that intersection. Needless to say, I feel discriminated against. I am a young man with Indian ancestry, and I do not think it is far-fetched to assume that he profiled me. The police officer who directed the traffic stop failed to introduce himself, ask me to search my vehicle, or allow me the courtesy of calling my own wrecker. I feel like this is poor police work, and I don't deserve the points put on my license because of skewed procedure. I feel that no young man should have to go through that same situation, and I believe that the your officers should be trained to be more conscious of their tone and behavior when addressing people they pull over. I am not a drug dealer, and yet the first words I heard out of the deputy's mouth were, "Do you have any drugs or guns?" I don't like my identity being associated with crime; I shouldn't have to be afraid when driving in Loudoun County.

I can be reached via my cell phone at NOPENOPENOPENOPENOTONOPPO

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Sincerely,

(signature)

Joshua Gilbert

DISCUSSION (39)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 10:59

Kinja'd!!!

Bad Idea Hat > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:05

God this is depressing...

Audi-os, Amigos! > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:09

So you had expired tags and no license?

That sounds like a justifiable search, homie.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:09

I remember being in a similar situation (asked if I was carrying any drugs and car searched without consent ect...) in a traffic stop when I was in college and I'm so white I border translucent. Not to say you weren't possibly discriminated against, just sharing my experience as a young college man. Only difference was that I was pulled over for a busted tail light which I received a "fix-it ticket" after they'd finished searching my cars cabin.

Soloburrito > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:12

I'm sorry you had to go through that and I hope the sheriff's office investigates.

Also, you should really proofread (or have someone else proofread) your work before turning in writing assignments. I don't mean to be critical, but since it's for school I thought maybe it could help in the future.

Cheers

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Soloburrito
09/09/2014 at 11:14

#onlinecourse #firstweekdidntcare But thanks, I do love proofreading. :)

Meatcoma > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:16

Profiling maybe. Don't think I'm defending all of his actions with the following. Probable cause is bullshit.

1. You had expired tags, this is why you got pulled over in the first place. Now the officer should have given you a ticket and let you go if you had had proof of insurance and a valid license.

2. They can't legally let you move a car with expired tags and no proof of insurance or a valid ID as they could be held liable for any accidents caused in that 10 feet. I think he was just covering his own ass.

I get where you would see some discrimination but I don't think that they thought you were some kind of terrorist. He did have a valid reason to pull you over.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Audi-os, Amigos!
09/09/2014 at 11:17

Yeah I was thinking the same thing.

I also understand the cops not letting you move the vehicle when you didn't have a license, though if they searched the vehicle they should have found it in between the seat/console, but they aren't going to let you drive it now that they took the plates off.

It was put in a public parking lot? Sounds like you're lucky it wasn't impounded which would have cost the 350 tow, plus storage.

I've also had the "do you have any guns or drugs?" (white as white can be over here) I've been followed for miles and miles to get pulled over for a license plate light, sometimes it happens. it doesn't ALWAYS have to do with race. That works both ways, it also sometimes is race, but I think it's kind of equally racist to assume every white cop is being racist and profiling.

CalzoneGolem > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:17

Expired tags and no license? You're going to have a bad time.

I'm white. 98% of the people in the town I grew up in are white and 100% of the cops were white. I had similar experiences. If I had expired tags I would get pulled over if a cop saw me and if they had any reason to search my car they would.

The cop probably could have been nicer about the whole deal but I don't think they did anything actually wrong.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Audi-os, Amigos!
09/09/2014 at 11:18

I'm just trying to bring across a point. If I'm brown and I can't find my wallet and that justifies two more police units and a permissionless serach - what happens to black people?

claramag, Mustaco Master > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:19

I remember once I was pulled for not using my turn signal in my neighborhood. 3 cruisers, gun extended, "do you have any weapons", pat down. Some parts of San Antonio I don't miss

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > CalzoneGolem
09/09/2014 at 11:19

Kinja'd!!!

just thought of this just now.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > claramag, Mustaco Master
09/09/2014 at 11:20

I remember downtown Houston well.

CalzoneGolem > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:21

I'm pretty sure a white kid would get treated the same. That's been my experience.

CalzoneGolem > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:23

You totally french fry'd when you should have pizza'd

Garrett Davis > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:26

I'm just wondering where the racist part came in. Honestly this just sounded like an asshole cop who went a little far with the (legitimate) offenses. Did he call you something? Imply anything about your race?

"Why are we surprised when these things happen? Can we truly call our police forces the most well trained and civilized in the world when they continue with this behavior."

Give my a break... Yeah, this is a real example of police brutality here. You're a real victim, right there along with the guys who get beaten or killed for doing nothing.

Also, this was written for your English class? I think you should proof read a bit and split it up into paragraphs. This "excise" is sure to receive a less than stellar grade.

I just can't believe you came away from this alive. That one summer evening intersection walk must have been absolutely brutal.

Audi-os, Amigos! > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:27

That's got nothing to do with you being brown, pal. I'll admit, it might not have helped - let's be realistic. But that's standard operating procedure for a legal stop in which you were already breaking the law by driving w/o tags, and then could not provide identification when asked.

Audi-os, Amigos! > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/09/2014 at 11:29

I agree with EVERYTHING you said. I'd just amend this part:

I think it's kind of equally racist to assume every white cop is being racist and profiling.

to:

I think it's kind of lazy and lacking personal accountability.

Garrett Davis > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:29

Im white as white gets and I've gotten that several times. Hell, my car was searched one time after being pulled over for not having a front plate. Hell, after 10 minutes another car even showed up and helped the guy out.

Stop playing the victim.

Milky > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:33

Just want to say that I've pulled over about 20 times (yea I know) and I have never had my car searched.

Sorry man.

michael > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:33

I was pulled over for expired plates - I was 20. The officer asked for my license and registration. I couldn't find my license. The officer got frustrated while I searched and threatened to pull me out of the car by my ear but found my license at the last minute. He searched my car and kept asking why I was nervous. After 30 minutes I got ticketed for expired plates. I am sure if it was not my car or I didn't find my license it would have been much worse - both and it would have been similar to you.

I am white.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Garrett Davis
09/09/2014 at 11:35

And even though its hard for me, I can't begin to image the decades their parents have dealt with, and how the deaths of their peers make the news only when the media feels they can make a good story.

I don't know what its like. But I think two hours and three cruisers is a little much. I've gotten pulled over so many times, dude. And it's always for a stupid reason. 'Stopping for three seconds and not four' 'going two mph above' 'failure to use signal long enough.'

I'm tired of it. Especially when they don't pull over the open top Lexus with three blonde girls going 10 over.

Yeah he's an asshole cop and my story isn't extreme or brutal. But it's beyond irritating.

'Give me a break.' Yeah, this was a rough draft anyway. Don't be spelling Nazi :)

Oh, yes, it was . Actually it was fucking cold. We're all friends here in Oppo.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Garrett Davis
09/09/2014 at 11:36

What state do you live in?

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:38

Inversely: I'm a white middle-class mildly attractive male who didn't even get a warning after being pulled over for a head light being out and not having valid insurance with me in the car.

I like to think she thought I was cute.

Probably not, though.

Hooker > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 11:39

Having another officer be present even for a routine traffic stop is general practice. No matter what color you are. The reason being you never know what will happen. As an officer, you don't know what awaits you in that car you just pulled over. It's not excessive, it's safety. The permissionless search? That's BS.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
09/09/2014 at 11:39

I mean he asked me about six times in a row, like I didn't speak English. I really don't get it.

yamahog > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 12:01

ITT: White people getting defensive at the sheer possibility of someone who is not white experiencing racism and having the audacity to discuss it.

michael > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 12:11

 > Audi-os, Amigos!
09/09/2014 at 12:12

No it doesn't. They can't search your car without probable cause, consent or a warrant. Expired tags and no license isn't probable cause.

This is one of the reasons why I have a dashcam and record all encounters with police. I always have proof of what happened which can be used later to keep the cops accountable for their actions.

Textured Soy Protein > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 12:42

Chalk this up as a learning experience.

Cops are not legally allowed to search your vehicle without your consent unless you are being arrested, or the vehicle is being impounded.

The thing with cops is, they know most people don't know their rights, and they know most people are intimidated by cops. Which is why they're trained to be pushy, and always do things to make it so technically, you gave consent to a search. Even if it didn't really feel like you had a say in the matter.

If a cop asks to search your vehicle, you always ask the following two questions:

1. Am I under arrest?

2. Is my vehicle being impounded?

If they do not respond 'yes' to either of these questions, they are not legally allowed to search your vehicle, and you have the right to refuse a search of the vehicle.

As for your own situation, cops are also trained to pull people over for minor traffic offenses in order to find potentially more serious offenses. Expired tags? Hello cops.

Now, it's possible you could've been profiled. But to me this feels like general cop opportunism rather than something that happened specifically because of your race.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Textured Soy Protein
09/09/2014 at 12:44

Hmm. So what if they say "No," and "No," and I say "No." What happens? I'm curious.

Textured Soy Protein > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 13:05

It really depends on the individual situation.

The cops could then threaten to impound the vehicle and/or arrest you, if you do not consent to a search. This is shaky ground legally, but at this point you might want to weigh your options of whether you'd rather they search the vehicle with your consent, or you'd rather be arrested and/or have the car impounded.

On the other hand, if you decline to have your vehicle searched and the cops do not threaten to impound the vehicle and/or arrest you, you can then ask Important Question for Cops #3:

"Am I free to go?"

So let's replay your situation. The cop instructs you to exit the vehicle so they can search it. You ask if you're under arrest or if the vehicle's being impounded.

In your situation, with them calling a tow truck and taking the plates, that sounds like the vehicle was being impounded. In that situation, if they said yes they're impounding the vehicle, you can demand to know under which statute they are impounding the vehicle. They would then have to produce the particular reason for impounding the vehicle. Which, with expired tags, could be a valid reason to impound. I don't know the laws in your state.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Textured Soy Protein
09/09/2014 at 13:16

They had me leave it in the chipotle parking lot overnight. I don't think it was technically impounding? They just told me I couldn't drive it anymore. Did they call the tow truck to be annoying? The cop told me had called the wrecker before he had even walked to my car, so there "was no need to call my own." I pleaded with him saying I could just pull it into the parking lot and there would be no need to call a wrecker. "Too late." I just found the entire situation strange.

Textured Soy Protein > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 14:44

It's hard to figure out a bunch of hypotheticals on how the situation could've gone differently.

Did you tell them you wanted to look around the car for your wallet? Because if it were me, and I could've found my valid driver's license, I would've demanded the opportunity to look around the car until I found it. Then upon finding the license I'd show it to the cops, explain that because I'm legally allowed to drive, they can go ahead and cite me for driving with expired tags but they do not have permission to put the car up on a tow truck or to take the tags off the car.

The lesson in all of this is, just because a cop says they want to do something, doesn't mean it's your only option. They'll make it seem that way, but until they arrest you or impound your vehicle, you have just as much say in what happens as they do.

Doesn't mean you'll escape without a citation but the other BS like taking the plates, putting the car on a tow truck, etc is avoidable.

Garrett Davis > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 14:51

California

Garrett Davis > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 15:01

Sorry man, I don't want it to seem like I'm attacking you. I'm just saying that this stuff happens to everyone. I've been pulled over a ton of times and I'm white as can be. Like I said elsewhere, I had my car searched after being pulled over for no front plate, and then stupid stuff like my tires extending past my fenders, not using a turn signal in a god damn parking lot, going 2-3 over, having too dark of tint, running a red light (the signal was stuck so I waited and then went through after a few minutes and the intersection was clear), and I even got pulled over for not having a license plate light (searched my car for that too).

This stuff happens. And in a bunch of those, more cop cars showed up to help the guy out. That's what they do. I think pulling the race card with your example is a little petty. He had totally legit reasons to pull you over, and I'm just surprised he didn't impound your car like they did to mine when I had expired tags. I had to walk 3 miles to a friends house at 11 at night. That sucked.

If he actually said something racist or did anything out of the ordinary, I'd be with you. But this sounds like standard asshole cop stuff to me. And I've dealt with a lot of them.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Garrett Davis
09/09/2014 at 15:22

Good points. I'm glad to hear your opinion :) What do you drive?

Garrett Davis > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 15:25

Right now a Focus ST, but I haven't been pulled over in that yet. My BMW and my Jeep are where I got the most tickets.

Buick Mackane > Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert
09/09/2014 at 19:52

Face it, you screwed up. You did not have your license for starters. Also, you did not have a valid vehicle registration tag on your license plate, even worse. Next time, when you borrow a car, ask the owner where the vehicle registration and and insurance documents are located, and then actually check them to see if they are current. Also, it is your responsibility to check if the car is roadworthy (ie: check the tires, brakes, lights, etc,,,) even if you are only borrowing the car. The cops did what they would do in any other state here in the USA. So you learned a lesson, have your documents ready and available when pulled over, never consent to a vehicle search, and never answer any questions posed by the police.