Recently, I saw the following story on X (formerly Twitter):

“So this happened in Montana. I’m on my way to go to my interview this morning when I get pulled over by a police officer.

I am native American and my friend that was with me is black. Just saying.

Both brake lights decided to go out this time.

As he walked to the car and I was pulling out my stuff, he quickly said,

‘Don’t worry about pulling anything out. I just want you to know that your brake lights are out.’

So I’m immediately upset, because I just got them replaced like last month.

So I explained to him how Firestone wants to charge me $600 just to run a test on the wiring of the car.

He looked at me like and told me to pop the trunk.

He checked the lights in the trunk and tapped them, but they didn’t come on.

So he told me to pop the hood to check the relay box then asked me to get out to check the other one.

Then worked on the wiring under the dash.

He could’ve easily given me a ticket, but Officer Jenkins stepped out of officer role, and into mechanic role, and human role to make sure I was straight. By the way HE FIXED THEM.”

Whether factual or fabricated (as is often the case with narratives disseminated on social media) this story undoubtedly elicits positive emotions. However, it also has the potential to jeopardize the safety of the public, particularly for vulnerable groups such as Blacks, Latinos, and economically disadvantaged Whites, who are occasionally singled out due to societal biases, inadequate understanding of the law, and other reasons.

The crux of the issue lies in the narrative’s depiction of an idealized police-public relationship.

In the realm of policing, as in any other profession, there are “good” and “bad” employees. Everyone with a modicum of common sense knows this. No rational person labels all police officers as either “good” or “bad.”

But that is beyond the point.

What is crucial to understand is this: law enforcement officers are not your friends (they are not your enemies either!). They are simply there to perform a job, and that job is to enforce the law.

If you want to have a conversation, go see a friend. If your car requires repairs, visit a mechanic. Cops are neither of those.

Whenever law enforcement officers enter your property, they conduct a thorough examination of the surroundings. That is what they are trained to do; their nature is to observe/investigate, and they will utilize any and every opportunity they can to obtain as much information as possible. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for cops to wrongly (sometimes intentionally) categorize innocuous things as “suspicious,” thereby potentially implicating innocent individuals as criminals. Merely providing an answer to questions such as “Where are you coming from?” or “Where are you headed to?” during a routine traffic stop can escalate the situation into a full-fledged investigation, resulting in prolonged detention, undue stress, wasted time, and, in some cases, unjust arrest.

When I get pulled over due to a broken brake light, I don’t need you (the police) to inspect the trunk, under the hood, or inside the car to fix anything. My mechanic will address any necessary fixes. You will not enter my vehicle without a probable cause (Fourth Amendment). Where I have been or where I am going is my concern as well, and therefore, I will not provide you with any answers (Fifth Amendment). Furthermore, my invocation of my constitutional rights cannot be construed as evidence of guilt.

Here is my driver’s license, registration, and insurance. Issue a ticket or a warning and allow me to be on my way (ensure this is done within a reasonable timeframe).

It is crucial to show respect towards law enforcement officers. They are individuals with emotions, like everyone else, and while they undergo training to maintain professionalism and de-escalate situations, emotions can sometimes influence their actions, potentially imperiling your safety. Similar to other people, police officers respond to demeanor (or “energy”); if you display rudeness or disrespect, they will often reciprocate in kind. So always be respectful—but also assertive of your rights protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Understanding and firmly standing on your rights is a matter of prudence. If you are a parent, you may want to consider imparting this knowledge to your offspring to help them avoid any unnecessary issues during interactions with law enforcement.