[gacook]

I'm 38, and if a cop asks for my ID, I give him my ID. I've had a Top Secret clearance for many, many years, so my background has been picked through exhaustively; I know no police officer is going to find anything derogatory if they decide to run my name, so why would I worry about them doing so? Generally speaking, I believe police officers are doing a job; a job that tries to keep crime out of our cities. Why should I--a law abiding citizen--go out of my way to make their job harder? When I see a cop in the street, or pass by one in traffic, I wave. When I see one (in uniform) at a convenience store or other public place, I engage them in mild conversation. I teach my kids that cops are our friends...unless you're a criminal.

Anecdotally...last year, I picked up my kids from school, then drove home the way we almost always go. There is a point where the road drops from 45 to 35. At that point, I was engaged in conversation with my kids, and maintained my 47 miles an hour...and got pulled over (black cop, known around town for giving tickets like mad). When he asked me how fast I was going, I stated probably around 45 because I totally spaced out on having entered the zone where it drops to 35, which is when he told me I was doing 47. The entire time of the stop, I was giving him the "Yes, sir/no, sir," and being polite, in general. He was acting in the same manner. He gave me a warning. And I used that event as a teaching moment to my kids...telling them that generally, if you don't act like a complete ass, the cops won't bother you.