For the record, I'm speaking as a human being with law enforcement experience on this one. I don't know his/their side of the story but if your story is true it's hilarious and disturbing.

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He then attempts to remove my 1911 from its holster. It's a G-Code XST holster, so it's a level 2 with a retention "canopy" over the hammer. He tries for like 60 seconds to get it out. I give him instructions how to get it out, hoping he doesn't shoot me in the foot. He eventually figures it out and draw the pistol and no shit, sweeps me with the barrel and has his booger hooker in the trigger guard. I carry my 1911 locked and loaded, so it did have the safety engaged, but... knowing how incompetent this guy already was, I was truly frightened I was going to get shot with my own gun. Oh meanwhile, two more of his buddies show up in cars, so now I have 3 cop cars pulled behind me for this fiasco.


Like G-Fist said, +1 for the 1911. -1 for the Trooper that doesn't know how to handle a level 2 retention holster...wtf?

I don't know laws in Indiana but this whole stop was WTF to me. If I wen't to Indiana on vacations (wtf why?) I wouldn't be carrying a weapon, but if something like this happened I would be on the verge of a fight...safety or not if someone flags me with a gun I will be pissed.

I know in CA you'd have a good to go lawsuit. There's a couple scenarios on my opinion:
1. His dispatch took over 15 minutes to run the plate/information (My argument here may be invalid if the mud was blocking letters on your plate and he was actually unable to run it). If the truck is registered to you, his dispatcher should be able to get all your information about your guns before he even lights you up. For me, I feel, and I think most of my partners would agree that ~30 minutes on something that's not a moving violation is unreasonable. If inquiry is backed up for me (assuming the plates came back ok), I'll walk back up to the vehicle, inform the driver why I pulled him over, why I'm letting him go (we're busy today with other calls), and to drive safe. I'd then 22 myself in line for inquiry. BECAUSE, if an arrest does come out of this it's unjustifiable why you were detained so long and that trooper won't be getting a high five from his sergeant when the DA's office calls to inform him what his trooper did was wrong.

2. His dispatch came back and informed him there were guns registered to you, so it's their policy he waits for cover (that's why I won't work for a department that has policy where you must have cover, I can handle my own stops). He waited, but had to know in the back of his head he already had an unnecessarily long stop for a covered license plate (although this shit is my pet peeve). The part I don't understand and think is unjustifiable would be the way he handled the gun. REASONABLE means what another person with equal training and experience would do in his situation. So if an arrest comes of this and a 1538 motion is filed...uh oh frown


I don't think it's an issue with "having a badge." I think you're right that it was probably a rookie cop, and the others were watching him learn.

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There is absolutely nothing you can do.


Whether you realize it or not, filing complaints makes a difference. Both in the department, and in the court of law.


Again, this is all speculation as I wasn't there...and again, I don't know Indiana laws or policy.