"I got the following e mail from a cousin in NJ. Is this true? What do I do if an unmarked car wants to pull me over? Here is the e mail she sent me:
It was about 1:00 p.m. in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend. An UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put his lights on. Lauren's parents have always told them never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather to wait until they get to a gas station, etc. Lauren had actually listened to her parents advice, and promptly called *77 on her cell phone to tell the police dispatcher that she would not pull over right away. She proceeded to tell the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her. The dispatcher checked to see if there were police cars near where she was and there weren't, and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back up already on the way. Ten minutes later 4 cop cars surrounded her along with the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground. The man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes, including previous Impersonating an Officer charges. I never knew about the *77 Cell Phone feature, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you should not pull over for an unmarked car. Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a safe and quiet place. You obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them (i.e. put on your hazard lights) or call *77 like Lauren did. Too bad the cell phone companies don't generally give you this little bit of wonderful information. Speaking to a service representative at BellSouth Mobility confirmed that *77 was a direct link to state trooper info in all states. So, now it's your turn to let your friends know about *77. Send this to every woman (or person) you know; it may save a life."
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This email is based on a scary scenario used to shock the reader and hopefully have you pass the email on to everyone you know. There are truths and untruthful parts to this email.
Here is a truth: Rapists and murders in the past have been known to impersonate police officers.
Here is an untruth: Calling *77 on your cell phone in any state will connect you to the highway patrol dispatchers.
Here is sound advice to remember. If you follow these suggestions you will certainly be better off than hoping *77 will reach the highway patrol.
You should immediately pull over when signaled to do so. If it is not obvious to you it is a police officer behind you then make it clear your intent is to go to a safe location. You can do this by slowing down, turning on your hazards or turn signal, if it is at night turn on your interior light and point ahead. The email instructs you to call *77. This reportedly will connect you to the highway patrol dispatcher. This DOES NOT work in all states. This also assumes the person trying to pull you over is a highway patrolman. This is not a safe assumption. There are considerably more deputies and police officers than highway patrol. The better instruction is to call 911 on your phone. Tell the dispatcher you are being pulled over; give them your location, a description of your vehicle and why you are not stopping but your intent to stop at a public location.
The person who impersonates a police officer is counting upon his intended victim’s unquestioning cooperation. Acting under the guise of the color of law permits them to take advantage and act with the element of surprise.
Remember this as well: If you have not stopped for a police officer and driven to another location the traffic stop will not be “routine”. You should not expect them to walk up to your window and ask politely for you license, insurance and registration. Be prepared for them to use the PA (loud speaker) and call you out of the car. They may ask you to lay on the ground, show you hands, point guns at you or any other number of things. This is okay. You will have been able to confirm they are the police on 911. Be patient. The officer(s) will be taking extra precautions to protect themselves. The police will suspect you are a criminal (even if you aren't). They are going to act as though you may hurt them. Don't be offended when this happens. They will not know what your intentions were for refusing to stop until after they speak to you.
Be patient. Give them the benefit of the doubt as they sort through your reasons for not stopping.
The police want you to be safe. They want you to know they are actually the police. We are just as much against police impersonators as you are.
