Dallas Police | FerrariChat

Dallas Police

Discussion in 'Texas' started by Scuderia430, Dec 9, 2007.

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  1. Scuderia430

    Scuderia430 Rookie

    May 29, 2007
    6
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Eddie Loudon
    I was recently pulled over without any probable cause by a rookie Dallas police officer. My evening began at Steel for some sushi and a glass of red wine at approx. 8:30 PM. I left Steel at approx. 9:30 PM and headed over to the Ritz on McKinney Ave.. I purchased another glass of red wine but did not drink it as I did not like the taste of it. I left the Ritz at approx. 10:15 Pm and headed down McKinney Ave. before I went home. I noticed a police cruiser behind me at a traffic light but did not think much of it as I was under the speed limit and I always use my indicators when I change lanes. This police officer followed me for approx. 5 miles or until I turned on Knox Street to get onto US 75 to go North. As I turned the corner onto the acess road he turned his lights on and I immediately pulled over. He came to my car and requested my drivers license. I gave it to him and asked why did he pull me over, he said "I think you were going a little too fast back on McKinney Ave. which was approx. 5 miles back. He came back to the car and asked if I had been drinking, I said yes one glass of red wine approx. an hour and a half ago. Bad mistake on my part by admitting it, this gave him probable cause to give me a field sobriety test. I took the test which lasted about 30 - 40 minutes. The officer indicated I failed the test and was trying to get me to start an argument as everything was on tape. I did not respond to his accusation but at this time I was aware this guy was going to bust me rather I passed or failed the test.

    My question is simple, I drive a yellow F430 FI Spyder. Has anyone else experienced any problems with Dallas police pulling them over only because they are driving a Ferrari? This was the first time in my 52 years I have been accused of DUI. Luckily, a second police officer arrived on the scene and he and the arresting officer both went behind their cruisers and probably discussed the merits of my arrest for what seemed 20 minutes. To make this short he let me go but indicated he would be gunning for me in the future. He did indicate the Ferrari was a high profile target for him. What is strange he never actually saw me speeding, what he heard was a down shift which he thought I was reving my engine. Therefore he basically pulled me over without any probable cause of any traffic violation.

    My second question is if he did cuff me and arrest me would the City of Dallas be responsible for my car and its safety? Last question, when are you suppose to blow, is it in the field or at the station?Also, if I had to blow could my attorney be present to witness the results as I would not trust the Dallas Police giving me a breath test. I firmly believe I was profiled simply because I was a white middle age guy driving a Ferrari.

    Any responses would be appreciated.
     
  2. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    Writerguy, where are you?

    Dale
     
  3. Scuderia430

    Scuderia430 Rookie

    May 29, 2007
    6
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Eddie Loudon
    I live in Dallas
     
  4. v tach

    v tach Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 14, 2004
    440
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Vivek
    I have had similar negative experiences (although not in Dallas) in which I was clearly targeted for driving a sports car (Lambo in my case)--fortunately not resulting in anything more than a ticket. These cars attract a lot of attention--sometimes it's positive and unfortunately, many times it's negative. My advice: don't give them any reason to go back to the station and brag to everyone else how they gave the guy w/ a Ferrari a ticket or DUI. I just try not to drink when I'm out and about in the car (well, at least not that much!)
     
  5. Scuderia430

    Scuderia430 Rookie

    May 29, 2007
    6
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Eddie Loudon
    I believe I came to the very same conclussion, from now on zero alcohol when I drive the Ferrari. The sad thing is I was not even tippsy the other night and was not driving in an erractic manner. He simply wanted to bust me and like you said brag to his buddies.
     
  6. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,804
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    File a complaint with the Public Integrity Division or Internal Affairs or wha tever they call and maybe a followup with the ACLU or FBI.
     
  7. WDR328

    WDR328 Formula 3

    Dec 11, 2003
    1,476
    The Bugscuffle Inn
    Full Name:
    D. Rose
    My understanding is that if you refuse to take the field sobriety test they will take you to jail immediately. They will call a wrecker and you car will be impounded at either the wrecker co's lot or the city pound-either is a bad situation.
    IMHO in the future if you notice an officer following you for an extended period of time I think I would just pull into a parking lot and act like you were looking for something or make a cell phone call. This way you can tell if the officer is going to continue or leave you alone.

    The good news is that they let you go.
     
  8. ADON

    ADON Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2007
    1,059
    Im sorry buy your story does not hold water in my book.

    What do you mean "The officer indicated I failed the test" ?

    Your first indication you failed the test would of been when he told you you're under arrest for driving under the influence and then he put the cuffs on you. If you failed the test he would of instantly put the cuffs on you. He didn't, which tells me you did not fail any tests.

    Accusing him of attempting to start a fight with you for the camera is rediculous and borderline humerous. This would only make him look bad, and have no effect on you either way. It takes two to tango.

    You claim the sobriety test took 30-40 minutes. I don't buy this at all. There's only about 5 different tests they give you in Texas.

    This means you spent all that time trying to debate with him, telling him "Do you know who I am?" or attempting to play Cubside Johnny Cockran in some form. I have never seen a field sobriety test take more than about 5 minutes even under the worst conditions. They normally just do about 3 of the tests and decide with that.

    "To make this short he let me go but indicated he would be gunning for me in the future" I don't buy this at all.

    "Last question, when are you suppose to blow, is it in the field or at the station?" I thought you received the field sobriety test for 30 minutes? You still don't know?

    "Also, if I had to blow could my attorney be present to witness the results as I would not trust the Dallas Police giving me a breath test" No, they are not waiting hours for your attorney to show up. Blow, or don't blow. You pick.

    "I firmly believe I was profiled simply because I was a white middle age guy driving a Ferrari." There's forms you can fill out and make a complaint.
     
  9. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 30, 2004
    4,094
    Dallas Texas
    Full Name:
    Philip C
    There are bad cops just like bad people in every phase of life. We know writerguy got put through the wringer by one, and the City will soon have to pay the price for that rogue cop. Why in the world would you doubt this member's opinion rather that your unfounded ideas? I have been driving exotics and musclecars for 20 years without an incident, but I have just been lucky. Wait until one of these assh*oles pulls you over, and we will see how you like it.
     
    TXJay likes this.
  10. ADON

    ADON Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2007
    1,059
    Yes, there are bad cops. And they screw up and get fired every day. I'm not doubting that. I just feel this particular story does not add up at this stage. I just find it extremely difficult to think that someone who claims to just be given a 30 - 45 minute field sobriety test does not know the proccedure. Stop for a minute and put your thinking cap on. Standing around doing anything at all for 45 minutes is a LOOOOOONG TIME. Let alone standing there for 45 minuted for something that should only take 3 minutes. What were they doing for the other 42 minutes?? If you fail the test, they just move on to the next test. If you pass it they also just move on to the next test. Why the 45 minutes? I know for sure they are not going to stand there and debate with you for 45 minutes. They are going to arrest your butt or cut you lose, tell you to go back to your car and bring you a ticket, etc. Again, without details I find this highly unlikely.

    Then he claims some other rogue cop shows up and they go behind the cop car and have a pow-wow for 20 mintues. Where was he while this was going on? Details...

    Then the "rookie" comment. Of course it has to be a rookie. All the rookies I knew were scared to death of IAD. Its the old Vets who have been working 20 years don't give a crap and are part of the "good ole boys club" I would worry about. Not the rookies.

    No details are given which could help make his story sound more true. It's just random accusations of a cop trying to fight with him and harrassing him. You would think that for being pulled over for over an hour he would have some details.

    If he was harrased for 30-45 minutes, why is he whining on an internet chat board and not at the station screaming at internal affairs and trying to get someone's butt in trouble. Departments like Dallas have teams of bait cars who's sole job is to catch bad cops.

    Dallas is a large department and odds are pretty good the whole stop was on video and audio. I know lots of Houston Police Cars have hidden mics inside the cars. Not to catch criminals, but to catch bad cops screwing up. I'm sure Dallas has similar measures. Big brother watches the cops in these large departments pretty good. The days of some rogue cop taking you behind a building and kicking your ass before cutting you lose is pretty much over in the large departments.



    Is this story possibly true? Yes. But I don't buy it without more details. It just sounds fishy. This is the internet, so nobody knows you're a dog. And this user has 3 whole posts. Writerguy has thousands.
     
  11. v tach

    v tach Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 14, 2004
    440
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Vivek
  12. ChunkyMonkey

    ChunkyMonkey Formula 3

    Feb 27, 2006
    1,582
    Texas, duh
    Full Name:
    Chad
    30-40 minutes for a SFST???? Was the officer the the how-to book as he went along!? That's quite a bit of time for a test. I know the 3 standardized tests....What the heck did the officer make you perform??? Unless he made you do a barrage of tests, both standardized and other coordination. But I don't see how it would take 30-40 minutes. Sorry to hear of your mishap, hope you take the appropriate avenues to file a complaint if justified. But, I don't think you have to be driving a ferrari to be "harassed" by some folks. I know you say you weren't speeding, then again, he's not here to say his side. He may not have had radar, but used his speedometer or his experience and training, I don't know. Best of luck. Please let us know the outcome if there is to be any followup!
     
  13. Scuderia430

    Scuderia430 Rookie

    May 29, 2007
    6
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Eddie Loudon
    "Then he claims some other rogue cop shows up and they go behind the cop car and have a pow-wow for 20 mintues. Where was he while this was going on? Details..."

    I was standing on the side of the road while the two officers had their "pow-wow" and no I do not intend to file a complaint with the city unless it happens again. The officer had two weeks on the force, two weeks out of the police academy. And yes, he did tell me I failed the test which I thought was supicious. This guy was going to find any reason he could to bust me. And no, I was never asked if I was willing to blow for him. I was being extremely co-operative and polite with the officer. I never threatened him with "you know who I am" or any legal recourse. To the officers credit, he did exhibit courtesy to me. What PO'ed me was the fact he pulled me over without any probable cause, made me take a battery of field soberity test which did last an extended period of time, and then claimed I failed the test which I know was a bogus charge. Also, excuse the hell out of me because I do not know the procedure for a field sobriety test. As I stated in my original post, I have never been pulled over and asked to take any test. My driving was normal that evening, no traffic violations. The only error I made was deciding to cruise past West Village on my way home. If I would have taken the toll road north, this incident would never happened.

    He simply wanted to make a statement to his new buddies at the station, hey look at me, two weeks on the force and I already busted a Ferrari. After he "cut me some slack" he indicated my car stood out because it was yellow and loud. "Maybe I should have bought a black one as it would not stand out as much".

    My attorney gave me the such advice, if you are being followed by a cop for an extended period of time, pull into a gas station or convenience store where there are a lot of people. Also, never volunteer anything to them. By stating the truth I had one glass of wine at dinner, this gave him the probable cause he needed to put me through the wringer so to speak.

    BTW, sorry you do not believe me because I only have three or four post here on ferrarichat. But it happened last Thursday on the corner of 75 and Knox-Henderson in front of the Church's Chicken. And why would I be making this up, I simply wanted to know if anyone else in the Dallas area had any similar experience with the Dallas Police.
     
  14. SAFE4NOW

    SAFE4NOW F1 Veteran
    Sponsor Owner

    Aug 25, 2004
    5,830
    Dallas Texas
    Full Name:
    If you know you know
    First, welcome to F-Chat, we are glad you are here.

    Second, there are always those cautious members, it should not be taken too personally, as no one knows you yet. Like your post, its their opinion, take it for what it is.

    Third, I have had both positive and negitive police interaction... ranging from hey, cool car, what is that, how fast, how much, etc... to being accused of running when all I did was pull in for lunch and was standing by my car when the officer made it back around the building. ( When I made a left into the parking lot, he had been following me from a distance, he turned behind the building thinking he would cut me off I am guessing, then when I did not come around his way, he cut back into the parking lot where I was going for lunch )

    Kinda like being famous , good and bad attention comes with it... I'll take my chances and enjoy the vehicles I drive... oh and having a father that's an attorney doesn't hurt either.... LOL

    Steve
     
  15. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2001
    24,903
    Dallas, TX
    Full Name:
    Jim E
    I'm not sure how a post count makes one more believable, but if that's the standard that you judge people by, then maybe you'll believe me?

    I've had similar incidents with the Dallas police, I just wasn't driving my Ferrari. I've done the sidewalk dance on a couple of occassions in my life, fortunately I passed them both. The mistake I made (both times, slow learner) was admitting that I'd HAD a beer. One cop grilled me for 10 minutes about how many I'd consumed which was a tough question, since I'd been to the 12:00 Cowboys game that day, and at the time of the questioning, it was about 10pm. I'd quit with the beer about 6:00 though. I've been left standing on the curb freezing for 20 minutes while the cop had a discussion with another cop. They wouldn't let me go to my car and get my jacket. His logic was "I'm not cold". Yeah, he was pumped on caffeine and donuts.
     
  16. 330GT2+2

    330GT2+2 Formula Junior

    Nov 19, 2005
    584
    Texas
    Full Name:
    330gt2+2
    Was going west on 190 Sunday morning IN TRAFFIC at 80mph (in the Boxer) when I got hit from behind by laser (be careful going under the Josey Ln. bridge). I was surrounded by cars on all sides, but it was me the female cop chose to hit. (heard her voice on the cops radio)..They had several cruisers parked on the side and of course one pulled out, weaved through traffic and hit his lights...hard to argue as I was speeding, just thought it was interesting that she could have hit at least 7 others around me...but whadayagonnado?

    I wouldn't in a million years take the Boxer down to Mckinney ave. for a couple of cocktails....not just for fear of being pulled over, but where the hell are ya gonna park??? and what about the idiots that have had a few too many??

    sorry to hear about your episode!

    as they say about driving, never break two laws at once...(not saying you were), but I enjoy exercising my Boxer and there is always a chance for a speeding ticket, so I don't break any other laws while driving it!
     
  17. Scuderia430

    Scuderia430 Rookie

    May 29, 2007
    6
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Eddie Loudon
    "as they say about driving, never break two laws at once...(not saying you were), but I enjoy exercising my Boxer and there is always a chance for a speeding ticket, so I don't break any other laws while driving it!"

    sounds like really good advice, the sad thing about the whole incident , on that particular evening I was actually very well behaved. I was not speeding, he heard the down shift and thought I was revving my engine. I take that route home all the time and on several occasions the cops will give me a thumbs up on the car and wave.
     
  18. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto
    Not living IN dallas any more. Living just outside dallas and i get spazams when I see DPD cars...


    Oh and allow me to hijack this one for you

    Lawsuit continues (Federal) getting to the nuts and bolts. I am not the only one on this bandwagon and it seems the smart lawyers are trying to push my case to the back of the pack as it is the strongest and most compelling... Damn those smart lawyers (Ernie if you do a search on Dallas Police on here you will find some things)

    Do a google

    THe probable cause to stop you was erronious to start with (going a bit fast 5 miles ago) is not probable cause unless he has radar/lidar or vid. If you were driving erratically after that then he has it but... based on your side the stop should be able to be stomped based on fruit of a tainted branch...
     
  19. future328driver

    future328driver Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2001
    1,838
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Ken Thomas
    If you have a concern that this officer may be on the look-out for you in the future, file a written complaint with DPD. If you really did fail the feiled test, he would have arrested you, so there must have been some question in the minds of both officers to cut you loose. My guess is that both officers realized that you might legally challege an arrest (due to your obvious financial resources) and the did not want to have to defend a questionable stop.
     
  20. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    You NEVER answer the question about consumption, and you NEVER blow into anything!

    They are trying to arrest you simple as that and when you see what the Impound Yard does to your beloved car for the Storage Fee you'd rather not even pick it up......

    Seriously but rather than discuss it here you need to contact a good defense attorney and review your responses.

    You can refuse to do the Rapid Eye Movement and one leg up balance test. LEGAL over the counter cold remedies will make you fail both..........walking a staright line is also difficult after repeated cranial injuries.......so see my point???

    You can sit in the car and dare him to make the next move.......they have to ASK you to get out of the car...they have to ASK if you mind if they search you and the vehicle.........so get the mind set on:


    "He11 YEA I mind, if you try to railroad me into your next quota"........and go from there.

    Refusal to take the test will have License repercussions but they'll have to give it back with restrictions if you need it to get to work......
     
  21. ADON

    ADON Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2007
    1,059
    If what you say is true, I would file a complaint. The Depts don't like bad seeds working for them. That's what IAD is for. If you don't complain, they don't know it's happening and can't investigate.
     
  22. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto
    You have obviously never dealt with the Dallas Police, have you?
     
  23. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    The motto is "Protect and Serve"...just make sure they don't serve you the cold baloney sandwich the next morning, ya know?????
     
  24. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto

    Thinist baloney on the face of the earth.
     
  25. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    I just 'pass'...my Bondsman works pretty quickly..........
     

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