Woman complains about officer's behavior during traffic stop
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A Bakersfield woman claims she was unfairly scolded by a California Highway Patrol officer after she drove 3 miles during a traffic stop to find a well-lit area before coming to a stop.
Laura Aguilar described Tuesday how Sunday’s journey home took an unexpected turn.
Aguilar said an officer tried pulling her over on Highway 58. She said she slowed down but didn't stop, because she felt the rural location was not safe.
“I tried to explain to the officer that I tried to call a number I had seen online that I was going to stop. He told me I needed to pull over as soon as I saw lights, not whenever I wanted to,” the woman said.
At that point, Aguilar said she was patted down, handcuffed and placed in the front seat of the patrol car.
She said a second patrol car arrived, and, 30 minutes later, she was issued a ticket for speeding and released.
Officer Robert Rodriguez, a CHP spokesman, was not familiar with this case specifically, but he did explain the rules regarding traffic stops in dark, isolated areas.
“If they feel unsafe or have a question if it's a real officer behind me, and it’s dark out, emergency flashers, acknowledge, reduce their speed, and yield in a safe location, preferably a lit area,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez's said there is no specific limit on the distance you can drive to a well-lit area, but he advise drivers to call 911.
“Get on your phone, and call 911," Rodriguez said. "Our dispatcher can then tell them you are being stopped by a Highway Patrol officer."
Laura Aguilar described Tuesday how Sunday’s journey home took an unexpected turn.
Aguilar said an officer tried pulling her over on Highway 58. She said she slowed down but didn't stop, because she felt the rural location was not safe.
“I tried to explain to the officer that I tried to call a number I had seen online that I was going to stop. He told me I needed to pull over as soon as I saw lights, not whenever I wanted to,” the woman said.
At that point, Aguilar said she was patted down, handcuffed and placed in the front seat of the patrol car.
She said a second patrol car arrived, and, 30 minutes later, she was issued a ticket for speeding and released.
Officer Robert Rodriguez, a CHP spokesman, was not familiar with this case specifically, but he did explain the rules regarding traffic stops in dark, isolated areas.
“If they feel unsafe or have a question if it's a real officer behind me, and it’s dark out, emergency flashers, acknowledge, reduce their speed, and yield in a safe location, preferably a lit area,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez's said there is no specific limit on the distance you can drive to a well-lit area, but he advise drivers to call 911.
“Get on your phone, and call 911," Rodriguez said. "Our dispatcher can then tell them you are being stopped by a Highway Patrol officer."
It is a California Constitutional right to have safety. Pulling over at a well lit, populated area is also stated by the LASD on their website under the heading "personal safety in your car:" http://lasdhq.org/lasd_services/public_safetytips/personal_safety.html#car. :Â and the CA DMV according to their driver's manual
on page 77 http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf "When it is dark, look for locations that have more light such as areas with street or freeway lights, near restaurants, or service stations."
In response to the 1986 beating and strangulation of Cara Knott by CHP officer Craig Peyer at a
dark, deserted traffic stop, former Assemblymember for the 77th District, Larry Sterling, carried a
bill giving motorists the power to choose their own spot after being signaled to pull over by an
officer. It was later discovered Peyer had a history of sexually harassing other female motorists
stopping them in the same area. Due to the bout of known sexual assaults by CA law officers
including but not limited to the LASD being investigated for crimes within Men's Central
Jail, this legislature should be looked at again, so there is no question that a person has the
right to pull over in a safe, populated and lit location as long as doing it within the
parameters of the law.
Please sign this petition:Â
http://thepetitionsite.com/6/law-enforcement-protocol-for-traffic-stops-durinq-niqht-hours-and-in-desolate-areas
@bakersfieldnow I'd be also scared if I get pull over @ might in the middle of nowhere Remember the Zodiac impersonated a police officer.
Don't speed and you won't get pulled over. Duhhhhhhhhhh.
211 I think.
All these complaints on here calling the women stupid and ignorant for not pulling over. Can Bakersfield news agencies get some more information on the age of the female driver? The occupants of the vehicle...etc? Then maybe we can have a more better view of this situation, as if the female driver was young, driving alone, or with children I could see the concern. We are so quick to point fingers and call each other out and give multiple options on such a small issue of pulling over in a well lighted area. What's the big deal?
we seen tht overweight cop ester day and my hubby was like COP he's radar ing then said never mind he can't life his leg over his bike Thts all I felt bad for him.
Cops demand everyone kowtow to them and their "awesome authority". They have no consideration for anyone else. They only want unquestioning obedience and ass-kissing. They have way too much power. I don't blame her a bit, and I would've done the same thing. I would have also contacted my attorney immediately upon arriving home.
I can't blame her for not stopping until she felt safe. With all the things you hear that Bakersfield cops do, you just can't trust them.
With all the horrible things going on in our world, I don't blame her one bit for going to a lit area, with other people present, before stopping. The officer should've completely understood that.
speaking of CHP, Anyone seeen that Porker on Rosedale Highway??? Do they even have psychical training anymore?? This "officers" fat is busting thru his uniform. Im sure thats why hes on ticket detail and not involved in any "Real" work.This officer would be useless without his motorcycle.
thats soo stupid then the next thing will be her getting a ticket for being on the phone behind the wheel while driving i been stop many times i heard it all they judge you fast call u liar thief a criminal didnt see your seat belt when u have it on etc its all just bs with any officer they should set rules for the stupid motor cycles who get between cars n their speed because everytime i see that they always end up wrecking
I have seen people on tv in the tv shows and movies . if that is what could happen i could see why that person would do that . drive to a lite area.
its not a good indicator for the police when people are afraid to be caught alone in the dark with them
The funny thing is that she's upset about a "scolding". I don't think u can sue for that, even in California.
Its simple, Acknowledge to the officer that you see him by turning on your emergency hazard lights, find the nearest safe area to pull over.
Ok ladies...call 911 and then they don't have an excuse for abuse.
All you have to do is move over to the side like your going to pull over turn your flashers on and Slow way down and call 911... They will then tell the officer that your on the phone with them and then will let you know that its safe to pull over.. I too would not have pulled over in the middle or noware as a female with my young children..
I was pulled over by a serif deputy a few years back. It was on south fair fax between Lamont and Bakersfield. If you are familiar with the area, you know it's very remote. It was late at night so I drone a few miles till I found a well lit place. When the officer approached my window, he asked "why didnt you pull over right of way", which I responded "I didn't feel safe being pulled over in the middle of dark grape fields, so I drove to where I felt safe. His face and demeanor quickly changed. After I allowed him to search my vehicle, I was free to go. Not after I too was handcuffed and placed in the front seat if the deputy's car. He stated it was for his own protection. Whatever.
#1.. you can make calls using your blue tooth while driving it is not against the law to do this. #2.. the number she saw on the internet to call was in a story about women getting pulled over in dark places. It urges women to call 112 if it happens to them. However 112 is the European equivalent to our 911 it will not work is the USA Just call 911. #3.. in the case of a woman being pulled over while she is alone she does not have to open her window any further than it takes to pass her license out to the officer. Guess next time she'll know better huh? I really don't feel sorry for her.
I foresee a lawsuit coming from this. Not that I blame her at all for being upset, I would be also. Cops need to realize that just becuse THEY know they're a cop....doesn't mean WE do. Especially at night and after hearing about all of the cops out there. Or people posing as a cop.
Now thats a Eyewitness news storey , DO AN INVESTIGATION ON ALL THE CORRUPT POLICE BAKERSFIELD HAS TO OFFER BPD , SHERIFFS , CHP , THERE ARE RACIST PRICKS THAT STEREOTYPE ON A REGULAR BASIS , THAT'S WHY I HATE BAKERSFIELD SO MUCH CORRUPTION AND COVER UPS !!!
A lot of cops are bad and there's a lot in Bakersfield
*yawns*
Emergency calls are allowed under the law. Pulling up your call history on the spot will prove that.
Irritating that CHP cant even respect what she was trying to do, especially in light of the two officers who raped the woman under the influence and the local officer who was caught bragging on line about how much he enjoyed watching little boys get mutilated, raped and killed. There are so many officers in this town that cannot seem to handle the power they are granted by the citizens of this County. Â I have had to call the superior officer on an officer who became belligerent with power and had to threaten to call a friend in law enforcement who was a little higher up the food chain to get one to quit pushing his weight around. Â I have been married to, related to and worked for law enforcement and I can tell you that there are good officers out there but there are also many that have allowed themselves to believe that they are above the law and have made it harder on the good ones as their behavior reflects on them as well. In time, the bad will find that they must live by the same laws as the rest of us and they will be spending time in prison with the very ones they helped put away.Â
@WendyJo:
The woman claims she was UNFAIRLY SCOLDED by a CHP officer after she drove 3 miles during a traffic stop to find a well-lit area before coming to a stop. The CHP cannot respect her actions. That would start a flurry of similar actions by others. She felt unsafe? Fine! Accept the consequences, though.
Women activists fought long and hard to be treated EQUALLY. Ms Aguilar was scolded, patted down, and handcuffed . . . just as a man would have. The officer risked being accused of improper touching (YUCK) by patting her down!
Chivalry is gone! Adios, Poncho. No more señor!
Next time, Laura, obey the traffic laws, stay off the cell phone while driving and donât drive at night!
No you are allowed to call 911 when driving. It's the only exception.
Ok so call 911 to make sure that you are getting pulled over, but wouldn't they give a ticket for being on a phone and driving?
Oh come on now in this day everyone has some kind of internet access and knows if you are questioning if it is a real cop pulling you over you call 911 and they will not only inform you if it is but also inform the cop too. I have no sympathy for this woman at all. Obviously she got a speeding ticket so she wasnt too concerned about following the law so really using her phone wouldnt have been much worse
Welcome to Bakersfield she's lucky she didn't get 6 warning shots in her back
Have you been pulled over lately? You will get a ticket then have to prove in court you called 911... its ridiculous
Just goes to show you, you shouldn't believe all the stuff you read on Facebook. She probably tried to call the European emergency number.
Yay facebook and the "call 211" crap. Just pull over
That's good to know about calling 911. And the cop will know because dispatch will tell them. It's a good idea.
That's only if they don't give her a ticket for using it and her having to prove she was using it to call 911
She didn't know it was a highway patrol with that big truck she prob thought it was some Scycho in these scary highways
Chelcie, using your cell phone to call 911 is the exception to the no cell phone while driving rule.
I love how the article said to call 911 yet your not allowed to use your phone while driving!?
John, with how many problems KC residents are having I agree with her looking for a better area, cops running down pedestrians, following drunk women home etc. YES there are laws in place but YES there are cops who use their badges for bad things.Â
I would put on my emergency flashers and go to a well-lit area. If they yell at me, so be it. For one thing, I want more than a dirt shoulder to pull over on...SAFETY!
Just as there are bad civilians there are bad cops. Women who feel uncomfortable should be able to go to a better area. She slowed her speed just as the CHP said to do, she just drove more then the cop liked.
The Cops should like the idea of waiting for a well lit area, too. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/27/santa-cruz-shooting_n_2770724.html?1361946819&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009
With how officers are now days, I don't blame her!!
With how many problems KC residents have been having with CHP/BPD etc I understand fully. Not all cops are bad but we've been having more and more issues as of late.
What does she want? The Queen for a Day Treatment? Â Had she obeyed the traffic laws in the first place, this wouldnât have happened.
Hope the broad learned her lesson and let law enforcement tend to other pressing emergencies.
BTW: The long wait was done deliberately to teach you THAT lesson. You made them wait; they made you wait. Speed also kills your time!
@John Green what a jerk ..... even the CHP doesn't agree with your attitude or thoughts that drip from your lips so easily ... I wonder if you your self is one of the power hungry officers we have prowling the streets waiting for your next victim.
@Common Sence:
Rest assured. I am not a cop. How could I be? By your own admission you said âeven the CHP doesn't agree with your attitude or thoughts that drip from your lips so easily ... â Hmmmmm