N605TW
Activist Member
I had my first encounter with the Helena Police Department around 4:00 today. I was walking East on E Custer. When I was crossing Montana Ave I seen a police cruiser that was turning West onto E Custer make a fast U turn into the gas station. I knew he seen me so I pressed the record button (.wav file available at www.790th-squadron.net/downloads/docs/stopped_by_police_11111.wav I will upload to youtube tomorrow night and post a link.) The officer got out and had me put my hands in the air. As the officer was talking to me another cruiser pulled up but I didn't hear it nor did I see the officer get out. The second officer startled me when she started talking to me as my full attention was the first officer in front of me. I don't think it was a bad encounter but I didn't do all the things the way I think I should have, like ask why I was being detained. The whole encounter lasted about a minute and forty seconds and the officers were polite.
The positives of the encounter: They did not ask for ID, they did not disarm me and they were polite
The negatives of the encounter: They stopped me in the first place and I did not ask why I was being detained. (to be fair one of the first things the first officer said was about my gun. so it was obvious why they stopped)
Transcription of the stop:
The positives of the encounter: They did not ask for ID, they did not disarm me and they were polite
The negatives of the encounter: They stopped me in the first place and I did not ask why I was being detained. (to be fair one of the first things the first officer said was about my gun. so it was obvious why they stopped)
Transcription of the stop:
ME: How are you doing sir?
OFFICER1: I need you to put your hands up. All the way up high.
ME: Alright. I am recording this conversation.
OFFICER1: Ok, that’s fine. I just wanted to make sure that you’re not planning on doing anything with that gun and...
ME: I'm just heading to Albertsons to see my mother.
OFFICER1: OK. How old are you?
ME: I am 23.
OFFICER1: OK. And you are just going to see your mother at Albertsons?
ME: I am.
OFFICER1: OK.
OFFICER2: Why do you have that on you?
ME: Oh, hi. I didn't even see you there.
OFFICER2: Why do you have it on you?
ME: I just carry it where ever I go.
OFFICER2: What’s in your hand?
ME: I am recording this conversation.
OFFICER2: Alright.
OFFICER1: So you normally carry it...
ME: I do.
OFFICER1: ...Everywhere?
ME: Everywhere I go.
OFFICER1: Has anyone ever talked to you about it?
ME: No. I have had a couple people come up and ask if its leagl but...
OFFICER1: Ok. So no one...
ME: No one of authority no.
OFFICER1: Whats that?
ME: No one of authority.
OFFICER1: Has ever stopped you or have said anything to you.
ME: No.
OFFICER1: Have they seen it?
ME: I honestly don't know. I don't keep track.
OFFICER1: Ok. What kind of gun is it?
ME: It's a Glock 17.
OFFICER1: Ok. Just make sure if you have a concealed weapons permit...
ME: I do not, that is why it is openly...
OFFICER1: Ok. That is just..
ME: Yeah.
OFFICER1: that you understand that you can't conceal that, you got to keep it...
ME: Yep.
OFFICER1: Alright, have a good day.
ME: Alright, you have a great day.
OFFICER2: What’s your name?
ME: My name is Tom.
OFFICER2: Tom, last name?
ME: I really don't want to give that out.
OFFICER2: Why?
ME: Because I don't have to.
OFFICER2: What’s with the paranoia?
ME: No paranoia, I'm just...I'm not legally required to.
OFFICER2: Oh, thank you.
ME: Alright, you have a great day.
OFFICER2: You too.