To have refused to get out of my car for the police in the middle of the night?

[AngeloMysterioso]

Was driving home from work at just after 2 a.m last night when I was pulled over by a pair of male coppers in a squad car after I swerved in the road to avoid a pothole.

I stopped, lowered my window a crack and then turned the engine off and made sure all the doors were locked. They both got out of the car and came over, asked about where I was going, where I’d been etc etc and then asked about the swerve- I explained about the pothole, and that I didn’t consider the move to have been dangerous as there were no other vehicles or anywhere near me (they had been some distance in front of me at the time and on the other side of the road but there was absolutely no chance of a collision) and no pedestrians anywhere around.
Then they asked if I would get out of the car and take a breathalyser test. I refused- I said I’d happily drive to the police station (maybe a mile- mile and a half away) and take a breathalyser there, but that I didn’t feel safe getting out of my car and being alone with two massive blokes in the middle of the night with no other people around, and them being in a uniform didn’t change that for me.

They asked a few more questions about my work, if they needed to would anyone be able to verify that I’d been working, gave me a lecture about driving safely and in the end let me go home with no further action taken - but I’ve just had a phonecall from another police officer basically telling me off for not just doing as I was told.

Was I BU?

And a GP doesn’t have the power to arrest you

This. After Sarah Everard they should have got it into their thick heads that we just can't trust them. And that isn't women's fault, it's the fault of their disgusting sleazy violent colleagues.

YANBU well done for standing your ground as I can imagine that would have felt intimidating. I wouldn’t have got out either.

I understand that they are just doing their job but uniform or not there is no way I would be alone with them when nobody else is around in the middle of the night.

I would have probably asked for a female officer to come and do the test on me perhaps if that is even possible 🤷‍♀️

You totally did the right thing

Widespread police mistreatment of women from all races is hardly new either. We're just talking about it more now. There's no 'welcome' to this for white working class women, sex workers, women who are trying to report rapes and domestic violence, women at protests where the police decide to wade in, women who inconveniently told people about their legal rights when the police didnt want them to... it's a very long list.

This

You were right, well done for standing up to them

Would you then be prepared to risk the police justifying using force against you because you aren't cooperating or whatever other nonsense. It's a very very bold position to take and be so resolute in your belief

Well what could they do? Break into the car and drag you out? You say you will drive to Tesco down the road or whatever. They can always radio ahead if they really think you are a trouble maker to make sure you can't get any further, by having more police on the route, but any sensible police officer would be well aware that a lone woman would feel at risk given everything that has happened.

Also the OP did open the window a crack so they would have been able to smell alcohol or weed or whatever.

Or not! But you get what I mean 😁

No way I'd have gotten out that car! And I hope you explained why when you were told off over the telephone by another policeman.

I think you were reasonable, but in future it might be worth saying that you will call the station with their badge numbers and request that a female officer be sent out if they insist you take the test at the roadside.
As for whoever called you up to reprimand you - ftfo!!

You were not unreasonable. I would have got my phone out and asked them to identify themselves. I'd then ask if I was being detained and under what act. If I didn't get a satisfactory answer then I would have informed some what was happening and driven off. If they followed me I'd drive to the nearest Police Station.

For me personally this would have been as much a concern about my civil liberties as my safety.

I want to know more about the person who phoned up to ‘tell you off’. That’s a formal complaint surely since you didn’t commit a crime? I presume that means the police officers took all your details or they’ve traced you from your car reg? Interesting. Might be a FOI request why this has even been logged.

Ah well that's a risk you have to take isn't it. And once again, one that men don't have to worry about so much, as they are less likely to be raped and murdered by serving police officers.

It would be an interesting test case, would it not?

You were absolutely right. I would be complaining about the person who told you off after the event!

But id also have thought the test could be done through the window

YANBU at all. I would have done the same. Uniform doesn't make a difference anymore. It's not a few bad apples either. It's acres of rotten fruit.

FFS, if you don't want to adhere to our laws, go and live somewhere else.
I want to live in a country where what could be perceived as dangerous driving is challenged. I wouldn't mind in the slightest having my bags searched if security thought I had shoplifted, being searched at an airport if security thought I was a drugs mule, or being asked to breathalyse if police thought I might be over the limit.
Anything that keeps the world that bit safer is fine with me, however inconvenient it can sometimes be. You made extra work for the people trying to keep us safe with your shenanigans. No doubt you have a plethora of reasons for not wanting to get out of your car for two policemen, in which case find a moon where there is no law enforcement and go and live on that.

And I’d also have thought they could have called up a female office

Oh stop it.

Can’t quite believe this post!

Who are all these people that know the phone number of the local police station?
I wouldn’t have a clue. And in the middle of nowhere you can’t always google.

Yep.

The police do not take kindly to members of the public making life awkward for them when they are simply trying to do their job. Believe me, been there, seen it, done it, got the teeshirt.

The idea that they'll just go "oh, ok then, because Wayne Couzens' and waive you on your way after you have refused to cooperate with perfectly reasonable, understandable requests is risible, and a quick way to find yourself spending a night in the cells after a Public Order arrest.

Seriously, if they ask you to blow in a bag, just do it, it's by far the quickest and easiest way for everyone involved to get on with doing other things.

I absolutely don't blame you, I'd do the same.

I've been pulled over, luckily with DH.
The officer gave off an unhinged vibe and was very harsh in tone.
Nothing happened but he did make me feel quite scared.
Yanbu.

@VladmirsPoutine

If I was polite etc they would have no reason to use force! If they did it would be caught on the audio on my dash…(and trust me I’d have a fucking field day with them if they try and remove me by without reason), if they were that adamant and wanted me to use a breathalyser they could call for another unit with a female officer I would quite probably be more compliant then.

I have zero trust or respect for the police since a male police officer told me my sister asked to be drugged and sexually assaulted/raped after having a meal and drink in a pub for my birthday. This police man was quite senior and our complaint was brushed under the carpet.

I dont trust any of them after recent news either. There is no way I'd have got out.