Top Ten Things Not to Do in The Back of a Police Car

Photo by Matt Popovich on Unsplash

 

This post was first run on March 13th, 2017. Although this is not spring break time, the advice still holds. I hope you enjoy it.

* * *

Spring break inspires many things. There are enough police interventions during this time to be an inspiration for some stories. I picked a small segment of time and provide advice to those who find themselves behind the grid, so to speak.

Top Ten Things Not to Do in The Back of a Police Car

By John W. Howell © 2023

10 In the back of a police car, do not start a campfire thinking you need to stay warm. If you do, at best, the foam extinguisher may make your face break out. At worst, your dad will not answer your call, and the judge is remanding you over for psychological evaluation. (Looks like the cost of the car and long-term care will be on you, Pumpkin)

9 In the back of a police car, do not remove your clothes. If you do, at best, you will be asked to put them back on. At worst, in addition to all the charges so far, you have added indecent exposure. (Let’s see how this plays in the hometown paper, Bunky)

8 In the back of a police car, do not sing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. If you do, at best, you will be on key with no consequences. At worst, your performance will be videotaped and go viral showing up at every job interview background check for the next ten years. (Wonder why it’s so hard to find work, Buford?)

7 In the back of a police car, do not try to kick your way out. If you do, at best, you may sprain an ankle. At worst, the resisting arrest charge will require arm and leg restraints for every court appearance. (Nothing makes one look guilty quite as much as chains, huh, Tex?)

6 In the back of a police car, do not try hysterical crying as a method of possible release. If you do, at best, you may be locked up for your own protection. At worst, you may find yourself strapped to a gurney under observation at the local hospital. (This was not an intended result, was it, Bucky?)

5 In the back of a police car, do not think you are in a public restroom. If you do, at best, you find no place to wash up. At worst, you will notice the name tag on the officer now holding you around the neck, which reads, “Tiny.” (You didn’t know this was Tiny’s (WWF champ) favorite car did you, Slug? Now it might be a little too late.)

4 In the back of a police car, do not whine about the tight handcuffs. If you do, at best, you will be ignored. At worse, your cuffs will be traded out for a full straight jacket. (Makes the cuffs seem like a luxury, right, Pard?)

3 In the back of a police car, do not try to tell the officers how much of a mistake they are making in arresting you. If you do, at best, they will continue to ignore you. At worst, instead of a short ride and warning, they may personally drive you to the county jail and book you in. (Nothing like making it tougher on yourself, huh, Slick?)

2 In the back of a police car, do not wave and smile at everyone you pass. If you do, at best, no one knows who you are. At worst, unbeknownst to you, some of your parent’s friends witnessed your procession. (Those scholarship funds just aren’t going to cover all your college expenses now that you are cut off, are they, Buster?)

1 In the back of a police car, pray you don’t get sick. If you do, at best, maybe the prayer will be answered. At worst, your prayer has been ignored, and you are now faced with two angry police officers and a very messy backseat. (Tomorrow morning ought to be a beaut, huh, Roscoe?)

50 comments

  1. Harmony Kent's avatar

    Thanks for the Monday smiles, John. Hugs 🤗💕🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I’m glad you got some smiles, Harmony.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    #9 assumes one was arrested while clothed. Not a guarantee on some areas according to COPS. 😁

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So true, Charles. Thanks.

      Like

  3. Dan Antion's avatar

    Things you don’t want to explain at an interview. Thanks for the chuckles. John.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Good point, Dan.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. coldhandboyack's avatar

    Somehow, I missed out on the whole spring break thing. It just wasn’t a thing in my era.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      We did an imitation of “Where the Boys Are,” but never met Connie Francis

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Teri Polen's avatar

    I”d hate to think how often #1 and #5 happen. Gross.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    Don’t these kids have term papers to write? Go to the library! Harumph.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Harumph, indeed. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Jill Weatherholt's avatar

    Having worked for the police department, I know many of these to be true. I heard some stories! People have no idea what the police deal with on a daily basis. Good one, John!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jill. I thought of you on this one.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. noelleg44's avatar

    I think the last one is the worst. Or maybe taking your clothes off AND singing Bohemian Rhapsody.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank would be bad. Thanks, Noelle. 😁

      Like

  9. Joan Hall's avatar

    Bohemian Rhapsody, huh? Thanks for the Monday smiles, John.

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Joan Hall's avatar

        Glad I wasn’t driving that patrol car! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          I know right? Need earplugs

          Liked by 1 person

  10. Marie A Bailey's avatar

    Thank goodness I’ve never been in the back of a police car! Great list, John 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Yes that is not the place to be for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Gwen M. Plano's avatar

    Hilarious, John, as always. I’ve only been in the back seat of a police car once, and they were giving me a ride back to my college dormitory. Pretty nice of them. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Well that was nice. I can say I have never been in the back seat of a police car.

      Like

  12. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    Thanks for the grins, John. 🙂 Luckily, I’ve only been in the back of a police once. I was a youngster, caught in the act of a prank. No charges were filed. They just drove me home and told my dad about it, then let him administer the punishment.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Which I’m certain he did. Thanks for sharing, Tim

      Liked by 1 person

  13. GP's avatar

    I never had the privilege of being in a police car, but after seeing every episode of Law & Order, these sound like good advice!
    Thanks for the chuckles, John.
    (Keep smilin’, even when it hurts).

    Liked by 2 people

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, GP. Got the smiles engaged.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Dan's avatar

    Great list. I loved #8. I’ll send you a copy of my video.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Fun times. Here’s a copy of mine. https://youtu.be/nTtEcWUv2X8

      Like

      1. Tom's avatar

        Fantastic. You two should take your show on the road. Two drink minimum. Shows at 7 & 9. Try the prime rib and remember to tip your waitress.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          What no buffet?

          Like

  15. Sorryless's avatar

    I have been in the backseat of a cruiser one time and no, I wasn’t summoning Freddie Mercury LOL

    Liked by 1 person

  16. shoreacres's avatar

    I’ve yet to make the back seat of a cruiser, although I have had a couple of discussions with our finest. Only one ticket, though, and that was dismissed by a judge wearing a black and white Hawaiian print shirt and sandals. What can I say? It’s the Texas coast!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Sounds like the Texas Coast for sure. Thanks, Linda.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    This is one Top Ten List I hope I never need, John. Good ones!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Me too, Jan for both of us

      Like

  18. Jennie's avatar

    #2 made me laugh out loud. And, don’t mess with Tiny. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  19. rachelcarrera's avatar

    I don’t know what made me laugh harder, the visual images of these possibilities or the nicknames of the offenders. Great job, Mister! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I used to be stumped with names so I went to a sire where there were names galore. This post was before that so these were hard to come by. I’m glad you like them.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. rachelcarrera's avatar

        I’m just bad with faces, so I often make up nicknames (like Skippy) to cover up my problem. LOL! Yours were top notch!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Thank you, Rachel. 😊

          Liked by 1 person

  20. Andrew Joyce's avatar

    I’ll tell you one thing we all do in the back of a police car (if we’re not drunk and trying to kick out the windows. What we all do in the back of a police car is speak to the cops, try to ingratiate ourselves to the cops taking us to jail. Hoping against hope that they’ll see what a swell person we really are and pull over to the side of the road and set us free with a “Go with God” blessing.

    Yup, I do it every time. You’d think I’d know better by now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think it is a good plan though. You never know when it will work. A Texas trooper pulled me over and I was doing about 120 MPH in a 70 zone. He said he had me at 81. I told him I haven’t had a ticket in 40 years so I certainly deserved this one. He did write the ticket but thanked me for being so courteous. The 120 would have been jail time so I still felt okay even though he gave me a ticket.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Unknown's avatar

    […] building scenario does happen but, more often than not, storm deaths occur on Australian roads. Drivers find their way into flooded waters all the time. They think they can take their car through what […]

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you for sharing my post, Michael.

      Like