This is the second installment of "Black and Blue: personal stories from the intersection of police and public," a special series occasioned by events in Missouri and New York. We will publish a new installment daily. We'll also gather all of the stories here and moderate a discussion among subscribers. To comment, email the AJC.
Ralph Simpson, 50, is the regional superintendent of DeKalb County Public Schools. He was interviewed last week by staff writer Ernie Suggs. Simpson's remarks were edited for space and clarity.
I was on my way home. I had my son and my godson with me. I made a right turn and it was an illegal turn, so I was pulled over by the police officer. I heard my son say, “Why are they pulling you over?” and I said, “That was an illegal turn that I made.”
I viewed this as an opportunity to share with my son and my godson and provide an example to them about how to respond when you are pulled over by a police officer.
Before the officer came to my car, I rolled the window down. I turned off the vehicle, so obviously the radio went off. When the officer came to the car he asked for my driver’s license and insurance and I said, “Yes sir. My driver’s license and insurance are in the glove compartment, is it OK if I reach for them?” He said, “Go ahead.”
He went back to his car and ran a routine check. Then he came back and said he would give me a warning. He asked me whether I knew that was an illegal turn and I said, “Yes sir.”
So, we drove off, and I asked my son and godson: “Why do you think that officer didn’t give me a ticket?”
My son said because of the way you responded it him.
I asked him to be more specific, and he said, “I guess by you saying ‘yes sir,’ you didn’t appear to be angry. You didn’t question as to why he was pulling you over.”
I said, “Exactly. That is what I want you all to get from this.”
I made an illegal turn, regardless of whether the officer gave me a ticket.
“So take this as a learning tool. That you always want to be courteous. You always want to be malleable. Even in the event that you are wrong.”
As long as I am doing the right thing, I don’t have any fear of being pulled over. Whether it is profiling or not. When you pull me over I’m going to have a valid driver’s license. I am not going to have an open container of alcohol. I am not going to have drugs on me. There won’t be anything illegal about me, so pulling me over is going be a waste of your time.
Tomorrow: Chuck Meadows, a former vice president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and now executive director of the Beltline Partnership, on the time he was stopped because his car didn't look new.
REACTION FROM SUBSCRIBERS
Regarding Mr. Winn in Black & Blue: He stated that he exited a parking lot and “swerved." THAT is why he was pulled over. It would have happened to anyone. I am retired law enforcement (Atlanta Police Department) and Caucasian. I have been pulled over also. If you wrote a story about all drivers, you would find that they ALL have a story about being pulled over while driving. It's a fact of life. Not everyone can claim it was because they were black -- they just suck it up and go on with life.
Robert Ford Daytona Beach, Fla.
In regards to Mr. Winn's story on Monday, people should understand it is not getting pulled over that bothers most black people. Although (DWB) Driving While Black is some areas can be a concern. It is the attitude of most Caucasian police officers that is the problem. When being pulled over, for any reason, most black males are treated as if they have already committed some crime that will require through questioning or arrest. I have been a passenger in a car driven by a Caucasian friend who got pulled over for speeding, the officer's attitude was completely different two weeks later when he pulled me over for rolling through a stop sign. While questioning me he kept his hand on his gun the whole time. Why? My friend and I are the same age, same education, same income level, we even both drove the same kind of car. It is that underlying feeling that we have already been judged as a dangerous criminal that is most concerning.
Elliott L. Long
Duluth, GA
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