Fairfax County Police Chief

A supervisor named Crawford was excellent at explaining why I was treated the way I was during the stop (basically, procedure ill-explained) & he used an upbeat friendly tone.  :) Original incident: I parked at the Burke Walmart near 11 p.m. just a little away from the bulk of the other cars but not at the end of the lot (I was hoping to grab a very short nap but didn't want to be eye-balled by passer-bys; very 1st attempt).  Within 30 seconds (while I was still in my car, not doing anything odd, not talking to a local through a window, nothing) a police car shined a super bright light & eventually a cop (Ofc. Dent) approached without introducing himself & asked if everything was okay & if I was going into the Walmart or not then asked for ID.  I said okay but also calmly asked if it wasn't ok to park there. He said it's private property so if you're gunna just do absolutely nothing then no you can't park. I said oh ok & asked if I could just go (I'm not a criminal, so it wasn't as if my ID would show a warrant plus over half the cops I've encountered have been a-holes and I didn't want to risk that).  He said yeah & walked away, so I left. About 30 seconds passes & I'm pulled over AGAIN (or, 1st time) by him!  He said he pulled me over for my plates being expired.  I told him yeah I know it looks expired but they have been renewed & I have a copy of the receipt in the back window which shows I get a 15-day grace period until the stickers arrive.  I handed him my ID & he walked toward the front of my card to shine a light on my safety insp sticker as if he was trying really hard to fine me (Crawford: procedure), he came back after a few mins, saying he could ticket me for improper display but wouldnt this time (Crawford: DMV data was down). I tried to explain there was nothing to display as I haven't gotten the stickers in the mail yet.  His partner had been shining a flashlight into my car doing a quasi search which felt offensive (Crawford: procedure).  Dent seemed confused about DMV regulations...even WITH the paper in full view at the back glass. Dent said I was "arguing" (hostile??) by merely explaining the 15-day grace period...wow. Basically, everything was a vibe of you're not a decent person, although Dent was not as bad as some that's for sure.  Apparently their standard procedures are a bit on the extreme side.  When not explained as purely procedure their actions make you feel like a suspect.  Communication would have prevented this less than stellar rating. Dent was fairly professional but could have communicated better.  At the street stop he mentioned at the end that he felt it was problematic I "didn't want to show" him my ID in the Walmart parking lot.  Crawford: it's procedure to get ID - even though all I did was pull into a space. So, maybe missing data was the problem but since Dent didn't explain that & had followed me I took him to mean he felt I was suspicious. He stated it was a high drug activity area. So, I'm wondering if he followed me due to labelling me a criminal & just happened to notice the expired stickers later, since he didnt mention them in the Walmart parking lot. I'm fine with a ticket or rules but to be treated as if I'm a drug suspect for nothing is extreme & shouldn't be protocol.  Are there all that many female drug dealers or healthy-looking, well-spoken drug addicts? Even in that case correlation wouldn't be causation. Also, I feel less safe if someone has a negative assumption as they approach me with a gun in their possession.  I nearly backed up & left as soon as the bright light was turned on in the lot but didn't want to risk being shot due to some negative mentality clouding an officer's mind ("criminal fleeing to avoid capture" vs. person trying to have a peaceful day). Hopefully the officers will be trained to at least initially keep things more positive (no bright light as soon as I park & approach as a kind person, no "you're arguing") & actually read documentation provided!
2 7 years ago (28-02-2018)

Dirty cops that will gladly strip you of your rights and assault you for little or no reason. Look up the video of Mike stark getting beat up, arrested and the chief saying it was completely justified. " This gentleman was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, the officer's didn't know his intent or if he had a a weapon concealed" The guy was just a boring journalist with no criminal history and it was cold out so he had a sweater on... So I guess don't wear hoodies in Fairfax county even if your white.
1 7 years ago (04-11-2017)

Fairfax County Police is a true first class organization. They understand how miniscule quality of life crimes eventually make way for higher impact crimes. They also patrol streets in a fair and competent manner. They aren't pulling people over for going 4-5 mph over the speed limit or stopping people for other ridiculous things, but they are definitely watching out for everyone and ensuring traffic moves in an orderly and cooperative way. If you're driving in Fairfax County and you know you're a bad driver (texting while driving, distracted driving, stopping past the stop line, running red lights, turning on red without stopping, speeding 11mph over the limit, speeding in school zones) then prepare to be stopped and questioned. Just don't cry about being stopped when you deserved it. If you have a concern, call them and have a talk with an officer. They are here for you and to give you advice and information. Some of them do come off as a little rough and stern, but unfortunately that comes with the job. These men and women have a hard job and have to see, hear, smell and feel things most citizens couldn't even imagine. Unlike many other places in the country (particularly in DC proper), Fairfax County will not forget about your case. Also, if you've been a victim of a crime committed by someone in another state, Fairfax County WILL bring them to justice at almost any expense.
5 8 years ago (17-01-2017)

Crooked cops, liars and thieves. Fairfax is a beautiful place to grow up and work in, but these guys make it bad driving unmarked vehicles and pulling citizens over for unlawful reasons to pump more money into the new police vehicles and military style gear. They'll taser you and beat you down first chance with no reason like in recent events here.
1 10 years ago (04-10-2015)

These people are scum. I was once strip searched simply for telling an officer to quit yelling in my face. And that was one of the more pleasant interactions I've had with Fairfax County's finest. Avoid these people like the plague.
1 12 years ago (09-01-2014)