Deception with Law Enforcement: Tales from the Road

Deception with Law Enforcement: Tales from the Road

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Introduction

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Deception with law enforcement can range from the harmless to the deeply problematic. From schoolboy pranks to international journalistic endeavors, the stakes of such encounters can vary widely. In this article, we share personal experiences with law enforcement, from a teenage dash where I may have lied to a cop, to a more complex situation during an international trip that highlights the art of smooth-talking a checkpoint.

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Deception to a Cop: A Teenage Dilemma

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During my younger days, my father, a police officer, had the initiative to take my brother and me on a joyride with his new moped. In the heat of the moment, my brother and I managed to crash it. Upon returning home, Dad confronted us with the scene. He asked, "What the hell happened?"

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In an attempt to appear innocent, both of us said, "I dunno..."

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Technically, this might be considered a lie to a cop. This incident sparked a discussion about the consequences of deceiving law enforcement and why sharing the truth is vital, even if it is inconvenient.

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Deception on the Ukrainian Frontier

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The Journey and the Checkpoints

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During a trip to Ukraine, I found myself crossing numerous checkpoints with two French journalists. These checkpoints were routine, involving the driver opening the trunk and each passenger showing their documents. However, as we neared Kyiv, tensions rose among the customs officers. These checkpoints were highly concerning, especially as the Russian invasion was imminent.

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The Lack of Official Credentials

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Our situation became more complicated because I didn't have any press credentials from the Ukrainian government. My friends, two French journalists, possessed international press cards but I only had my German passport. Given the sensitive nature of the journey, we devised a plan to avoid presenting my press card.

r r I agreed with my friends that they would present their press cards only if the customs officers specifically requested them.r This strategy worked for a while but then we encountered a particularly large checkpoint with several anxious officers.r r

The Ambush at the Checkpoint

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During this checkpoint, one officer requested to see my press card. Seeing the cards of his colleagues, he turned to me and asked, "Where’s your press card?"

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I claimed that I didn’t need one. The officer seemed intrigued and my friends were nervous. Thinking quickly, I said in a nonchalant tone:

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I’m their boss; these two French guys are working for me. I’m the owner of the newspaper.

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The officer seemed satisfied with this explanation. He nodded respectfully and waved us through. My friends were stunned and couldn't believe the smooth delivery of my lies.

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Conclusion

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These experiences illustrate the intricate balance between truth and necessity. Lying to a cop in a crash scenario might have seemed like a minor infraction, but in the high-stakes environment of international journalism, a single misstep can have significant consequences. The art of smooth-talking can sometimes be the difference between having a minor skirmish with law enforcement and navigating through critical checkpoints unharmed.

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