I was pulled over for carrying a purse.

[LeftHander]

Yesterday I was pulled over by police in Waukesha, WI because I "...was seen running with a woman's purse."

I was briskly have jogging across a busy downtown street with my purse over my should and under my arm. I parked away from downtown due to bridges being blocked off because of flooding. Walked through the fire house parking lot and got in my car.

As I was about to enter the freeway, a officer in a unmarked car was following me closely and then he pulled along side of me then quickly got back behind again and flipped the lights on.

I said. "I am transgendered and that is MY purse, and I wasn't running but crossing the road to get to my car."

He said: "You don't look very female."

I had my hair up in a high pony tail out a ball cap and was in my work uniform.

I think he saw me go across the road and get into my car.

"Do you have something with your name in the purse?" He said.

I showed the officer my Rx with my name on it from my purse and he looked me over. Figuring out I was not a purse snatcher.

After looking at all the music junk in my car, he started looking closer at me and I could see the realization in his face.

He then asked for my ID, apologized and said I was free to go.

Not sure what to think of this.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. At least he apologized, but that still has to suck to be mistaken for a thief *hugs*

[hlthe2b]

2. I realize you are feeling embarassed and angry...

but this does not seem like anything more than a mistake and one that is not out of the realm of understandable confusion... The officer apologized and may well have felt embarrassed as well once he realized the mistake.


Why not let it go?

[Frances]

3. I would have felt embarrassed and angry also

but I too think that since the policeman apologized, I would try to move on.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

4. I know you're rattled, but

it was a scene that arouses all sorts of complicated suspicions, and it doesn't sound like you were actually stopped for carrying a purse. The officer was trying to find out if someone's purse had been snatched - hell, wouldn't you want him to do that if it had been your purse that had been grabbed?

I was so relieved to read that he apologized. It sounds like you both behaved very well. Good for you. Both of you.

[Clovis Sangrail]

5. he was doing his job

when he realized his mistake he apologized.

I don't see that he did anything wrong.
:shrug:

[acmavm]

6. He didn't. This is one of those damned if you do, damned if you

don't situations.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. sorry it happened. that must feel awful.

:hug:

[Growler]

8. He apologized...

...so maybe this can be seen as a learning experience for the officer? In his experience he may encounter far more thieves then transgendered, so on the plus side you've expanded his world-view a bit. :)

[LeftHander]

9. I am glad I was able to help him....

shessh...and he didn't look that sorry.

The point is...does carrying a purse and not looking completely "Right Wing Family Values" femme make one suspicious...?

I think that is crap.

Next time I go to Waukesha I am dressing like this:



:puke: :puke:

lol

[Growler]

10. I'm sorry this was such a bad experience

Honestly, I'm not trying to defend the cop. I've been harassed by cops simply because they didn't like the car I was driving (they told me this). I was just sticking my nose into your thread trying to find something good about the situation. Seriously, I don't know the issues you have to deal with everyday, but can imagine it gets damn frustrating!

[FreeState]

11. So men cant have a purse WTF?

Since when do cops care one iota about what person fashion or property a person carries?

It is not against the law to carry a purse - no matter what sex you are.

I know most of the posters here are trying to make sense of it all and calm you down etc that it was not a big offense but they are wrong IMO. Unless someone called the police reporting that a person with a specific description stole their purse the cop had no business stopping you or even caring about what you choose to cary your belongings in.

[Toasterlad]

13. Oh, Please.

By the OP's inference, the policeman didn't stop her because he thought she was a transgendered freak, he stopped her because he thought she was a purse-snatcher. Are you suggesting that policemen wait until a crime is reported before investigating? The man made a mistake, and he apologized for it. I can understand why the OP would feel embarrassed and humiliated, but it doesn't sound like the officer INTENDED to embarrass or humiliate her.

Granted, I wasn't there, so I have no way of judging his tone or mannerisms. But from how it's been described, it sounds like an honest mistake on his part, for which he apologized.

I am by no means a police apologist, but I do think that in this case, the OP should let it go.

[FreeState]

14. Oh, please your self

(that sounds kinda dirty sorry LOL)

By the OP's inference, the policeman didn't stop her because he thought she was a transgendered freak, he stopped her because he thought she was a purse-snatcher.

And why did the policeman think she was a purse=snatcher? Because he thought she was a man? Thats my point - men can use purses - its sexist to assume only women use them.

[LeftHander]

15. A detail...

When I went across the river there was this family looking at the swollen river. A lot of people who live in Waukesha NEVER go downtown because they think it is unsafe. So as I was returning to my car, I walked past these parents and their five kids. The parents kept staring with mouths gaping open.

I was walking down the river walk, to cross the foot bridge and the father would not move out of the way. I had to step around him into the landscaping. He stared at me and said "how are you?" I said "Fine thanks..."

As his kids were running every which way right next to a very fast running swollen FOX river. Folks were warned the banks along the river could collapse downtown and people were to stay away. (so they were not the brightest bulbs) Take the kids sightseeing to a ongoing flood. With your babies. I was using the foot bridge which was still open and is quite new.

I think they called the police.

So they come to town to see something and then they freak out when they see something that they would only see on TV. (A transsexual)

There are some people who live in Waukesha who need to get out more...

I think the crazy conservatives are freaking out in general in Waukesha because a local bar has started having a "gay night" on Mondays.

Who knows maybe Waukesha will host a Pride Parade someday....LOL....

[mitchtv]

12. well, look at where you were

second , he apologized, even if he didn't mean it. At least he behaved professionaly

[terrya]

16. That was awful. I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

:hug: