Police officers are trained to spot suspicious behavior, and sometimes, the smallest actions can grab their attention. While not everything automatically means someone is guilty, certain things will make a cop more suspicious.
In this post, we look at 16 things that will raise red flags with the police.
Avoiding Eye Contact or Staring Too Much
The way someone looks at an officer can say a lot. Avoiding eye contact completely can make a person seem nervous or like they’re hiding something. On the other hand, staring too much can also be seen as a challenge. Police are trained to read body language, and unnatural eye movements stand out.
The best approach is to act normal: brief eye contact and a calm demeanor won’t raise suspicions.
Making Sudden or Jerky Movements
Quick movements make officers uneasy, especially during a traffic stop or an interaction on foot. If someone suddenly reaches for something or shifts around too much, police may assume they’re going for a weapon or trying to hide something. Always move slowly and keep your hands visible.
Talking Too Much or Not Enough
People who over-explain themselves often seem nervous, which will make police wonder if they’re hiding something. On the flip side, people who refuse to say anything at all can also seem suspicious. While it’s a person’s right to remain silent, completely shutting down can make officers more determined to investigate.
Refusing to Roll Down the Window Fully
When an officer pulls someone over and the driver barely cracks the window, it immediately raises suspicion. Police see this as a sign that the driver may be hiding something, whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or just an attitude of non-cooperation.
Even though you have the legal right to keep the window partially up, doing so can make the cop more suspicious.
Giving Conflicting Stories
If two people in the same car give different explanations for where they’re going or what they’re doing, police will get suspicious. Even innocent people seem suspicious if their stories don’t match.
Cops often ask the same question in different ways to see if the answers change. If they catch inconsistencies, they might start digging deeper. Being truthful and straightforward prevents unnecessary suspicion.
Overly Apologizing or Acting Nervous
Acting overly apologetic, sweating, or stammering will make someone look like they have something to hide. Nervousness is normal, but excessive fidgeting or apologizing repeatedly will make an officer think there’s more going on. Police interact with nervous people all the time, and they know how to tell the difference between regular anxiety and suspicious behavior.
Strong Smells Coming from the Car
When a car smells strongly of air fresheners, cologne, or smoke, it will raise a red flag. Police are trained to recognize attempts to cover up certain scents, such as alcohol or marijuana. Even if there’s nothing illegal inside the car, an overpowering smell can make officers suspicious enough to investigate further.
Refusing to Provide ID When Required
If an officer lawfully asks for identification, refusing to provide it raises suspicion. While people do have rights, refusing to show ID when legally required, such as during a traffic stop, makes it seem like they have something to hide.
Officers are trained to handle uncooperative individuals, and refusing a simple request often makes things more complicated.
Reaching for Something Without Saying What It Is
Anytime you reach for something, whether it’s a wallet, glove compartment, or bag, without saying what you’re doing, it will make police nervous. Officers don’t know if a person is grabbing a license or a weapon. The safest approach is to move slowly and let the officer know what’s happening.
Saying something like, “I’m grabbing my registration from the glove box,” prevents misunderstandings and keeps the officer at ease.
Driving a Car with Tinted Windows or Unusual Modifications
Tinted windows and custom vehicle modifications aren’t illegal in every state, but they do attract police attention. Extremely dark tint, missing license plates, or altered exhaust systems often signal to officers that they should take a closer look. Some modifications can suggest illegal activity, while others simply make it harder for police to see inside the vehicle.
Hesitating Too Long to Pull Over
When police activate their lights and sirens, drivers are expected to pull over promptly. Taking too long to find a stopping point, especially on an open road, can make officers suspicious. They may wonder if the driver is trying to hide something, reaching for a weapon, or considering running.
Driving Too Cautiously
Did you realize that driving too slowly or too carefully will make cops suspicious? Police often associate overly cautious driving with impaired drivers who are trying too hard to avoid getting pulled over. Constant braking, drifting slightly, or driving well under the speed limit can catch an officer’s eye just as much as reckless speeding.
The best approach is to drive normally and follow traffic laws without overcorrecting.
Asking Too Many Questions About the Law
People who ask a lot of detailed legal questions, especially before anything has happened, can seem like they’re trying to find loopholes. If someone asks, “Is it illegal if I do this?” or “What happens if I refuse?” it can make an officer wonder why they’re so concerned.
While it’s good to know your rights, bringing up too many legal questions at the moment will make police more suspicious.
Having Unusual Items in the Car in Plain Sight
Certain objects sitting openly in a vehicle will always raise police suspicion. Things like open beer cans, drug paraphernalia, or even tools that could be used for burglary, will make officers look closer. None of these things are outright proof of a crime, but they can give police a reason to ask more questions.
Pulling Over in a Strange Location
Where someone chooses to stop for a traffic stop can make police uneasy. If a driver pulls into a dark alley, a remote parking lot, or a spot with no witnesses, cops may feel like something is off. They might suspect the driver is planning to flee or hide something.
It’s best to pull over in a well-lit, visible location whenever possible to keep the situation as smooth as possible.
Refusing to Follow Simple Instructions
If an officer gives a basic instruction, like keeping hands visible or stepping out of the car, and someone refuses, it raises an instant red flag. Even if the person has a legal right to refuse certain requests, outright defiance makes police more suspicious. Cops are trained to handle uncooperative people, and being difficult from the start can make the situation more intense than it needs to be.