What is the best way to greet a police officer? Bow or salute?

I had the same experience! I'm a harmless old lady and the officer who stopped me almost went for his gun. He acted very angry. I was only getting out of the car for his convenience, but I guess things have gotten so dangerous that cops feel safer if you stay in your car. He also seemed upset that I was digging around in my purse trying to find my license. Maybe he had suffered a traumatic incident recently and was nervous. I guess it is advisable to stop your car, sit perfectly still and do absolutely nothing until they tell you to. Bowing or waving might be misinterpreted as an act of aggression. By the way, it had been many years since I had been stopped and I was not aware of the new protocol. Maybe there should be occasional public service announcements to make people aware of these procedures. I was acting out of a motive of respect and helpfulness, but was unintentionally doing the wrong thing. I cannot blame cops for being nervous these days and feel very sympathetic to them.

I simply great em like a guy I've known for years, “What's up man” etc and they like that too, it really makes em feel you cool to the touch.Every now and then I bump into a real strick stuck up cop but eventually they warm up to my street style of talking.Most of em are cool you just gotta be cool don't get mad as I once did and the officer let me off without a ticket but not without throwing the warning at me to let me know he didn't like my attitude.Live and learn…

Hullo Occifer, can I hep you? Kidding, that has never happened to me. When I've done something wrong, I usually offer a doughnut, (again kidding). Usually with my tail between my legs. Accept ticket. Drive away. I work with the police often and alway greet them with a friendly hello.

In a lot of situations in India, you begin by sheepishly smiling, saying "sorry" and then reaching for your wallet.. Haha, JK. A smile accompanied by the question, "what's wrong?" said in a most polite manner is enough to greet a policeman approaching you.

You're able to drive safely down the road, without fear of being car-jacked at a stop sign, run off the road by drunken kids, or shot at by your neighbors for parking on their side, etc., because of police officers like the one you disrespected. I can walk my dog at night without fear of being robbed or worse because of local police keeping the monsters at bay. To answer your question, you should turn on your dome light, place your hands on the wheel, and wait for instructions quietly. And save your lame jokes for the long hours in booking.

You must live in a strange place (in any sense of the meaning) if you think that kind of thing is the norm. In Ireland, "Hello" usually does the job.

In Hyderabad, India, I usually greet them in the local language, when translated - Please tell me Sir. They at times mistake me for a non-local who doesn't know the local language. On requested, I show them the necessary papers. I usually treat them the way I want to be treated by them. Works every time.

Turn off the engine, turn on the interior light if it's night, roll down the window, keep your hands on the steering wheel, and follow instructions. Say hello and be polite. That's how you show respect to police officers when they pull you over.

Neither.  At least in the US, Canada, Britain  and rural Spain where I have had contact with police officers. Keep your hands in plain view and greet him/her politely, "Hello Officer"