Hey no problem, it's that when you are on the inside, you see certain reasons for things. This is any profession.
NYPD started it with Comstat. Crime was reduced, but it had to come down further. Someone thought that, hey a lot of times a car is pulled over and it is found that the person was driving with a suspended license. So the thinking was to look for driving violations and see what happens when cars are pulled over.
The results took a few years, because they started realizing that some crimes were being stopped before being committed because the suspects had been id'd on the way to commit the crime and decided not to. Also drugs, guns, persons with warrants were being found during car stops as simple as ...tag light out.
Now don't forget, when you drive and are stopped you must give up you license to the officer. But don't relinquish your rights when you are stopped for something simple and they want to search your vehicle with no other cause. Or you are asked , where you came from, where are you going, why you are out this late. Of course these are teaser questions to see if there is cause to detain you further, but as long as you are legit, exersize your rights.
Also in some states, verbal warning are OK, in others there must be some type of written affirmation to the stop, warning or actual ticket. I have stopped plenty of people as a courtesy to let them know that, they have no tail lights at all, tires are low, door open, etc. But here in SC I have to produce some written documentation, so I give the warning ticket. After all how many people actually cut on their lights and walk all around the car, most assume that if the dash and heads work then everything else must be working.
Hope this helps explain some of the LEO crazyness...
But like in every profession there are BUTT-HOLES, you will know those, when the time comes and I would not hesitate to advise, make a complaint against them if you can make a legit complaint. Even in small towns, no one likes adverse comments.