I agree with eurasiaoverland and Tony, treating a policeman or Gendarme as an idiot will not get you too far; specially if you did something wrong.
Jingoistic attitudes of British Empire may delay you for days, or have your bike impounded if the cop is in a bad mood, and there is no one, ever, that has their bike or car, or personal papers in perfect legal order, so if the Cop looks for a while he will find or invent something to further screw you.
Escaping from a police stop is stupid, generally cops are bored and want to chat or look at your bike. They only need to radio ahead, and being a foreigner you are easy to single out.
Personally I always ask for "help" directions or something (with a smile or look of relief) as soon as I come to a stop...seems to put cops into their more social mode
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