What rights do we have against 'civil-forfeiture' when pulled over by the police?

My Brother was a Sheriff's deputy for 30 years in Phoenix. He would haul show horses(cutting horses) to shows all over the west coast. California cops would stop him, try to degrade him, trying to Imply he was a business, and write him a big ticket for not having a Cali number on his door. he would listen, then place his badge and Glock on the dash. He then would say" I know your boss" If you continue, you will never drive a car again.. The cop would run and tuck his tail between his pantywaist. John loved that. he warned me then of this problem, and he has passed from cancer. But the problem persists.