Posted on 01/03/2009 4:41:51 PM PST by don-o
Today as I was walking about six blocks from my home, a police cruiser rolled up. The officer said that a woman had called in that a person fitting my description had "been looking into her car." Now, this is without any basis in fact. I looked into no car, except at a street crossing, where I looked in the driver's eyes to assure that I had been seen as I was crossing.
In the course of the exchange, I was asked to produce identification. Which, I did. He also asked me where I was going. I told him. On reflection, I wonder if that is correct policy by the police and what would have happened if I had refused.
Okay—this raises a question for me: If you were the person walking down the street and the cop stopped you—and you were armed, are you obligated to tell him that. I know you are under obligation to tell the officer you are armed if he stops you while driving.......but I’ve never heard this scenario discussed.
“Well, you could answer the officer’s questions, or you could stand on principle, refuse to comply and be taken in, then questioned.”
Yeah those pesky principals, almost like rights and stuff.
And it would have been ruled a suicide.
Well, it appears many here on FR believe it is so I’d better tell him to stop doing it. :)
“IMO, if honest people tolerate such MODEST intrusions we would all be better off since the criminals would not be allowed hide behind their “rights.” “
In other words if you’re honest you wouldn’t mind a warrantless search. If you do mind then you must be hiding something.
1. Because I did no such thing.
2. Because I was very distinctively dressed - red jacket (open) over an orange sweatshirt (GO VOLS!!). There is no doubt in my mind.
Please. I knew that there would be someone to take my comments out of context. Did you notice the emphasis on MODEST?
What part of "To protect and serve" does that fall under? So your advice is to shut up and take it?
Just because you didn’t do it doesn’t mean that it was a false report.
There's not that fine a line between cooperating with law enforcement and unreasonable search and seizure. Being asked to identify yourself is not out of line, and is compelled legally in most states. The "where are you going" thing verges upon onerous, but is understandable coming from an officer attempting to determine whether our FReeper don-o was cruising around the neighborhood, looking to break into cars, since he fit a description that was provided by a concerned citizen, who had observed someone who looked very similar, peering into parked cars.
Hi don-o, You shouldn’t ever talk to the Police ever. Not from some knee jerk reaction, but for your own protection.
Check out the above video. These guys are right on spot. You have to protect yourself.
The Police don’t have a right to question you ever. Don’t be intimidated with them, be polite, be honest, ask if you are under arrest, ask if you are free to go, don’t say yes to a search. Say get a warrant, say you don’t consent to a search. Invoke your rights, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, use it.
“Did you notice the emphasis on MODEST?”
That’s like being a little bit under arrest when he decides something he saw warrants it.
I believe in cooperating and helping the police when I can. I would not allow them to enter my home without a warrant or there was an emergency. I would offer to bring my cordless phone outside to him.
There is no doubt in my mind.
***
Most likely the officer was on a fishing expedition and there never was any report. It happens.
Oh, well. There's your problem right there. ;)
Did you read my point #2? I would bet any amount of money that I was the only person so dressed within a mile radius. It was a false report and one of my questions to the Chief and what follow up is done with “concerned citizens” such as my accuser.
“The best thing that will happen as a result of your letter is that the chief will ignore it, the worst is that the cops will paint a target on you.”
Sounds like the Soviet Union. And cops wonder why people don’t like em.
You (and all the SEC) will again TREMBLE before the mighty Volunteers!
Right now Auburn trembles before a third-grade tiddly-winks team. LOL!
thanks for the info. Good stuff.
Ya beat us (thanks for that so we could finally get a coaching change)Tiddly winks...hmmmm
Maybe that’s what our boys were up to this year
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