> Public servants doing “knock and talk” searches with their foot in your door don’t seem to understand this ... <
These no-warrant incidents are among the worst police abuses. And heaven help the homeowner who tries to shut the door to his own house. He WILL go to jail for assault on a police officer.
Moral of the story: No warrant = don’t open the door. Be polite. Talk through an open window, or whatever. But don’t open the door.
And it’s a damn shame we’ve been put in that position.
That's a huge problem. In reality, the homeowner is not "assaulting a police officer" or assaulting anyone else. He is employing minimum force to defend against an armed, defiant trespasser. The "officer" with his foot in the door is committing a first degree misdemeanor in many States.
Crimes committed by public servants need to be prosecuted and punished more severely than similar crimes committed by private citizens. We give our servants enormous power; they need to be held accountable when the abuse the powers entrusted to them.
No warrant = don’t open the door.
Indeed. If you must talk to them at all (through a closed door or an intercom), simply instruct them to leave and inform them that they are trespassing.