The report says the officers stood outside while Apple-affiliated investigators searched the man’s home. That violates the fourth amendment (assuming there is no warrant) and violates other laws (police can’t delegate their duties to non-public officials). If this story is as reported, then some fundamental protections have been violated.
Apple uberalles.
I understand that the gentleman consented to a warrantless search. Whether the police were bullies or just hinted they would go easy if consent was granted (and it looks like they did), we haven’t been told.
But it would be wrong, and bizarre, for the police to delegate that to Apple, not even having one officer watching. After all, the city would be responsible if something went wrong.