Posted on 01/24/2016 6:46:26 AM PST by rktman
I don’t doubt there are abuses, but I guess I have been fortunate not to have experienced them. One of my parents’ ironclad rules when I was growing up was to be respectful and obedient to police, and it has always served me well. I greet them politely, do what they tell me, and we get along fine. (I would note that I have refined my parents’ rule to read: Always be polite to someone better armed than you!) Take it for what it is worth, but I have found that MY attitude and demeanor in approaching anyone, cops included, can make or break the experience. So I treat people respectfully, and it is almost always reciprocated.
We have excellent law enforcement here in Utah; never had any problems. Like most, I’m a huge supporter of the brave men and women and the good work they do. This being said, one thing I would never do under any circumstances is to allow police to search my vehicle. If they want to search my vehicle, they’ll have to get a warrant. If they feel they need to search your vehicle, the onus is on them to go through the hoops to make it happen...NOT US!
Police need to find a way to win back being "the good guys" in fresh new ways.
They are feared by many and viewed as roadside tax / penalty collectors by most.
C'mon folks in blue, you can do better.
Until they purge the Koran they will always have shariah adherents. Yes, I understand what I have said.
You can’t assert your 4th amendment rights and then start talking. The law presumes talking as a waiver.
Though this is not a small town, in some ways our neighorhood had a small-town atmosphere, and most of the cops knew us (or knew about us), and they were cool. However, over the years more than once a cop came to the door looking into possible truant-ism. We would talk briefly, and we'd be OK.
So no personal robo-cop horror stories here.
However, we were careful NEVER to go beyond the required few comments ("No, he's not truant," blah blah.) We talked to them on the front steps and NEVER let them into our house.
You never do that. Never let them in your house, never allow in the Child Protection Unit or any agent of the "social services." You inform them politely that you know they need a warrant, and you call the Home School Legal Defense Assn (HSLDA) LINK on your cell-phone speed dial and tell the cop or agent in question that they can talk to your lawyer.
Otherwise, Child Protective Services can proactively take your kids away, shove them into foster care, walk all over you, and make your life hell for years.
It happens. Not to us, but it happens.
Roger that. But, once the warrant is obtained (how long have you been by the side of the road waiting?) is “something” found that can escalate the encounter? And you know damned well that there was nothing in the vehicle.
all you have to do is remember a few items (that are guaranteed to you under the constitution)..
never tell the police anything...
always have a witness in the room when you are speaking to them...
always request an attorney...
never believe what they tell you...
Had cops come to my house once. I cracked open the door and they asked if I could step outside to talk. When I asked why, they said for officer safety. My response was that if they didn’t feel safe, they should leave. Ten told them if they didn’t have either a search warrant or an arrest warrant, to get off my property or I would call the state police to have them arrested for trespassing. They left.
So... Only the strong, assertive types should assert their rights? The sheep should just be nice and hope for the best? I’ll be a belligerent claimant thank you very much. Such men gave you the 4th amendment in the first place.
LOL! Odd how ANYTHING you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. All manner of interpretation.
When seizing property for monetary gain for the police department becomes a priority over real law enforcement, then I agree. In my area anyway, revenue enhancement seems to have become a higher priority than the typical ‘protect and serve’ ideal.
That was a very bad decision on his part. Obstruction of emergency communication is taken as evidence of guilt.
Her reasoning is not very good,
Oops, early morning. Her reasoning is not very good, but her destination is sound. The police are not on your side, you should not talk to them unless you have to, and at all times during that conversation you should keep in mind that they think you’re the enemy and you’re one wrong sentence from getting arrested.
The article title is correct.
I tell my kids that the job of a police officer when they stop you is to arrest and convict you. Therefore, you be polite, but you keep your mouth shut. You say, I want to speak to my Dad etc.
IT’s all well and good for people to support our police, but I’ve was stopped a few times in my youth by one of these shorter than me County cops who have the small man complex.
You need to be really leary of this type.
Roger that. But, once the warrant is obtained (how long have you been by the side of the road waiting?) is “something†found that can escalate the encounter? And you know damned well that there was nothing in the vehicle.
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Yeah, that’s definitely in the realm of possibility. I tend to think that if they really don’t have cause/suspicion to search your vehicle, they’ll more than likely just tell you “okay, have a good night.”
I think with most law enforcement (there are exceptions!), a little courtesy and respect go a long way. I’m not saying we have to be boot lickers, but just common courtesy and respect. I’ve avoided at least 2 tickets by doing this.
Why do so many conservatives believe unions are bad; unless they’re police unions? And people who believe “the government can’t do anything right”, believe the police are nearly infallible. The police are the government, “in the flesh.
Next time your child is injured in a traffic accident, and the cop asks if they are hurt and need an ambulance, make sure they don’t talk to the cops.
Idiots
Well, this post certainly created a lot of varying views on how folks perceive the local gendarmes.
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