“The cleaning lady does not represent the police to the public. Sean (or whoever picked up the line) did.”
She might, if I happened to walk into a bathroom she was cleaning. In which case you’d probably say it was my fault if I ignored her suggestion not to walk on a wet floor and someone ambushed me from a stall.
But seriously, just because you represent the police does not mean you are police. It doesn’t mean you can give lawful orders, especially if they’re not actually orders. And finally, at long last, will someone please demonstrate to me that he ignored the “order.” Because if he followed it, this is moot point.
What "Sean" said was far from an order. It was merely a bland statement enunciating established policy, although a properly trained neighborhood watch guy should have fully understood the meaning. And whether or not "Sean" had a badge and was authorized to patrol the streets wearing a gun is irrelevant. He was not on the street, but he did officially represent the Sanford Police.
And finally, at long last, will someone please demonstrate to me that he ignored the “order.” Because if he followed it, this is moot point.
More than likely, Zimmerman did follow the "order". He responds "OK" to the suggestion not to follow. He then states he's lost track of the suspect. Then he starts to give his address (1950 — of which there is only one, LOL) but stops because he fears Martin may be close enough to overhear. Then the call ends, and a few minutes later — well, you know the rest of the story.