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To: Michael.SF.
"A lot of Policemen would have ran his sorry ass downtown in a proverbial NY minute for being such a smart ass. And they would have been justified in doing so."

Justified? Hardly! Time to bone up on your Constitutional Law, my friend. Last time I looked being a "smart ass" is not against the law. Anyway, his questions in response to his questions didn't seem particularly smart-assy. But some folks think that anything short of groveling before the glorious police is acting like a smart ass.

They work for us, and we have the right to ask cops why they are requesting I.D. or asking us questions, and we have the right to expect a polite, prompt, and truthful answer to our questions.
50 posted on 03/25/2003 4:10:15 PM PST by Henrietta
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To: Henrietta
With all due respect, I have to disagree. First look at the conversation from the officers POV:

Officer: “We hear you've been asking curious questions. Why are you doing that?

Unknown Person: "Why are you asking me that?"

Officer: "Let me see your ID,"

UP: "Why?" I asked.

Officer: "Call for backup,"

UP: “Was I being arrested?”

Officer: “ No, you are not. You are just subject to "investigative detention."

Officer II: "There have been reports of suspicious activity regarding you."

UP: "By whom?"

Officer UP: "Can't tell you that,"

UP "What kind of suspicious activity?"

Officer: "Apparently you have been showing interest in equipment on the grounds, making notes, that sort of thing. Are you interested in talking to us about what you're doing?"

UP: “ I simply want to know what kind of machine it was.

Officer II: "Are you aware of the current threat level?"

*****

Now, take into consideration the time, the place and the level of alert we are in today. the cops do not know this guy from Adam. They ask him numerous questions and get evasive responses, and are (in essence) being accused themselves, by the suspect. He was being uncooperative enough to cause them to request back up. Even after back up is called for he still is unresponsive.

Do I expect everyone to grovel for the cops? No.

Do I expect a cop to get proper responses to reasonable questions? Yes.

Have you or anyone you know ever been pulled over by a cop or asked questions by one? If so, did you act in such a way that they felt back up was required?

This guy was way out of line, and no constitutional right would have been violated if they took him downtown for questioning.

Primary reason would be failure to co-operate with a police officer. Charges are not filed for everyone the police take downtown for questioning.

109 posted on 03/25/2003 5:34:29 PM PST by Michael.SF. (A nod is as good as a wink, to a blind horse.)
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