Walking at Night and Stopped By the Police

[PTPD22]

Then why did you bother to even reply then? Your intention is obviously to support your equally negatively biased friend, belittle me and ridicule everything that I have to say and goad me into a response. Congratulations, you have succeeded handsomely.

I really don’t see anywhere in my post that was belittling or ridiculing you.

I was unaware that being in a bad mood or not dialoguing in an amiable enough manner was “probable cause”.

It is not…nor did I ever imply that it was.

The police officer is not a store clerk or teacher and he should be able to keep HIS emotions in check during the performance of his job and not let his personal emotions cloud or affect his judgment or cause him to loose control.

Yes, you are correct. And, nothing in your original post gave any indication that this cop did let his emotion affect his judgment or cause him to lose control.

A voice calls out and I turn and discover a police car in the middle of the road and I ask “Is there a problem?” to which he replies that I appear to be “staggering.” This is a blatant lie which puts me on the defensive even further as I was not staggering and now I feel a defensive obligation that I have to explain myself which I find irritating….

He “asked” in a manner that I felt did not present the option to refuse or say no to at any time during this encounter. Suddenly getting out of the vehicle was aggressive, intimidating and scary and as he does this he says something along the lines of “I am going to do this (the search), is that OK?” as he was doing it anyway. I did not have the option or choice to refuse or say “no, this is intimidating and most certainly NOT ok”. Instead I felt that I had no alternative but to say “yes” and submit, which is exactly what he wanted. That you consider being pressured and intimidated as “agreement” is unfortunate. If a mugger put a gun to your head and asked for your wallet then, yes, you agreed to hand over your wallet. He asked didn’t he and you voluntarily handed it over, right?...

Again he is “asking” while already checking my pockets and not waiting for an answer either way. This is not voluntary compliance…

The experience was intimidating and shocking. I offered the full pat down as the way this situation was unfolding with this individual and nightmarish escalation that I strongly believed at that point in time that a pat down and possibly more, was going to be his next action regardless of whatever he may ask or regardless of whatever answer I may provide. The officer wanted compliance and submission and I felt at this point I better give him what he wants as he is making it increasingly clear that he can and will escalate the situation as far as he wants should he chose to do so. He was in complete control, he showed me who was boss and what he could do if so inclined and most importantly that there was absolutely nothing that I could do about it. He was enjoying his moment of power, authority and control…

With the officer out of his vehicle and physically in my face “Asking” to search my pockets and doing it anyway prior to receiving an answer was unexpected, scary and very intimidating. That was the desired result. Considering the way this circumstance unfolded I do not want to speculate or entertain what may have happened had I refused his so-called “request” to pat me down like a criminal guilty of nothing more than walking in my own neighborhood and using a less than friendly tone of voice.

Well, that is VERY different than the scenario you described in your original post. It is obvious that you will continue to change the story and twist events until you get the pat on the head that you obviously desire. So, ok. Here you go…

The policeman is a VERY BAD man. Poor baby, you were completely justified in acting like an ass and, after all, it is the police’s JOB to be crapped on. So, the officer should have immediately apologized for daring to have any suspicions about such an obviously upright and pious citizen as you, thanked you for setting him straight with your rude demeanor, and offered you a donut for your trouble. He was a bad man and you are entirely justified in your righteous anger.










Feel better?

[Dogmatique]

I really don’t see anywhere in my post that was belittling or ridiculing you.



It is not…nor did I ever imply that it was.



Yes, you are correct. And, nothing in your original post gave any indication that this cop did let his emotion affect his judgment or cause him to lose control.



Well, that is VERY different than the scenario you described in your original post. It is obvious that you will continue to change the story and twist events until you get the pat on the head that you obviously desire. So, ok. Here you go…

The policeman is a VERY BAD man. Poor baby, you were completely justified in acting like an ass and, after all, it is the police’s JOB to be crapped on. So, the officer should have immediately apologized for daring to have any suspicions about such an obviously upright and pious citizen as you, thanked you for setting him straight with your rude demeanor, and offered you a donut for your trouble. He was a bad man and you are entirely justified in your righteous anger.










Feel better?

Co-sign, please.

Folks - we're being trolled.

[aardvarc]

Folks - we're being trolled.

And thus I stand by my observation that the poster would be better served in a therapeutic setting - cause there are issues.

[jk]

I agree - theoretically. In reality, if you refuse to talk to a police officer, you could be in for a bit of trouble. He could find SOMETHING if he wants to (maybe he saw you toss a gum wrapper on the ground 10 minutes ago, or there is a possible violation of Ordinance 903446-19) or determine that you are conducting yourself in a disorderly manner. That is reality. You don't know if you have an upright officer in front of you whose motivation is to protect the community ... or a bully whose motivation is to have some sadistic fun. Both exist (please note: I said "both exist", not "all cops are bullies").

The best course of action is to simply answer basic questions, Yes, sir, no, sir, and don't get visibly upset. Getting upset is going to cause the bully version to engage with you much longer than otherwise. Don't bother with a complaint to the police chief - it's not going to result in anything. The worst course of action is to do what jk says above.

Edited to add - here's a man who was arrested for saying swear words in front of a woman:

http://www.aclu.org/free-speech/cuss...ersed-michigan

If the police officer wants to find something - he can. Or he can just haul you in for disorderly conduct. People have been arrested with a charge of ... resisting arrest. That was the charge.

realize that the law behind the citation has been ruled unconstitutional and either altered or removed (can't remember which at the moment). Until that time, it was a valid and enforceable law. As such, there is nothing improper about the citation the canoist received.

as to disorderly conduct: based on what was stated, the officer would be lying in order to charge DC. So, either the cop lies and makes up a story or lets the guy go.

Sorry but I am not going to be ruled by: the cop might break the law in order to play games with me when there is nothing to gain but lots to lose for him. If that were the case, I guess we all just ought to kow tow to every cop and let them have their way with us. Sorry but not going to happen. I guess if you want to kiss a cops ass and play his game, feel free. I gave no advice that would cause a confrontational situation unless the cop was hell bent on causing one. Of course there are bad cops out there that would but I tend to believe most are willing to abide by the law and either let the guy walk away or demand compliance due to a valid justification. You are simply a fear mongerer. I guess that makes you a Republican and I suspect you are also anti-gun rights and think the Patriot act is a good law.