CHL/LEO wrote:For the life of me I can't figure some of you guys out. On this forum I try to address questions that members have submitted, and in doing so perhaps explain why another LEO took the actions he or she did. After I've done that lately it seems then that it all becomes a big conspiracy by LEOs to "tell lies" and "violate citizens rights".
I appreciate all our LEO participants on the forum. Unlike some other forums (a certain moderator on opencarry.org comes to mind), our guys here don't seem to have that "Us vs. Them" mentality that causes so much trouble on the street.
That said, let me continue with your own answer to illustrate why people can feel their rights are being violated:
You may not like the answers I give, or even agree with why our department does things the way we do. That's your choice, but be aware that arguing with a police officer on the side of the road about why you don't like his city's procedures or policies is probably not going to get you the response that you want.
Whether you intended it or even realized it, that's an implied threat. It's one on the mind of every driver: "Give me anything less than full deference, and you're going to jail!"
Is the threat more perceived than real? Probably so, in most cases. Definitely not, in others. In your heart of hearts, you probably could name a few officers you've met, who would effect a custodial arrest over a speeding ticket if they didn't like the driver's attitude.
That individual officer is only enforcing state or municipal laws that they've been directed to enforce.
Do you really think any law requires collection of this information? Some might require the officer to request it, but I frankly do not believe any law requires the driver to divulge it.