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I just watched a complete episode of Live PD.

I was really enjoying it until one officer asked a driver where are you going? His question wasn't to provide the motorist with navigation advice.

At this point, I don't recall the fine details of the stop, but I wondered how is that question germane or even without (I hope) me not sounding like a smart aleck...but how is where a person is going any of the LEO's business?

The guy is an American and if he cares to, he can go pretty much anywhere he wants. And yes, I mean doing so legally.

Maybe, I sound petty, but some of these questions and tactics don't come across as police work, but to me anyway, sometimes come across as police state tactics.

Some here have proclaimed (what I'm about post is based on a citizen not being guilty of doing anything criminal, but yeah maybe was speeding or failing to use a turn signal) that if L.E. requests a search your car, you should respectfully, deny the search. What the heck is germane about searching your vehicle because you were speeding...?

If, as I've seen in some of the Live PD shows (and other of this type L.E.documentaries) the refusee, if you will, then has their vehicle towed away and impounded while the L.E.O. gets a search warrant. You are then left to walk home or call your spouse to come get you, a cab, a friend, etc. In my opinion this is an abuse of power.

You are subject to this sort of treatment (remember, I'm discussing a non-criminal citizen) when you simply don't care to put up with a search. Maybe you have a doctor's appointment, or again simply don't care to have your vehicle searched and say so. You can refuse in a friendly, respectful manner, but I've seen instances on these shows where the L.E.O. then starts asking 'why can't we search your vehicle' and I don't think you owe them an explanation.

Or, maybe some of you in L.E. can explain how this isn't an abuse of power. Also remember, I'm not talking about drivers they've stopped who have all the earmarks of lowlifes, like gang tats, pants halfway down their posteriors, etc, but well groomed, average citizens.

I watched an old (one year) "Live PD" and the officer absolutely insisted the passenger provide I.d., with the accompanying 'how can we know if you have a warrant if we can't identify you baloney?'

If he believes that, why not check everyone, everywhere....? Hey, police state, here we come, because we're all probably guilty of something...now line up, and whip out those id.s, now...

This garbage has to stop.

We do (I think) still live in America and I really don't want to think radical anti-L.E.O. forces have a leg to stand on, but this kind of crap has to stop.

All kidding aside, I'm a pro-Law Enforcement guy, but mess with me as an innocent citizen and the kind of stuff I sometimes witness, means you're law enforcement attorney better be good, cuz I'm coming after you if you've stepped over the line.

I'm not some intimidated white trash you can get away with mistreating this or that way. You Mr. L.E.O. must work within the law, if not, you're breaking it and will answer for it.

P.S. I come from a perspective of a guy who abides by the law, not some criminal hoping to get away with something...

Teamless,

One of the other annoyances is being questioned about where I'm going or have come from?

Unless, I'm under arrest and being investigated, that's my business and I don't owe you L.E.O. an explanation of my coming and going or do you think I do? Pssssst, here's a hint: I don't.

Darn it, we're not living in WW11 Nazi Germany.

Where am I going with this and why? Stop L.E.O., we're not all poor and easily intimidated who must comply. Find out when 'you're being interrogated' by my lawyer as to your Gestapo tactics.

Let's see, am I an American? Yes. Am I subject to interrogation unless I've broken some law? No.

Do I want to see criminals caught?

Absolutely.

But doing so doesn't provide a blanket legal interrogation authority of everyday citizens, because, hey you never know L.E.O. these people may be criminals...

Go ahead, try it.

I'm sure criminals are always threatening L.E. with dire consequences because they L.E. are actually doing their jobs and rightly so, but when they step over the line, there are people with enough resources to punt them into next week of either no jobs or traffic control where once they had status...

How do I know?

One was a cop beating a guy in handcuffs.

He's no longer in L.E.

There are other cases of L.E. stepping over the line.

I want L.E. to do their jobs, but not recklessly...

"Pragmatically though, if they are asking for ID I would provide it as it does not negatively impact me and failure to do so will likely lead to an arrest for...something."

This is the kind of thing thing that bugs the heck out of me. I'm really loath anyone attempting to intimidate me, most especially if I've done nothing wrong.

Yes, no doubt, I agree, if I'm arrested, of course I have to provide truthful information. And will.

My point, and I think it gets murky for some is: There's a certain point L.E. may possibly step over the line and they depend on you being/feeling intimidated and complying with what may very well be something they're bluffing about, buy you feel like you must comply or else. My aching patootey.

If, I'm stopped by L.E. driving/carrying or breaking the traffic law, they have every right to request/insist on I.D. and I will comply willingly.

And no, they've no right to my SS security number.

It's when they don't have the authority, but assume us common citizens must obey because they're always in the right, even when they're not that I get feisty and will get lawyers involved. If the L.E.O. has stepped over their bounds, they will be in a heap o'trouble and their prosecution willl be forthcoming....

Or, an LEO knocks on my door and requests an I.D.

I have mixed opinions about this.

For example: An LEO knocks on my door, requests maybe even insists I show him my I.D. Let's assume I'm innocent of any type of wrong doing. My immediate thought is to tell him we're not in WW11 Nazi Germany and he can get stuffed with his question. I'm in my own home, performing nothing illegal, but he may come up with something like "I'm chasing a bad guy in your neighborhood, so crank out some I.D. sir, now.

Isn't this a 4th Amendment issue? L.E. doesn't get to insist I prove I live here. What the heck? Somewhere along the line, this is stepping over the boundary (seems to me) into police state tactics.

Or, I'm a passenger in a car where the driver is responsible for breaking a traffic law, but the L.E.O. wants my I.D. too when I haven't broken the law, I'm simply the passenger, so what gives? Some of the L.E.O. argue that without you providing an I.D. (as a home owner or vehicle passenger or simply walking down the street minding your own business) how can they tell if you don't have warrants out on you, which to me sounds like an insulting fishing expedition....

I've been watching many episodes of "Live PD" and that's where I see type thing done repeatedly. And, in one instance the L.E.O. told the car passenger (I think, could be wrong, but this happened in South Carolina) that their state law requires citizens are by law required to have I.D. on them at all times. Say what? Again, I'm flummoxed as I thought given we're U.S. citizens we don't have to have I.D. simply for existing...driving yes, carry a gun, yes, and yes you must have an I.D. to collect welfare too, but having I.D. just to have it...I don't think so. Or, are we heading to having to have state passports and border checks between states. Think I'm overstating it? I don't.

If this sounds like I'm cop bashing I'm not. I'm very pro Law Enforcement, but some of these situations would really tick me off if they happened to me and I have the resources to fight such (my opinion) foolishness.

Go ahead, knock on my home door and insist I I.D. myself. No, I'm not threatening violence. I'm getting a lawyer involved and we'll see I can be bullied or not when I've not committed any crime of any kind...

What say you about this sort of thing?

Now, get off my lawn, dagnabbitt!!