Got pulled over by some dudes that looked real grungy, driving a nice car. They gave us an attitude, threatened to arrest us, and said theyd let us go if they coul search us and the car. Thing is, they never stated who they were, who they worked for or showed us any kind of ID. Can they do that?
2007-02-23 19:13:14 · 11 answers · asked by daydreamr_22 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Malo,
No...when prompted, they need to provide at least a badge number...were I in your position, I would have called 9-1-1 from my cell phone to make sure these were real cops pulling me over...and waited for a marked cruiser were they not able to confirm.
I wouldn't have consented to anything, and I probably wouldn't have pulled over until I saw a marked cruiser. Lotsa baddies out there getting away with murder (literally!) claiming to be cops...some pretty convincing, I hear, with fake uniforms and everything!
Be careful...
2007-02-23 19:21:00 · answer #1 · answered by Wolfsburgh 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! Law enforcement must identify themselves, their department and tell you what law you are suspected of breaking. Depending on the state you have the right to refuse a search of your vehicle. They can however have a dog brought to the scene to sniff for illegal substances (drugs, guns etc.) and then perform a search of the vehicle if the dog indicates it found something. In General undercover or plain clothes officers are not allowed to make traffic stops for moving violations because people don't believe they are police. It is not uncommon for uniformed officers to drive unmarked cars so as not to be so conspicuous. I think you were either encountered by some punks have fun with you or some crooked cops looking for something to take.
2007-02-23 19:22:38 · answer #2 · answered by dpanic27 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they did what?!!
you have a right to ask for id and a right to never leave your car without them showing you their badges or proper ID. if you give consent, then they can pretty much do anything. but you also have a right not to have them search anything locked in the trunk or anything that would be considered private (like in a toolbox with a lock on it). these rights are from the 4th amendment search and seizure laws.
hope they didn't get you out of the car and search it or whatever cuz that's just wrong. what were they looking for anyways? oh, if they were law enforcement agents, they don't have to tell you why they want to search your car if they have probable cause for doing so (like if they are chasing down some dudes that match your description for robbery).
2007-02-23 19:29:14 · answer #3 · answered by usf law 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why does everyone automatically start the unprofessional rant? Police officers are people too. If he was flirting then maybe he just took the chance to ask. Just because he stopped her to ask for her number doesn't mean he's going to arrest her. I have some family in law enforcement and my aunt and uncle (who is an officer) met in a sort of similar way. Everyone acts like they are all robots and don't have feelings and take risks or make mistakes. If she felt truly, TRULY uncomfortable and he was indicating sexual behavior that is not okay, but illegal to ask someone for their phone number? Then every person that has ever gone to a bar, club or out in public should be arrested.
2016-05-24 05:01:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, they can't. First, you need to consent to a search or they need a warrant, otherwise it violates your 4th Amendment rights protecting you against Search and Seizure, and also makes the "officers" liable for lawsuit. If you ask them for ID, they're supposed to produce it; many departments require you to show ID for any official business when you can't readily be identified as an officer (UC, out of uniform etc.).
If you have any information (plates, descriptions, what agency they may or may have claimed to work for), report it to that agency's Internal Affairs Bureau or the Police Commission.
2007-02-23 22:03:32 · answer #5 · answered by Buckshot Lullaby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was always my understanding that the police HAD to identify themselves when performing an official act, like pulling you over and searching your car. If they threatened to arrest ME, I would have told them to, and to call in a uniformed officer. At the least you could get them in trouble for failing to identify themselves, and possibly illegally searching you without a good reason.
2007-02-23 19:24:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, no. Unless they did a plain view search of your vehicle. To do otherwise would constitute need for a search warrant unless your consent to search was given.
Regardless, a normal law enforcement officer would identify himself as a cop. If these guys didn't do it, then I would be real concerned as to if they were REAL cops. They could have been anyone, thiefs, drug dealers, etc.
2007-02-23 19:22:49 · answer #7 · answered by C J 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO WAY NO HOW. It wouldn't happen to me. I live in Texas and I carry a concealed handgun. He had better show me a badge pronto when he pulls me over. And he doesn't search my car unless I tell him he may search my car if he doesn't have a search warrant without probable cause.
2007-02-23 19:29:27 · answer #8 · answered by Pommac 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like they may not be real cops, you just got played. if you have a tag number, go to the local police and ask to file a report. if you learn it was police, file a complaint. Undercover cops don't usually make traffic stops -- it would bust their cover
2007-02-23 19:22:20 · answer #9 · answered by picture . . . perfect 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they have to show you ID if you ask for it...if they refuse,get their tag number and file a police report
2007-02-23 19:17:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋