BC cops asking for id from people not bothering anyone.?

Question

My son and his friend just finished work on Thursday about 5 pm. They work in construction so were pretty dirty. They walked across the street and sat at the bus stop to wait for a bus home. They weren't bothering anyone. The police pulled up and started asking them questions. Haven't seen you boys around here before. Where you from? Where are you going? What are you doing here? Got any id?
That doesn't seem right. Since when did we start living in a police state where they have the right to question two boys who are not misbehaving in any manner? They weren't coming out of a bar late at night. They weren't harassing bystanders. It was the end of a work day and they were obviously getting off work and headed for home.

Answer 1

I've been stopped myself (I'm in law enforcement) and could hardly be described as suspicious looking. It turns out that the police were looking for a domestic violence suspect and I matched the general description.

They have the obligation/duty to check things out - they don't always tell us why they're asking and that's a trust we put in them in their positions.

There is another issue to consider, especially if this is in the Lower Mainland area.

We're not living in a police state, but the police are waging a really tough battle with drugs, gangs and related problems with the larger issues around homeless people and their effect on business in downtown areas. It's all related to our biggest industry of tourism and how tourists may view our cities and what impression we leave.

As we get closer to the 2010 Olympics, we can expect this scrutiny to increase.

I am sure there was a reasonable explanation for why your son and his friend were stopped and that explanation wouldn't be readily understood by people who aren't in law enforcement.

Answer 2

I'm not defending the police, but perhaps a crime was reported in the area, and as you said, your son was looking a little scruffy, so they may have been checking anybody that looked out of place or maybe loosely fit the description of somebody they were looking for. I'm not sure about the laws in Canada, but in the US, it still doesn't give the police the right to harass people. Maybe they were being overzealous by harassing your son, I had a friend who matched the description of a rapist and was taken in for questioning once, of course he was upset, but the police were just trying to catch a rapist. It's a tough call, but personally I like to see the bad guys taken off the streets, and unfortunately sometimes innocent people have to be subjected to policemen just trying to do their job. If it was a case of the police harassing your son, then I think you do have a right to be upset, but sometimes you just aren't sure. If it happens again, I would ask the police, why are you doing this and why am I being questioned? It's well within your rights.

Answer 3

You were not there. How do you KNOW your little angel wasn't doing anything? Because he told you so? There are three sides to every story. You version, my version, and the truth. Perception is everything. Maybe the cop saw your son and perceieved that they were acting hinky such as avoiding eye contact with the officer or they just looked suspicious. Maybe someone on the street waved the officer down and reported that your inncoent angel and his friend were doing something. The officer went to check them out and see if they were up to no good. Once he talked to your son and his friend he felt that they were no danger and left them alone.

Little tid bit of news for you. Proactive police officers are the ones that catch the murderers, robbers, rapists, and scumbags of society, sometimes BEFORE they commit a crime. Would you rather have this "Police State" as you refer to it or would you rather that us nasty ol mean cops just respond to crimes rather than prevent them.

Thank a cop for doing his job that maybe he saved you from being raped or robbed.

"it was the end of the work day and they were obviously getting off work and headed home"........obviously not to the cop. Again I ask....how do you KNOW your boy and his friend were up to no good?

Answer 4

Cops with big egos on a power trip. Abuse of authority. It's infuriating, but we all know "you can't fight city hall". They'll continue to get away with it too, because they can. It's good that it makes you angry, because it's just plain wrong! It happens in my small town as well. And yes, know your rights!

Answer 5

So, what's the problem???They asked him a few questions. Then did they leave him alone???if so, what's the big deal??????

Answer 6

Always be aware of your Miranda Rights.

Answer 7

Welcome to the patriot act, you can thank BUSH for that!