Don't you think this cop went a little too far?

Question

Last year on 2/14/06 when I was at a train station getting ready to leave for a quick minute for something before getting on the train in 40 minutes, this cop just drove up to me as I was walking to my car just because he didn't like the way I was walking to my car. I had no problem with him asking me questions or even if he gave me a breathalyzer test, what I had a problem with was that he wanted to see my ID, look at my plates, and do a background check on me. I thought that was uncalled for. I thought that was unnecassary because
I WASN'T ACTUALLY DOING ANYTHING WRONG. If I did something wrong, fine. But I didn't deserve that. Out in public,
I don't think anyone should have to be subject to pulling out their ID to a cop unless that actually did something wrong.


I think it's an abuse of power and I would gladly write to the House of Representatives about this. I'm gonna report this transit cop. A cop can't just do a background check just because of the way someone walks.

Answer 1

It sounds like an abuse of power, but what you do is go to the police station and pick up a grievance form, or citizen's complaint. Swear it, and ask for an investigation.

Since INternal Affairs is just as corrupted, nothing will happen unless the cop's violation was caught on tape. BUt your complaint stays on his record, and maybe he gets his fill next time someone accuses him of doing likewise.

It is neve a waste of a resource.

Answer 2

As I was not there to witness the event, I can only speculate what the whole story is. You took a preliminary breath test, so he must have had a reason to contact you.

As a police officer, I can tell you why I always ask for ID and check plates anytime I contact a person. I do not know you. You may be a good person. Then again, you may not be a good person. I need to know everything I can about each person I contact in order to preserve my safety. I need to know if you carry guns, have a record, have a warrant, or are on parole or probation, among other things. I cannot vouch for the way in which that officer did things, seeing I was not there. I hope this gives insight as to why we ask for an ID and check plates.

Sorry you had a bad experience.

Answer 3

Of all the many complaints and prejudices I have against cops, this is one instance where I would have to agree with the police. I wish the police would spend more time checking IDs and less time writing tickets. Cops abuse their power in so many ways, but checking your ID is acceptable -sometimes annoying and rude, but not abuse. If you were a wanted felon, the cop could have been saving the community from your next criminal act. If you are innocent, then he will not find anything on you. That's a GOOD thing.

I'd be happy with the police checking my ID daily if it meant they were also successfully identifying and catching wanted criminals. It doesn't really become a problem until they start singling you out based on their personal opinions and prejudices rather than legitimate reasons.

Answer 4

Why is this coming up now, it occurred more than a year and a half ago. Let it go, get on with your life. I don't know the entire circumstances as to why he asked to see your ID, I'm certain if you would have asked him, he probably would have informed you why. As a police officer I can not think of a time that I ever asked anyone for their ID unless I had a good reason. Personally if a police officer asked me for my ID, I have no reason not to show it to him as I have nothing to hide.

Answer 5

Here's the deal. A Police officer can ask to see your ID anytime, but you don't have to give it to them. If you gave him your ID upon request it is your fault. Educate yourself on the law.

Also, he ran a check for warrants, not a background check. Background checks go through the FBI and take time and special permission. Police officers cannot just run a background check whenever they feel like it.

Answer 6

Seems the officer felt there was something suspicious. The officer does have the right to detain you to run your license, plates and wants and warrants. Sometimes officers have to rely on their"gut feeling" to perform their duties of protection and service. I'm sure this made you uncomfortable and angry. Let me pose a scenario: Your a by-standard, and you witness this situation, and the person is a wanted felon or a terrorist. You would be pleased with the officer.

Answer 7

"I don't think anyone should have to be subject to pulling out their ID to a cop unless that actually did something wrong"

And exactly how would that work? The cop has to prove you did something wrong first? How? If he doesn't even know who you are, how can he prove it was you? Oh yeeeaaahhhh, he COULD ask for your ID so if you DID actually do something wrong, he'd know who the wrongdoer was.

Sounds to me like you were weaving around the parking lot; he thought you were publicly intoxicated so he stopped you. You know, doing his job.

Answer 8

No.

"I think it's an abuse of power"

No, not really. Its standard procedure to check an individual for warrants. If he didn't, he would not be doing his job. Also, a person is required by law to identify themselves when asked by an officer.

Plus, we are missing some information here somewhere. He had to have a reason. You may have matched the physical description of someone he was looking for. They just don't stop and check for nothing. They have better thing to do.

Answer 9

Just for arguments sake...YOU know you are doing nothing wrong...but YOU DO NOT KNOW I JUST GOT A CALL ABOUT SOMEONE WITH A GUN MATCHING YOUR DISCRIPTION!! OMG!! Point is I don't know if you are a good guy or not....so just cooperate and I'll feel better...give me crap...I'm gonna look deeper. After all I'm doing nothing wrong so check me out...if it helps catch the bad guy who does look like me/match my description then it's worth it. No?
Oh yea ...tell ME 'no' when I ask you for an ID....

Answer 10

I think it is crap too, but cops are little tin gods who can do whatever they want. Although, not to call you a liar, but there might be more to the story than you are telling. But, hey, I had a cop stop me once for no reason. Last winter I was walking to the store near my house, and I was bundled up with a ski mask on (it was -8 degrees out, so much for "Global Warming"), and as I was walking along the side of the road, a State Trooper pulls over and asks to see my ID. I didn't have any on me, just 5 bucks so I could grab some milk at the store, so he actually makes me get in the back of his car, and then he drives me home, and makes me show my ID to him, then he runs a check on me with his car's computer, and he actually had the nerve to cuss me out for not having ID on me when I went to the store. He was pissed that I made him go out of his way. And, of course, I couldn't say anything, because he was a cop. They are annoying sometimes.

Answer 11

It seems obvious that he had some reason (besides the way you walked) to question you. He is there for the protection of all travelers. If he actually questioned you for the way you walked, maybe you were staggering.