I was curious, my crazy ex showed me a police report involving someone really close to me to sabbatoge the relationship. Was he allowed to do that? What are the police ethics. Can they do back ground checks on your spouse for no reason? Can they run a plate from a car that sits in front of your house? Or would it be consider harrassment and an invasion of privacy? Also, what can happen if a cop is slandering you? My ex is a control freak and makes my life hell!!! Advice on how to deal with him please.
2007-09-28 15:15:52 · 6 answers · asked by tropicalbreeze 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
There are limits to what police can and can't do.
As to an actual police report, in many states, after a certain stage of a case, a police report is a public record available to whomever wants to see it.
As far as running background checks, the rules governing the national computer system that connects the criminal history records of most of the states place strict limits on the use of that system for improper purposes. I know of a trooper who got criminal charges for doing that. It does not fit in the definition of harassment or invasion of privacy, but it is its own criminal offense.
Slander is a civil matter. If you can prove that someone is spreading untruths about you that damage your reputation, you can sue them in court.
If your ex is a cop and he has stepped out of bounds, I would suggest contacting your state Department of Public Safety to see who would investigate this type of complaint.
2007-09-28 15:52:22 · answer #1 · answered by Tmess2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is your ex a cop? If all of this is happening to you because he has access to the resources of the department, complain to his supervisors. But be sure you can back up what you say. If you do not get satisfaction there, go to the city counsel and/or the press.
A police report is a public record, so someone could get a copy and show it to you.
The police can run plates on anybody, anywhere, but what they do with that information is where they can run into trouble.
Same with background checks.
Be very careful if your ex is a control freak armed police officer. He might not be stable. Have you considered moving out of his jurisdiction?
2007-09-28 15:22:51 · answer #2 · answered by raichasays 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The law is a law unto themselves .
With that said , no if the case does not pertain to the person holding the information they are not allowed to view unless they go through the freedom of information act to get the records but names would be blacked out so would the detail of the crime's done/.
I dont know how your ex got the record if he's not a cop but I'd be ringing the local ombudsmen and dobbing his @zz in.
2007-09-28 15:26:29 · answer #3 · answered by JadeyOz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe police reports are public record through the freedom of information act.
2007-09-28 15:21:42 · answer #4 · answered by Death Girl Am 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sue in Small Claims Court. Sapoena the cop, that should piss him off because he may not get paid to go to court. Bring three estimates of your damages with the report. Call Judge Judy or Mathis and get on TV. They pay airfare and hotel too.
2016-05-21 02:00:52 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, he isn't allowed to do that, but not because the laws say he can't. That's a matter of "internal policy" for the cops. It can greatly jeopardize their case, among other things.
2007-09-28 15:57:51 · answer #6 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋