If the police knocked at your door and said they where investigating suspicious activity and asked to come in?

Question

just to take a look around and make sure everything is ok......would you let them in?
(no..did this did not happen to me, but if it happened to you, out of the blue, you are watching TV and minding your own business and the door bell rings...)

Answer 1

I have no problem with it as long as they have a warrant signed by a judge, I have nothing to hide. With all of these home invasions going on, you can barely trust anybody. The warrant at least will reassure you that they are real cops.

Answer 2

Nope. I would state that I have been home watching TV for some time and have noted nothing suspicious. I would offer them any help or insight that I could with respect to neighbors or goings on in the neighborhood but I would not allow them in my premises without a warrant....which is my right.

This is actually a tactic often used by police officers to assess a home or situation while either investigating or preparing to perform a raid.

Happened to me...I had nothing to hide but turns out a room-mate did.

EDIT TO NY TRAIN: While you make a good point, the questioner has posed the situation where they are ASKING to be let in. They ask, I say no. At that point if they still wish to enter, then they can use the probably cause.

Answer 3

After seeing there Police ID (a badge is NOT ID) I would ask what type of 'suspicious activity' they were investigating and why they thought looking around MY home would be helpful. If they had probable cause OR a warrant, they would not be ASKING to look around.

Answer 4

All the wanna be legal scholars on here need to educate themselves on the law.Like everyhting else, without probable cause, no they can not. If they have probable cause, and can explain it at future court hearings, then yes they can. A "warrant" is needed very infrequently and usually during a ongoing criminal investigation. Your average uniformed cop not only won't have a warrant, but often does not need one. It all comes down to probable cause.
Probable cause could be the smell of pot, somebody hurt, underage people drinking, someone yelling for help, or any other violation of the law.
Bottom line, if they REALLY want to come in, they will. They will find probable cause, then your lawyer will have to argue it in court, if charges arise.

For the record, though, cops don't come to your home "out of the blue" There is usually a reason. We don't just drive around going..."oh, lets go knock on that door".
If a cops at your door, he has a reason and odds are he isn't leaving until whatever brought him there is resolved to HIS satisfaction.

BTW..cops do not have to show you the warrant, so asking to see a warrant is useless. The fact they are doing what they are doing means they have a warrant. Your attorney will see it in court. people watch to much TV...LOL.

Answer 5

lol

I would tell them to bring a warrant. This isn't Nazi Germany.

I'm waiting for some "If you have nothing to hide, let them in." comments. Whoever says such a thing belongs in communal living situation where no property is private. Let the government set up a microphone and camera in your home if you have nothing to hide.

The 4th Amendment in the Bill of Rights
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Anyone who let police in without warrant, deserves NO freedom OR privacy. PERIOD. You have allowed your servant, which you hire, to become your master.

Answer 6

No. I would politely tell them that there was nothing "suspicious" going on, but if I see anything I will be sure to give them a call. Have a good night officers.

Answer 7

No I would not let them and it has happen to me. Cops got dispatch to wrong address they became abusive and I told them to leave.With out a warrant they have no authority to search or come into your home

Answer 8

Yes I would. I have nothing to hide. Especially as one who works in law enforcement I am more than willing to make thier jobs easier.

Answer 9

i guess I would ask then what kind of suspicous activity, then i woudl call in to the station to make sure it was legit, then I might let them in, I have nothing to hide

Answer 10

I understand where you are coming from. But in this day and age I would let them in as long as I felt that they were real cops. Then I would offer them coffee and, of course, a doughnut. If people were to cooperate with the cops more it would be better all around. They need us as much as we need them.