Hey Police Officers RANT

[Bob_VT]

The other night my car was hit and damaged in a mall parking lot. Upon discovery (at night in a snow storm it appeared as the license plate was damaged... in the daylight it showed all the damage) I contacted my insurance company and I was told I needed a police report. I contacted the local sheriff's department and I had to wait for the "mall officer" to report the incident.<br /><br />When I reported this to the "mall officer" (full time deputy w/sheriff's dept) I was told it was common and happens all the time. He filled out the report (1/2 sheet of paper)then asked for my license.<br /><br />Upon receiving my license he called into the dispatcher and asked for a "27" with my license number. When I asked why I was told he was checking for wants and warrants! <br /><br />I felt as if this was an intrusion into my privacy and did not feel it was necessary... am I wrong? <br /><br />I just felt as if the deputy had no reason to do that and when I asked I was told that is the way he "catches criminal's"..... real insulting to me I had nothing to hide.<br /><br />I was not even in the car when it happened however, as the owner I had to report it as if I was driving.<br /><br />The Sheriff's Department will be left off the list for this year's donations by me.<br /><br />So, if you ever in Rutland, VT and someone hit's your parked unattended car be prepared to have your license checked!<br /><br />Bob

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

That's the way it works All Over, Bob.......<br /><br />Anytime a Police Officer gets ahold of Anybodies Name,+ DOB...... <br />They run a Check to see Who you Are,+ If Anybody is Looking for You.........<br /><br />It ain't Just Rutland Vt.........

 

[AzMeadMan]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

It is standard practice, as far as I know, to check everyone they come into contact with. It is not only a good way to "Catch Criminals", but it allows the officer to know who they are dealing with. I look at it as an officer safety issue. It only takes a moment and it gives the officer an idea if he should be extra cautious. <br /><br />Even as a Volunteer with one of the local PD's we check everyone we come in contact with. Even when we are helping them with a stalled vehicle or giving them a jump or ride to the gas station. You never know who you are dealing with.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

I agree that is standard practice. I know in Ohio, even if you are just calling in a report, they will ask for your SSN and run a check on you as well. Law enforcement has their hands tied in so many ways that they gotta have some means of finding people that are wanted. At least that is the way it is in this state.

 

[JB]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

Hmmmmm. I agree that it is standard practice and that it is annoying.<br /><br />I wonder if the ACLU might consider it "unreasonable search" when there is no probable cause, such as in your case. <br /><br />I agree that a person stopped for traffic infractions offer probable cause, but a person simply reporting hit and run damage might not be covered under the Constitutional definition of "reasonable".

 

[neumanns]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

Kinda Ironic...Without your donation they will have to continue to call them in as opposed to getting the in car system so they no longer have to call them in <br /><br />Our county is getting the in car this year....I got a chance to see the system an must admit that is one heck of a tool for law enforcment.

 

[San Antonio Cop]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

I've been in law enforcement for nearly 26 years now and checking someone's identity when we are dealing with someone is a common practice. Don't take it personally. How do you think we catch the bad guys who are wanted for terrible crimes?? Do you want those folks living next door to you?

 

[ehenry]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

I'm not down on cops, they have a thankless job. BUT, they can pretty much do what they want when they have you stopped or come to a call. If they ask you for permission to look in your car and you say no, theres reasonable doubt. At that point they call the dog and put the dog in your car. They can stop you while you're driving for what ever they want, you dont have to be breaking the law. I know that cause I've had too many cop, deputy and trooper friends tell me this. SO, I find it best to hold your tougne then fight them in court.Which will more than likely be an excersise in futility ! !

 

[KRS]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

I don't see anything wrong with it.<br /><br />He's not going to stand next to someone unless he knows they aren't a wanted person.<br /><br />They'll justify it as officer's safety, and I agree.

 

[PW2]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

JB, I think you are on shaky constitutional grounds. Driving is a privledge granted by the state, not a right.<br /><br />The authorities have a right to "run" your license to check its validity.<br /><br />Had they wanted to search the trunk of the car, or something similar, that would be a different story, but you are not required to posess a driver's license unless you wish to operate a vehicle.<br /><br />Running your SS# might well be a violation of privacy, however.<br /><br />Moral of the story is don't expect your insurance company to pay if you are operating a vehicle with a suspended or otherwise invalid license.

 

[heycods]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

Originally posted by SS Mayfloat:<br /> I agree that is standard practice. I know in Ohio, even if you are just calling in a report, they will ask for your SSN and run a check on you as well. Law enforcement has their hands tied in so many ways that they gotta have some means of finding people that are wanted. At least that is the way it is in this state.

Were going to have a problem when they ask for my ss# I dont need them broadcasting my ss# over the air, because dispach is going to come back with my name. Thats too much Imfo for them to broadcast. If they wont my Drivers license # thats fine.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

The only place I have experience a wants and warrants check that I thought was inappropriate was when I accessed public records at the San Jose, Calif police department. I had to sign in and provide photo id, and they called it in before I was allowed past the security booth. Public records are public, without exception. ID cannot be required in the US, and public records need to be available to anyone and everyone that chooses to access them, when they choose to access them. If the police want a secure environment, they need to move the public records to another, more accessible location.<br /><br />I guess it wasn’t so much the wants and warrants check that got me excited; it was the inappropriate requirement of id, any id, to access what is mine/your/ours.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

Originally posted by heycods:<br />

Originally posted by SS Mayfloat:<br /> I agree that is standard practice. I know in Ohio, even if you are just calling in a report, they will ask for your SSN and run a check on you as well. Law enforcement has their hands tied in so many ways that they gotta have some means of finding people that are wanted. At least that is the way it is in this state.

Were going to have a problem when they ask for my ss# I dont need them broadcasting my ss# over the air, because dispach is going to come back with my name. Thats too much Imfo for them to broadcast. If they wont my Drivers license # thats fine.

It is not legal, actually forbidden for any law enforcement to require your ss#. They can ask, but you never have to give it.<br /><br />On the other hand, the new National ID program is linking your ss#, bio data for id, and birth records to your drvs lic, so there really isn’t a need for Johnny law to ask for your ss#.

 

[JB]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

PW2, I agree with what you say, except:<br /><br />Bob was not operating or attempting to operate a vehicle when his license was "run". Nor was he doing so at the time of the damage. He was simply reporting damage to his property while he was not present.<br /><br />To me, that questions the right to "run" his license for wants and warrants.<br /><br />I'm no lawyer, but I am a libertarian, and a part of our liberty is to be safe from unreasonable search. <br /><br />I don't claim that it is unconstitutional, but I would want a Federal Judge to say that it is or is not.

 

[salty87]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

i don't see it as unreasonable. you're going to the police for something...help, info, to report something....should the police aid criminals by providing them help or information? they can't take measures to be sure that the person they're dealing with isn't a wanted person? they should just take everyone at their word and trust them?<br /><br />with regard to access to public information...the public is allowed access. i'm pretty sure public is defined as law abiding citizens. show proof of ID and be prepared for problems if you're wanted. makes sense to me.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

If you don't have anything to hide, don't worry about it and be glad they are trying to get the bad guys off the streets.

 

[Serentiy]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

I agree let them know your the good guy and they will be more eager to help you out. How would you like to have to tell who was good and who was bad just by what they looked like or what kind of car they drove. I like that they can do a check up on someone for their safety.<br />Serenity

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

Originally posted by JB:<br />To me, that questions the right to "run" his license for wants and warrants.

Would you feel better if they ran his "ID" instead?<br /><br />

Originally posted by 18r:<br />The only place I have experience a wants and warrants check that I thought was inappropriate was when I accessed public records at the San Jose, Calif police department. I had to sign in and provide photo id, and they called it in before I was allowed past the security booth. Public records are public, without exception. ID cannot be required in the US, and public records need to be available to anyone and everyone that chooses to access them, when they choose to access them.

Public records are only public for Americans. Should someone from Pakistan be able to pop in and take a look whenever they want to?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

Are you surprised? This is America. You're guilty until proven innocent.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Hey Police Officers RANT

JB you have hit my thoughts exactly!<br /><br />If I had been asked or even advised I would not had a problem with them doing it I have nothing to hide.<br /><br />I guess I considered there treatment to be underhanded! There are two ways to take a temperature .... you can be polite and slip a thermometer under the tongue or rectally.