More Evidence of Our New Police State

[Memorex]

Police really are thinking these days that they can do anything they please. It doesn't seem like a two-way conversation between police and law-abiding citizens.

The whole stop and frisk thing in NY is even worse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=w-WMn_zHCVo

[Hollywood]

Don't know how to respond to this. The guy was clearly trying to bait the officer(s) into a confrontation as clearly he had a video tape running.

I know that since MADD started the drunk driving deaths in the US have been cut in half. That statistic doesn't take into account that not all drivers were tested in fatalities back in the 80s. The DUI checkpoints are a part of the MADD campaign to have Police Departments be more proactive in catching drunks. The way the guy pulled up the police officer would be unable to complete the sobriety checks without him rolling down the window further.

At what point do we draw the line? If this sort of behavior is allowed then the effectiveness of DUI checkpoints is over.

The police officer could have handled the situation better, but being baited by an adversarial person does create issues with decision making.

The search was not necessary and the dog thing was mishandled. All officers involved should be reprimanded and if they have previous similar incidents then they should be fired.

[Memorex]

For me, it feels like we have lost the innocent until proven guilty stance - if we ever had it. If it was so critical to cutting down drunk driving, why didn't they even ask him if he'd been drinking? I think this guy does record things to point out issues, but it's interesting how anyone that doesn't "comply" must be baiting. Must be further anal-probed. When the officer asks him to roll the window down further, and he responds by saying it's enough, the officer had the responsibility of playing within the law too and he didn't. If a citizen wants to be knowledgeable and cocky, that doesn't preclude them from enjoying the protections of our constitution.

[Memorex]

This one is far worse:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/07/anthony-mitchell-lawsuit-third-amendment-_n_3557431.html

[Hollywood]

This one is far worse:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/07/anthony-mitchell-lawsuit-third-amendment-_n_3557431.html

This happened just miles from my home. Sad. Just sad.

Too many police officers in NV are ex-military guys and they treat police work very militarily. As a police officer you are often on your own and not following direct orders. Situations are very complicated and require lots of reasoning skills that not everyone has. This is one of the reasons I have never been interested in being an officer, who are very well paid and benefitted in NV. If you don't hesitate you can hurt innocent people. If you hesitate you can get yourself or your peers hurt. Not an easy job and being in the military doesn't always make you qualified.

[ebake02]

The biggest problem where I live is the fact that the state police stations the kids who are fresh out of the academy here. They're all cocky, arrogant and take their job way too seriously.

[StevePerryHair]

For me, it feels like we have lost the innocent until proven guilty stance - if we ever had it. If it was so critical to cutting down drunk driving, why didn't they even ask him if he'd been drinking? I think this guy does record things to point out issues, but it's interesting how anyone that doesn't "comply" must be baiting. Must be further anal-probed. When the officer asks him to roll the window down further, and he responds by saying it's enough, the officer had the responsibility of playing within the law too and he didn't. If a citizen wants to be knowledgeable and cocky, that doesn't preclude them from enjoying the protections of our constitution.

You don't know the laws of a DUI checkpoint obviously. They were completely within their rights to do what they did. The ONLY questionable thing, is did the dog alert? I think one officer said it wasn't a strong alert. So MAYBE you can question the search.

That guy didnt let them get to the drinking question...he had a video to make! And decided he wasn't going to roll his window down to see what would happen. It was night time, and those officers can't see in that car. They had EVERY right to demand it rolled down. For their own safety and to make sure there wasn't a bigger reason he wouldn't do it.

You might want to brush up on what your rights are. If you don't like it, then fight for law change.

I'm more afraid of asshole citizens like this than a cop.

[Memorex]

For me, it feels like we have lost the innocent until proven guilty stance - if we ever had it. If it was so critical to cutting down drunk driving, why didn't they even ask him if he'd been drinking? I think this guy does record things to point out issues, but it's interesting how anyone that doesn't "comply" must be baiting. Must be further anal-probed. When the officer asks him to roll the window down further, and he responds by saying it's enough, the officer had the responsibility of playing within the law too and he didn't. If a citizen wants to be knowledgeable and cocky, that doesn't preclude them from enjoying the protections of our constitution.

You don't know the laws of a DUI checkpoint obviously. They were completely within their rights to do what they did. The ONLY questionable thing, is did the dog alert? I think one officer said it wasn't a strong alert. So MAYBE you can question the search.

That guy didnt let them get to the drinking question...he had a video to make! And decided he wasn't going to roll his window down to see what would happen. It was night time, and those officers can't see in that car. They had EVERY right to demand it rolled down. For their own safety and to make sure there wasn't a bigger reason he wouldn't do it.

You might want to brush up on what your rights are. If you don't like it, then fight for law change.

I'm more afraid of asshole citizens like this than a cop.

Actually, I think if I look at this from a basic constitution issue, they had no right to ask him to do anything or even to set up a checkpoint. Maybe the checkpoints have rules (I have no idea what they are), but the basic idea is that all citizens are being stopped and interviewed by police when the majority have done nothing wrong and shown no cause. The constitution affords us the right to travel freely in the country without fear of molestation (Neverland Ranch aside). The basic idea is that if you are not doing anything wrong, you should not come under suspicion and be subject to these things.

That said, driving is a privilege, not a right (which I don't agree with either) and so maybe there are additional laws. You know, like the complete disregard for double taxation when they charge you insane registration fees every year after they have already taxed your car during the sale. Oh, we'll call that a fee so we can get around that pesky constitution.

Fact is, the officer could have asked his simple question and he could have looked in the glass (though I find that offensive too) and the dude could have been on his way. Yes, he had an agenda and yes, he proved why he should have.

[StevePerryHair]

Many people have tinted windows, and it was dark out. It's not easy. And in an officers mind, maybe they are trained to wonder why.... why would someone not want to roll it down? What are they hiding?

The courts have held the 4th amendment protects citizens against UNREASONABLE searches and seizure. Courts have also held that a brief detention at a DUI checkpoint, is NOT unreasonable. They are a lawful and effective way if finding drunk drivers. This guy had some kind of "rights" axe to grind with police it seems to me. Having his video ready to go, knowing he was at a checkpoint, proves that. And what kind of citizen doesn't know that you roll a window down for an officer. Just for their own safety. That officer has no clue what he's approaching on a stop. Many have been shot approaching vehicles, or asking for such compliances. This guy wasn't too smart about what his rights were. He kept saying everything they did was "illegal" and I don't think that's true. The ONLY part I question, is was the dog's alert a good one?

Cops aren't perfect. And I hate seeing bad cops, because it puts good cops in danger when it creates so many haters. And the good so out weigh the bad. But I don't see a bad cop here. He shouted, but he didn't do anything abusive that I could see.

[Melissa]

Blanket statements about police like your opening line up top are ridiculous, and as a woman with more than loved one in law enforcement, I'm tired of seeing shit like that. MOST cops just want to do their jobs, help people, and get home safe to their kids and families just like everyone else does. Stop making blanket statements about them. All that does is help to plant the seed of hatred for all police, and there is enough of that out there already from tons of completely wacked out people who would just love to have "open season" on all law enforcement.

And traffic stops of ANY kind are one of the most dangerous things they do, and it would do the public well to remember that and simply act like a civilized human being during the process. Quite simple really.

Always easy to be an armchair quarterback

[StevePerryHair]

All he had to do was roll down a damned window. No one asked him to incriminate himself. What they did was completely LEGAL, like it or not. If not, maybe move. Because yeah, police in the U.S. are the least accountable clearly. Honestly, saying we live in a "new" police state is just ridiculous. Cops in the U.S. are held more accountable for their actions now, than ever in history. And I fear in some cases this will be at their detriment. One hesitation, and THEY are the one dead. Cop haters will always exist. But gee, who do you call when a crime is happening to YOU? Oh, maybe that awesome citizen in this video! He seems capable.

[StevePerryHair]

That's pretty laughable FF, even from you. Seriously??? Rarely??? Even in our small city, they have caught robberies in progress more times than I can count. I always wish they all made the news so the thugs could see, STOP coming into our town! And you can't tell me their cars around town, aren't a deterent. How can you know what crimes are prevented, just by them being around. You can't, because the crimes are deterred, and they don't happen. Sadly more negative things about cops hit the news, than positive. And instant media like YouTube and Facebook just make it worse. People acting like assholes to have some viral video.

Maybe we should just not have police. Yeah, let's go back to the old west, where everyone carried guns and did what they wanted. Yeah, no crimes were committed then. Whether you like it or not, the police keep order. When society breaks down, it's when the cops lose control or aren't present. Look at blackouts, look at New Orleans. There is a reason we have them. And how in earth are they making so many arrests if all they are doing is writing reports? You must live in a shitty place if that's your experience.

[Hollywood]

Cops can lie to you to collect evidence and it's perfectly legal. We on the other hand lie to a cop and we are prosecuted. It's not a level playing field. Never talk to a cop. Invoke your right to counsel and 5th amendment and shut the hell up. Thank me later. They can pull me over all they want, I won't say a word because I know they can't be trusted. Where I've been or where I'm going is not their business, EVER! All a cop tries to do is to get you to incriminate yourself. don't let them do it, shut up and get a lawyer and let him talk to the cops, it will be money well spent. Speaking from experience, being honest and nice will not get you off, it will get you ticketed/arrested and convicted. The Law Professor and Police Detective in the youtube I posted above explain this in great detail. In fact, I encourage you to watch the vid just to hear the cop say that the law professor is compeletly right on. Most people incriminate themselves and have no idea what they've just done. If you think being nice to a cop a telling him the truth will help you, you are wrong. If the speed limit is 55 and you get pulled over for speeding, most people will admit to going 58 or 60, guess what, you just admitted guilt. Don't do it. You were going 55 PERIOD end of story. Make the cop prove you were speeding, don't give him the evidence he needs to ticket you.

I think this is good advice if you are talking about criminal activity, including DUI. Invoke and get legal advice even if you are caught red handed.

If you are talking about traffic violations. If i get pulled over for something that I did, i will admit to it and pay the fine. I will always be honest, because I made the decision to speed and have no problem being held accountable. In 99.99% of the time Police Officers are not the enemy.

[Memorex]

You all can slant this any way you want. But the cops in question here told the dog to give the false alert and admitted the person was innocent. They abused their position because the guy was a smart ass. They should not be allowed to do that.

As far as cops - I'm a fan. I think it can be and has been a noble job. Very much so. And I've meet some very kind police. Maybe the majority are all pretty good.

However, just look around. Anyone who thinks that the police are not becoming more and more intrusive is nuts. Our police are becoming like the military in some situations.

Do you honestly think, under any circumstance, we should tolerate a random stop and frisk law on the streets of New York? Is that really ok? If you think so and you think it is just the police doing their job, fine. But to me - that is tremendously out of whack.

In situations like that, I don't blame the police. I blame the idiot over-reaching policy makers. It's mind numbing to me to think that I could be simply walking down the street and an officer would stop and frisk me. WTF? Seriously?

And those people's lives who got turned upside down because they would not let the police set up surveillance of a neighbor in their own home. They absolutely do not have the right.

How about these areas where a cop is allowed to confiscate your phone if they "suspect" you were using it wrong while driving and download every ounce of data from it - including pictures, files, contacts, etc. on their little handheld devices? Think that's ok?

Again, the guy was sort of a dick, but police don't get to make up laws on the spot if they don't like someone's response - especially if they are clearly posing no threat. They fraudulently had the dog alert so they could illegally gain access to his vehicle, which is protected from such searches. If you are telling me that cop just did his job, then absolutely we can agree to disagree.

I don't like half the shit people say at work, but it gives me no right to fire them. We are a society that values (or used to value) personal freedom above all. And I'm saying it's dying.

I'd like to believe all cops are good people. But more and more infringe on people in ways that are flat out wrong.

[Memorex]

Cops can lie to you to collect evidence and it's perfectly legal. We on the other hand lie to a cop and we are prosecuted. It's not a level playing field. Never talk to a cop. Invoke your right to counsel and 5th amendment and shut the hell up. Thank me later. They can pull me over all they want, I won't say a word because I know they can't be trusted. Where I've been or where I'm going is not their business, EVER! All a cop tries to do is to get you to incriminate yourself. don't let them do it, shut up and get a lawyer and let him talk to the cops, it will be money well spent. Speaking from experience, being honest and nice will not get you off, it will get you ticketed/arrested and convicted. The Law Professor and Police Detective in the youtube I posted above explain this in great detail. In fact, I encourage you to watch the vid just to hear the cop say that the law professor is compeletly right on. Most people incriminate themselves and have no idea what they've just done. If you think being nice to a cop a telling him the truth will help you, you are wrong. If the speed limit is 55 and you get pulled over for speeding, most people will admit to going 58 or 60, guess what, you just admitted guilt. Don't do it. You were going 55 PERIOD end of story. Make the cop prove you were speeding, don't give him the evidence he needs to ticket you.

I think this is good advice if you are talking about criminal activity, including DUI. Invoke and get legal advice even if you are caught red handed.

If you are talking about traffic violations. If i get pulled over for something that I did, i will admit to it and pay the fine. I will always be honest, because I made the decision to speed and have no problem being held accountable. In 99.99% of the time Police Officers are not the enemy.

If I get pulled over I'll take the ticket even if I'm not guilty. I have a rule. I speed here and there. I forget my seat belt sometimes. I'll throw down a text message at a stoplight. By the time I get pulled over, I deserve the ticket whether I did it or not.

[Memorex]

If I get pulled over I'll take the ticket even if I'm not guilty. I have a rule. I speed here and there. I forget my seat belt sometimes. I'll throw down a text message at a stoplight. By the time I get pulled over, I deserve the ticket whether I did it or not.

Wow...speechless..

To be fair - I've never not been guilty. I've never been pulled over for something I didn't do. Fortunately. But I don't get upset when I do get pulled over cause I know I get away with a lot too.

[Memorex]

This guy appears more like he's looking to see what happens.

I guess I have to wonder what the laws are surroundng checkpoints.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UULYU5wNlFPqlOTVdIMxGk-A&feature=player_embedded&v=vhy4w1-yKrk

[Boomchild]

Here's a story from Michael Savage's radio program in which a 60yr old woman was roughed up by police because she wanted cash instead of a check for closing her bank account. The bank refused and she said she would not leave until they gave the money to her in cash. The bank called the police. Interesting story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCQrJ2_FDfA