Unbelievable Unwarranted Search Without Consent
If you aren't convinced we are becoming a police state, watch this video. What was she being stopped for, suspicion of hiking?
The woman denies consent to the search repeatedly. Her denial is ignored.
Law prof Jonathan Turley comments:
This video of a San Bernardino police officer circling and confronting a woman hiking in the desert has raised the anger of many about the increasing intrusion of police surveillance and operations. The officer lands his helicopter and confronts the woman without any evidence of reasonable suspicion, let alone probable cause.The video shows the officer circling over the woman and shining its light at her. He then confronts her and demands to know what she is doing. She is polite and friendly, explaining "just exploring and picking up rocks." The officer then demands her ID, which she does not have, and takes down her name and date of birth. He then makes her wait while he runs her name through the police computer. The only explanation the officer gives the woman for being detained is that "We're investigating something right now." It is not clear why that investigation would involve checking to see if there was anything he could arrest her on.
Even after she is cleared, the officer demands to know if she has any weapons and tells her "don't put your hands in your pockets." He then searches her without a scintilla of reasonable suspicion.
My comment on YouTube about reporting police misconduct:
You can report this and the report will be investigated by his superiors. The complaint will go in his record and stay there -- at the very least. Please do report it. Call the Sheriff's department there. I just interviewed a police sergeant about this. Report, report, report police misconduct!
At a few thousand dollars per flight hour for fuel, maintenance, and manpower, this is a gross expenditure of tax money that Californians are paying just for the purpose of...well, I'm not sure what the purpose of this "stop" was.
Maybe he thought she was a six foot something tall, black, male, rogue cop serial killer?
As much as it pains me to acknowledge, entitlement spending isn't the only reason we are all caught in the whirlpool of debt.
Azenogoth at February 12, 2013 6:47 AM
I thought they were supposed to call in a car if they saw some reason for a stop
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nonegiven at February 12, 2013 7:23 AM
Whew! She's lucky they weren't positive she was Dorner or they'd have shot her up. Or maybe Barny Fife only had one bullet....
Nolo Contendere at February 12, 2013 8:38 AM
Come on, Mike Hunter, Jeff Guinn, and maybe Patrick!
Explain what mode of travel is YOUR Constitutional right!
"Knowing" - from right there in the Ronald Reagan Building: aren't you wondering why this woman wasn't strip-searched, and doesn't the idea make you tremble?
Radwaste at February 12, 2013 10:00 AM
So is this Thug Cop the exception or the rule? Do we need people like this in law enforcement? At what point do we fire or lock up the thugs?
JoeBlow at February 12, 2013 11:24 AM
The assumption is that the officer was part of the search for Christopher Dorner on January 24th. Given the recent shooting of two women by the LAPD looking for Dorner, she might have to consider herself lucky to have only been delayed.
This video was shot on Jan. 24th, the police weren't looking for Dorner yet, so I'm not sure why Turley even referenced that in his story.
Regardless - what a smug SOB that cop is. What a waste of time, money and energy. And San Bernardino is in BK - it all makes perfect sense.
sara at February 12, 2013 12:55 PM
It would have been funny if someone flew off with the helicopter while his back was turned.
Justin at February 12, 2013 5:31 PM
As Dorner wasnt even targeting 'random' women his comment is even more assinie
lujlp at February 12, 2013 5:33 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/02/12/unbelievable_un.html#comment-3602119">comment from JustinIt would have been funny if someone flew off with the helicopter while his back was turned.
Justin, that would have been hilarious.
Amy Alkon at February 12, 2013 6:11 PM
Kentucky: The retention period is 5 years unless they were canned for the complaint. Search for 00102 and 03985 in
kdla.ky.gov/records/recretentionschedules/Documents/State%20Records%20Schedules/kystatepolice.PDF
Texas: PS4075-01e: INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION RECORDS: Written complaints and records of oral complaints received from the public concerning the conduct of law enforcement officers, fire department personnel, and emergency medical personnel that do not lead to an internal affairs investigation. RETENTION: Determination not to initiate an internal affairs investigation + 2 years.
www.tsl.state.tx.us/slrm/recordspubs/ps.html
California may make the local cops files permanent. But I bet the unions have a rule that blocks the records over x age don't count.
Jim P. at February 12, 2013 7:30 PM
Given that it's CA, were they looking for illegal immigrants? It looks to be 100 miles or so from the border.
NicoleK at February 13, 2013 12:27 AM
Given that it's CA, were they looking for illegal immigrants?
For what? To register them as voters?
dee nile at February 13, 2013 4:46 AM
BTW -- does CA have the Terry Stop rules -- i.e. cops can't require you to identify yourself without an articulable reason that they stopped you.
In other words:
cop: "Who are you? What's your name?"
person: "Why do you want to know?"
cop: "We're conducting an investigation."
person: "Can you tell me why I am a suspect and why you are stopping me?"
cop: "No."
person: "Then am I free to be on my way?"
cop: "No."
=================================
Other scenario:
person: "Can you tell me why I am a suspect and why you are stopping me?"
cop: "Yes. I think you are guilty of XXXXXXX"
person: "Why?"
cop: [bullshit reason given]
person: "Do you have a witness or evidence?"
cop: "No."
=================================
She had no reason to talk to the cop. He probably had no reason to even land.
Jim P. at February 13, 2013 10:47 PM
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