Police officers assume worst

   I finally reached my gate after pushing through the crowd at Williams-Brice stadium during one of the first football games this season. The guards ahead, including a police officer, were holding up traffic in order to let things flow more smoothly. With much anticipation to get into the game, many students were frustrated.
   A rebellious student behind me kept pushing and shoving, causing commotion in the tightly squeezed crowd. Finally the police officer at the gate spotted him. He pulled out his handcuffs for intimidating purposes, warned the student to stop and go to another gate. The student agreed, walked away from the crowd while explaining to his friend what the officer said. Then, all of a sudden, the officer grabbed the student’s arm, tackled him to the ground and attempted to arrest him. 
   I could not believe what I saw. Yes, the student was causing trouble, but he obeyed the officer’s orders and was still punished anyway?
   It makes no sense to me why police officers are so strict on college students. Yes, we do come across as untrustworthy and there are those who constantly cause trouble, but why is there a defined stereotype that college students are wild troublemakers?
   Officers have their own way of dealing with college students. They automatically assume the worst. Even though, with every citizen they do act pompous to show they mean business, but they do not need to be disrespectful.
   Almost all of us have encountered them, whether being questioned or interrogated, and there is usually no respect involved.                Police officers obviously know how to deal with college students, but do we know how to deal with them and stand up for our rights?
   Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of police officers that have saved many lives and strictly do their job, but there are those who take their pride way too far. We all need to stand up for ourselves and not fall into a trap of interrogation. Here are some ways to defend yourself and your friends.
   First, if you are ever pulled over and are suspicious whether it is a police officer or not, call 911 or a nearby police station to confirm the car pulling you over.   Every car has to be marked with flashing lights.           
   Also, every officer must have a badge with a number. If necessary you can write down their badge number and confirm their position. 
   When a police officer approaches you or your vehicle, you have the right to remain silent. Usually police officers ask for a form of identification or your registration, which you have to give to them, but you do not have to answer any questions. And don’t even think about lying, because lying is a crime and can be held against you.
   Second, never physically resist officers if they have reasonable suspicion to search your car or home. They can’t search your car without probable cause and consent. They also have to have a search warrant to search your home. If they want to come inside, they have to have your permission.
   Hopefully these tips will help us all stand up for ourselves. As long as you show respect towards officers, then they will return the favor. Don’t be afraid to report them to their department if you are dissatisfied with their behavior. They are supposed to be protecting the people, rather than interrogating them.
 

Comments

10 comments

Deez

Thu Oct 22 2009 11:58

btw it's "probable cause OR consent" not AND.

If they see a ton of beer bottles, they can search your car whether you give consent or not.

But forget cops, Rothbard was right.

Mises.org

Human Action Gets Results

Thu Oct 22 2009 09:26

Jeff-Moron
Rex-Apologist for atrocious actions (maybe they can tase you)

BRAVO AND HATS OFF TO BILL C. Easily the best, and most informed comment on here

noobzmaster

Wed Oct 21 2009 18:43

police officers are some noobz just like yall's

Bill C.

Tue Oct 20 2009 13:22

Melinda: "The kid should have silently done as he was told."

I know, don't you just hate it when people speak freely and refuse to obey arbitrary and capricious authority? Isn't it the worst when people choose to pull themselves out from the under the jackbooted heel of authority?

I hope you note my sarcasm. Melinda, yours is the attitude that has allowed our police and our government to routinely trample and maim not only citizens' rights, but the citizens themselves. Your entire attitude of unquestioning obedience and kowtowing to the state is appalling and disgusting. WE are the masters, and government and police are the servants.

rex

Mon Oct 19 2009 19:27

Police are underpaid and overworked. Granted, there are some cases where they may be a little too agressive. But their job is not easy and it can easily involve life threatening situations. Drunk college kids at a football game is one thing, but they also have to deal with people who would slit someone's throat for six bucks and a half a pack of cigs. If its dark outside and a cop pulls someone over you have to realize that they can't go up expecting to see a law-abiding freshman from usc every time. I agree with a lot of your article but I hope you have thought about their job from both perspectives.

Your name

Mon Oct 19 2009 14:12

I think she's right because yes officers have to deal with a lot of stupid people put there but they should treat people with respect no matter what. Also, all of these facts are correct and I feel like she knows what she's talking about.

Your name

Mon Oct 19 2009 12:58

The last half of this article seriously reads like it was copy/pasted from Wikipedia. Good job regurgitating information!

Melinda

Mon Oct 19 2009 10:30

If I had to deal with the crap they do AND get paid at the poverty level, I would be cranky too. Crowd control at games as big as USC is a huge responsibility. They have to have a rough attitude to deal with young people who as a whole these days have problems with respect--and some are dangerous. I am sure the kid you mentioned was drunk and impatient and then started running his mouth with bad language. What would happen if the cops were tolerant of that attitude? The kid should have silently done as he was told. I don't take that crap off my own kids, so why should he take it from someone else's?

Jeff

Mon Oct 19 2009 09:46

Will -

Since when should one only comment on the Constitution if one is a "licensed attorney"? Is that the impression your high-school civics classes left you with?

Oy...

Will

Mon Oct 19 2009 01:55

Since Im assuming youre not a licensed attorney, I feel its rather unwise to be giving a crash course on the 4th amendment and the Constitution in general. Leave it to the professionals, who actually know what theyre talking about.

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