I recently witnessed two vehicle stops and searches by Fort Wayne Police Department, and they did not just pat down the individuals they did full searches including the vehicles before letting the individuals go. They also took pictures of the individuals before letting them go. Hopefully, the ruling in State of Indiana v. Charles Parham will provide the answer as to how far can police officers go when detaining folks.
The Appeals Court will decide if the search of the car was legal, and therefore, if the handgun can be used as evidence in the trial. After hearing oral arguments from both sides for an hour, the three judges will discuss the case and issue a decision in the next 30-60 days. * * *
"Credo",
ReplyDeleteYou've heard some of my stories before, but I'n not sure if I ever told you this one.
One night I was driving on West Brakenridge St. This is a high crime area where you often see the police stopping cars and pedestrians. I was driving West and saw a patrol car parked on the North side of the road. I slowed down as I approached. Just as I got near the car, the driver shined his spotlight directly in my face. I couldn't see where I was driving momentarily because of this.
I stopped my car about 20 yards past the patrol car and just sat there for a minute. If it had been anyone other than a police officer, I would have immediately went back and asked him "What the f--k is your problem." After setting there for a minute and cooling down, I put my car in reverse. I decided I was going to pull along side the car and say "Excuse me officer, is there some reason you tried to blind me with your light?"
I stopped when the back of my car was even with the back of theirs. The driver suddenly jerked his head in a manner that looked like he was startled. I decided to drive on.
The patrol car did a u-turn and followed me to Fairfield St. As soon as I turned onto Fairfield, the lights came on and they pulled me over. As always, when I am stopped by the police, I turned my emergency flashers on, turned off the engine, rolled down my window, had my left arm on the side of the door and my right hand on the steering wheel (both in full view).
The officer began walking up to my driver's side, then turned around and went to the passenger side. He just stood there at the side of my car for about thirty seconds, as I remained still in my car. Then he knocked likely on my window. I reached over and cracked it a bit and said "Yes?"
By this time other cars had arrived (four total, I believe) and another officer arrived at my driver's side (I think he was from the original car also). He asked for my documents, then took them back to his car.
After a few minutes he returned and I asked why he had pulled me over. He replied "We were just wondering why you came up on us back there." I replied that I was going to ask why he tried to blind me with his light, but I decided it wasn't worth the hassle.
His response was "Did you see those two guys on the sidewalk? that's who we were looking at" I responded "No sir, all I saw was you shining your light directly in my eyes and nearly blinding me."
At this point he shined his flashlight in my face and said "You look a little red-eyed, have you been drinking?" I responded "No, I'm tired and you keep shining your lights in my eyes, that's probably why I'm red-eyed." At this point he paused for a moment then handed back my documents. I think he was about to leave, but he just didn't know how to walk away.
So he said to me "Do you have anything in this car I need to be aware of...any weapons, or anything?" My response was "Yes sir, I have a Glock 9mm semi-automatic, and a permit to carry it. Would you like to see my permit?" He asked me where the weapon was, as another officer began frantically pulling at the handles on the passenger side doors (which were locked).
I replied "I haven't done anything wrong. Do you have the right to enter and search my vehcle?" His response was "Snce you told us you have a weapon, I have a right to examine it." I then said "OK, the gun is in the map-pocket on the back of the passenger seat. Would you like me to unlock the door for him?" (The other officer was still tugging at the handles.) He responded "Yes", so I reached over and unlocked the front door.
That officer then reached in, unlocked the back door, and started searching everywhere except exactly where I had told him the gun was at. I turned and said "It's right there, in the pocket on the back of the seat." I motioned towards the passenger seat, and the officer at the driver's side quickly yelled "Don't reach for the gun, he'll find it" I quickly placed both hands firmly on the steering wheel.
When the officer found the gun, he began playing with it for a few minutes, while the other officer then examined my permit. Eventually the officer tossed my gun (with the clip pulled, and the slide pulled back so that it was inoperable) on my back seat and shut the doors. I almost asked him if his mother had neglected to tell him that he should put things back where he got them, but I decided that I'd had enough fun for the night.
The officer on the driver side then said "Do you have anything else in here, maybe a little weed or something?" I responded "Nope, just me and my gun."He stared at me for a moment then said "Well, have a good night", returned my permit, then walked back to his car.
During the duration of this event, my emotions were varied. I was really angry that they were harassing me, when they were the cause of the problem. I was also a little worried (especially when he shouted "Don't reach for the gun". But mostly, I was trying to repress my laughter. I knew that if this scene appeared in a movie that it would probably have Eddie Murphy or Chris Rock in it, and it would be hillarious for a movie). I guess my desire not to get dragged out of the car and beaten or to get shot was just enough for me to hold back my laughter.
You know, before I lived in this area of town, I would read those stories in Frost and laugh. Did they seriously expect me to believe they were simply walking to church (bible in hand), and a bunch of cops descended upon them and harassed them for no reason? Now, I've lived here twelve years. When I tell my stories (and I have plenty of them) to family and friends (the ones that don't live in this area) they just stare at me in disbelief.
Thanks for sharing one of your war stories. The stop was one thing and the search was another thing.
ReplyDeleteI have probably with the search. Showing the position of your hands and all that is fine and dandy, but it does not stop police from wanting to score..with an apprehension for a legal stop and arrest by trying to find or plant illegal substances.
Not all but they are out there and too many African-American males have to deal with athe bullcrap.
Trust me I have had by run in with some of the creatures even to the point of an arrest. Asking for the officer name would get him to swearing. And this same officer told me that back in the day they would take folks into the woods to not be heard from again. I smiled and told him, the days were over with and to hurry up and place me in a cell because I needed to get some sleep. (At the time I worked at the Post Office and owned my own store).
This officer no longer works with the police department, he had issues.