Here is the misunderstanding -- Final End

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Date Posted: 19:45:29 05/24/02 Fri
Author: schwabra
Subject: Here is the misunderstanding
In reply to: Drummond 's message, "But how do you decide whom to stop?" on 16:13:04 05/24/02 Fri

People are searched for: suspicious behavior, fitting a profile, random checks.

Problem: What I consider suspicious, you may not. Then you accuse me of singling you out. I may be wrong, but at leats I am doing my job. Where if I beleived you were suspicious and did nothing, I would be negligent.

Profiling: Police use it all the time to help solve crime. It is used to pick people for searches. Problem: some people think it is racially used. Well, even if it is not discussed, this is going to happen. I was accused of using racial profiling because I stopped a car full of black men in a predominantly white neighborhood. Until the individuals were out of the car, I could not have told you their race. My suspicions were raised when the junky car was seen driving up and down the same street in a more expensive neighborhood for several nights, and had been called in. I was aware of the call, and had a very basic description of the car (junky) no make, no model, not even a color (just dark). The people were stopping in a park to drink after work. No major crime, just driving under the influence. Was my stop wrong? Was I singling them out because they had a "junky" car? I think I had reason to stop them.

Here is another area that is frequently called improper: random checks. Any means can be used to pick a car to stop under these rules. Mostly slow days. Airports randomly pick people all the time to search this way. Is it wrong?

There are statistically so many people that are trying to sneak things past security. So if I check so many, I may get lucky. I like this reason to search. Of course to use it, we must decide on the way to pick people before hand. Just picking someone out of a crowd is not really a good idea. Every 10th person, every every car that enters on the hour, etc. Then you stick with it. This protects you from criticism.

As to drawing weapons. Only where you are in fear for your safety. Of course, entering an unknown situation could warrant it. If someone does not comply with instructions, definitely. You can not wait to see if it is safe. When in doubt, draw your weapon, then make sure it is safe, then re-holster your weapon.

A drawn weapon just shows that the officer is being extra cautious, or is doubting your intentions. Do not take it personally, just do as you are told, and things should go alright.

Searching usually is after the scene is secure. Weapons should be out of play at that point. If I ask you to step aside, step aside. If you do not, the hand is on the weapon. If you continue to resist, you will do so with me in a position to protect myself in the quickest way possible (my weapon pointed at you, aimed to kill in the first shot). If you see a weapon drawn, do not think that the officer will not shoot. They will. If they don't, shame on them. Your injury or death is in your hands at that point.

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Replies:

That's comforting? -- Drummond, 12:44:38 05/25/02 Sat
- He said they had "their hands on their guns" -- schwabra, 18:41:10 05/25/02 Sat
  - You're right -- Drummond, 02:19:09 05/26/02 Sun
    - You are right too -- schwabra, 09:21:07 05/26/02 Sun
      - Then a suggestion -- Drummond, 11:18:47 05/26/02 Sun
        Sounds good -- schwabra, 19:21:31 05/26/02 Sun
        Well, then at least afterwards -- Drummond, 02:19:02 05/27/02 Mon
        That is always my goal -- schwabra, 08:25:22 05/27/02 Mon
        Well, I know that polite behavior is part of the training -- Drummond, 14:20:38 05/27/02 Mon