Just got a visit from the cops

You let the cops in Louisiana simply walk through your house and search it and feel it was a positive experience? I'd ask you to check thorough YouTube and find the NRA videos of the gun confiscations that went on after Katrina, and watch them. You'll never think the police are your friends again, and you sure as hell won't let them search your house without a warrant, no matter how nice they act, or the depth of BS they throw around to get their way.

I watched the videos Ginny Simone did about the confiscations, and wept as I saw what went on in a country where we were taught we had rights. And saw those rights trampled on by law enforcement officers we were taught to think were our friends.

Wow... what a coincidence. This is eerily similar to something that happened to me the other day.

There was this knock at the door, so I went to it and looked through the peephole.

There were three guys standing there in smocks with stethoscopes hung around their necks.

I opened the door and said, "Yeah?"

They introduced themselves as doctors and said they'd had a report that there might be someone sick in my house, then asked if they could come in.

I agreed and and they then entered. One of them asked if they could wander around my place and look for evidence of illness and the like.

Since they were being so nice about it I agreed and two of them took off to see what was in my medicine cabinet, make sure that none of my prescriptions were expired, what sort of meds I might keep in the bedroom; stuff like that.

The third one who stayed with me asked if I was sure I wasn't sick. I said, "Nope, I feel pretty good in fact."

He said that you can never be sure or be too careful and asked if I would mind if he gave me a prostate exam.

Now, I could have been stubborn and insisted that he get a warrant for that, but since he was being so nice and polite about it I figured what the heck.. sure, go for it.

Besides, I knew if he had to get the warrant and come back, the exam would be a whole lot less civil.

So I dropped trou, assumed the position and let him exercise his medical expertise.

Shortly thereafter the other two came back into the living room and stated that everything seemed in order. On their way out one of them commented that I sure had a lot of over the counter stuff in my bathroom and did I have allergies or something?

All in all it went pretty well, almost pleasant even.

Wonder which one of my neighbors might have reported illness at my place.

Also wonder if there was anything I overlooked, did wrong, or could do better next time?

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Now, that there folks is a classic!

Claymore1500 said:

Stepping out the door and closing it behind you (possibly locking it as was mentioned) then refusing them access based on "your right to privacy" only, then limiting dialog to only what is absolutly nessesary, along with asking them to leave, I'm thinking that would give them reason to believe you have something to hide.

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Exercising your rights does not give them reason to think you have something to hide. They may think that as an individual but it is not probable cause nor does it leave them any legal recourse.

They tell you a search will help clear your name or eliminate you as a suspect. While in reality all a search will do is give them an opportunity to incriminate you. Nothing bad will come from refusing consent to a search, if they are going to get a warrant then they will get a warrant but it will not be as a result of you exercising your rights.

I think the op is a bit naive. Just let them in, just let them search my house? Are you out of you mind? Anything is possible concerning the police.

Let me tell you how this would have went down at my house...

Doorbell rings, I look outside and there are three cops at the gate. I open the door (my front door is inside my locked security gated porch) with my M&Pc 357 sig in my OWB holster plainly in view on my hip as it almost always is when I'm at home...

Me.."May I help you?"

Cops..."Can we talk to you?"

Me..."About?"

Cops..."Is it alright if we come in?"

Me..."Do you have a warrant?"

Cops..."No, we just wanted to ask you a few questions."

Me..."You can ask any questions you like from where you are, now what's this about."

If they then told me they were there to investigate possible drug dealings...I would then say...

"Sorry officers, you have some bad info and now if there is nothing further, my dinner is getting cold."

End of conversation.

I would then go inside and call my lawyer.



I had a couple cops show up at my house once after a birthday party we had for my wife, seems the neighbors complained about loud music. By the time the cops showed up about 10:00 PM, the party was already winding down and the loud music had already been turned down.

Me: "May, I help you?"

Cops: "We had a complaint about loud music."

Me: "Well as you can see officers the music has already been turned down and the party is over. Have a good evening."

Cops: "Thank you."

End of conversation

I saw no reason to call my lawyer.

Wonder which one of my neighbors might have reported illness at my place.

Also wonder if there was anything I overlooked, did wrong, or could do better next time?

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Yeah, make the doc wear a glove for the next prostate exam !!!

to the op-

i'm glad you feel like you had a positive experience. if you feel that the situation was resolved and handled in a satisfactory manner then that is whats important.

i believe i would have handled the situation a bit differently. i have never heard of the police going to the home of a suspected drug dealer and asking if they may come in and have a look around to see if everything is on the up and up. if i had chose to waive my right for a search warrant to be obtained before they entered my home, i would first call and verify with the police department that those officers where infact on duty and dispatched to my home before letting them in. i would not let them search my home unescorted without a warrant at all. i have nothing to hide from the police, i don't fear that they'll take my guns, plant drugs/evidence in my home. i just don't like anybody going through my home and through my possesions. i have a right to refuse any search that is unlawful and will fully comply with any search that is done in a legal manner.

meef

Your story was terrific. You put things exactly into perspective.

This can't be for real.

The part that really makes the least sense is where the original poster says in essence "But if the cops had been criminals I would have been ready..."

As if all visitors are either police, or criminals? What??

I have always had the highest respect and regard for all of our LEO's. But one thing I remember back in the late 80's and early 90's in the state of Tenn. I drove 18 wheelers and if you ever noticed those scale houses on side of the road (mostly interstates) is where your vehicle is randomly checked out. One of the easiest citations to issue to truckers was brakes out of adjustment. Guess what was found in the pockets of the DOT officers that were writhing up the most tickets-- 9/16" wrench- to loosen the brake adjustment. Don't trust them, and if they wanted to check your truck, demand a drug sniffing dog and handelers required to empty their pockets out before entering the cab of truck. Tenn got in big trouble about that and my trust and admiration for LEO'S wend down the drain. Will they plant things, just to have the headlines of them doing their job... what do you think.

Uh no

You asked and it seems the answer is............NO one gets in to see the wizard (without a warrant) not no one not no how

Don't hate me for posting the opposite of most on this topic. To start off, I have to say that I am a current LEO that works for a city department, so perhaps I have a different perspective. Someone in a previous response asked for an LEO to comment. Sorry in advance to offend, if it does.

I have to say, that if I were in the same situation, I would have allowed the police to search, even if I wasn't a police officer. I'm somewhat saddened that law abiding citizens no longer trust the police. I assumed that the police took an oath to serve and protect, and to keep people safe. To hear that the police are not trusted by law abiding citizens, I feel that it pins "good against good". I believe we should be on the same team. I understand the issue with constitutional rights, and police have to abide by that. I strongly feel that the police are also here to PROTECT our constitutional rights, and I think about that issue every day when I go to work. I truly hope that every other LEO does the same.

I have absolutely nothing to hide, and nothing illegal in my house. Where I live, I have not heard of, or met a "dirty" cop. Maybe I'm in the minority. Sure, you hear the criminals say it all of the time, but I tend not to trust their information. I look at this way. If you have nothing to hide, and you believe they are really the police, and you are not concerned about them planting evidence (which where I'm from the police have more important things to do), then by allowing them to check the house for drugs or whatever, you are satisfying their concerns. Yes, I know it's a choice, but if the OP feels the same as I, he did nothing wrong. It's a choice for all of us to make, and respected either way. My thought is that he just gained a lot of trust from the police. Unfortunately, there is becoming this Us Vs Them with society and the police. Even with paranoia by perfectly law abiding citizens.

My perspective is that if you tell the police to take a hike a get a warrant, it could be perceived as you hiding something from them, therefore playing into the belief that you are doing something illegal. Based on what information they had, a warrant could actually get approved, and I would assume they would be looking much harder for drugs than if voluntary consent was given. Probable cause is what is required to get a warrant, and there are too many variables to say what PC is in this case. Each case if unique, as well as each judge that's approving the warrant.

Again, I'm not saying that you should allow the police to enter your home and tear it apart, but I see no harm in allowing them to look around. In my state, there is an issue of Ferrier Warnings, where if you agree to a search, you may limite the scope of the search, and deny further searching at any given time.

I'm happy that the OP felt comfortable enought to trust the police and allow a search. Long winded, I know. I'm done with my rant.

...windsor311...perhaps that is true where you live...different states word it differently...but thousands of search warrants are issued on the word of a "reliable informant" WITHOUT the corroborating evidence gathering you describe...time and urgency constraints come into play...cops "sell" the judge the warrant...there was no "shall not issue without corroborating evidence" when I was a cop....may have been added...I've seen appellate courts throw out evidence because a judge issued the warrant on too fishy a story...

...cassandrasdaddy...belittle the posters' "experience" if you will...their posts are accurate and advice is good....and their intent is to help the OP stay out of trouble...which, as you know...is easier to get into than out of....
...we are not "against cops"...I and probably many other posters here would come to the aid of a cop and generally support law enforcement...but realize that the gooberment that drives them and the individuals among them often have THEIR best interests at heart rather than OURS...

...buddyrabbit...excellent way of handling it...nonoffensive and clear...


...this is not about bad cops as much as it's above protecting and excercising our constitutional rights...like the country boy who was asked why he bought so many guns...and answered "Because I can..."

...Justice5...we disagree on several items...but I respect the attitude that you put forth...there have always been those who didn't trust the police...often those who dealt with them more often than most...as has been said...there are good and there are bad...and now, as 30 years ago...they all get painted with the same brush...my opening remarks often were "Now I'm not the last cop who came out here...let's start this over..."
...I'm just an old fat ex-training officer with lots of advice...not to bore you but I'm going to say it again: NEVER allow a search of your car or property that you can prevent legally...the LEOs "perception" of why I say NO is not worth a cuppa coffee and a donut....

Apparently the tip was for XXX Jones St (empty lot?) while I live at XXX E Jones.

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I see...

Another case of cops not being able to read street signs and hassling the wrong people at the wrong address.

There was a situation here a few years back where a man, his wife, and two small kids were burst in upon in the wee hours of the morning, handcuffed, and held at gunpoint while sprawled out on the floor of their home for more than an hour until the local yokel swat team figured out the place they had the no-knock warrant for was two blocks over on a different street.

The place they wanted was an empty home that was up for sale and was being used as a stash house. The druggies cleared out long before the cops got there.

Being able to read addresses should be a requirement for a badge, IMHO.

...I own nothing of questionable legality...I mean it when I say nothing illegal...

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I don't think you understand. It isn't up to your judgment once you've surrendered to the search. You may very well have nothing so much as slightly questionable on your property, but if one officer finds something that HE thinks is questionable, it's over.

I have an example of how completely innocent items got an old friend of mine arrested. On a trip through the Pacific Northwest, he was stopped by police and they asked to search his belongings. In his luggage, he had a ziploc bag with some capsules in it. They were vitamins, but there was no labeled bottle to contain them. For some reason, when he was packing for his trip, he just threw a few of the vitamins in a bag rather than tote the entire bottle along. It looked illicit to the officer, and he was arrested.

I have absolutely nothing to hide, and nothing illegal in my house.

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I read an article in the paper a couple weeks ago stating that something like 20,000 new laws went into effect nationwide on January 1st. This is typical each year.

NOBODY can be 100% sure that they are not violating one of the thousands upon thousands of laws on the books.

And it doesn't take a "dirty" cop to get you into trouble, actually a "good" cop that's really doing his job is worse

My perspective is that if you tell the police to take a hike a get a warrant, it could be perceived as you hiding something from them, therefore playing into the belief that you are doing something illegal.

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Your perspective is interesting and all, but the Supreme Court of the United States has on several occasions determined that your perspective is 100% wrong and out of line with the Constitution.

I'm somewhat saddened that law abiding citizens no longer trust the police.

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Might have something to do with your perspective, and the fact that so many police seem to see the constitution as an impediment to their jobs instead of the light that should guide them in their work.

My perspective is that if you tell the police to take a hike a get a warrant, it could be perceived as you hiding something from them

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I'm somewhat saddened that law abiding citizens no longer trust the police.

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I'm with Zundfolge. These statements don't really go well with eachother. I can't imagine why people no longer trust the police.

I have to say, that if I were in the same situation, I would have allowed the police to search, even if I wasn't a police officer. I'm somewhat saddened that law abiding citizens no longer trust the police.

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Yes, but you are a police officer, and therefore your opinion is both biased and incorrect.

Bottom line: Never let cops in the door without a warrant!

I'm somewhat saddened that police agencies are no longer staffed with near enough individuals worthy of trust or respect.

Where I live, I have not heard of, or met a "dirty" cop. Maybe I'm in the minority.

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Yes you are in the minority. You are a cop and never see the other side of the coin.

My perspective is that if you tell the police to take a hike a get a warrant, it could be perceived as you hiding something from them, therefore playing into the belief that you are doing something illegal.

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And my perspective is if you don't have a warrant which the LAW requires you to, then you are pushing your luck by even asking "to have a look around".

This is the problem with today's LEO mindset. A refusal to comply with any request from law enforcement automatically makes a person "suspicious" to the officer(s). One more reason why people don't trust cops. They have a bad way of treating people like criminals before proof of any wrongdoing is presented.

Asking for consent to search a home is treating a citizen like a criminal.

Again, I'm not saying that you should allow the police to enter your home and tear it apart, but I see no harm in allowing them to look around.

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If there is nothing for them to see, then why bother letting them stomp all over my carpet with their hi-tecs? I'm not doing anything wrong and now my refusal is considered "suspicious".

I ask you this, if I, as a citizen, knock on your door and ask to have a look around, would you consent? Your answer is obviously no. Now I suspect you are hiding something.

Why people don't trust cops anymore.

Here's a great example of why you don't let the cops in:

http://www.patriotledger.com/news/c...95/Handguns-stolen-in-Braintree-home-break-in
Guy's home gets broken into, the cops come to investigate, and the victim gets charged with a crime (improper storage of firearms).

1. They're NEVER, EVER getting permission to enter, unless *I* called them for a specific purpose. With a warrant, they don't need permission. And they're NEVER getting permission.

2. I will NEVER, EVER give consent to ANY search, ANYWHERE, at ANY time. If they want to search beyond a Terry search, they'd BETTER have a warrant, and they'd better dot all of their "i"s and cross all of their "t"s on the Terry search.

When the police show up on OFFICIAL business for which you have NOT called them, they are NOT your friends.

how many stories have I seen recently where one or two (or more) men
were arrested for posing as police officers? Had the badge, the uniform,
even what looked like and unmarked patrol car.

More than enough to tell me that the door stays locked and I will very
politely talk to them through the window and help if I can but the .357 will stay on my person.

If they ask to come in then a polite no.

If they persist then they know the procedure to secure a warrant.

I'm somewhat saddened that law abiding citizens no longer trust the police.

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I'm "somewhat saddened" that it's dangerous and foolish for me to do so. You get the "trust" you earn:

Kathryn Johnston Shooting

Gryffydd said:

Zundfolge said:

Justice5 said:

My perspective is that if you tell the police to take a hike a get a warrant, it could be perceived as you hiding something from them, therefore playing into the belief that you are doing something illegal.

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Your perspective is interesting and all, but the Supreme Court of the United States has on several occasions determined that your perspective is 100% wrong and out of line with the Constitution.

Justice5 said:

'm somewhat saddened that law abiding citizens no longer trust the police.

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Might have something to do with your perspective, and the fact that so many police seem to see the constitution as an impediment to their jobs instead of the light that should guide them in their work.

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I'm with Zundfolge. These statements don't really go well with eachother. I can't imagine why people no longer trust the police.

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I also agree. You claim that you perceive our exercising our rights against unreasonable search and seizures (as well as privacy) is indication that we are

“hiding something…playing into the belief …doing something illegal.”.

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Then you wonder why there is a lack of trust. This after the line of

Justice5 said:

“Where I live, I have not heard of, or met a "dirty" cop. Maybe I'm in the minority. Sure, you hear the criminals say it all of the time…”

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You might want to reconsider exactly who it is who is

… pin(ing) "good against good".

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More and more people see this kind of attitude, and that is what makes them untrusting. Suggesting that only those of criminal behavior or intent refuse consent, and know of “dirty cops” alienates those hones, law abiding citizens who do. Your right about one thing though, it is sad. More and more people are starting to see more of this, and it is making them less trusting. And no, they are not the criminal element.

Watch out, you may get a warning for saying cop Anyway, you should have got more info, proof, reason from them before letting them in. Regardless, you really didn't do anything wrong...