Threatened by Police

[4sarge]

Hey guys,

Thanks to all that gave good information. I was told about this website from my father last night and figured I would share my story. I am not a "troll" for not for not responding asap I am just busy. I am not the only one that this has happened to in this county and the surrounding countys. I live in bloomington wich is a college town and very liberal the police around here do not like for your gun to be on your hip or even seen. I definitely don't want anyone to think I am bashing the police they put there lives on the line every day and I respect that. You can't blaim them all for two guys mistakes these to were either on a power trip or really misinformed. After reading everyones response I will be definantly be calling the sheriff to ask him if he can update his officers on gun laws. At this point I think it is like most of you said my word againts theres so there is not really much that I can do besides make a phone call and complain. Thanks again for all the info and to anyone who does not beleave my story beleave what you want that is your right.

Thanks Brad
Thanks Brad,

Brad, I'll take you at your word BUT you must call because if it happened to you it will happen to others if the Sheriff is unaware of it happening. Several of us need to know because it could effect the vote. Please call, it happened to you and you need to initiate the action.

Thanks

 

[samrothstein01]

Thanks again for all the info and to anyone who does not beleave my story beleave what you want that is your right.

Thanks Brad,

Brad....INGO can be a rough crowd at first, especially with such a charged first post. Typically first posts are much more light hearted than one charged with controversy, individual rights, guns, LE's, politics, etc. As you can see, we are all very passionate about our rights in one fashion or another. And tempers are always fun!

We are also used to seeing some folks come into INGO for reasons other than joining a group of fellow minded enthusiasts to share/learn/enjoy the community. So, unfortunately for you, it seems like it was a rough start.

Don't let that deter you. We are all busy, some more than others...but jump in when you can and hopefully you will find it as enjoyable (and helpful) as many of us do!

As a quick suggestion, make your next post here....Introductions and Greetings - INGunOwners

and give us a little bit more to work with.

 

[USMC_0311]

Hang in there Brad, keep us informed on your progress with this and welcome to INGO

 

[U.S. Patriot]

If the officer has no reason to believe that I have committed a crime, he should have no power to detain or arrest me. Carrying a handgun is legal behavior in Indiana. If he politely asked me to see my LTCH, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

What if an officer showed up to your house to ask routine questions and then handcuffed you while he searched your house for weapons that might threaten his safety.

In my book it's a very, very serious violation of my rights to handcuff me and detain me. It's a felony if I do it to another civilian, so for a cop to do it he'd better have a damned good legal reason, which if the poster is to be believed, he clearly did not have in the situation under discussion.

And, if you reread your own comments, I think you'll see exactly how relevant my search without a warrant analogy was.

I agree that the way the officers conducted themselves, was very unprofesional. They could have done 1 of 2 things. Firstly they could have asked to secure his weapon, untill the check was complete. Followed by the words "for our safety". The op could have said 1 of 2 things, yes or no. Secondly they could have let him keep his weapon holsterd, had one officer keep an eye on him, as the otther ran his check. Like I said before. I have no problem with complying. If I'm approached in a profesional manner. If asked to consent to a search. I expect a reasonable reason, or the answer is no. If was in his situation, I would have complied then file a complaint. Just as he did, and is doing.

Lawful or not, in that situation to me it's better to comply then have things get esculated. He walked away with his gun, still able to file a complaint. Could have been allot worse. My response to the ? about being cuffed, while they searched my house for weapons. I would ask why I was being cuffed? Then I would ask if they had a warrant? At this point you are cuffed. What are you going to do? Resist, possibly get slammed to the ground or worse. As much as it would suck, you comply then you get names and badge numbers. Also a car number, and plate number if possible. Then you do your fight legaly. If they did do something illegal, God willing they will be prosocuted for their actions. Everything does not always happen the way it should, or the way we think it should. Innocent people loose legal battles everyday. I'm not saying make yourself a victem, but be careful what battles you choose to fight, and where you choose to fight them. That's all I'm saying!

 

[boozoo]

Hey guys,

Thanks to all that gave good information. I was told about this website from my father last night and figured I would share my story. I am not a "troll" for not for not responding asap I am just busy. I am not the only one that this has happened to in this county and the surrounding countys. I live in bloomington wich is a college town and very liberal the police around here do not like for your gun to be on your hip or even seen. I definitely don't want anyone to think I am bashing the police they put there lives on the line every day and I respect that. You can't blaim them all for two guys mistakes these to were either on a power trip or really misinformed. After reading everyones response I will be definantly be calling the sheriff to ask him if he can update his officers on gun laws. At this point I think it is like most of you said my word againts theres so there is not really much that I can do besides make a phone call and complain. Thanks again for all the info and to anyone who does not beleave my story beleave what you want that is your right.

Thanks Brad
Thanks Brad,

Even if it is a case of your word against theirs, I would be very tempted to go see the Sheriff in person. Gay as this may sound, dress as professional-looking as you can (perception benefits reception of what you have to say). You can raise plenty of hell in a respectful manner and I bet you a dollar to a dime he has some words with his deputies about it.

 

[38special]

If the officer has no reason to believe that I have committed a crime, he should have no power to detain or arrest me. Carrying a handgun is legal behavior in Indiana. If he politely asked me to see my LTCH, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Ditto. The police in the US are not supposed to be gestapo asking for our "papers".

It seems like some gun owners feel like they're inherently allowing themselves to be looked at as criminals as soon as they strap a gun to their hip.

We are law abiding citizens acting well within the law and thus have no reason to allow police to bother us for anything. I don't care if it's not common. I don't care if it scares some people. Guns in general scare some people.

I'm hosting the SKS shoot in Bloomington on private property. One of my neighbors down there doesn't like guns. Does that mean it's OK for the police to come onto my private property to search all of us to make sure we're not breaking the law without probably cause while we practice our God given rights for recreation?

I'd be raising hell.

I agree that the way the officers conducted themselves, was very unprofesional. They could have done 1 of 2 things. Firstly they could have asked to secure his weapon, untill the check was complete. Followed by the words "for our safety". The op could have said 1 of 2 things, yes or no. Secondly they could have let him keep his weapon holsterd, had one officer keep an eye on him, as the otther ran his check. Like I said before. I have no problem with complying. If I'm approached in a profesional manner. If asked to consent to a search. I expect a reasonable reason, or the answer is no. If was in his situation, I would have complied then file a complaint. Just as he did, and is doing.

Where do you draw the line?

Cops can't beat you either. Just let it go and file a complaint later?

Be a good little sheep and don't cause a ruckus.

 

[GlockRock]

To My Gun My Right, and the INGO Community,
I would like to inform everyone that Owen County Sheriff Chester Richardson has been made aware of this alleged incident from a member of this community. Sheriff Richardson has researched this incident and found it to not involve any officers or employees of the Owen County Sheriff’s Office, but rather another local law enforcement agency. Further, there have been no formal complaints filed in regards to this alleged incident with the Owen County Sheriff’s Office. Should anyone have any questions or comments for Sheriff Richardson, he can be contacted at (812)829-4874, or at chester.richardson@owencounty.in.gov
Thank you.

 

[Denny347]

P
When a cop pulls you over for a traffic stop, should you surrender your car untill they run the info to make sure that it's not stolen?

Umm, actually you do. I can run any plate in my view to check stolen or to see if it belongs on the vehicle it is attached to. Once I stop you, I can run the VIN if I so choose. If I stop you, you are not surrendering anything, I'm detaining it...you don't have much choice.

 

[E5RANGER375]

Umm, actually you do. I can run any plate in my view to check stolen or to see if it belongs on the vehicle it is attached to. Once I stop you, I can run the VIN if I so choose. If I stop you, you are not surrendering anything, I'm detaining it...you don't have much choice.

you detain, and your right theres no choice. but you dont own the car, and you also dont have the authority to search it, without provable probable cause or a warrant

 

[tradertator]

I lived in Owen County for 25 years, and law enforcement there can be a joke. Your best bet would be to speak in person to Pudge (Sherriff). Lucky for you, it's an election year and his seat is on the line.

 

[bigiron]

WOW!!!!! 91 POSTS IN THIS THREAD AND THIS HASN'T TURNED INTO AN OC/CC DEBATE!!!! AMAZING!


ok, i'll start, i guess if he were cc'ing this wouldn't have happened. now, you oc boys are just asking for trouble and hes lucky he didn't get gunned down in the parking lot for illegal possession of ice cream.

 

[wtfd661]

Welcome to INGO Brad, sorry to hear about your encounter. As has been advised go see the Sheriff in person (and yes, well dressed if you want to make a good impression). Speak with him professionally and address your concerns, if he is any type of professional himself he will make sure his officers are dealt with appropriately. Good luck to you. And no matter how you carry, good for you for carrying.

 

[E5RANGER375]

To My Gun My Right, and the INGO Community,
I would like to inform everyone that Owen County Sheriff Chester Richardson has been made aware of this alleged incident from a member of this community. Sheriff Richardson has researched this incident and found it to not involve any officers or employees of the Owen County Sheriff’s Office, but rather another local law enforcement agency. Further, there have been no formal complaints filed in regards to this alleged incident with the Owen County Sheriff’s Office. Should anyone have any questions or comments for Sheriff Richardson, he can be contacted at (812)829-4874, or at chester.richardson@owencounty.in.gov
Thank you.

OP DUDE, how can you not tell a sherriff apart from a city cop?

either file a complaint or quit B****ing

 

[Mokkie]

Man this a great forum. I like how everyone get's involved. I to would like to know how this comes out. Again you guy's are great.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Ditto. The police in the US are not supposed to be gestapo asking for our "papers".

It seems like some gun owners feel like they're inherently allowing themselves to be looked at as criminals as soon as they strap a gun to their hip.

We are law abiding citizens acting well within the law and thus have no reason to allow police to bother us for anything. I don't care if it's not common. I don't care if it scares some people. Guns in general scare some people.

I'm hosting the SKS shoot in Bloomington on private property. One of my neighbors down there doesn't like guns. Does that mean it's OK for the police to come onto my private property to search all of us to make sure we're not breaking the law without probably cause while we practice our God given rights for recreation?
I'd be raising hell.



Where do you draw the line? When unlawful actions are taken. He can ask to search you etc. However you do have the choice to say no. If he cuffs, and detains you like what happened to the op. Then he has executed an unlawful action. Unless he sees you as a danger to him, yourself, or others. So do you resist, or suck it up and file a complaint? Again your choice. What I choose may not be what you choose. However it does not make either choice wrong

Cops can't beat you either. Just let it go and file a complaint later? You are right, but what are you going to when cuffed? Are you going to resist, so that maybe that officer ups the use of force. Illegal, or not in my eyes it's not worth it. Again you choose what you think is best. Sometimes in life you have to suck it up, and roll with the punches.

Be a good little sheep and don't cause a ruckus.

Yes I'm a sheep, because I do not believe everything has to be meet with resistance. I mean complying in a non use of force, and non confrontational situation is such a horrible thing. "Not to be confused with the op's situation". From now on it's fight the power, on all fronts no matter the situation!

There are good officers, and bad officers. Just because an officer asks to search you etc. Does not mean he's thinking, yeah this guy/gal is my *****. If you agree to said actions, then he/she is doing nothing illegal. I mean some people think, that just because an officer asks you certain things like. May I search, you this is why? Or may I assume control of your gun, until the check is over. That does not mean they evil intentions, or are trying to violate your rights.

If my point is not clear enough yet, then I do not know what to tell anyone!

Out

 

[groovatron]

Umm, actually you do. I can run any plate in my view to check stolen or to see if it belongs on the vehicle it is attached to. Once I stop you, I can run the VIN if I so choose. If I stop you, you are not surrendering anything, I'm detaining it...you don't have much choice.

Not really.....I sit in the car and wait. The car isn't put on a tow truck untill you prove that I haven't commited a crime. I am fine with running a VIN.....just like I am fine with providing my ID and LTCH when I am politely asked about it by a LEO. I just think that disarming a person simply based on the fact that some people are stupid and break the law is out of bounds.

you detain, and your right theres no choice. but you dont own the car, and you also dont have the authority to search it, without provable probable cause or a warrant

exactly, and searching a car without probable cause is similar to disarming a citizen without probable cause.

 

[My Gun My Right]

Hey guys,
I just read that sheriff Richarson of owen county has been informed about my situation and his phone # was left on here for me to call. After reading that he had no paper work from this incendent and that it was not his guy and that it was a different agency. So I was talking to my mother about this because she was with me when it happened and she seems to think the police cars were white wich would be spencer PD. On monday I will be calling spencer PD to see if they have an incedent report but my guess is since they were beating around the bush to give me there names that there probly won't be one. I will also be contacting sheriff Richardson on monday to talk to him about this and if in fact it was not his guys I hope that maybe he can help me find excactly wich agency they worked for. Maybe He will have so good advice for me because the more stuff that I read from you guys the more it bothers me because what happened to me was wrong and should have never happened. I don't want this to happen to anyone else so I give you my word guy that I will get to the bottom of this and I will also keep you all informed.

Have a good weekend and I will talk to you all on monday if not sooner.

Thanks Brad

 

[38special]

When unlawful actions are taken. He can ask to search you etc.

Of course he can stop you when unlawful actions are taken. OC is not unlawful. Carrying a gun is not unlawful.

Why, then, does this make it OK for cops to search you or wrong for you to resist?

Let's say you don't have a gun. You're just walking down the street and a cop thinks you "look" suspicious. He asks you to put your hands up, and pats you down, searching you. Just give in?

There's this inconvenient thing called illegal search and seizure and I'm not OK with it. PERIOD.

 

[finity]

I think it's scary how easily some people will give up their rights. And yes you've given up your rights even if you were asked politely. Just because you didn't know your rights were violated or even allowed yourself to be violated doesn't mean no violation occured.

Being placed under arrest, even for a short period of time, when you've done nothing illegal is more than a "minor indignity". It's flat out illegal.

 

[XMil]