Radioactive
New Member
Why are so many reported crimes in our county pending investigation? Burglary, vandalism, stolen property...seem to fall between the cracks. Check the headline news / police briefs and the answer seems apparent: county officers spend the most time 'making the best' of routine traffic stops.
It always amazes me how many write-ups start out "Officer M pulled over a vehicle for speeding" and end up with "found suspected marijuana." I used to believe that the police conducted these searches based on probable cause, but time and general observation has taught me otherwise. There is a massive difference between driving under the influence and being searched during a routine traffic stop.
The truth is, instead of cracking down on the nitty-gritty issues, some county officers “smell marijuana” during traffic stops, especially if the driver/passengers are young, casually dressed, or have a less than ‘flashy’ vehicle.
Of course, some ensuing searches do result in finding something illegal. And voila!, an easy arrest !!! High fives in the station! “We did it again boys!”
Was the nickel bag Jane Doe had at the bottom of her purse ‘illegal’? Yes. Was any of this ethically ‘right’? Hmmmmmm. And on the police report: “a strong odor of burnt marijuana.”
Undoubtedly, someone reading this will get on his/her high horse with: “..weed is illegal / all drugs are bad / you shouldn’t have it on you anyway.” Well, while Cpl. M. is spending an easy 2 hours manipulating an arrest for a victimless crime, he could be doing something like patroling residential neighborhoods or high-risk areas. And secondly, it is foolish to assume that cops’ ‘overzealous’ attitudes is limited to traffic stops.
When do we draw the line?
It always amazes me how many write-ups start out "Officer M pulled over a vehicle for speeding" and end up with "found suspected marijuana." I used to believe that the police conducted these searches based on probable cause, but time and general observation has taught me otherwise. There is a massive difference between driving under the influence and being searched during a routine traffic stop.
The truth is, instead of cracking down on the nitty-gritty issues, some county officers “smell marijuana” during traffic stops, especially if the driver/passengers are young, casually dressed, or have a less than ‘flashy’ vehicle.
Of course, some ensuing searches do result in finding something illegal. And voila!, an easy arrest !!! High fives in the station! “We did it again boys!”
Was the nickel bag Jane Doe had at the bottom of her purse ‘illegal’? Yes. Was any of this ethically ‘right’? Hmmmmmm. And on the police report: “a strong odor of burnt marijuana.”
Undoubtedly, someone reading this will get on his/her high horse with: “..weed is illegal / all drugs are bad / you shouldn’t have it on you anyway.” Well, while Cpl. M. is spending an easy 2 hours manipulating an arrest for a victimless crime, he could be doing something like patroling residential neighborhoods or high-risk areas. And secondly, it is foolish to assume that cops’ ‘overzealous’ attitudes is limited to traffic stops.
When do we draw the line?