imported post
Yargh, let me settle my motive once and for all without dragging people into what I did.
I have the emails if anyone wants to see them, but I was specifically told I couldn't have my gun with me as part of the ride along.
I then asked if I could store it somewhere as I had business to attend to before and after the ride along. Lt. Wilson did not come right out and say I couldn't bring my gun and check it in, but indicated that he would appreciate it if I didn't. He didn't prohibit it, but he didn't come out and say "ok" either.
I'm perfectly aware of the laws and my rights in this fashion, but I decided to play along with Lt. Wilson's requests. After the ride, I could have gotten dropped off at home, got my gun and walked back downtown, but I opted to get dropped off downtown for my convience....
However I do plan to address the issue of lack of storage at OPD. They have jail lockboxes, but those are for the officers. I had to check my gun with OPD one time, and they just had an officer maintain control over it while I was in there.
My guess is I could have forced the issue and compelled them to check my weapon, or most likely from the tone of the officers I was with, I don't think they would have personally cared one way or another if I was packing, but again I didn't push the issue.
Yes I was inconvienced, but at the same time, I prefer to work things a little more diplomatically. I know OPD reads this forum, and my posts and I trust they have an idea of the laws, and my annoynance with being requested not to bring my gun.
There has been a lot of back and forth between them and me, very little of it positive for the higher ups at OPD. The officers I met were very nice people, one of them I know socially already. Personally I have no desire to make problems with OPD, but I do wish (and have done so) to make it very plain that while I am not anti LEO I do wish my rights respected. I chose not to bring my gun and have it checked even though I coud have simply shown up with it, and said "Oh I know you said I couldn't have it on the ride, but I figured per RCW blah blah blah you would put it in a lockbox for me. What? No lockboxes? Well have Officer so and so sign a recipt and keep it in his posession for the next 2-4 hours."
Not interested in playing that game. A polite letter to Chief Michel, or maybe someone in the City Manager's office will probably get lockboxes a lot faster than me making myself annoying.
At any rate, the key thing is that I chose what course of action to take. Given the sucess in getting OC training done in Olympia, and the possibility of a county attorney's opinion on if the mall can bar legally carried weapons in public places... I'll make nice.
Oly already has one rabid anti cop crusader, by conducting myself diplomatically and making minor temporary concessions here and there, a lot has been gained.