Today in Rexburg Idaho supposedly the credit union I work by was robbed. As I was leaving work, in my car, law enforcement was trying to Id everyone in the area. They do not like being told no. I was detained for suspiciously not answering their questions until they ran my plates and identified me. After I was free to go, I was again detained by a second officer. Once again I told him no to the Id request and his other questions. They wanted to see my Id and wanted to know where I was coming from. I did run the questions in circles, he finally told me if I told him where I worked I could leave as he had contacted dispatch to see if I had been Id'ed. So I told him where I worked and was once again free to go.
Both officers that stopped me were carrying M4's and I was at one point told that I would be arrested for obstruction of justice. I was ask to step out of my car, which I did and I locked it. As I kept telling the officer I do not consent to searches and being Id'd the officer turned rather snarky and was mocking me and cursed a few times. I asked him if he would be professional and stop cursing. I asked for a supervisor and was told that everyone in the area was a suspect. I still did not answer any questions and asked if they were going to Id everyone and stop everyone in the area. Somewhere along this time another officer told me it was best if I would just be quiet. I found this somewhat difficult as they kept asking me questions. I really never said much beyond if I was being detained, why I was being detained, I do not consent to any searches, no I would not give my Id and why did they suspect me. Eventually I was asked to sit on the curb for officer safety. I asked if I could stand for my safety and was told no, and was threatened with obstructing justice from an officer that was mostly passing by. The officers eventually obtained my Id by running my plates.
I was not carrying and did not have my firearm on me or in my car (which I do plan on fixing once I get secure storage in my car) and I believe if I was carrying openly would have caused oh so much more fun. I also was not recording as this was rather unexpected and I did not have time to get my cellphone recording. My car was only looked at through the windows and the officers never asked to search my car or me. It may have been because one of the first things out of my mouth was I do no consent to any searches.
I learned some interesting things about how my mind does, does not work when put under pressure. I actually forgot how to say that I am going to exercise my right to remain silent. I was asked why I was not answering question and did respond that it was my right not to answer but the words remain silent eluded me. I was not trying to be an ass and I was a rather unwilling participant. I know it would have been very easy to just show my Id and get it over with, but I see this as a learning opportunity for myself on how I am able to handle the stress. I left a free, but temporarily detained man.
I believe the officers at the scene thought they were doing what is right for the situation, and I thought it was a good opportunity to get some training while under stress. I could have handled it differently, but it is what it is now. I am thinking about writing the higher ups about it and I am sure it would land on very deaf ears given the situation at hand. But I am neck deep in a masters degree and have a ten page paper due.
Both officers that stopped me were carrying M4's and I was at one point told that I would be arrested for obstruction of justice. I was ask to step out of my car, which I did and I locked it. As I kept telling the officer I do not consent to searches and being Id'd the officer turned rather snarky and was mocking me and cursed a few times. I asked him if he would be professional and stop cursing. I asked for a supervisor and was told that everyone in the area was a suspect. I still did not answer any questions and asked if they were going to Id everyone and stop everyone in the area. Somewhere along this time another officer told me it was best if I would just be quiet. I found this somewhat difficult as they kept asking me questions. I really never said much beyond if I was being detained, why I was being detained, I do not consent to any searches, no I would not give my Id and why did they suspect me. Eventually I was asked to sit on the curb for officer safety. I asked if I could stand for my safety and was told no, and was threatened with obstructing justice from an officer that was mostly passing by. The officers eventually obtained my Id by running my plates.
I was not carrying and did not have my firearm on me or in my car (which I do plan on fixing once I get secure storage in my car) and I believe if I was carrying openly would have caused oh so much more fun. I also was not recording as this was rather unexpected and I did not have time to get my cellphone recording. My car was only looked at through the windows and the officers never asked to search my car or me. It may have been because one of the first things out of my mouth was I do no consent to any searches.
I learned some interesting things about how my mind does, does not work when put under pressure. I actually forgot how to say that I am going to exercise my right to remain silent. I was asked why I was not answering question and did respond that it was my right not to answer but the words remain silent eluded me. I was not trying to be an ass and I was a rather unwilling participant. I know it would have been very easy to just show my Id and get it over with, but I see this as a learning opportunity for myself on how I am able to handle the stress. I left a free, but temporarily detained man.
I believe the officers at the scene thought they were doing what is right for the situation, and I thought it was a good opportunity to get some training while under stress. I could have handled it differently, but it is what it is now. I am thinking about writing the higher ups about it and I am sure it would land on very deaf ears given the situation at hand. But I am neck deep in a masters degree and have a ten page paper due.
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