Yet another police detainment without probable cause

[chaos52]

Thought there might be some people on here that would like to read my story...



It seems that hiking along the road is now regarded with extreme suspicion.

The police seem to like detaining me without probable cause. I've been blessed to own some fancy and very fast cars, so I've been suspected of carrying drugs and have been pulled over for questioning. This situation was far more ridiculous and far more violating than ever before.

I'm planning to hike across lower Michigan this summer and have been training for the past couple weeks. Today's goal was 7.5 miles with 30 pounds of water in my backpack. I woke up this morning and essentially put on shorts, grabbed my backpack and walked out the door. I was wearing blue shorts, a white t-shirt and hiking boots. It should also be noted that I'm 22 years old and have shoulder-length hair, a goatee and mustache.

I was only a couple miles down the road when I was passed by a county squad car...then another one...then what looked like an unmarked police vehicle...then two more squad cars. The number of police cars puzzled me, especially since I was walking along a country road with relatively mild traffic. I figured there had been some sort of drug bust nearby, as is common in my area. I was also annoyed that they didn't merge into the other lane for my safety. The shoulder on the road was only about 2 feet wide.

I kept hiking and moved to the opposite side of the ditch to get away from traffic. It wasn't long before the unmarked vehicle returned and pulled over on the opposite shoulder. My first thought was, "Oh, shit. I've landed right in the middle of some operation...but why is he stationed in the middle of nowhere? There aren't any houses for a quarter-mile in either direction!" I kept walking and the car inched along the shoulder beside me. A plain-clothes officer got out and motioned for me to cross the ditch at a culvert a few feet ahead.

The plain-clothes asked what was going on. I explained that I was training for a hike and he asked if I had any ID. I replied that I did not.

At this point I was just trying to be nice and show him that I was not suspicious. That was when the questioning started. He asked my name, where I lived, how old I was, my birthdate, where I was hiking to, where I planned to hike and how far, what I had in the backpack and if I was carrying any weapons, explosives or bombs. After explaining my hike I showed him that I was carrying water. He rummaged around in the pack a little bit and found a distinct lack of bombs and my trail food. At this point I think he knew there was nothing to suspect. He explained that they had received a couple calls and needed to check it out. Unfortunately the other officers that began showing up did not share his sentiment.

While the plain-clothes was on his cellphone checking my story, a squad car pulled over and two uniformed officered walked up on my left side. Moments later another car pulled up and two more officers walked up on my right side. Then, an SUV showed up which I assume was a bomb or drug unit. It was not painted like the other cars. I stood there trying to look as unsuspecting as possible, but made the mistake of putting my hands in my pockets. One of the officers on my left demanded in at firm voice that I keep my hands in plain sight. Another began asking about the contents of my backpack. An officer on my right asked that I put my arms up and proceeded to pat me down.

My first feeling was that of annoyance at this ridiculous charade. "I was hiking along the road for fuck's sake!" My second was of humiliation. "Is my appearance really bad enough to warrant questioning and search?" The third was of fear. "Jeez, these guys are on edge. I hope they don't shoot me." The fourth was of anger. "Dammit, Joe, find the guts to stand up for yourself and stop letting them walk all over you like this."

However, all of that was drowned out by a deep sense of sadness—sadness for the people who turn on their TVs and log into their computers every day and are bombarded by more shootings, bombings and fear mongering new reports. They've become so paranoid that the boundaries of normal and suspicious behavior have blurred together

Videos of citizens standing up for their rights against the police run rampant on the internet. One thing never sat right with me about those videos however. Citizens meet the force of the police with force of their own—being deliberately belligerent. We don't need any more conflict in this country. There are a myriad of ways to diffuse a situation with the police while standing your ground as a citizen.

Given the chance to relive this situation I would have tried to maintain a friendly demeanor and relate to the policemen as citizens instead of people who hold power over me. I would have refused to give my name until the officer gave me his. Making small talk, shaking hands (providing I wouldn't get shot), asking to sit down or offering them some trail mix would be good ways of diffusing the police's fear of me and my fear of them. The truth is, the police are just as afraid as everyone else. In fact, they're probably more afraid because they're the ones on the front lines.

[JB400]

Try walking to Wal Mart in my home town.  Been pulled over 8 times in 2 months.

[cdr]

thanx for taking the time to share!!!

[Old Moparz]

Too bad you didn't have the proper training because you could've went Rambo on their asses. 

[F8-4life]

I am 23, have long hair, and like to go for lone walks. Sooo, I pretty much understand your situation and have been in it myself.
It seems like people in general dont enjoy walking anymore?? 21st century people don't walk anymore.

Anyway around here if your not jogging or walking the dog, (have a clear visual purpose to the walk) Cops seem to assume the worst.
Especially if you look out of place (story of my life).  They will not only stop you but also will make up fact to justify why they stopped you.

Seems like you handled it good with a leval head, which is the only thing you can really do.
In these situation picture the cops as a (potentail) new freind you meet. Just be freindly and talk casually, crack a joke about how your sorry for wasting there time or something.
Me being a car guy I'll strike up a convo about how they like the crown vics.

[chaos52]

I am 23, have long hair, and like to go for lone walks. Sooo, I pretty much understand your situation and have been in it myself.
It seems like people in general dont enjoy walking anymore?? 21st century people don't walk anymore.

Anyway around here if your not jogging or walking the dog, (have a clear visual purpose to the walk) Cops seem to assume the worst.
Especially if you look out of place (story of my life).  They will not only stop you but also will make up fact to justify why they stopped you.

Seems like you handled it good with a leval head, which is the only thing you can really do.
In these situation picture the cops as a (potentail) new freind you meet. Just be freindly and talk casually, crack a joke about how your sorry for wasting there time or something.
Me being a car guy I'll strike up a convo about how they like the crown vics.

Thanks for posting. You've got some good suggestions there. It means a lot to know that I'm not alone in this.

[Budnicks]

Were is it you live ?? a war zone... Sounds like it's time to move to a different or better area, where you can walk down the street, without being hassled or detained by the police, especially if your not doing anything wrong, there is no need to live your life like that... Life's too short for that kind of treatment... Paranoia or not... Are you covered in tattoos, do you look like your homeless, or maybe of Terrorist/Middle East descent, illegal Mexican descent, have dark skin or light complexion, walking in a upper/lower crust all Caucasian or all Minority neighborhood ??, maybe you look like someone on the FBI's 10 most wanted list ??, or some suspect carrying a back-pack full of what ever, or maybe you just look like a hard a$$, out to cause trouble ??, Just a 22 y/o with longer hair & a Goatee, really isn't a very uncommon look nowadays, or is there maybe some other lame reason for them to be profiling & detaining you you ??, do you have a bad history with the police in your area ??.. good luck have a nice day

[Mike DC]

              
How long has it been since there was a police profiling discussion on DC.com?  A couple months?  


Everyone wants the police to overstep the civil rights of (other) people any time one incident happens a thousand miles away.  Then people complain about the nanny-state govt when those same policies start causing trouble closer to home a few years later.  

             

[b5blue]

  You fit a "profile" from someone, some where, at some time. Sad isn't....really your only screw up was no ID of some sort. The other cars were called in prior to the stop that is SOP.  (The slightest move that could be any attempt to evade, like you moving away from the roadside would red flag a cop.)
 Yea putting your hands in your pockets was a no no. Years ago I had a friend who had been hassled so much from doing things like driving his Mustang with no mufflers and kinda tearing around town they kept checking him out till they caught him without his insurance card/registration on him. Broke he just parked his Mustang and strapped a small chainsaw motor to his bike to get around. Sadly they didn't like that ether, it really was clever springs and straps on the handle bars and the motors output just ran the front tire.
 My point is he was so nervous from past hassles he would tense up and start looking around even when we were riding around in my car....he looked like we were up to no good. I couldn't get him to calm down! Let go of this incident and just keep an ID on you at all times. After awhile they will be waving to you as they drive by.  

[chaos52]

Were is it you live ?? a war zone... Sounds like it's time to move to a different or better area, where you can walk down the street, without being hassled or detained by the police, especially if your not doing anything wrong, there is no need to live your life like that... Life's too short for that kind of treatment... Paranoia or not... Are you covered in tattoos, do you look like your homeless, or maybe of Terrorist/Middle East descent, illegal Mexican descent, have dark skin or light complexion, walking in a upper/lower crust all Caucasian or all Minority neighborhood ??, maybe you look like someone on the FBI's 10 most wanted list ??, or some suspect carrying a back-pack full of what ever, or maybe you just look like a hard a$$, out to cause trouble ??, Just a 22 y/o with longer hair & a Goatee, really isn't a very uncommon look nowadays, or is there maybe some other lame reason for them to be profiling & detaining you you ??, do you have a bad history with the police in your area ??.. good luck have a nice day

Not that I agree with racial profiling, but if any of those things were factors I wouldn't be writing about what they did. Let's steer clear of that sort of talk

I live in a depressed area, but it's a farming community. Mostly fields and barns. Unfortunately, there's drug activity from both Detroit and Saginaw. That's why I've been pulled over before--a young guy with a nice car must be carrying drugs.

[F8-4life]

I am 23, have long hair, and like to go for lone walks. Sooo, I pretty much understand your situation and have been in it myself.
It seems like people in general dont enjoy walking anymore?? 21st century people don't walk anymore.

Anyway around here if your not jogging or walking the dog, (have a clear visual purpose to the walk) Cops seem to assume the worst.
Especially if you look out of place (story of my life).  They will not only stop you but also will make up fact to justify why they stopped you.

Seems like you handled it good with a leval head, which is the only thing you can really do.
In these situation picture the cops as a (potentail) new freind you meet. Just be freindly and talk casually, crack a joke about how your sorry for wasting there time or something.
Me being a car guy I'll strike up a convo about how they like the crown vics.

Thanks for posting. You've got some good suggestions there. It means a lot to know that I'm not alone in this.

No problem, I'm glad I"m not the only one hassled either. Don't let em get to ya. I'll never cut my hair! LOL

[John_Kunkel]

Yep, you was "profiled"....as much as the powers-to-be swear it doesn't happen, it does.

[70moparman]

Damn the man!  Where do you live, Detroit?  Yea 5-0 always has to be in your business, a few cops get together and your rights go right out the window, they will do and say whatever they want, because they dont have to answer to anyone.  Try hiking off the main road, and get away from the hassle of police.  And yes, long hair means your guilty before innocent, been there, done that.  Glad you got to walk away from the situation before you became a statistic!

[Cooter]

At least you don't have a deranged cousin that is the all but twin to you only more grey in hair and is certifyably crazy. I swear my cousin has papers somewhere. He was going on and on about some sh*t about how the Gubment is out to get him once. He has enough weapons to start WWW III and begins to squeeze off a couple rounds into the apartment above him. Luckily, no one was hurt or killed, but one DID go through the corner of a window pane. I'm riding with some friends and next thing I know, we are all pulled over, searched, and I'm in handcuffs being hauled to the station for "questions".

I finally figure out WTF they are referring to and now I carry a picture of my cousin in the ol wallet for proof.

Once he even bought a Digital camera on Evilbay. Well, dude sells his momma's camera without telling her. 15 emails and attempted phone call later, he's driving cross country to meet this cat. He gets there and obviously, the dudes mother opens the door. He asks for "Tom" and she says he's not home and can she help him. He explains that he bought a digital camera from him online and somebody in that house is gonna give it up. Long story short, he got his camera.

[70moparman]

Cooter- thats funny...  And I love the camera story, lol...  Your cousin sounds like an interesting guy!

[Tilar]

Everyone wants the police to overstep the civil rights of (other) people any time one incident happens a thousand miles away.

             

I don't know what crowd you hang out with, but I know of nobody that "wants" the police to overstep their authority.

[Budnicks]

Were is it you live ?? a war zone... Sounds like it's time to move to a different or better area, where you can walk down the street, without being hassled or detained by the police, especially if your not doing anything wrong, there is no need to live your life like that... Life's too short for that kind of treatment... Paranoia or not... Are you covered in tattoos, do you look like your homeless, or maybe of Terrorist/Middle East descent, illegal Mexican descent, have dark skin or light complexion, walking in a upper/lower crust all Caucasian or all Minority neighborhood ??, maybe you look like someone on the FBI's 10 most wanted list ??, or some suspect carrying a back-pack full of what ever, or maybe you just look like a hard a$$, out to cause trouble ??, Just a 22 y/o with longer hair & a Goatee, really isn't a very uncommon look nowadays, or is there maybe some other lame reason for them to be profiling & detaining you you ??, do you have a bad history with the police in your area ??.. good luck have a nice day

Not that I agree with racial profiling, but if any of those things were factors I wouldn't be writing about what they did. Let's steer clear of that sort of talk

I live in a depressed area, but it's a farming community. Mostly fields and barns. Unfortunately, there's drug activity from both Detroit and Saginaw. That's why I've been pulled over before--a young guy with a nice car must be carrying drugs.

thanks for the clarification... I would hope it's not profiling of any kind, but if you think about it, that's what cops do... I'm not trying to be derogatory or racist just curios more than anything... stay safe

[stripedelete]

I live in a depressed area, but it's a farming community. Mostly fields and barns.

Meth........

[chaos52]

Meth........

Yeah, I found out today that meth cookers have been dumping their toxic waste in people's yards around here. Strange thing is, the police seemed more worried about bombs and weapons than drugs or toxic waste.

[Tilar]

thanks for the clarification... I would hope it's not profiling of any kind, but if you think about it, that's what cops do...

I'll probably be the last person in what is left of the USA to be accused of being PC. While I understand this is not the case with the OP, I don't feel there is anything wrong with racial profiling. If 90% of all crimes were committed by white males in their mid to upper 50's, I would expect to be stopped and questioned by police on a constant basis. I probably wouldn't like it but that's just the way it is... and the way it should be.

[Mike DC]

  
I would expect a decent portion of people who aren't in a "profiled" group to say something similar.  That they would not enjoy being the victim of profiling, but they would understand and tolerate it if they were part of a group that committed more crimes.  


But when is the last time you saw or heard of somebody in a profiled group who feels that way?  What is the explanation for that?  

It means one of two things:  #1, most people in the profiled groups are less concerned with good law enforcement than the majority.  Or #2, the experience of being a regular profiling victim tends to give a person a different opinion about it, regardless of their values/opinions on law enforcement and morality.  I think the explanation is probably the latter.  

   

[Tilar]

 
I would expect a decent portion of people who aren't in a "profiled" group to say something similar.  That they would not enjoy being the victim of profiling, but they would understand and tolerate it if they were part of a group that committed more crimes. 


But when is the last time you saw or heard of somebody in a profiled group who feels that way?  What is the explanation for that?
   

Common sense tells you they won't feel that way, so lets add a #3. The people that are in the profiled group don't want to lose their privacy, which is exactly what happens. Plus they want to keep a low profile because of those causing the problem to begin with. I'd guess embarrassment has something to do with it, along with the privacy issue.

[Mike DC]

Common sense tells you they won't feel that way, so lets add a #3. The people that are in the profiled group don't want to lose their privacy, which is exactly what happens. Plus they want to keep a low profile because of those causing the problem to begin with. I'd guess embarrassment has something to do with it, along with the privacy issue.

Okay but why don't you happen to feel that "common sense" way about it?  Why do most people who have experienced profiling disapprove of it, when much fewer of the majority disapprove of it?  

Can you really be so sure that getting regularly profiled would not change your opinion like it does for so many others?  There are plenty of highly principled and well-rounded people among the profiling victims who disapprove of it.      

[Tilar]

Look, I'm not in the majority of people that screw up so I feel that racial profiling is ok. And even if I were, I don't think I would be pissed at the people trying to stop the crimes, I would be pissed at the people in my race doing the crime. It's just the way it is.

[mauve66]

just someone calling to say you were walking down the road is NOT a justifiable reason to stop you, ask for ID and search your bag. You don't have to carry ID, this isn't Russia and you need papers to prove who you are. Remember you are innocent until proven guilty. 

we're getting to the point where police think they can just stop anybody and demand ID, there has to be a substantial reason.  Just like these random DUI check-points, if i'm not swerving  on the road then you have no right to funnel me into a parking lot and demand my ID, registration and insurance

open carry is legal in several places and when someone calls the police to say "this guy is walking down the sidewalk with a shotgun" the dispatcher needs to ask if they are doing anything suspicious or threatening someone and then inform the caller that it is Legal to carry a gun in the open.  If they want to watch him from a distance then fine, but until the point that he is doing something wrong, he is a free American.