Quote:
Originally Posted by Failed
This is the problem here, I suppose. If we're assuming the cop is there in good faith, and honestly believes there was a 911 call from the house in question, and the OP believes there was never a call made and the cop is not there in good faith, it's a potentially explosive incident. I guess no one (cop or OP) is right or wrong in this situation until the mistake made is investigated.
I admit, I almost never assume a law enforcement official is acting on good faith and almost always assume they are abusing and going beyond the powers they are given. I've seen countless examples of this behavior. Of course, there are countless examples of exceptional behavior that don't make the headlines.
So, we're all arguing on assumptions, and even the OP and the cop don't know who made the call for sure.
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I think the point you make is a great one that is likely the root of many problems that people have with the police. Both parties assume they are right, neither knows for sure and it can lead to an explosive situation.
Here is an example with me. About 9 months ago my brother rented a car for the weekend to take his family on a short vacation. When he got home I picked him up at the rental place and drove him home. The tags on my car expired that month. I had the new tags, but hadn't put them on yet because I assumed you had until the end of the month. As it turns out they expire on a specific day during the month. So I get pulled over for expired tags. I tell the officer I have the new tags in the glove box, but haven't put them on yet. He then explains about having a specific expiration date. I didn't know that so I learned something. As my brother dug through the glove box looking for the new tags the officer says to me, "Where you guys heading?" He was likely making conversation, but it struck me wrong. Part of me wanted to say, "What fucking business is it of your's where I'm headed?" Instead I said, "Taking my brother home." My brother handed me the new tags, I showed them to the officer and he had us get out and put them on right there. Everyone went their own way no harm done.
However, had I said what was thinking he might have suspected something of me. He may have written me a ticket which was well within his right to do and the whole thing could have gotten explosive. So I can see how someone who doesn't trust the cops can easily find themselves in a situation where have some serious trouble with the cops and if the cops know you don't like them it makes it just that much worse.