What can I do about an inappropriate police encounter?
Full Question:
I WAS STOPPED FOR A MV VIOLATION WHICH WAS LATER DISMISSED IN COURT, WHEN THE OFFICER PULLED ME OVER I PULLED INTO A PRIVATE PARKING LOT WHERE TRAFFIC WAS NOT A SAFETY FACTOR. THERE WERE TWO POLICE OFFICERS IN SEPARATE VEHICLES. AFTER THE OFFICER TOOK MY PAPERS AND WALKING BACK TO THE PATROL CAR I EXITED MY VEHICLE TO IDENTIFY MY SELF AS A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER. THE OFFICER ORDERED ME BACK INTO MY VEHICLE AND I DID NOT OBEY SHE STATED SHE COULD SHOOT ME AND DROPPED HER HAND TO THE SIDE OVER WEAPON. I THEN GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE. NEEDED TO SAY I WAS FRIGHTENED. I FELT I WAS CAPTIVE IN MY VEHICLE.
03/27/2011 |
Category: Misc |
State: Florida |
#24505
Answer:
We cannot give legal advice, and are not forming an attorney-client relationship with you. The following is not a substitute for the advice of a local attorney. But we hope the information will be useful.
That is certainly a troubling experience. You may be able to file a complaint through the department where the officer works. Suggest you contact them and begin the process. You probably do not have a lawsuit. Police are entitled to ask detained persons to stay in their vehicles. It is a safety issue, and the policewoman was probably just following procedure. Still, she possibly could have been more professional about it.