Police harassment MN

[dlanes]

I just moved to a small town to live with my friend until I saved up enough money to back to the city I used to live in. Anyways, being that the apt I'm living in is about 3 blocks from the off ramp I didn't think I would ever get pulled over. Well 2nd week living here I was stopped and acused of things I didn't do (speeding, unreasonable acceleration, etc.) No tickets were writen. Well last night I was stopped by the cop that was did his ride along with this other officer (just started recently I believe) and he stopped me for window tint. He wanted me to roll my windows up, but I had them down the entire time and I refused cuz my car was off keys out. To make a long story short, they ran my vin, plates, license, field sobriety, breathalizer and argued with me for awhile threatening to taking me to jail for obstructing justice when I didn't do anything wrong. How would I be obstructing justice? All the officer had to do was write me a ticket and I could have gone to bed. If my windows were too dark just give me a ticket. If you think I've been drinking give me a breathalizer. I don't feel the need for them to make me stand outside in 40 degree temp for nearly 2hrs for window tint. I've been threaten to be stopped for whatever they can come up with, such as speeding, unreasonable acceleration, careless driving, etc. before when it was only me. The officer also was swearing calling me an a-hole. I made a coplaint to the cheif of police, and he did nothing. He promised to review the tape, but never did. Luckily I had a friend with me this time. Also, this same cop stopped in the parking lot next my our apt and asked we were suspitious cuz the business next door was closed (barbershop is connected and grocery store is nearby). Then got a call and squealed his tires when he left. I can go into more details if you need.

 

[CdwJava]

he stopped me for window tint. He wanted me to roll my windows up, but I had them down the entire time and I refused cuz my car was off keys out.

You're lucky he only cussed at you ... if he stopped you for the tint, he had a right to view the tint. He probably had the option of just arresting you for the obstruction and looking for himself. had it been a more veteran officer, there likely would have been no cussing only the command to get out of the car followed by a couple of clicks of the silver bracelets.

You got lucky.

How would I be obstructing justice?

For not rolling up the window. Your keys argument is weak, and wouldn't likely fly in court especially since the officer had a right to see the tint.

The officer also was swearing calling me an a-hole. I made a coplaint to the cheif of police, and he did nothing. He promised to review the tape, but never did.

How do you know he did nothing and never reviewed the tape? Did he tell you this? It is probably NOT the policy of the agency to inform the public of personnel issues.

No, the officer should not have cussed at you. But, I strongly suspect your estimate of two hours is greatly exaggerated. I know I couldn't MAKE UP stuff to do to keep busy at a stop for half that time!

So ... what exactly is it you want to do? If you have a ticket, fight it. If you don't like the way the police department handles their issues with the public, go to the city manager or the city council, or whoever directly oversees the police department and the Chief. Other than that, there is not much you can do to prevent them from stopping you with cause. If you get stopped without cause, you can hire an attorney and sue them.

- Carl