Is this a case of resisting and unnecessary fighting w/police or inappropriate police behaviour?

2015-05-30T07:30:03-04:00

The last time a police officer asked me for my name, I told him and nothing happened - huh?

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/28/us/barstow-california-police-video-pregnant-woman-arrest/

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 30 at 2015 7:57 AM

2015-05-30T07:57:35-04:00

Personally, I think it might be a bit of both!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 30 at 2015 7:58 AM

2015-05-30T07:58:13-04:00

Each situation is different and a brief glimpse of a few minutes of a situation doesn't tell the whole story so who can say?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 8:12 AM

2015-05-30T08:12:45-04:00

I don't think it is a stretch to say that how you are treated by a law officer has some relationship to how you respond.

If you speak to me and I answer WTH do you want you SOB, chances are you will be answered less friendly

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2015 8:14 AM

2015-05-30T08:14:30-04:00

Based on the video, which isn't the whole situation, she was wrong.

Police were dispatched for a Call for Service. They must make every effort to identify all parties involved. Ensure, if necessary, a suspect and victim are identified, and file any necessary reports regarding the incident.

I feel, based on the shortened video, I could have handled it differently. Regardless, a woman being pregnant is not an excuse to resist Law Enforcement. She resisted and they had to gain control of the subject.

To those who wish to argue the ACLU's side, stating she did not have to give her name, what if she claimed to be a victim and wished for charges to be filed against the other woman? What if a week or so down the road, she chose to file a civil suit against the other woman for (insert reason here) and her name wasn't on the report, which she could get a copy of for the trial?

There's many what if's, but in my opinion, Ms. Cook was wrong.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made May 30 at 2015 11:15 AM

2015-05-30T11:15:30-04:00

I'm wondering if there any female police officers working the streets anymore? All these brutality videos and cases are all male officers. Is this a male ego thing? Or are our females officers better with words and confrontation? Seriously think about this...you know females have to brake up brawls and arrest suspects twice their size. So what is being done differently? I say we need to femininize the police force!!!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 30 at 2015 12:50 PM

2015-05-30T12:50:30-04:00

I don't know what the law is in California regarding this. I will say, it is un unnecessary escalation of a pretty minor issue.

The cop said there was no crime committed but then went to arrest the woman because she would not produce an ID. Is it a crime not to show an ID when no crime as been committed? I don't know the answer in California.

It seems the arrest was predicted on not showing the ID since the cop admitted no crime had been committed.

If no crime was committed, why does he need her name/ID? Can he walk up to me and demand an ID and when I don't comply arrest me and when I resist, now I have committed a crime. Pretty slippery slope. I think this cop will be getting some remedial training and charges will all be dismissed.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made May 30 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-05-30T13:10:07-04:00

The simple fact that the judge threw all charges against her is proof that the officers were in the wrong.

No crime was committed, and this woman was tackled for no other reason than she refused to give her name.

This is why we have the 4th amendment. Unless she was being suspected of committing a crime, there was no reason to seize or search her.

If someone tries to grab me just because I don't give my name, you bet i'm resisting as well.

And besides, really? 2 manly men taking an 8 months pregnant woman to the ground?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 12:36 AM

2015-05-31T00:36:51-04:00

She is correct she does not have to give her name. Taking down an obviously pregnant woman is wrong. Fortunately many police departments are starting to teach common sense.

The officer already told the first woman no crime had been committed. She is Leary of cops, Especially in this day and age of the police state. He could have helped her understand why he needed her name instead of go strait into one sided conversation and assume because he has a badge everyone has to do what he says. Not in a free society, officer must show probable cause or at least explain why he needs the information he is tequesting. The Supreme Court has upheld that a person has no obligation to provide answers to police officers. This is why Miranda statements are so important. One is not required to speak to law enforcement.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 1 at 2015 2:27 AM

2015-06-01T02:27:31-04:00

The "suspect" made it a racial issue when she said the complainant was "white."

BUT, nobody should blindly follow police "orders" just because they're the police. She was told that no crime was being suspected of being committed so she had no obligation to show ID.

It sounds to me like the cops in question were ignoring "Stop and ID" laws.

I know that here in Arizona, one only has to produce ID when being pulled over while driving. If a police officer has stopped you while walking down the street for example, per state law one has to "give their full true name" but specifically states that one does NOT have to show ID.

So in my opinion without knowing more, the woman was both wrong (for making it a racial issue) and right (for refusing to show ID).