serious question

[firsty]

are you allowed (is one allowed) to ask a cop why he is following or watching you? is he required to tell you why he's following or watching you?

[bohonato]

I'd assume that you'd be allowed to ask, but the police are legally allowed to lie to you.

[firsty]

like an example would be that, you know, if a cop pulls you over, you are legally ok to ask them what they are pulliing you over for, and they are "legally" required to tell you why. i wonder if they are legally required to do the same thing if they are following you.

[lenny]

Although I cannot reply definitively I wouldn't see why not. You are certainly not committing any crime. "Now the police force is watching the people...and the people just can't understand..." - Steppenwolf.

lenny

[stilltrucking]

whatever happened to feral?
"there is no situaion a cop can't make worse"

I don't lose no sleep over it firsty, I just try to stay out of their face.

I think you have the right to ask. But I wouldn't.

just trucker's paranoia.
I always seem to run into Barney Fife when he has that one bullet in his gun.

Steppenwolf the band or the hess novel?

"gimmee back my bullets..."

[bohonato]

Do you mean following as in shadowing you? Like long-time following? I'm not an expert on this, but I would say that if (s)he is uniformed, then you can ask. If its a quasi-undercover type deal, then it might get a little tricky.

[stilltrucking]

Good point.

[lenny]

Be direct. Call a spade a spade. Don't be afraid. Ask him what he wants if you are sure he is following you and you are not involved in something clandestine.

Some years back I got off an interstate with my daughter and turned onto a smaller country road. There was a t in the road with a state cop parked right there. I stopped, looked for traffic, then made a right turn to my daughter's college. He whipped out, siren blaring and lights flashing and pulled me over. When he got to my door and said, "License and registration, please," I said, "What did I do? Why are you stopping me like this?" He repeated, "License and registration, please." Handing him my license and registration I asked again, "But what did I get stopped for?" He glared at me and said, "You ran that stop sign." Shocked, I said, "What?! I did not. I saw you parked right there anyway. Do you think I would be a fool to run a stop sign!?" He replied coarsely, "Your vehicle did not come to a full and complete stop. You were still going one or two miles an hour when you turned. That is not a full and complete stop." I was infuriated and began to speak quite loudly to my daughter on purpose. "See what cops are like, Nalini. Power trippers. There was not a car in sight when I made that turn and I endangered no one. I broke no laws. This guy just wants to play his little power trip on me. Is it any wonder they are called pigs behind their backs?" The cop looked at me, stunned. My daughter grabbed my leg and said in cautious tone, "Dad." But I was so mad I didn't care. I turned to the cop and said, "Why don't you try earning your money and catching real criminals or did you need me to fill your quota?"

Don't fear cops unless you are doing something wrong. Confront them, but try to have someone with you when you do. You just never know today.

lenny