Police Officers Overstep Their Rights When Searching People One of the main powers law enforcement officers carry is the authority to make citizens involuntarily give up their rights. Most people when confronted by police get mild to moderate panic reaction, can become nervous or anxious, and do as much as possible to limit the time spent with the officer. Due to the difference in power between a citizen and a police officer, citizens often unknowingly, give up their constitutional rights when an officer acts tough or bullies them (Guidelines1).A common and almost everyday occurrence of this situation is the traffic stop. The common routine for this is as follows: A person is pulled over for speeding. The officer approaches the car and after checking the license and registration asks if they have any illegal weapons or drugs in the car. When the citizen answers no the officer asks in the strongest most intimidating language that if he can check that for himself. The officer may say why dont you step out of your car or then you would not mind if I took a look in your trunk? Many people simply comply with the requests because they do not really realize that they have the right to say no (Guidelines1).Numerous court cases have been held regarding the matters of not only police searching a car but searching your person, the bus or train a person is on and even that persons personal belongings such as a purse, cigarette cases or wallet without a warrant. A warrant is an absolute must to enter into your car home or property. These types of Police Officers Often Misuse and Overuse their powers when it comes to Conducting Searches on Persons or Propertycases very often prove that officers may take their power to far and often on purposes (Search Warrants Explained 1). The following is an example of what could happen. A cop stops a speeding car, without a search warrant but suspicion the policeman demands that the driver opens his ...
