# Don't know how to feel about this cop's question...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [October 30, 2011, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263 "2011-10-30T06:02:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 4
### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/61 "2011-10-30T20:38:16Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#):
>
> Is it wrong? Do you have a cite? I think before you keep going off on this you need to find some sort of protocol or department policy the precludes them from asking you about this. I think you’re annoyed with the question, but I’m willing to bet the officer didn’t actually do anything wrong and, as I said above, you could have refused to answer.
>
> Is there any law or policy that states that an officer can’t ask someone about their medical condition or are you just assuming it? I agree that the placard and ID should be enough, but that’s not what I’m after. You said in the quote above that the officer was ‘wrong’ and you have ‘legitimate grounds to call it out’ so I’m asking you what grounds you would cite when you call him out?
> If you were to file a complaint against the department, what rule/law/policy would you cite?
> I’m not trying to accuse you or pick a fight, but sometimes I think you accuse other people of wrong doing when they are actually well within their rights
Do you have other instances in mind when you generalize like that? When have I accused someone of wrongdoing when they were well within their rights (not withstanding this incident)?
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### Author:  [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/62 "2011-10-30T20:49:48Z")
Talk to his boss about the problem, and if the boss will not counsel the officer, then take it to the press.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/63 "2011-10-30T20:50:01Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#):
>
> Is it wrong? Do you have a cite? I think before you keep going off on this you need to find some sort of protocol or department policy the precludes them from asking you about this. I think you’re annoyed with the question, but I’m willing to bet the officer didn’t actually do anything wrong and, as I said above, you could have refused to answer.
>
> Is there any law or policy that states that an officer can’t ask someone about their medical condition or are you just assuming it? I agree that the placard and ID should be enough, but that’s not what I’m after. You said in the quote above that the officer was ‘wrong’ and you have ‘legitimate grounds to call it out’ so I’m asking you what grounds you would cite when you call him out?
> If you were to file a complaint against the department, what rule/law/policy would you cite?
> I’m not trying to accuse you or pick a fight, but sometimes I think you accuse other people of wrong doing when they are actually well within their rights.
And I’d have to find out for sure what the law says, but I can’t imagine it being within an officer’s rights. It’s totally unnecessary in order to determine the driver’s legal status and it’s an invasion of privacy. Everything can be determined simply by checking the information on the placard and the drivers license of the driver.
---
### Author:  [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/64 "2011-10-30T20:50:51Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> Do you have other instances in mind when you generalize like that? When have I accused someone of wrongdoing when they were well within their rights (not withstanding this incident)?
How about the gym that’s not in compliance with your interpretation of the laws that aren’t in effect yet?
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/65 "2011-10-30T20:52:18Z")
> [@Muffin](#):
>
> Talk to his boss about the problem, and if the boss will not counsel the officer, then take it to the press.
Oh I’m not trying to make a public issue out of this; he _was_ trying to enforce the spots availability for those that need them, anyway. I just resent the way I was treated.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/66 "2011-10-30T20:54:15Z")
> [@Cazzle](#):
>
> How about the gym that’s not in compliance with your interpretation of the laws that aren’t in effect yet?
That’s a complicated story. The _manager_ of that gym was _most definitely_ guilty of wrongdoing. I’m not even trying to open that bees nest here again. Would it surprise anyone that that manager has been _fired_??
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### Author:  [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/67 "2011-10-30T20:57:48Z")
Then leave it at speaking with his boss and asking that the boss counsel him.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/68 "2011-10-30T21:00:21Z")
> [@Muffin](#):
>
> Then leave it at speaking with his boss and asking that the boss counsel him.
Yes, that is a good idea. In the process, I can learn what the exact laws are regarding such exchanges.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/69 "2011-10-30T21:06:19Z")
> [@iamnotbatman](#):
>
> It is very common for valid non-expired placards to be used by family members, friends, etc, who are not authorized to use it. For example, my mother is currently in hospice, and we have a placard for her car. Needless to say, she is not driving. I use the car every day, and even though I have a valid placard, it is illegal for me to use disabled parking. It is entirely appropriate for a police officer to ask for proof. Typically this would be a drivers license, as has been pointed out. In this case his lack of formality actually saved you time (as was also pointed out already).
Just wanted to add: actually you _don’t_ have a _valid_, non-expired placard. Just because you have your mother’s non-expired placard, it is only valid under her name and under her usage. Any other usage renders the placard invalid.
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### Author:  [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/70 "2011-10-30T21:08:34Z")
I see nothing untoward in the policeman’s question.
Oh, and FYI, a lot of police officers dislike being called “cops.” It’s a tad disrespectful.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/71 "2011-10-30T21:14:10Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> Do you have other instances in mind when you generalize like that? When have I accused someone of wrongdoing when they were well within their rights (not withstanding this incident)?
Fine, we’ll get rid of the general and make it specific…change “I think sometimes you accuse” to “I think you may be accusing”.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/72 "2011-10-30T21:14:33Z")
> [@Candyman74](#):
>
> Sure, when you give the entire world a break. The whole planet isn’t conspiring to piss you off.
It saddens me that people can read what I post with that interpretation.
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### Author:  [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/73 "2011-10-30T21:16:29Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> And I’d have to find out for sure what the law says, but I can’t imagine it being within an officer’s rights. It’s totally unnecessary in order to determine the driver’s legal status and it’s an invasion of privacy.
I don’t think cops are restricted to asking you questions that are directly consequential to law enforcement. Nor, AFAIK, is asking a question invading your privacy, unless you are obliged to answer.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/74 "2011-10-30T21:18:22Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#):
>
> I see nothing untoward in the policeman’s question.
>
> Oh, and FYI, a lot of police officers dislike being called “cops.” It’s a tad disrespectful.
And prying into the private personal life of a complete stranger doing nothing wrong in the slightest is _respectful_? 😕 Are you _trying_ to be ironic?
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/75 "2011-10-30T21:24:24Z")
Jamie, if every time I posted about a situation I experienced, and the vast majority of the responders said I was wrong, after a while I would feel like I needed to ponder whether I had unrealistic or erroneous views. I mean, this has happened to you just on this board alone, over and over. Has this not occurred to you, or are you so egotistical that you actually think that you are the one that is right and everyone else is wrong?
???
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/76 "2011-10-30T21:25:13Z")
> [@straight\_man](#):
>
> I don’t think cops are restricted to asking you questions that are directly consequential to law enforcement. Nor, AFAIK, is asking a question invading your privacy, unless you are obliged to answer.
The question is still inappropriate.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/77 "2011-10-30T21:27:00Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> And prying into the private personal life of a complete stranger doing nothing wrong in the slightest is _respectful_? 😕 Are you _trying_ to be ironic?
Dude, he was asking the questions and stopping you to make sure you WEREN"T doing anything wrong. Are cops supposed to be all knowing or something? The fact you werent doing anything wrong is irrelevant and doesnt prove a thing. And WTH does complete stranger have to do with it? You think cops only interact with friends and family?
He wasnt prying. He asked. You had every right to not answer if you didn’t want to, forcing him to run ID and license checks and waste more of your time and his.
And for that matter, I now want an update on whether you tinted windows are actually legal or not.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/78 "2011-10-30T21:27:47Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#):
>
> Jamie, if every time I posted about a situation I experienced, and the vast majority of the responders said I was wrong, after a while I would feel like I needed to ponder whether I had unrealistic or erroneous views. I mean, this has happened to you just on this board alone, over and over. Has this not occurred to you, or are you so egotistical that you actually think that you are the one that is right and everyone else is wrong?
>
> ???
I’m wrong to consider this question inappropriate? Really? When a valid drivers license and valid placard were readily available? It’s none of the cops business as to details of my personal life. You are saying I’m wrong? Really?
And I think alot of the posters who say “Im wrong” are doing so more because they simply dislike me than for any substantial topical differences of opinion.
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/79 "2011-10-30T21:31:42Z")
What is the big fucking deal? So a cop asked you a question. Is your life so empty that you really have the time and energy to turn such a mundane little thing into such a personal affront? If so, have you ever considered volunteering or going back to school, or writing a book, or mentoring someone, or any number of activities that would broaden your horizons and give you something productive to do?
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 30, 2011, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/80 "2011-10-30T21:36:23Z")
> [@billfish678](#):
>
> Dude, he was asking the questions and stopping you to make sure you WEREN"T doing anything wrong. Are cops supposed to be all knowing or something? The fact you werent doing anything wrong is irrelevant and doesnt prove a thing. And WTH does complete stranger have to do with it? You think cops only interact with friends and family?
>
> He wasnt prying. He asked. You had every right to not answer if you didn’t want to, forcing him to run ID and license checks and waste more of your time and his.
>
> And for that matter, I now want an update on whether you tinted windows are actually legal or not.
My windows are totally legal. I’ve never had a ticket or anything in the more than 7years I’ve been driving it. The tinters told me I might get hassled a bit by cops but that they were as dark _as legal_.
He WAS NOT asking me about my disability in order to “save time”. The fact that everyone seems to be grabbing on to this notion is funny to me. He was being a dickhead. Plain and simple. If I had refused to answer, it would have only escalated the situation and made a silly situation into something. Stupid and even more unneccessary than the cop’s original question. :rolleyes:
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