Although customs inspectors have gain approval from a supervisor to perform a personal search (Huie 2).
In 1988 Operation Pipeline was formed. It is a group of a few thousand police officers constantly patrolling the nation?s highways. The officers only reason for being on the road is to target minority drivers and look for drugs. There are many indicators of potential drug mules on the road according to these officers. Air fresheners, fabric softener, laundry detergent are all signs that a smell is being covered up. Maps with cities circled on them could be perceived as drug routes, fast-food wrappers on the floor could indicate that the driver was too anxious to leave his drug load. Tools on the floor that could be used to open up hidden compartments, tinted windows, new rims, and
Police Officers Often Misuse and Overuse their Powers when it comes to Conducting Searches on Persons or Property
single keys in the ignition (Webb 5). All of these indicators can easily be found in any innocent citizens? vehicle, as acknowledged by Operation Pipeline?s founder Bob Vogel. If a persons indicators are on the high side the following will happen. He will be given his papers back and the officer will stay around and strike up a friendly conversation, telling about the drug problems they are having on this route and that if it would be all right to look through your car. If you refuse a dog can be brought out to sniff at your car for evidence. Most drivers consent to a search after their license and registrations are given back. But what they do not realize is that at this point you are technically free to go since nothing was wrong with you or your vehicle and now the officer is just having a friendly chat with you (Webb 6).
In response to this and many other warrantless searches Pat Barber of Colorado City, Texas put up a eight foot by six-teen foot sign that read ?Just Say NO to Searches!? The sign was put up on his own property and even had a phone number where an
answering machine read a two-minute public message about citizens? constitutional rights against unreasonable searches. Barbers reason for doing this was due to the unprecedented number of vehicle searches on today?s highways and roads (Just Say NO? 1).
When signaled by an officer, safely pull over to a place out of traffic. Sit calmly, with your hands on the steering wheel, if you have passengers tell them to sit quietly with their hands visible (If the Police Stop You? 2). You may remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions, but do give your driver?s license and registration. Ask if you are under arrest, if you are not and your license and registration are given back you
Police Officers Often Misuse and Overuse their Powers when it comes to Conducting Searches on Persons or Property
Should be free to leave (Your Rights and the Police 2). If you are given a ticket sign it, otherwise you may be arrested (What to do if You?re Stopped 1).
As seen in this paper it is quite visible that police often misuse and overuse the powers granted to them by the courts and the Constitution. The reader can see that policemen take their powers to far and try to bully citizens into voluntarily giving up their rights granted to them under the Fourth Amendment. Court rulings continuously stand by the citizen and his or her rights. The Supreme Court especially has stated its issue on many of the things going on by police today (Valencia).