Identifying a Police Officer...

[Jemdawg]

Ok, so nothing to do with the Versa, but I'd rather post this here than the 'General Discussion' forum because I feel that the users here are much more constructive, and I know that there is at least one law officer as a member in this forum.

Last night, I was hanging out with three friends after work in the parking lot, two of which were smoking illegal substances [mary jane.] Within about 10-15 minutes two undercover officers came up to the car and, in short, cut us all a deal and threw away the contraband. They cut us all a deal: I, being under 21, must go to a few bars tonight to see if anyone sells me alcohol without an ID. We were all suspicious of their authenticity of being actual officers, as one had a badge hanging around his neck, but neither of them were armed. The car they were driving, a Ford Taurus, which is known as a common unmarked car in this area, was filled with fireworks, and almost nothing else. Hmm, it's slightly odd for them to have obtained that amount of fireworks in the middle of December. They didn't run our ID's, and they only took my name and number to arrange the sting tonight, if you wish to call it a sting. From what I saw in the car, there was only a CB radio, but no computer, yet they claimed they would run our ID's. The only name they have is mine, and I had no illegal substances on my person, and, furthermore, they have no evidence, since they tossed it all.

A. Should I comply with the officers out of trustworthyness?B. Should I ask for their names, their precinct, and call the precinct to verify that they are, in fact, affiliated with the police?C. Should I ignore their call as per their lack of evidence, therefore nullifying their ability to do anything to me?

Please respond as soon as possible.

[fayceoff]

The answer is B. Verify that they are who they say they are before you help them with their 'sting'. There are far too many scam artists out there. I have heard of fake cops (and some real ones, unfortunately) who send an underage person to buy liquor, then blackmail the store owner, threatening to report them to the ATF. Also, contrary to popular belief, not all cops wear guns...

I'm not a regular local cop, and this isn't something that I would ordinarily come up with on a military base, but you can never go wrong with verifying a cop's identity (unless you're in the middle of a crazy situation and there's just no time). Any real police officer who wears a badge around his neck is not going to have a problem with you knowing for sure that he's a cop.

[Jemdawg]

They also stated that we were in violation with some funky laws: DWI, even though nobody was driving, and that we were all in possession of contraband, which we were not. It just seems sketchy, to say the least.

[OKVersa]

B. Dump the "friends," call the police station. Change your locks. Cops don't cut deals, that is up to the district attorney.

[redtop91]

Cutting deals with the Police is idiotic because they won't hold it up. Besides the fact that I have a deep seated hatred for them.

[OKVersa]

I have a great deal of respect for those who put their lives on the line to protect others.

If they are crooked cops, nail them. If they are fakes, nail them.

It seems simple

[redtop91]

I have a great deal of respect for those who put their lives on the line to protect others.

I do too but I have my reasons for my hatred and we'll leave it at that.

[BMAR240SX]

Dude how did you know he was not armed?

[fayceoff]

Because it was me!!! Just kidding.

We were all suspicious of their authenticity of being actual officers, as one had a badge hanging around his neck, but neither of them were armed.

[marleyfan]

Yup I would definately have strong reason to believe that you are being scammed in some way. I would call the station to verify the information. The fact is tho that they have no evidence now that they have destroyed it. The whole thing sounds way strange. I love it! Let us know what happens in Chapter Two.

Also, not sure of your relationship with your parents but you might want to fill them in. If it is a scam then they are counting on you being too scared to talk about it.

[Jemdawg]

I could talk to the rents, but I'd prefer to handle it myself considering their unpredictable reaction to the po-po's possibile involvement.

It was obvious that they weren't armed, unless they had a holster in their boots.

[BMAR240SX]

I know people that are undercover they carry a gun in the back of there waist and around there calf muscle.

[AZhitman]

They also stated that we were in violation with some funky laws: DWI, even though nobody was driving, and that we were all in possession of contraband, which we were not. It just seems sketchy, to say the least.

I'd ignore it.

You were theoretically both DWI and in possession (altho not "contraband" but narcotics).

DWI - Driving not necessary. You can be guilty of DWI as long as the keys are in the vicinity of the person under the influence and not under the "control" of another.

Sounds like a joke tho. I'd have gotten their plate number and called the PD.

[fayceoff]

It was obvious that they weren't armed, unless they had a holster in their boots.

You might be surprised to know some the places that people (not just cops) carry their weapons - not to mention how quickly they can present them for use if the situation arises.

[Jemdawg]

No call yet, they said 11-ish; I wonder if they'll call at all.

[cireecnop1]

Sounds bogus to me, but definately get their plate number and check on them,...asap, thay way if dispatch says that they are sending a car to you location or what not it means that the car is probably stolen or affiliated with a wanted person. Also AZhitman is right, can be DUI or DWAI(DWI) if the keys are in the vicinity (including if they were thrown from the car)and the car doesn't have to be running. Our undercover officers have very odd rides, ie P.O.S. trucks, and cars. and they dress quite normal.

[Jemdawg]

Yep, they never called, so I'm just confused now.

[kc5f]

Nobody's suggested what seems most plausible to me. You say they "threw away the contraband". Are you sure? My guess is they weren't officers, needed to score some dope for themselves and were low on money after buying all of those fireworks. Sounds like you replenished their supply at no cost to them!

[Jemdawg]

We saw them throw it over the fence into the sump, which is why we doubted that they weren't officers.

[michelkenny]

If they were real officers, they most certainly would have kept it and brought it back to the station for disposal. It doesn't make sense that they would just throw it over the fence. They probably waited until you left, went over the fence and get it for themselves.

[Cowboys Fan 87]

OK...it's Christmas, so I'll play the Grinch....My Grandmother always said "If you lie with dogs, you'll get fleas."

I'm having an incredibly hard time even feeling the slightest bit sorry or concerned for you. Just on the off chance that you didn't know this, "Mary Jane" is still an illegal substance, well, in this country. You came to this group crying because "your friends" got caught. You seem very worried about doing nothing, or so your story goes.

What ever happens to you, you have it coming for the company you keep. Tell your "friends" you don't want to go to jail if you are truly worried about things like this and how it may impact your life. If they are real friends, they'll understand, otherwise kick them to the curb.

Feel free to flame away....I won't open this thread again anyway.

[fayceoff]

If they were real officers, they most certainly would have kept it and brought it back to the station for disposal. It doesn't make sense that they would just throw it over the fence. They probably waited until you left, went over the fence and get it for themselves.

Not necessarily... Obviously you've never had to fill out any evidence custody documents. It's just not worth it if you're not going to get a real bust out of it. If they're the kind of cops that drive unmarked vehicles and wear plainclothes, then they're usually not concerned with 'little fish'.

I still don't think they were legit, and I agree with Cowboys Fan 87.

[XterraVersa]

What ever happens to you, you have it coming for the company you keep. Tell your "friends" you don't want to go to jail if you are truly worried about things like this and how it may impact your life. If they are real friends, they'll understand, otherwise kick them to the curb.

x2

Are you willing to go to jail with your friends over a silly weed?

You are 20... GROW UP and start thinking about your future and where you want to be. Now ask yourself if your childish friends will keep you from getting there.

[AZhitman]

^ Agreed.

Also, if there will be no citation, police can destroy or dispose of illicit substances and alcohol "on the scene".

I've seen more than one cop confiscate a joint and shred it with his shoe on the pavement, and you've all seen officers pour out someone's alcoholic beverage and tell them to "move along".

[Jemdawg]

x2

Are you willing to go to jail with your friends over a silly weed?

You are 20... GROW UP and start thinking about your future and where you want to be. Now ask yourself if your childish friends will keep you from getting there.

You're confusing maturity and compliance with the law as being of an associative nature. Age has no bearing on the use of illegal substances and using them does not make one 'childish.' Perhaps, if you chose to argue that it is stupidity that fuels the desire for such activity, you may have been able to support that claim; telling someone to 'grow up' in this sort of a situation is to make a judgment on that person's character, of which you cannot interpret through the given information. This situation also does not impose a tainted future of any sort.

The point is that nothing happened, and I am fully aware of the consequences. The point of this topic was for you to help me determine whether or not I was involved in a scam, not for me to recieve a lecture on information which I already have. Rather than swaying from the original topic and making attempts towards my humiliation, I ask that you add information in a more constructive and relevent manner. Thank you.

[marleyfan]

First, Jem....great reply. I agree with you. Age and maturity level have little to do with the use of illicit substances, especially weed. Many mature and respectable people, including police officers, judges, teachers, college professors, just to name a few, use weed. (I personally know at least one of each of the above groups who do)

Second

Feel free to flame away....I won't open this thread again anyway.

Cowboy IF you read this. Very big of you, and certainly very mature, to drop in, dump all over Jem and then not have the balls to even view responses to your condescending tirade. I now view each of your posts on this site with the respect they deserve.

[Ever Victorious]

OK... everyone needs to get back on topic right now... not talk about Jem/his friends and how you feel about his friends' illicit drug use.

[cireecnop1]

Well Jemdawg, glad to hear nothing bad happen of this, I mean that they didn't try and get you into trouble if they were infact 'fake' cops.

[Nolalove06]

Dang...i was only gone for the weekend >.>

If i were you, i would just let it go

and tell your friends to smoke weed...not in public

[redtop91]

Modified by redtop91 at 2:30 PM 12/19/2006