Scolded by Police Officer for having a Scanner in my car

[mkewman]

I was recently scolded by a police officer for having a police scanner in my car. I was so dumbfounded that a police officer would tell me that. I had no idea how to respond to that.

his exact words were "you shouldn't be driving around with a scanner, it doesn't make police officers like us feel good".

i was in the wrong place at the wrong time, at a municipal airport late at night (yeah i know it sounds suspicious, but an acquaintance of mine was supposed to take me up in his plane, but he forgot about it), waiting for someone, and i was interviewed by the police, and they asked to search my vehicle, and i did, because, i had nothing to hide, i was fully cooperative, but for some reason, the cop decided to scold me for the scanner, and unplug it when he searched my car. along with my satellite radio receiver and everything, (now the unplugging could just be typical procedure, but the scolding... i'm not so sure about)

i'm just wondering if other people have been scolded by LE for having a scanner.

[CVPI4Ever]

He had no right to unplug or tamper with any equipment. IF by doing so he broke or damaged any of it, his department or himself would be responsible to buy you a new one. He is supposed to be conducting a search (looking in glove box, pockets in rear of seats and other hidden places within your reach) for drugs and weapons. Nothing further. I would complain to a supervisor. If it is not illegal to have a scanner in your car then he shouldnt bitch.

[pfish]

Yeah, for instance it is illegal to carry a scanner in a vehicle in Florida without a ham license. If your in Florida, he had full rights to scold you and your lucky he didnt do more -- I think there is a few other states with this same law. Which state are you in?

[mkewman]

California, where it's perfectly legal.

[CVPI4Ever]

Go to the PD and tell a supervisor.

Alot of the people in the county where I am an Auxiliary Deputy have scanners and we know it. Doesnt bother us a bit.

[pfish]

Yep, since its legal where you are I would speak with his supervisor. Sounds like his head has grown a little bit too much and he needs a supervisor to shrink it.

[mkewman]

it really disappointed me to be scolded like that, he and the other responding officers also used a lot of scare tactics to (presumably) make me change my story or something.

On top of that, some of the younger officers played with my cellphone and took pictures with the camera part of it while i was being interviewed.

anyway, has anyone had any experiances like this?

[kgasso]

Here in Oregon, it's legal (with the usual exceptions, unless used in the commission of a crime, unless disallowed by post-prison supervision conditions, etc.).

With that said, I've been pulled over once and searched without much incident. I guess they saw me in a few places in town (running some computer equipment around), found some PC to stop me. Probably a slow night.

Scanner wasn't on, was actually in the back seat of the car.

"You been scanner hopping tonight? I've seen you like three times in the past couple of hours."

Anyway, they wished me a good night, I did the same and got back into my car, and drove off. Noticed they left the scanner on and tuned to their frequency when I heard them clear my traffic stop.

[car2back]

Originally Posted by pfish

Yep, since its legal where you are I would speak with his supervisor. Sounds like his head has grown a little bit too much and he needs a supervisor to shrink it.

lol! thats great!

[slammed]

hmm did he take pictures of you?? sounds like you have a lawsuit if your into that kind of thing

[Rmdig79]

I got an attitude a few months ago from an officer. First time i have been pulled over in 12 years. Had my pro96 next to me on the seat. When asked for my DL, insurance and registration i must have blocked his view. It was not untill after he gave me back my papers and said he was not going to ticket me that he saw it. His flashlight came up, he took a half a step back, and got all huffy."WHAT'S THE SCANNER FOR? YOU LIKE LISTENING TO THE PO-LICE,HUH?" Almost instant A-#@!& with attitude. I told him mostly for listening to fire while driving. Best darn traffic reporter you can have for the commute home. Anyway, since then I have noticed a heck of a lot more cops driving by my house. Paranoia? Previous 5 years maybe I have seen a patrol unit go by the house 4 or 5 times. In the three months since I was pulled over probably close to 50. Go figure

[MacombMonitor]

Originally Posted by mkewman

they asked to search my vehicle, and i did

That was your first mistake!

[Voyager]

Originally Posted by mkewman

his exact words were "you shouldn't be driving around with a scanner, it doesn't make police officers like us feel good".

and they asked to search my vehicle, and i did,

i'm just wondering if other people have been scolded by LE for having a scanner.

When asked for permission to search, I would have likely said "No, that wouldn't make ME feel good."

He had no right to touch your equipment as long as it was legal. He could have asked YOU to turn them off. (and that usually will happen just so there is no 'competition' to his questions)

Another less confrontational reply might be: "Is it illegal to have a scanner?"

As others have said, file a complaint with the department as long as scanners are legal. That was nothing but pure intimidation.

Along other lines, WHY doesn't it make them feel good? Are they doing something wrong they don't want you to know about? How many times could they use the additional eyes and ears? I might have even said this to him: "If you were shot and put out a description of the actor's vehicle, wouldn't you appreciate people like me knowing about it and calling your dispatch if we SAW a vehicle matching that description? Scannists serve an important purpose and make your job easier. That should make you feel better, shouldn't it?"

Joe M.

[ex8010]

Any firefighter emts pulled over? I was only questioned once when pulled over. Other times no one said anything. In NY I believe it is still illegal no matter what.
Even though I am a firefighter/emt/ham
most cops around here wont give you a hard time. some will.

[ReceiverBeaver]

Next time this happens, say to the officer one of the following:

1) Would you mind holding my beer while I comply with your crap?

2) Are you Andy or Barney?

3) Could I please see YOUR drivers license, registration and proof of insurance too?

4) Is that a banana in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?

All else failing, offer him/her a beaver

Beavers make wonderful gifts......why....they're the gift that just keeps on giving !!!

[cellblock776]

Originally Posted by MacombMonitor

That was your first mistake!

Agreed. As my Concealed Carry Permit instructor made clear, if the police ever ask permission to search your vehicle the answer is ALWAYS no.
I was pulled over by a Baton Rouge cop a few years back on my way back to a class at the local Red Cross chapter from a lunch break. She had an attitude but so did I and I knew my rights. Her main interest was on my antennas for my Ham Radio and scanner and the red light on my dash I used as a FF/EMT in my home district. After almost 15 minutes of her trying to intimidate me and failing I told her that I was late for my class and unless I was under arrest I was leaving. I got back in my car and left.
I'd be damned if I stood by and watched some nut playing with my camera phone and unpluging my electronics.

[scanjunkie]

Like everyone else has said, you need to file a complaint. Include the bit abut them messing with your cell phone too...that is ridiculous and the officer's in question were not conducting an appropriate search. I would even think about questioning their PC for searching your vehicle. Other than the fact that you were sitting somewhere late at night, if you weren't doing anything to make them think anything different, I would question it. Good luck!!

[oregontreehugger]

Always a few bad apples to spoil the bunch...

Sounds like you had a bad experience; and that's exactly what complaining to the department will prevent for some poor sucker next time.

You can bet they know who stopped you -- thank those detailed dispatch logs.

If you have any pictures on your camera phone that they took, keep them. Show them to the supervisor when you file a complaint, too.

What a load of crap.

[CVPI4Ever]

If you still have the pics he took on the phone, take the phone with you.

[radioscan]

A little over a year ago I was on my way home from work, I don't get off work until
12 midnight. I had stopped by the grocery store, and the next I know I see flashing red in
my rear view mirror. I was well within the speed limit so that was not an issue. It was a county sheriff's deputy.
He came around to the passenger side which was a first for me, they almost always come up to the driver's side.
Anyway, I had my Yaesu VX-150 sitting in the armrest of the passenger door and I had already turned it off.
After asking for my DL and registration and POI, he shines his flash light and sees my VX-150.

He then asks whose radio is that. I told him That is my ham radio, he proceeded to sneer and said nothing else.
A few minutes later he comes back and hands me my stuff. This was the first time I had been pulled over in about 5 years,
so my current DR was clean. He gives me a verbal warning on having Blue rear license plate lamps (I got them at Wal-Mart, they are not that blue)
and to make sure I changed them asap and let me go on my way. He probably had me targeted as a possible DUI
just for being out on the road so late. When he could find nothing else he went with the blue lamp thing.

I appreicate everything our law enforcement officers do to keep us safe, but just once in awhile we run into someone a little too Gung-Ho for their own good.