COPS TV program

[VoiceofReason]

I used to enjoy watching the TV show but not so much anymore.

The ways officers have of coercing people to give up their rights has become sickening to me.

Officers will handcuff a subject then tell them “you are not under arrest, you are being detained”. I have seen officers request permission to search a car then take someone to jail for a small amount of pot. Officers will tell a subject, I am here to help you, but you must tell me where anything is that might be illegal. I have even seen an officer lecture a subject the officer has already put in the patrol car, that if he/she had told the officer where the pot was, he/she would not have been arrested.

I guess just once I would just like to see a driver refuse permission to search and the officer have no choice but release them.

I do not smoke pot and I am not defending illegal drug use or “pushers”. I can however envision these tactics being used to find a “high capacity magazine” or bullets that have been “banned”.

[Javier730]

Almost everyone on COPS gives consent to search. The police officer will stop someone for a minor traffic violation, then asks if it is okay for him to search them or their vehicle. They always give consent. The people chose to commit crimes and not take an hour or two to inform themselves about the rights they have in their own state and country. Rights that could of saved them from a trip to the slammer. No ones fault but their own.

[Texas_Blaze]

I've seen those type of situations while watching Alaska State Troopers. They no doubt have a tough job. I wouldn't want to do it. I've used those type of scenes to help my teenagers understand their rights. This isn't about "I have nothing to hide" so I consent. Laws should be followed and rights respected. I've told my kids to not consent, and clearly state "I do not consent to a search of my vehicle".

Several times, on the trooper show, the trooper talks to the camera and says "I hope he lets me search". I want criminals caught, even if it is by their own lack of knowledge.

However, you need to protect yourself from a potential criminal behind the badge as well.

[WildBill]

Almost everyone on COPS gives consent to search. The police officer will stop someone for a minor traffic violation, then asks if it is okay for him to search them or their vehicle. They always give consent. The people chose to commit crimes and not take an hour or two to inform themselves about the rights they have in their own state and country. Rights that could of saved them from a trip to the slammer. No ones fault but their own.

COPS is a television show. It is supposed to be entertainment and they need ratings to stay on the air. You never know how many smarter well-informed people don't agree to the search. They are the ones who don't end up on the show. A person who denies the search request and goes on their way doesn't make for good TV. Who is their right mind is going to allow a search when there are cameramen with bright light shining in their faces. Maybe a wannabee star?

[C-dub]

And maybe there are a bunch that do not consent to the searches and they just aren't showing those on television. Maybe they don't show those because people standing up for their rights isn't good television in their minds. Maybe they don't want the public to know they can refuse.

[WildBill]

And maybe there are a bunch that do not consent to the searches and they just aren't showing those on television. Maybe they don't show those because people standing up for their rights isn't good television in their minds. Maybe they don't want the public to know they can refuse.

I think that most of the public believe that the drunk and stoned people who are arrested "deserve it", regardless of the legality of the search.
It is also very entertaining to see very inebriated suspects banging their heads against the window of the police cruiser. That's gotta hurt!

[suthdj]

I expect stupidity from the criminals but what I see that bothers me more is the way some of(not all) these LEO's act, aggressive, brutal, egomaniacal. How they are allowed to be on TV and act like this I see as a bad choice by the department. I wonder how many of them are acting up just for the camera's. I also wonder how many have been disciplined because of the way they acted.

[mojo84]

Cops lie all the time to make people feel at ease and drop their guard. It's a game to many of them. They also know people will "feel" like they are already had once the cop "detains and cuffs" them. Much of what a cop has to rely upon is playing the psychological manipulation to see if they can get you to give them permission. It is legal for them to do so and a small percentage of the people refuse to consent.

Keep in mind this is a heavily edited TV show and only the most sensational stuff gets on the site. I also believe some of the cops are putting on a little tough guy show for the camera. I don't think they represent cops in general.

[WildBill]

Cops lie all the time to make people feel at ease and drop their guard. It's a game to many of them. They also know people will "feel" like they are already had once the cop "detains and cuffs" them. Much of what a cop has to rely upon is playing the psychological manipulation to see if they can get you to give them permission. It is legal for them to do so and a small percentage of the people refuse to consent.

Keep in mind this is a heavily edited TV show and only the most sensational stuff gets on the site. I also believe some of the cops are putting on a little tough guy show for the camera. I don't think they represent cops in general.

[mr1337]

I watch the show too, and I use it more as a reference of what NOT to do when approached by a police officer.

I'm sure my wife is tired of hearing me say "well he wouldn't have been arrested if he didn't consent to that search."

[VoiceofReason]

Charles,
If an LEO cuffs me, am I under arrest even if he says "you are not under arrest just being detained" and or "you are being detained for your safety.

[The Annoyed Man]

Charles,
If an LEO cuffs me, am I under arrest even if he says "you are not under arrest just being detained" and or "you are being detained for your safety.

As far as I know, being handcuffed is not the same thing as being arrested. People are often cuffed, and then uncuffed and turned loose. Right or wrong, it is simply a tool for restricting your ability to act out while they are sorting things out. Of course, if the investigation turns into an arrest, then you'll remain cuffed. I'm not defending it, I'm just saying what I think it is.

[joe817]

Charles,
If an LEO cuffs me, am I under arrest even if he says "you are not under arrest just being detained" and or "you are being detained for your safety.

As far as I know, being handcuffed is not the same thing as being arrested. People are often cuffed, and then uncuffed and turned loose. Right or wrong, it is simply a tool for restricting your ability to act out while they are sorting things out. Of course, if the investigation turns into an arrest, then you'll remain cuffed. I'm not defending it, I'm just saying what I think it is.

[CoffeeNut]

And maybe there are a bunch that do not consent to the searches and they just aren't showing those on television. Maybe they don't show those because people standing up for their rights isn't good television in their minds. Maybe they don't want the public to know they can refuse.

The police departments get to review all of the footage IIRC so I wouldn't be shocked if they have some input on what gets cut out and what stays. They try to make the departments look as good as possible and sadly a lot of the "reality" is cut out.

I don't watch it because I think its a great show rather I watch it because I find it informative.

[ScooterSissy]

I used to enjoy watching the TV show but not so much anymore.
...
I guess just once I would just like to see a driver refuse permission to search and the officer have no choice but release them.

I'm totally addicted to the program (In a "recreational user" kind of way - I don't record it, I just look for it to when I turn on the TV, sort of like smoking pot, but not inhaling), but I suspect that there are a number of folks that do just that. I also suspect that many stops where the cop used, say a broken tail light, as a reason to stop and question, end up with nothing more than a warning or a ticket, instead of a confession and an arrest.

However, those incidents end up on the cutting room floor, because the casual viewer, or even the total addict to the show, can see events like that in their own life without waiting for a TV show. In other words, they're not of any real interest, therefor are cut.

I do not smoke pot and I am not defending illegal drug use or “pushers”. I can however envision these tactics being used to find a “high capacity magazine” or bullets that have been “banned”.

The secret for that is to fight improper laws, and if/when they do pass, don't break them. Then your broken tail light stop ends with a warning, instead of a legal and successful search for a banned weapon or device.