> You should go on a ride-along with your son (if he's working patrol and not the courts,
> jails, or something else). You will see things from a completely different perspective.

> On a technical note, you were never "detained" if you were a passenger on a train. The train
> was detained--you were free to leave. Same thing when you were a witness to something---you
> were not detained. If you wanted to leave, you could have left.


My son has described his work often to me. So I understand his perspective, but I don't always entirely agree with it. As to the ride along idea, due to budget transfers and raids of local taxes by the State of California, the Sheriff has had to cut back severely. He is currently out, along with almost half the Sheriffs dept. He is currently looking elsewhere - out of State; and trying to further his education. So the ride-along with him is out the door for now. But at least if he does finish his education, he won't end up being just another ignorant Buford T. Justice, such as I ran into.


Legal technicalities aside, My vehicle was blocked by a cruiser and he was unwilling to move it! Moreover, he ordered me to remain where I was until released. They never did release me. Hopefully, you are not suggesting that I could have just abandoned my company truck there and walked back into the nearest town, which was not even my home or base.

For all practical reality, I was "Detained" because I was ordered not leave the scene and was physically prevented by him from doing so. Not only that, I was threatened with arrest for "Obstruction" (I think that was the word he used) if I did not just "Shut the F... up and wait." This was after the field interview was complete. They never did ask me another thing. I waited for 3-1/2 hours until they just left - with me still sitting there!

Technically, I violated his orders to stay until released, when I did leave a few minutes after they did. I waited until they would be long gone - didn't want any more confrontation with them.

More legal technicalities aside, for all practical reality, those passengers were "Detained", even though they were not face to face ordered to remain was as I; because those responsible for them, were so ordered. And they also were physically prevented, as their only practical means to leave, was being held.

As I thought I said already, "detaining" (however you define it) people for a brief time until an officer has clarity as to what has happened, is not at issue here. However, any more than is reasonably necessary is just plain wrong - and I dare say - unconstitutional.

Even if draconian budget cuts have seemed to make it seem more necessary to hold people up for hours on end; that does not make the extra delay reasonable or Constitutional. Our government and its officers have the same duties to us all, regardless.

And remember this, the people are paying the same tax rates as ever (much more than ever in California). They are entitled therefore to the same consideration back. And remember too, that those draconian budget cuts came not because of any tax cut demanded by the people; but because of corrupt politicians diverting local taxes away to the State, to fund only those special interests that have clout with the current regime in Sacramento.

But the first (legitimate) purposes of government, as outlined in the Constitution, should be put first - Not last, as they actually are. This problem would bot be happening then - right?

OPB