Police asking you questions that are irrelevant?

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primalclaws1974

Well-Known Member
Have you ever had an officer ask you questions that have nothing to do with why they are interacting with you? A good example is that many ask where you are going when they pull you over. How does this pertain to anything? I might understand asking where are you going in such a hurry, if you were speeding. Years ago we had someone call the police because we were being loud. The officer asked me how often I drank, and before I could answer, he said, "Every day?". Yes, I was drinking that day (it was a celebration), but to be so rude and presumptuous was uncool. I feel the questions should not be personal, and should only have to do with their investigation/reason for being there. Your thoughts?
 
In the instance of asking that question, yea that cop was being a douchebag. However, a lot of the time the cop or cops already has an idea of what is going on beforehand. I think what they mean to do is get you to admit to whatever it is that is going on. Asking irrelevant questions is nothing more than a means to get you off your guard.
 
I think they just ask these questions to see how you react. I can't see any other reason for them to ask some of the questions that they do. I think it's just a way of getting a little more information about a situation, although it doesn't do their image any good. Still, I suppose they have to try and get to the bottom of things.
 
If a question asked by an officer doesn't pertain to the situation at hand then just don't answer them. Don't be rude about it, but just go on and act like you didn't hear it.
 
This makes me think of an episode of "Cops". This lady was very unhappy for being pulled over and was verbally hostile. The police officer kept his cool, and was asking her questions. For almost everything he asked, she said, "Is that any of your business?". Yes, we have the right to refuse to answer. It is within the lines of your Miranda rights. I wish there were some rules that limited what police can ask you too, seems only fair.
 
primalclaws1974 said:
A good example is that many ask where you are going when they pull you over. How does this pertain to anything?
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If there is an emergency and you are speeding they are likely to either offer you a ride or will escort you there. Asking where you are headed and where you have come from is relevant in a lot of circumstances. Lets say you have a busted tail light, if they pull you over for it on the way to getting it fixed they aren't likely to ticket you for it.
 
Be polite and as ally79 said pretend you did not hear the question. Anything you say to the police can be held against you. If the police detain you for too long, ask them am I free to leave now. The police will either have to arrest you or lot you go. In the event you are arrested don't answer anything unless you have a lawyer.
 
Assumptions, presumptions and color of law is how they operate. They ask questions to get you to basically hang yourself. Everything you say can and will be used against you. The best way to play the game is to not play. Don't answer their questions, that works for me.
 
That might be the case of police officers trying to abuse their power or like you say Kamar, they might get us talking to see if we say something we should not. If we have nothing to fear, we can talk openly though.
 
I don't agree that asking you where you are going is relevant if you have a taillight out. That makes no sense. They have the right to ask you questions pertaining to the reason they are there, such as coming to your house if someone called the law on you. But where I am going is my business, and if they follow you for an unreasonable amount of time, then that could be deemed harassment.
 
I agree that the questions should be based on the issue. The problem is you cannot dictate the kind of questions they can ask. They are the authority and therefore there is nothing one can do but answer the questions as best as one can. I also felt very offended when I went to ask a question at the police station and they asked me questions that I thought were out of place.
 
One time the police got called on a domestic dispute charge to break up a fight at my house where my brother and someone else were going at it, my brother throwing someone through the glass out into our driveway. Then they come, all acting Hollywood-esque, with dirty shoes and all, walk around questioning everyone (even onlookers who just came over because they saw the police) and asked them all sorts of douchey-type questions like "Where's the person responsible for this because you sure don't look like strong enough man to do this." and "Don't take that cavalier attitude with me, son" - I wasn't even in the fight, and I was only 12. This sends the wrong message across. They should have asked both sides numerous questions pertaining to what happened, but they only just made sure nobody was gravely hurt and left. This is a small town. It's not like they were super busy.
 
Many police ask these questions as a test. How you react and how long it takes for you to react can say a lot about you. Some policemen will ask routine questions, and then throw in a random one just to see if you're paying attention, or to see if you're paying too much attention. If you seem to always have the answers, you're suspicious. If you seem to have none of the answers, you're suspicious.
Some police officers ask you questions just to get to know you and what your punishment should be. If you're a teen and you get pulled over for speeding, the cop may ask you how your grades are, if you play any sports, etc. This is also a way to get you to feel more comfortable, since most of us tense up around police.
 
I'm natural with everyone I talk too. There should be no test administered if they don't know the full situation, however. I can't say I don't understand it; I do. But you cannot protect the people around you if you're naturally suspicious of everyone. That's not a way to live life.
 
I agree with people advising on not answering what seems to you to be irrelevant. I think that even if you are not arrested, you can tell police that you don't have to answer that, respectfully. You don't want to give them any ground to stay longer and ask more questions!
 
I do agree that in most cases if you don't want to answer something, especially if it seems irrelevant, the best thing to do is be quiet, or tell them you are refusing to answer. But that could also get you taken to the police station, if the officer really feels there is something you are hiding. I am very big on a civilian's rights, but I guess it would be up to the individual to decide if the hassle of being taken out of your home, in front of your neighbors, and spending some time at the local station is worth standing up for yourself. Most probably would rather just answer, irrelevant or not. For me, it would be based on the situation, and how the officer was treating me otherwise.
 
I believe that happens quite often. However one should be very careful while answering any questions as it is with police. I think it is quite important to be polite in every manner.
 
primalclaws1974 said:
I don't agree that asking you where you are going is relevant if you have a taillight out. That makes no sense. They have the right to ask you questions pertaining to the reason they are there, such as coming to your house if someone called the law on you. But where I am going is my business, and if they follow you for an unreasonable amount of time, then that could be deemed harassment.
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He is just fishing to see if you might be in the process of commiting a crime, or commited a crime. A lot of criminals are caught by routine things like getting pulled over for speeding etc. By asking where you are going, he can see if you are going to a legitimate place or lying. If the questions are reasonable, it is nothing wrong with it.
 
I believe most people who are pulled over by the Police already feel its an inconvenience for them, so mostly all questions that are asked will be met with resistance. Unfortunately this is part of their job.
 
stevesxs9 said:
I believe most people who are pulled over by the Police already feel its an inconvenience for them, so mostly all questions that are asked will be met with resistance. Unfortunately this is part of their job.
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While this is true, asking irrelevant questions is not and is a breach of power for pulling you over. It's not inconvenient and we know it's standard practice that's why we are curt and polite because we realize it's just their job. But when it gets out of hand asking questions that don't even pertain to the subject at hand it's become prettyabusive.
 
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