Harassment with the assistance of the Police.

**Pudge** · 07-05-11, 10:46 AM

Other badges here know what I'm getting at. I'm putting this topic on the public side to garner some responses and input from the non sworn membership of the site as well.

What creative ways have you seen people use to harass someone they dislike by using us in calls that we're required to respond to?

My personal "favorite" is the well being check game played by feuding ex-lovers. Party A has an ax to grind with Party B, but doesn't want to directly annoy, harass, or threaten them due to numerous reasons, whether prior charges for this, prior warnings, etc. What is the jilted lady or gentleman to do? Well...why not call the police?! A simple "concern" about their child's welfare at 2am will surely do the trick! What's that you say? Why 2am? Well...when they talked to their child on the phone at 7pm they could hear a lot of yelling in the background, and they're just sure that the situation has escalated in 7 hours time, and they want to make sure their child is safe.

Enter the cop who is required to respond to that call: Silently pulling up to the house/trailer/apartment/camper to find the lights off, approaching the house to hear all is quiet. All okay you say? No says I...what if something has happened? We surely have to knock on the door and make contact to make sure all is okay! So we "tap tap tap" on the door.....well, that's surely not going to get any response, so we pound on the door until someone answers groggy and half asleep. "I'm sorry sir, but we received a request to check little Johnny and little Suzy's wellbeing, may I come in?". After putting out the pissed off parent fire about being awakened at such a nice hour, we then have to visually ensure that the child(ren) are all okay, hopefully not waking them in the process.

It ticks me off. I've personally handled the return call to the other parent a couple of times due to this, and explained that if they want to win the parent of the year award, they would actually call when they hear something, not in the middle of the night. These are usually the same geniuses who also want to remain anonymous when they call....REALLY?! Like the other parent isn't going to figure it out anyhow, idiot?!

I've seen several ways to harass with the assistance of the Police, but that wouldn't make the thread interesting to read if I listed them all so soon. What have you seen?

**Cidp24** · 07-05-11, 11:06 AM

I've seen several "Drunk Driver" calls that turned out to be an ex assuming that the ex-spouse was under the influence. They will have knowledge that the ex-spouse just left a certain house or party and they will call in a drunk driver. The officer stops the car, finds a sober driver, and the driver many times will know exactly who called and why. We had one not long ago that wanted to stay anonymous but knew details about the driver such as having a previous DUI and where they would be going. It was the female driver's ex-husband going off an assumption or just plain making it up.

**Five-0** · 07-05-11, 11:06 AM

I have often said to civilians and even other cops that knowing what we CANNOT do in this job is just as important as knowing what we can do. A cop knowing their job, duties, and responsibilities is a valuable asset to the community that they serve. We are not hired guns, muscle, or enforcement for arguments and decisions based in emotion. Being able to articulate duties and responsibilities to the irrational and emotional is what separates the green badge that knows the law from the veteran that knows the law and how to apply it when the scenarios take a turn for the crazy. The experience a seasoned officer has also helps him apply fact and logic to these crazy scenarios all the while they also recognize when someone is shining them on. For the above scenario, my duty as I read it is not to the adults, but to the children. They often act in a more responsible manner than the so called adults. Once you have heard an eleven year old tell you, "I'm just as tired of this as you Officer So and So." Yep know their names and they know mine. Sometimes wish I could take him and sister for ice cream. You know, while I step outside with them to make sure everything is OK. Twenty minutes or so of fresh air would do them some good. The fact that I would have to take them back to Purgatory is why.....well I can't do that so why bother explaining.

**Pudge** · 07-05-11, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Five-0

I have often said to civilians and even other cops that knowing what we CANNOT do in this job is just as important as knowing what we can do. A cop knowing their job, duties, and responsibilities is a valuable asset to the community that they serve. We are not hired guns, muscle, or enforcement for arguments and decisions based in emotion. Being able to articulate duties and responsibilities to the irrational and emotional is what separates the green badge that knows the law from the veteran that knows the law and how to apply it when the scenarios take a turn for the crazy. The experience a seasoned officer has also helps him apply fact and logic to these crazy scenarios all the while they also recognize when someone is shining them on. For the above scenario, my duty as I read it is not to the adults, but to the children. They often act in a more responsible manner than the so called adults. Once you have heard an eleven year old tell you, "I'm just as tired of this as you Officer So and So." Yep know their names and they know mine. Sometimes wish I could take him and sister for ice cream. You know, while I step outside with them to make sure everything is OK. Twenty minutes or so of fresh air would do them some good. The fact that I would have to take them back to Purgatory is why.....well I can't do that so why bother explaining.

Very well said.

I'm far too familiar with a lot of little kids in my area. Sweet, sweet children that didn't choose to be born into what they were.

**Pudge** · 07-05-11, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Cidp24

I've seen several "Drunk Driver" calls that turned out to be an ex assuming that the ex-spouse was under the influence. They will have knowledge that the ex-spouse just left a certain house or party and they will call in a drunk driver. The officer stops the car, finds a sober driver, and the driver many times will know exactly who called and why. We had one not long ago that wanted to stay anonymous but knew details about the driver such as having a previous DUI and where they would be going. It was the female driver's ex-husband going off an assumption or just plain making it up.

My personal favorite is the "anonymous" caller who reports "a guy in a red truck, leaving Wal Mart, and she's pretty sure he doesn't have insurance". In Ohio, while it's required, it's not an offense that can be cited. It's handled through the court and state when proof of insurance is not shown on a previous charge.

Usually, within a day the anonymous caller is outed when they approach one of us to complain that an officer didn't stop someone for not having insurance.

**Five-0** · 07-05-11, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Pudge

Usually, within a day the anonymous caller is outed when they approach one of us to complain that an officer didn't stop someone for not having insurance.

Ask to see their insurance right then. They tend to get pissed. Ask me how I know.

**Xiphos** · 07-05-11, 11:52 AM

I refer to this as "Harassment by Police." That's exactly what it is. People are too chicken to stand up to someone so they call the police to do it for them.

**pac201** · 07-05-11, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

I refer to this as "Harassment by Police." That's exactly what it is. People are too chicken to stand up to someone so they call the police to do it for them.

+ an infinite number....

**lewisipso** · 07-05-11, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Pudge

My personal favorite is the "anonymous" caller who reports "a guy in a red truck, leaving Wal Mart, and she's pretty sure he doesn't have insurance".

That person calls here too. Surprisingly it's about a red truck leaving Walmart.

**lewisipso** · 07-05-11, 03:40 PM

"My baby's daddy just cursed me out, won't pay me my child support and left! Y'all need to stop him because he has a warrant!"
"Ok, ma'am. Just out of curiosity how long has he had this warrant?"
"Oh he's had it a long time!"
"And you're just now calling?"
"Well yeah!" "I just told you he won't pay me my child support!"
"What is the warrant for?"
"Non payment of child support!" "What do you think it's for?!"

**Cidp24** · 07-05-11, 03:48 PM

Neighbor vs neighbor: "His dog poops in my yard!" "Well HIS dog barks all night!" "Oh yea?? Well HIS kid’s basketball rolls into my yard!" "Well he puts his garbage cans on the street in front of MY house on trash day!"

I have seen such crap go so far as one neighbor buying surveillance cameras to try to bust the neighbor and the other neighbor raising his fence so camera guy couldn't see over it. Charges and counter-charges back and forth. There has been two trials so far. People can act like 5-year-olds.

**Pudge** · 07-05-11, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

That person calls here too. Surprisingly it's about a red truck leaving Walmart.

Well, I'll make sure my dispatch has your number so we can direct them to the proper agency next time.

**Willowdared** · 07-05-11, 03:56 PM

Our DA has prosecuted two cases where Ex's used our deputies to harass their former girlfriends.

One used the welfare check repeatedly...leading to charges of using us to violate the restraining order. The other was for using pre-paid cells to call in fake dv calls at the Ex's residence. He was prosecuted for false reporting.

**Five-0** · 07-05-11, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Pudge

Well, I'll make sure my dispatch has your number so we can direct them to the proper agency next time.

Ah, a fine example of one of those seasoned experienced officers.

**jmur5074** · 07-05-11, 05:40 PM

"Anonymous" callers reporting a drunk driver who is leaving a local store/their house/the callers house/etc. Also applicable for revoked/suspended drivers.

Anonymous callers reporting underage drinking parties (typically the kid that didn't get invited)

People reporting others who have warrants, like Lew said, the person has had the warrant for weeks/months but the caller finally got pissed off enough that they decided to turn them in.

**Jenna** · 07-06-11, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

That person calls here too. Surprisingly it's about a red truck leaving Walmart.

Maybe insurance companies refuse to insure red trucks leaving Walmart!

**mavriktu** · 07-06-11, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by lewisipso

"My baby's daddy just cursed me out, won't pay me my child support and left! Y'all need to stop him because he has a warrant!"
"Ok, ma'am. Just out of curiosity how long has he had this warrant?"
"Oh he's had it a long time!"
"And you're just now calling?"
"Well yeah!" "I just told you he won't pay me my child support!"
"What is the warrant for?"
"Non payment of child support!" "What do you think it's for?!"

Thought that was ours ,but it wasn't non support, it was an FTA for no seatbelt issued 2001,

,and we get at least a dozen a week similar,just on my shift.