Got Handcuffed Vaping My GLV

[keyzygirl]

I worked in a coffee house where a lot of cops hung out.They always asked about my vape stuff and different models so they would know what they were dealing with.It was good for them to learn about different types of PVs.They just wanted to have the correct info so something like what happened to you wouldnt happen.

 

[Scottitude]

Come on guys he was only doing his job. The best thing to do is go educate them to make sure it doesn't happen again. He said the officer was apologetic anyways...

And the best way to "educate them to make sure it doesn't happen again" is to educate him on the consequences of egregious violations of civil rights and, based on the circumstances, using what was clearly excessive force.

If not, the next thing yo know he'll be hassling some guy with a can of pop/soda for public intoxication.

 

[Phroge]

I see it this way. The cop thought you had some type of drug device. If he approached you and it was actually something to do with drugs, chances are you'd take off. He simply followed his training and didn't allow you the option of running. Yes, he may have been a bit rough, but if you were in his shoes, are you going to give a suspect any chance of resisting or running, which would in turn put you and countless others in harms way? Now the officer may not have given you enough of a chance to explain what the device was, and that is where his youth and inexperience comes in to play. Consider how many times a cop hears things like Suspect-"That's not mine, man!" Cop-"But it was in your pocket!" Suspect-"I don't know how it got there, honest!" You don't really want to put a bad mark on his record for attempting to do his job. Instead, take the high road. Offer to educate the officers in the precinct in a twofold effort to A) stop this from happening again, and B) spreading the word as to the benefits of vaping. You might actually make a few friends on the police force... which is never a bad thing. What you don't want to do is complain, putting a bad mark on his record, and giving cops reason to dislike you and vapers in general.

 

[Pamdane]

I think I would make it a choice for the department, let you give a 15 minute talk/display on vaping, or filing a formal complaint. Let them decide. A little education can go a long way. Plus you may get converts, as well as influence how someone might handle things once e-cigs are regulated.

 

[strprswpr]

I see it this way. The cop thought you had some type of drug device. If he approached you and it was actually something to do with drugs, chances are you'd take off. He simply followed his training and didn't allow you the option of running. Yes, he may have been a bit rough, but if you were in his shoes, are you going to give a suspect any chance of resisting or running, which would in turn put you and countless others in harms way? Now the officer may not have given you enough of a chance to explain what the device was, and that is where his youth and inexperience comes in to play. Consider how many times a cop hears things like Suspect-"That's not mine, man!" Cop-"But it was in your pocket!" Suspect-"I don't know how it got there, honest!" You don't really want to put a bad mark on his record for attempting to do his job. Instead, take the high road. Offer to educate the officers in the precinct in a twofold effort to A) stop this from happening again, and B) spreading the word as to the benefits of vaping. You might actually make a few friends on the police force... which is never a bad thing. What you don't want to do is complain, putting a bad mark on his record, and giving cops reason to dislike you and vapers in general.

I agree with this comment. I'm not gonna make a big issue out of it but I am going to go there and try to make them aware of a new thing out there called vaping.

 

[Scottitude]

The only one responsible for "bad marks" are those who take the actions that result in them, not the poor guy minding his own business that did the RIGHT thing and reported the excessive behavior.

Young or not, all police officers should have adequate people-skills and those are their most effective deterrent, not guns, handcuffs, and excessive force.

The first and only lesson this hot-headed cop needs is that there are consequences to his conduct. If after that he's open to learning about PVs, then another lesson may be in order.

 

[GolemGolem]

Dude, I have to vote the other way. They let you go, they apologized, they probally wont hassle the next guy they see vaping your gear.
You go after them you will piss them off. Be prepared to get every ticket known to man. Get pulled over constantly. Possibly worse. These are cops, they are very dangerous when they feel threatened.

 

[Scottitude]

The "dangerous" and "threatened" behavior you describe is a direct result of cops that do whatever they please with no concern for the consequences.

Failing to report the hostile conduct will only perpetuate it. You don't have to be a jerk about it, just report the police officer's over-reaction and the embarrassment it caused you and your wife.

Sadly, this "don't start any trouble" mentality is a significant factor in the increasingly bad behavior of America's public servants from the local LEOs to elected municipal, state, and federal officials.

 

[DavidTop]

This is New York City, chances are he will never see that cop again. I live in Manhattan and if I were roughed up by a cop I would definitely file a complaint. Unless the cop can say he smelled something he had no reason to jack you up. He should have at least asked what the device was and could he see it first before anything else. Then if you were guilty you would try to run and he could chase you down. He was probably trying to fill his quota of arrests. It sounds like those cops that would go around writing fake parking tickets to fill their quota many years ago.

Go ahead and file the complaint. If you don't you are giving him license to run roughshod over other people. Chances are nothing will happen anyway but you should file with the Civilian Review Board and/or Internal Affairs then something might happen. Just filing a complaint at the Precinct is useless, it will end up in the circular file as soon as you start to walk out of the room.

As for GolemGolem's comments I care about the next guy, but I care about my safety more. Unless the next guy has the same mod you had he will probably get hassled too.

 

[GolemGolem]

I agree with the two of you, I'm a strong advocate for citizen review of LEOs. Someone has to be the voice of caution however. I hope in New York they will send you the forms to make a complaint. It can get pretty dicey when they make you file the complaint in person. Most cops are decent enough guys off duty as long as there are no problems, I grew up with them. Most cops are "good cops" but, they are sworn to serve and protect their peckerhead coworkers, while having as few hassles as possible. They take it kinda serious.

 

[BWG707]

The "dangerous" and "threatened" behavior you describe is a direct result of cops that do whatever they please with no concern for the consequences.

Failing to report the hostile conduct will only perpetuate it. You don't have to be a jerk about it, just report the police officer's over-reaction and the embarrassment it caused you and your wife.

Sadly, this "don't start any trouble" mentality is a significant factor in the increasingly bad behavior of America's public servants from the local LEOs to elected municipal, state, and federal officials.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. If everyone lets things like this go it just perpetuates these types of actions. Cops "cops call us" on everythimg we do why shouldn't we do the same to them.

 

[yagottawanna]

I'm a newbie - as of last Thursday. My PV is the eGo - black. Looks like I'm puffing on a fat black magic marker.

I am an old lady. I am a resident of NY. Please follow up on this. The thought of being put through what you went through scares me to death! I've never so much as had a parking ticket. If you don't follow through, how will these officers ever become educated enough to understand we're doing a good thing?

Pretend I'm your grandma - and please do this for me.

 

[Sly9377]

I am usually not one to cause a fuss about things, but I really feel you need to file a complaint or at least request a sit down with his superior and state that you are considering filing a complaint over how you were treated, I know if I was in your shoes I would. Then maybe suggest that the force needs to be educated on e-cig devices so the next time they see one the same thing doesn't happen. That was very uncalled for to be taken down before even being questioned. I understand that being in the NYC area (of all areas) during a holiday must be very busy & hectic for police, but still sounds pretty uncalled for.

 

[SharonCC]

My husband is retired RCMP. I can assure you, cops don't want to "run the world" ....the aim is to make the world a safer place for most of us. That said, there are some in the profession, as there are in ANY profession, who are not "experienced" or great at what they do. Maybe the young cop is a little overzealous, maybe he has an attitude problem, which needs to be corrected. I honestly don't know what I'd do in your situation. I would be rather ticked off,if it happened to me. I have actually considered what the neighbours may think I'm "smoking".....If I were handled roughly and "cuffed", I think, at the very least, I'd talk to his superviser.

 

[BWG707]

I can assure you of one thing: Cops would absolutely love to operate with complete impunity. And in some areas they do! I've traveled throughout the U.S. extensively and to many foriegn countries and have seen this attitude first hand. I'm not making this up or exaggerating; this is going on.

 

[FreakyStylie]

Just one more reason to love authority figures.

Sorry about your poor experience . . . hopefully you can nail them a little. It feels good to nail those who tried to nail you.

 

[dspin]

Make a complaint w/the dept. (which usually doesn't go anywhere and also with the Mayor. Aren't we all tired of Rookies acting the part of a buffoon. Look what happened in Texas when that cop detained the FB player while his mother in law was dying because he ran a stop sign. At least his chief asked for his resignation. My 2 cents.

The NYC parks and public places are full of kids screwing around all the time. The cop was a young kid....He was apologetic and I'm really on the fence about this. I don't wanna screw up some poor kids life over this. No one was hurt other then being a little embarrassed. There is a report and the supervisor told me I could come to the precinct and make a complaint....I look at it this way....If my kids were in the park and there were guys getting high I wouldn't want them near that. I mean it's inevitable that they are gonna be subject to that anyway.....I don't know....My wife wants me to file a complaint.....But I just don't know.

 

[dspin]

By the way, look at my profile to see what my occupation is.

 

[dspin]

I do know for sure he said he thought it was a pipe for smoking pot. I know there are small pot pipes that they call one hitters that could be confused from far away with a Supermini. When I got grabbed it was in my pocket so he must have seen me vaping it just prior to that.

Thinking and knowing are 2 different things. A gun and a badge makes some people think they are something they are not.

 

[bassthumper]

The "dangerous" and "threatened" behavior you describe is a direct result of cops that do whatever they please with no concern for the consequences.

Failing to report the hostile conduct will only perpetuate it. You don't have to be a jerk about it, just report the police officer's over-reaction and the embarrassment it caused you and your wife.

Sadly, this "don't start any trouble" mentality is a significant factor in the increasingly bad behavior of America's public servants from the local LEOs to elected municipal, state, and federal officials.

And you will never have their respect.
You must have had PLENTY of run ins with the police. Most people haven't and don't feel the need to make a big deal out of things like this. Do what you want. However when you get older, you tend to see things in more of a mature way....