CSU, Chico Police Demand ID for No Reason

Police demand ID for no reason. Take a look at the article:
http://media.www.theorion.com/media/storage/paper889/news/2008/09/10/OnlineEx...
Around 2 a.m. Aug. 28, he sat in his parked car on the corner of West Second Street and Normal Avenue using wireless Internet to search for a hotel, he said. The red and blue lights from the flashing police siren caught his eye immediately. Then Officer Michael Swithenbank appeared by his window.
When asked by Swithenbank to show his driver's license, Jones questioned why he should show identification if he hadn't done anything illegal, he said. Because he thinks he has "the right not to show papers," he refused to give the officer his driver's license.

"I'm not the kind of guy who is always paranoid about the police - they are there to protect us, and I respect that," Jones said. "But they are also there to protect our Constitutional rights."

In the dispatch recording of the incident Swithenbank, who was on DUI patrol that night, is heard saying: "Be advised - he's a Constitutionalist."

Digg the video: http://digg.com/political_opinion/Cops_Demand_ID_for_No_Reason

A little more than 20 minutes into the incident Jones clicked on a pocket-sized video camera he had in his care...Lt. Matt Hansen of the University Police Department said that Swithenbank acted within the boundaries of the law, but "perhaps he could have done a better job explaining the situation."

"Consider your source. You're aware (Jones is) a political activist, and he informed us he was a Constitutionalist," Hansen said. "Constitutionalists have an ax to grind with government, and they see police as an extension of government in which they don't recognize their authority, because they think their authority is the Constitution."

Jones said a prior experience with police framed the way he handled this situation. After being pulled over in the small town of Ash Grove, an officer insisted on searching his car for drugs. There weren't any because Jones doesn't use drugs.

"After that experience I vowed not to give in to violations of privacy by the police -especially if the police can provide no rational reason for their demands," he said.

Jones isn't letting one incident with the police ruin his plans for Chico, he said.

"The sense of community here in Chico is amazing," he said. "At the farmers' market, I noticed right away that Ron Paul has a strong following here in the community and just by talking to folks enjoying the market, I got four people signed up to join Chico State's Young Americans for Liberty group."

This election and particularly the campaign of Ron Paul motivated him to become politically active, Jones said. Since graduating with a degree in music from Indiana University, Jones has held numerous odd jobs.

"Last year, I never thought I'd be doing anything like this job," he said. "I'm a musician who studied piano and harpsichord at Indiana University, and I have my own experimental band."

Jones is returning to Chico Thursday to man a table and recruit students who support the philosophy of limited government.

"Anyone who is interested in defending the constitution should talk to me," Jones said. "I'll see what kind of help I can provide."

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[angryamerican]

@Pafoofnik1

You are only required to show your ID if you are accused of a crime or if you are under arrest.

The police can NOT just ask for your ID in order to run your ID for warrants.

If you are obeying the law and not committing a crime the police can REQUEST to see your ID, but they can NOT demand to see your ID.

This guy knew his rights and the cops knew it.

[TheNewMusicNetwork]

Police are just gang members with badges.

[roaringwaterbay]

no doubt the doughnut shop was closed so they had nothing else to do.

[roaringwaterbay]

@angryamerican the lie whenever it suits them. 

[angryamerican]

Cops are LEGALLY allowed to LIE to you in order to get you to comply.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

Go to "Flex Your Right" and educate yourself!

[angryamerican]

@maverick10241

That's why you should get a cell phone with a video camera. Immediately but RESPECTFULLY tell the cop "Officer you are being audio and video recorded."

You need to learn your RIGHTS and how to talk to a cop like you KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

Go to the You Tube Channel "Flex Your Rights" and educate yourself to avoid this situation in the future.

By the way you should SUE the cop and the police department for a violation of your CIVIL LIBERTIES. Get a good lawyer.

[maverick10241]

@angryamerican my buddy and i where stopped in tn i was driving we both where told to get out of my car ,officer asked me for my DL i showed it to him then he ask my buddy for his id my buddy asks why?officer says i want it that's why my buddy asks why again. that's when all hell broke out cops threw both us on the ground and beat my buddy almost to death i just got a busted mouth and stitches in my head my buddy was in the hospital for two weeks.our crime was he asks why did they need his id .

[UserName89]

Honestly that cop is way more mellow than the cops around where I live. I'm pretty sure I would have been asked to leave my vehicle and handcuffed while my car was searched. Sure he had no right to do that but does it really matter.

[N1k1mon]

Big win for the little guy.

[Pafoofnik1]

@angryamerican: Correct, you are essentially re-stating what I said. My comment: "enforcing the provisions of this code." equates to your "accused of a crime".

Not investigating criminal activity, but want my ID there officer? Go pound sand.

[mnoguera13]

Just image tht u were pulled over and officers are looking for someone tht looks like u (whatever call goes out such as White male or Hispanic and whatever age) and u tell them u can from the same area and u didn't even know it. This is a prime example why u should shut your mouth as soon as u encounter police.