I am kinda mad

[Lfpdlieu302]

He stated that he forgot but he also stated that he was on his way to search the vehicle. It is still probably within a reasonable amount of time after the arrest so I don't see where he made any mistake.

so you dont think that forgetting something is a mistake? what exactly is a mistake then? especially when he states himself that it was a mistake.

[Chief_Wiggum]

Well he did say he made a mistake, so clearly in his jurisdiction forgetting to search the vehicle in this case was an error. And, as others have said, in many courts there would be a problem with prosecution based on the facts as stated. We could all come up with a ton of legal issues on this one. But there's no doubt a lot more these folks did to firm up their case that we don't know about.

The issue about who get credit is on the surface a petty issue that left unresolved can lead to personnel issues for this department. The three versions have already been discussed here: Your stop, your credit. His search his credit. Your stop, his search, both get credit. The reality of it is,
you can both take all the credit you want. What really matters is how the administrators and supervisors react. In my opinion, because the good results far outweigh the mistake, this should be used as a training issue (don't forget to search) and both officers should receive equal accolades for a job well done.

[scootsmo]

The fact is that he did remember to search the vehicle thus he asked the other officer to do it. I hardly ever do an inventory search on scene. If there wasn't any search done at all then there would have been a mistake, but there was one done, just not on scene.

[Lfpdlieu302]

The fact is that he did remember to search the vehicle thus he asked the other officer to do it. I hardly ever do an inventory search on scene. If there wasn't any search done at all then there would have been a mistake, but there was one done, just not on scene.

dude, he forgot to do something on scene. thats a mistake. it doesnt matter that he fixed it. the mistake was still made.

[Stump]

In Ohio this would be thrown out of court. The court and his attorney would say that once you left the scene anyone including the tow truck driver could have planted these drugs.

This is the question I had in my head.
Good point, wpd. I wondered if that would be fodder for the defense lawyer.

[LtMike1]

Lesson learned, I assume. Let me tell you how we do it. We secure the prisoner in the screened vehicle. The officer involved in the pull over searches the vehicle before he leaves the scene. After you leave the car, it's going to be really hard to prove who placed those drugs in the vehicle. Chalk it up as a learning experience and don't let it become a barrier between you and the officer that might have to save your life some day!

[scootsmo]

dude, he forgot to do something on scene. thats a mistake. it doesnt matter that he fixed it. the mistake was still made.

Maybe you work in an area where it is fine to search every vehicle on scene but for some of us that can't be done. Just because the search was not done on scene makes no difference. The search was done and the dope was found.

Every stop that I make, a crowd forms. I am not going to go diving in a car when this is going on. We'll take it back to the station and search it there. Don't see any mistake there.

[Lfpdlieu302]

Maybe you work in an area where it is fine to search every vehicle on scene but for some of us that can't be done. Just because the search was not done on scene makes no difference. The search was done and the dope was found.

Every stop that I make, a crowd forms. I am not going to go diving in a car when this is going on. We'll take it back to the station and search it there. Don't see any mistake there.

i understand what you are saying, and i'm not disagreeing. what i disagree with here is that the original poster has stated that he made a mistake. his own words. and yes, where i work we search vehicles on the scene. if one of my guys came to me and told me that he "forgot" to search and later went back and found dope, i would be highly upset.

[McClane....]

did you tell your supervisor/sergeant what happened?