Normal procedure/Stand-by

[bigcitygal]

Is it proper procedure for any law enforcement officer to assist a citizen by accompanying him/her to another citizen' home, allowing citizen #1 to demand $ from citizen 2? The police department is attempting to justify this by stating it is "normal procedure/stand-by".

[txinvestigator1]

Is it proper procedure for any law enforcement officer to assist a citizen by accompanying him/her to another citizen' home, allowing citizen #1 to demand $ from citizen 2? The police department is attempting to justify this by stating it is "normal procedure/stand-by".

More detail.

But if the person said they were afraid of you etc., and needed to collect things that were theirs, the police will accompany sometimes to insure the peace is kept. Their presence should not make you feel obligated to hand over anything UNLESS presented with some type of court order.

[Citicop]

Sure, we will show up to make sure everyone acts like a grown up, but we don't take sides. If someone wants me to do that, and they show up and say, "Give me the money you owe me," and the other person says, "No, leave now," then we will advise the original party that if they don't leave they would be trespassing and will need to sue for the money.

It's a civil matter, we just make sure that no crime occurs during the interaction.

Citicop.

[Piggy]

As a general rule of thumb, it's easier to prevent a problem from happening.

It's much easier to stand by to keep the peace than it is to respond to a fight in progress call, spray mace on everyone, take everyone to jail and spend the next six hours doing paperwork.

If you had questions about your rights, why didn't you ask the Officer who was at your house???

[cobravenom1]

It's normal for us to be called out to "Keep the Peace" while an exchange of property or court order is taking place. However, we definitely do not enforce demands for money. Civil matter for a judge to decide and oversee.:D

[Darin]

I wouldn't do it as it's a civil matter. I have more important things to occupy my time such as unlocking vehicles, taking barking dog complaints and running errands for the brass. :rolleyes:

[mcsap]

We only do peacekeeping duties. We do not handle property division. And for the most part we don't do these anyway.