Apparently, this young man was pulled over and given a written warning because he didn’t have his headlights on. Fine and good, but the line of questioning QUICKLY escalated as the police officer began questioning the man about whether or not he smokes marijuana.
The officer blatantly says that “everyone who plays disc golf smokes weed.” He then said “you can’t tell me you’ve never smoked weed before” even though there is no indication that this particular disc golfer is high or has any marijuana in his car.
Things nearly get out of control when the officer basically threatens to violate the man’s 4th Amendment rights. He asked “if I searched your car, would I find any weed?” and he asked it multiple times.
He then asked the golfer if he himself had ever smoked pot. The young man replied that he wasn’t obligated to answer that and the cop said “I’ll take that as a yes.”
The young golfer never lost his cool. He was polite and respectful, even when he explained to the officer “I don’t trust cops.”
The man who uploaded this video identifies the police officer:
“This is officer Aaron King everybody. Back in July, he was cleared of any wrong doing when he shot and killed a suicidal woman who had a gun.”
The City of Akeny Police Chief Gary Mikulec released this statement:
Contact:
Gary J. Mikulec, Police Chief
City of Ankeny Police Department
515-289-5240Call: 515-289-5240
[email protected]
ANKENY, Iowa (Oct. 9, 2014) – Today, the Ankeny Police Dept. was made aware of a video of a vehicle stop that occurred earlier this month that was unfortunately handled poorly by the officer.
In the video taken by an occupant in the vehicle, the officer engages the driver in a line of questioning that is foolish and not representative of the Ankeny Police Dept.’s training or interactions with the public. This verbal exchange did not meet the level of professionalism expected of Ankeny police officers.
Ankeny Police Chief Gary Mikulec respectfully apologizes for the officer’s demeaning statement and assures that the video has been preserved for an internal investigation.
My call to the department didn’t net me much more information. It’s unknown whether or not Officer King was disciplined.
Seeing things like this would make anyone distrustful of police officers. This is so illegal. I’m getting tired of seeing these lowest-common-denominator police officers abusing their power. Can you even imagine how much worse it was BEFORE the age of quick and easy videos? Truth: I will never again neglect to start a recording if I’m ever pulled over and I’ll teach my children to do the same.
Watch below.
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Tiffany Willis is a fifth-generation Texan and the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
