Member Submission: Information asked during address verification.
Members have been writing in letting us know that officers are asking interrogating questions during the address verification, including information that is not even registrable (see below). Remember to only identify yourself by showing your ID and that’s all. You do not need to answer any questions! We STRONGLY suggest not to.
Use common sense. If it’s something benign, like “how’s your day going?” it’s harmless, but if they start quizzing you on items you reported or ask for other information, politely tell them you provide all required information at registration and you are not going to answer their questions without an attorney present. If you don’t have the confidence to say it, prepare a card to leave by your door and hand it to them.
Below is what a member reported to us.
Hello. I want to pass on what happened to me. Maybe you can offer some help and send it on to the registrant community. Last night I was awoke by a loud banging on my door. It was 10:30PM; I go to bed early. It was the XXXXXX Police saying this was a check in. There were 2 cops, only one wearing a mask. I, unfortunately didn’t get their names. I went to wake up my wife so she could witness this and to get my ID. I also grabbed a notebook so I could write down what happened. We were both scared and very startled, being woken up suddenly. I handed them my ID and they asked the following questions:
What was a good time to find me? I told them earlier, say 8PM
What was my phone? At this point I told them, “You have that info.”
Was I on probation? I told him, “You know that.” He said, “You don’t have to be a jerk about this.”
What was my wife’s name and number? I asked why he needed that. At this point I was scared and angry. Every time I objected to answering the remaining questions he would say he didn’t have this info and they would just get it this time then next time it wouldn’t take so long, or he would berrate me, saying “don’t be a jerk about this.
Questions continued: Do I have kids? How often did they visit? What was their name? I can’t see how this is a question they’re allows to ask but, I’m sorry to say, at this point I just wanted this over with. My wife told me there was nothing I could do just answer the questions
What are your emails? I handed him my receipt from my last registration. He said “This is really helpful.” Again they said they didn’t have this info.
Who is my internet provider?
Do I smoke?
Am I right or left handed?
I feel almost ashamed that I couldn’t have pushed back more during this. But I don’t know how to deal with this level of stress. I’m not trained to handle being on the opposite end of these intimidation tactics. My question is: Did I need to answer any of these questions other than do I live here? Do I have to answer the registry questions. Has anyone else experienced this with XXXX Police? Do I have any recourse to complain about this. I’m worried they’ll now try and intimidate my wife and the parents of my grandchild.
Thanks for your help
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Sorry, but I think your advice is wrong. Answer whatever stupid questions they ask, as long as nothing incriminates you. A neighborhood cop can make your life miserable if you get on his wrong side. Unless you have lots of money to hire great lawyers, why take a chance on antagonizing them? When you answer your door, you have no idea what kind of person that officer is. Videos continue to show that too many police officers are ready to lie about why they arrest someone, or shoot someone, or beat them to death. Why do you think that they were there late at night in the first place? Less chance that there will be many witnesses around.
Respectfully, IMO, your answer is wrong. How do you know whether or not you are incriminating yourself when you say anything to them?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE
DON’T TALK TO THE POLICE!
answer nothing. Show them your ID and direct them towards your attorney for any other information. They show up late at night to try and get you to say something they can lock you up for. In the covid time their arrests are down and they need to justify their salaries etc… say nothing if you need to record what happens tell them to wait one minute while you get something and get a phone or video camera etc… and record what goes down that way there is no justified beating or sooting. I have answered no questions in the 7 plus visits i have had in the last 6 years and i get no problems they just go away
However, sometimes answering stupid questions can incriminate someone even if they don’t know that. It is why someone has the right to remain silent
Sounds to me like they are conducting an investigation of some sort. Which you have the right to ask why they are asking you these questions. Do you smoke? Are you left handed or right handed? Etc. Has nothing to do with the registry. I am almost certain they are doing some type of investigation for something other than registration requirements. I’m not to big on law but to me that is where you tell them to read you rights and that you want a lawyer present during any questioning for any type of investigation. Your address, place of employment, place of higher education, vehicles, vessels, social media apps, internet identifiers, Tattoos, Scars, everything on the registration should have been enough for them if was solely for registration requirements. How many kids you have? When they visit? What’s your wife’s name and number is? Etc definitely sounds like a whole different type of investigation and it is your right to know why they are asking those questions.
Several years ago officers did a detailed address check like this, when I was new to the community. I naively answered all their questions. But there were NO consequences for my children or other family members, despite my having given out information about them. It came to nothing, and I continued life as normal.
Even though Im on probation here in Tallahassee myself I have heard from registered citizens who are off of parole/probation that the Deputies from the Leon Sheriff’s Office seem less interrogative than the Officers from the Tallahassee Police Department. To the gentleman who commented Im Joe Pratt and Im one of the local coordinators along with my Pastor Renee Miller from City Walk Church as she is too a local coordinator for the Florida Action Committee here in the Tallahassee/Leon Metropolitan. I can be reached at landline: (850)222-1083; mobile: (850)339-5805; email: [email protected] please do contact me, thanks.
In my county, officers understand how to accomplish this in more of a gray area.
They simply ask, during address checks, “any changes?” In some cases, “any changes, such as phone numbers or e-mail?”
Why not just shake my head, FAC, rather than attract attention by lecturing them about having registered or about needing an attorney?
Because if you don’t push back, they continue to try to take more. It’s a nonstop battle of keeping the lying, harassing, SOBs at bay. Why make their lives easier? They certainly don’t care about their impact on your life!
AJ: Pushing back is also a way to draw ire. If they don’t like you, you’ll be on their “S list” until rapture. Sometimes, it’s best to let an overbearing officer or PO just say their piece or grill you and call it a day. Buh bye. You may have to take it in the moment, but you really do attract more flies with honey than vinegar. Let the guy walk off feeling swole and deal with it later. That moment could be a VOP and they know it. You can always submit a complaint, but wouldn’t you rather do that from home than jail?
Feel free to follow this protocol as well, but be sure to timely notify your probation officer about this exchange (and THEY are entitled to this information from you).