MagicGod

This officer knew he screwed up and he took off quickly with his buddies. This journalist approaches Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Deputy Wolf (#432) parked in an idle cruiser in Longview, Washington. The journalist approached the sitting vehicle to question the deputy and request his identification, Deputy Wolf exited his patrol unit, flashed a bright light directly into the camera, and tried to go into investigating mode looking for a crime. Immediately ordered him to remove his hands from his pockets. This is where the problem did arise for Deputy Wolf as explicitly stated on camera that the journalist was not detained and was entirely free to leave. Under standard Fourth Amendment precedent, law enforcement cannot issue mandatory, enforceable commands during a voluntary conversation without reasonable, articulable suspicion of an actual crime. Thus his request to remove his hands from his pockets was quickly denied. ​ Rather than backing down, the journalist pushed back aggressively, reminding the deputy that public servants do not possess unilateral authority over free citizens. When Deputy Wolf closed the distance, the auditor issued a sharp warning, declaring that an aggressive approach without legal cause constituted an assault, stating point-blank: "Do it again and I will drop your ass... This is Washington, I have the right to defend myself." You could see the look on the deputies face as his ego crumbled to the floor as he has never had anyone address him in this fashion before. The moment secondary units from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office (including Deputy Kaplan) and the Longview Police Department arrived on scene, Deputy Wolf moved in and placed the journalist in handcuffs because he still had his hands in his pockets. This was despite journalist loudly voicing non-consent to any searches or seizures, a quick weapons pat-down was conducted over his outer clothing. Finding nothing, Deputy Wolf uncuffed him almost immediately as they found nothing and he realized he screwed up, this was an illegal detainment and violation of his 4th amendment rights. The walk of shame because almost a sprint as each one of the officers took off immediately from the scene of the crime they committed. The journalist was all over them the whole way calling them out for their actions. ​This is what standing up for your rights looks like. Never give them an inch because they will take a mile.