Police Harassment

[sophiesmom]

We had 2 Tampa Police officers come banging on our glass storm door (loud enough to be heard by our neighbors in their home with their doors and windows shut). We do not live in Tampa Police Department's jurisdiction, we are in Hillborough County Sheriff's Office territory. They said a friend's cell phone was stolen (they mentioned a bar called the Castle in Ybor City) and the signal showed it was coming from our house or the house next door. They refused to show ID and were very intimidating. They even yelled at us. They said we could forget the whole thing (not sure what the whole thing was because all we were doing was sitting inside watching TV in our own house) if they just got the phone back. They were asked repeatedly for a badge or photo ID which they refused to supply. One had a black jacket on that said Police and the other flashed a silver badge that did not look authentic so fast that we could not even get a good look at it, that is as official as they got. They finally left and went to our next door neighbor's house and repeated their story and intimidation. They even flashed their floodlights in our front windows and turned on their sirens and lights as they sped away. They were not in marked police cars. This was harassment at the least and witnessed by our neighbors. We found out that they were real officers and were probably off duty, out of their jurisdiction, and misusing their authority. My son's girlfriend who is from Argentina got so scared she left our house and refused to come back because she was afraid they might come back or even follow her. My husband called 911 to see if they were truly police officers. We did call and complain to the Tampa Police but we don't expect them to do much about it. Do we have any legal recourse?

 

[army judge]

Legal recourse. as in suing them for what?

You have no damages, except toy our bruised psyche.

That said, all police departments and law enforcement agencies have a professional standards bureau, or an internal affairs division.

Their duties are many and varied, but they are there to investigate citizen complaints.

You might contact them and file a formal complaint.

Rest assured, if they substantiate your allegations, these officers will be disciplined, and possible fired.

Additionally, you are always free to speak directly to the head of the police agency in question.

He or she will see to it that your concerns are investigated.

Some police agencies are overseen by a police commissioner and/or a citizen review board.

Your local elected county official can assist you with determining if that is the case with the agency in question.

He/she will then direct you to that agency or official.

Last, but not least, you can report this alleged misconduct to the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement).

That is the state agency charged with investigating abuse, misfeasance, and malfeasance by local police agents and agencies.

You could also speak to the mayor of Tampa.

His or her office will also assist you in getting to the bottom of this.

In the interim, I suggest each and every person that has information about these alleged abuses memorialize their recollection the events as they transpired.

As this progresses, you'll be asked to do this for the agencies looking into your concerns.

 

[swlswl]

When you called 911 and asked if they were the police, what did 911 say?

 

[sophiesmom]

The 911 operator verified that 2 officers from the Tampa Police Department were in the area, but even she remarked that it was Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department's jurisdiction.

 

[mightymoose]

Any time you make a complaint against law enforcement you should do so in writing. The department will likely have a particular form for you to use. Phone calls are easily dismissed, but your written complaint leaves a record.