Kilted encounter with my city's finest

**hospitaller** · 22nd July 09, 11:03 AM

There is a MacDonald's about 3 blocks away from my office, and I usually have some drive-thru lunch from them 2-3 times a week.

Right across it, there is a Public Library with a huge parking lot, which is roughly 70% empty on a daily basis. Right next to the library there is a Police station, so cop cars come and go and shifts change all the time.

So, I drive there and I eat my lunch, and afterwards I either read a book or listen to the BBC1 in my XM/Sirius. I have been doing this for the last 3 years or so, which is since I started working where I currently do.

Now, I wear my kilt daily to work, so of course I was sporting one.

Yesterday I am sitting in my car, finishing what was left of my drink after eating my delicious fish sandwich, you know, sort of daydreaming while listening to the always delightful Edith Bowman when I hear a knock on my window.

And there's this police officer, the typical courtsies ensue and then asked me if I had an ID.

Being that I work as a Security Consultant, and one of the principals in the firm was the previous Police Chief for the city, I am well versed in Civil and Constitutional Rights when approached by police.

So, I replied that yes, I had one. SILENCE.

So of course, he asked me to produce it (since I am inside a motor vehicle, I am ALWAYS required to produce it) which I did. So I asked him what the problem is and why am I being questioned.

He proceeds to tell me that he has been watching me for a couple of days and that I just sit there watching a government building, so I said 'you mean the public library? since when is a library a government building?'. No answer from him of course.

So I looked him back in the eye and say something to the effect of 'hard not to look at a building when it is right there in front of me as I parked'

Then he asked me about whether I am a citizen or not (because of my Scotland stickers in the rear window and the kilt) and where do I work.

I asked him whether he had reasonable suspicion that I was doing something illegal, and if not, I was not going to answer those questions. I did however hand him one of my business cards where it clearly details my position, address and telephone.

Then he asked me something to the effect of 'why are you mad', to which I replied that I wasn't so much mad as I was annoyed at being minding my own business and suddenly being questioned for no reason and treated as a suspect. He then replied something like 'well you can be annoyed all you want, let me see your license and registration', so I gave those to him.

5 minutes go by while he is checking me in his car's laptop, when a second police car arrives and start to check my truck, the sticker, the saltire flag license plate, my kilt, etc.

So now with 2 policemen the questioning continues as to why am I 'watching a government building', or 'you said you were eating your lunch but you're not eating' (that was hard not to laugh about, specially when I had my empty bag and sandwich tray, with crums everywhere right there for them to see), or 'why are you still here then if you finished your lunch?', my reply? 'because I still have 20 minutes left', and 'why are you dressed this way'

I replied that men dress like this, and asked them whether they were detaining me or was I free to go, and reminded them that I would not answer their questions.

They sort looked at each other and gave me my documents back, have a good day and they left.

I could see however that one of the cars parked 2 aisles in front of me and kept watching me. About 5 minutes later, my lunch time was up so I drove off back to work...and what do you know, the car followed me all the way to my office.

I parked in front of my office, got out the car and waved my hand and the kilt at the officer as he drove by.

You just can't make this stuff up.

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**Dall_Piobaire** · 22nd July 09, 11:27 AM

I can't believe that when they checked your background it didn't come up with you being a former Chief!

There are so many dimensions to this, some understandable some not! What would you have done if you were one of them, and had a suspicion? What would you have done if you were thier Chief?

Could they have given you attitude, because they perceived you as giving them attitude?

Hey, it's a hell of a job, but at least they were observant. A shame they had to bust your chops though

**Howard Clark** · 22nd July 09, 11:29 AM

Well you look "different". Expect to be noticed. I think you handled it well, more or less. Being courteous to officers of the law is always a good idea. It can make a tremendous difference in the way you are treated.

Having been on both sides of the badge, I do try to cooperate and smile, whilst sticking to my rights and smiling, all at the same time.

Most law enforcement jobs are sheer boredom a large percentage of the time.

**cessna152towser** · 22nd July 09, 11:39 AM

Well if they have nothing better to do with their time you must live in a crime free city.

**dfmacliam** · 22nd July 09, 11:47 AM

Sitting in a car...how will they notice he was dressed different? Till they questioned him. It's all about what's right, I feel the right intention was there but with a bit more ethusiasism, than the situation required.

I had a similar situation, but not kilted.. I was questioned by Border Patrol.. Basic, till they asked where I was from, and since I do not have a Texas accent, they asked where was I born, England and they almost
freaked out...you would have thought I said Iran or North Korea. They wanted to verify I was actually a citizen.. It did not matter, I was a Marine, or if I was a combat veteran.. They wanted my naturalization papers, I asked him if
was going to deport me back to England, I wouldn't mind the free trip to visit my family. It's funny now, but not then.

**hospitaller** · 22nd July 09, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Dall_Piobaire

I can't believe that when they checked your background it didn't come up with you being a former Chief!

Chief? I've never been a Chief. One of the principals in the firm was the previous Police Chief though. Not me.

Could they have given you attitude, because they perceived you as giving them attitude?

Attitude? what attitude?
You mean simply being inside my car finishing my lunch?
You mean exercising my rights?

Hey, it's a hell of a job, but at least they were observant. A shame they had to bust your chops though

Yup, specially when they don't even know what a kilt is!, the shame!

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**hospitaller** · 22nd July 09, 12:14 PM

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Yes, the 'observant police' factor was fine with me, that's their job after all.

What I did find objectionable was the connection they made between the kilt, the scotland sticker and the saltire flag and my 'watching a government building' and whether I was a citizen or not.

Specially considering that I've been here for almost 10 years now and this was actually the first time I've ever been asked my naturalization status.

While wearing a kilt. Sitting inside my car. Having lunch.

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**RamsayClanCommish** · 22nd July 09, 12:21 PM

I would make a complaint to the police and the city council.

**79thReproductions** · 22nd July 09, 12:25 PM

Aw you're my hero (:

**ChubRock** · 22nd July 09, 12:27 PM

"Ve have vays of maaking you tok!" If he was indeed watching you for a few days, he should've noticed the eating and drinking you were doing during your lunch. I love the "Since when is a public library a gov't building?" I also thought police understood the kilting connection, even in Indiana.

My whole life I have and will continue to treat our law enforcement officers with respect, but I certainly expect them to be even more polite. I am THEIR client. I am sure that more than 50% of their day they get crap from the public, but were well within your safety zone. I think they owe you an apology. My $.02