ExCop-Lawyer Uncategorized camera, Civil rights violation, Failure to identify, Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Law Enforcement, Mike Osborn, Officer Paul Hernandez, Paul Hernandez, Police abuse, Police officer, Round Rock Police, Round Rock Texas, Sergeant Mike Osborn, Texas

Again, we have a case of police in Texas not understanding Tex. Pen. Code § 38.02, or the idea of lawful detention.

In this video, the photographer is taking pictures of the Round Rock, Texas Police station when he is approached by Officer Paul Hernandez who advises him he is being detained until he produces identification. First, under Texas law, a person is not required to identify themselves unless they are under arrest, see § 38.02(a). Officers are not allowed to demand identification without reasonable suspicion that the subject is involved in criminal activity, Brown v. Texas, 443 U.S. 47, 51 (1979); Wade v. State, 442 S.W.3d 661, 670 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). Officer Hernandez stated (at 6:26, part I) that when asked to identify by an officer, refusal is a crime, which is not true. A person being detained is under no obligation to identify themselves, see § 38.02(b).

“[W]hen they have no basis for reasonable suspicion, officers may ask questions . . . and request identification, ‘as long as the police do not convey a message that compliance with their requests is required.'” St. George v. State, 197 S.W.3d 806, 819 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). Here they handcuffed and searched the photographer without any reasonable suspicion.

What is even worse is that after the supervisor gets there, the officers condition the photographer’s release on whether or not he’ll “cooperate” with the officers by providing identification (at 6:15, part II). At 8:20 (part II), the photographer requests identifying information from the officers present and Sergeant Mike Osborn informs him that all he needs is the sergeant’s information. That’s all well and good, but in all likelihood violates their own department policies. The Round Rock PD is accredited by CALEA, and CALEA standard 22.2.7 requires that police employees identify themselves on request. Additionally, the detention was unlawful, as was the demand for identification.

If you are concerned about this, you may contact the following:

Chief Allen Banks, abanks@roundrocktexas.gov, 512-218-5521.

Lieutenant Robert Rosenbusch, Internal Affairs, rrosenbusch@roundrocktexas.gov, 512-218-3262.

Lieutenant Larry Roberson, Accreditation Manager, lroberson@roundrocktexas.gov, 512-218-6614.

Sergeant Mike Osborn, Patrol, mosborn@roundrocktexas.gov, 512-671-2853.

Officer Paul Hernandez, Patrol, phernandez@roundrocktexas.gov.

If you are concerned about this from the accreditation standpoint, you may contact Stephen W. Mitchell, who is the Regional Program Manager for CALEA. His number is 703-352-4225, ext. 29.

H/T: Carlos Miller & PINAC

UPDATE:

Picking up complaint form and filing complaint.