Video Shows How People With Prior Convictions Are Treated by Police

In the early 2000’s I was living in Mayville, WI doing my best to dodge the police. Not because I was the leader of a criminal enterprise – Mayville’s population was around 5,000 people, so that would be impossible – but because I was a convicted felon (for selling marijuana) without a driver’s license.

Since I lived in a small town and worked construction at the time I had to drive to work. This simple task, of going to and from work, became an endless game of cat and mouse. If I didn’t go to work not only would I be unable to house and feed myself but I’d also face going back to jail for probation violations. Yet, I was also required to pay $150 per month to the probation department for being on probation, if I did not I could go to jail. And we all know you don’t have any money if you don’t go to work.

Nevertheless, there were times I was pulled over because every cop in the county knew who I was and what truck I drove. All three times, over a two year period, I was treated like enemy #1 and asked where I was going, what I had on me and had my property thoroughly searched (persons and vehicle).

It wasn’t only when I drove – for those of you who will say ‘I was breaking the law’; as if I had a choice – that I was harassed. Even when I’d have friends take me out of town and switch cars, we’d be stopped. Heck, there were times when I’d be walking and a city or county cop would roll up and search me.

Which is why I fully understand where the driver in the video below is coming from. While cruising around Providence this man – who asked to remain anonymous – was stopped by police because he “went around traffic up there.” The officer then adds that he was also following ‘illegal bikers’ too closely which seems to be what the cop is really upset about. That he can’t ‘get’ the illegal bikers because he mentions that those that are ‘with them’ are free game. See video below.

This is why I tell everyone to film the police. While the officer in this video didn’t realize he was being recorded it did provided us with this glimpse of how police treat those with records or that they look down on (like the bikers). I would recommend that you let the police know you’re recording (by having the device in public view) them to avoid such police behavior like seen above.

Had this officer known he was being recorded from the start he may have backed off on being such a tough guy. I have to agree with the man at the end, “this is why I don’t like cops, man.”

Video Shows How People With Prior Convictions Are Treated by Police is a post from Cop Block – Badges Don’t Grant Extra Rights