When Can You Require ID?

Good Morning! It’s Monday, March 17th, 2025.

 🎯 TODAY'S SCENARIO

Scenario:
A First Amendment auditor is filming outside an airport (or other public building). The officer wants to identify the person citing the person is “suspicious” and are “causing alarm in the airport,” but the auditor refuses to provide ID, arguing they haven’t committed a crime. Watch this play out in the video below.

@watchaudit

#WatchAudit #longislandaudit #firstamendment #police #newyork

🗓️ Inside This Issue: What You Need to Know

• Last Week in Policing: Key takeaways (March 10th– March 16th, 2025)

• Case Law Brief: When can you ID?

• Officer Wellness: Spotting early signs of “Burn Out”

 📚 Weekly Law Enforcement Recap
(March 10th- March 16th, 2025)

👮‍♂️ Weekly line of duty deaths: 0 | Yearly Line of Duty Death Total: 15

📄 Kentucky Senate Advances Bill to Limit Police Record Disclosure

• The Kentucky Senate has passed House Bill 520, allowing police departments to withhold records if disclosure could pose "an articulable risk of harm." Open government advocates warn this could reduce transparency and hinder public oversight.​​ 🔗 Read More

• 🔹 Why it matters: This legislation may limit public access to police records, affecting accountability and transparency within law enforcement agencies.

⚖️ Georgia Supreme Court: DUI Blood Test Refusals Admissible in Court

• The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled that a driver's refusal to submit to a blood test in DUI cases can be used as evidence in court, clarifying that such use does not violate constitutional rights.

• 🔹 Why it matters: This decision impacts DUI prosecutions, allowing refusals to be considered as evidence, which could influence case outcomes.​ 🔗 Read More

🏫 Maine Bill Proposes Enhanced Communication Between Schools and Law Enforcement

• A new bill in Maine aims to improve school safety by establishing better communication channels between school administrators and law enforcement agencies. The proposal seeks to ensure timely information sharing during emergencies. 🔗 Read More

• 🔹 Why it matters: Enhanced communication could lead to more effective responses to school emergencies, potentially safeguarding students and staff.​

🚓 South Carolina Senate to Debate High-Speed Chase Regulations

• The South Carolina Senate is set to discuss a bill focusing on how law enforcement should handle high-speed pursuits. The proposed legislation aims to prioritize public safety by ensuring that such chases are conducted only when necessary.

• 🔹 Why it matters: Implementing clear guidelines for high-speed chases could reduce risks to the public and officers, balancing crime prevention with safety concerns.​ 🔗 Read More

🏛 Caselaw Brief:
 Brown v. Texas (1979) 🚔

In Brown v. Texas (1979), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that police cannot detain someone solely for refusing to identify themselves unless they have reasonable suspicion of a crime.

🔹 Case Facts:

• Officers in El Paso, TX stopped Zachary Brown in an alley with no suspicion of criminal activity.

• Brown refused to provide ID and was arrested under a Texas law requiring individuals to identify themselves to police.

• The Supreme Court struck down the arrest, ruling the stop violated the Fourth Amendment.

🔹 Key Takeaways for Officers:
✅ You must have reasonable suspicion before stopping someone.
✅ Being in a high-crime area alone is not enough to justify a stop.
✅ Refusing to provide ID does not create suspicion by itself.
✅ Any evidence obtained from an unlawful stop may be inadmissible in court.

🚨 Bottom Line: If you don’t have specific, articulable facts to justify a stop, you cannot detain someone just because they refuse to ID themselves. Know your case law—protect your stops!

Other potentially applicable caselaw-

📌 For ID refusal issues: Hiibel v. Nevada (2004).
📌 For lawful detainment limits: Florida v. Royer (1983).
📌 For reasonable suspicion requirements: Terry v. Ohio (1968).
📌 For vague state ID laws: Kolender v. Lawson (1983).

 Officer Wellness:
Warning Signs of First Responder Burnout

Burnout isn’t just part of the job—it’s a red flag that something needs attention. If you’re experiencing these signs, it’s time to take action:

• Exhaustion – Feeling drained before your shift even starts?

• Short Fuse – Snapping at coworkers or family more than usual?

• Numbing – Drinking or other habits becoming routine?

• Poor Sleep – Always tired, even after a full night’s rest?

• Calling Off – More sick days, late arrivals?

• Focus Issues – Easily distracted, lost in thought?

• Aches & Pains – Living on Tylenol and Tums?

• Overwhelm – Constantly stressed, feeling buried?

• Cynicism – Negative, sarcastic, disengaged?

What Can You Do?
✔ Recognize it – Burnout isn’t weakness.
✔ Talk about it – Seek support from peers or professionals.
✔ Prioritize health – Exercise, eat well, and set boundaries.
✔ Take action – Small changes can make a big impact.

To our readers, if you relate to this article, we recommend you contact our friend AK Dozanti to “Beat the Burnout “at https://akdozanti.com/