“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” For those unfamiliar with the document detailing the first twelve of those aforementioned inalienable liberties, this is the Fourth Amendment added to the United States Constitution. Its prose, crafted by James Madison, is remarkably simple as to be understood by even the layman — too simple for U.S. police forces to fully comprehend.
A case cropped up recently that exhibits such abuse of authority that it cannot go without comment. David Eckert, a man in New Mexico, was pulled over at a Wal-Mart for a trivial traffic violation. What ensued cannot be by any means interpreted as anything other than an utter failing to recognize both human rights and those rights guaranteed to us by the Fourth Amendment.
A police officer perceived Eckert as “clenching his buttocks,” we are shown how truly thin the veneer of “probable cause” has become. Following this trifle of a traffic stop, Eckert was subjected to two X-ray scans, two cavity searches and three enemas. After each of the enemas he was forced to relieve himself in front of said officers. Finally, after finding none of the narcotics he was suspected of harboring because of his villainous clenching, Eckert was sedated and forced to undergo a colonoscopy.
None of this, of course, was done with his consent — and it was all legal. The officers had a warrant, and “probable cause,” so despite how unethical or illegal it may appear, a judge signed off on it. Because of liberal authoritarian practices a precedent has been set that gives police officers this almost tyrannical authority. A cursory search of the internet will find case after case of citizens having their cavities searched, being tazed or even having guns leveled against them for nothing.
The first step of reform is an informed public. Take the time to arm yourself against the weapons of authority with knowledge. Knowing your rights is integral to recognizing when they have been infringed upon. Not all police are “bad cops,” but they are out there. Furthermore, the system is, according to author Radley Balko, “dehumanizing drug offenders and criminal suspects as the enemy.” We are not the enemy. We are the very citizens that they swore to protect. Let’s hold them to that oath.