Posted on 06/21/2013 6:54:16 PM PDT by Altariel
POLK COUNTY, Fla.
A Lakeland Police Department officer is accused of ordering a woman during a traffic stop to lift her shirt, exposing her stomach, and then telling her to pull her bra away from her body and shake it, according to authorities.
The Police Department said officers have used this method to search for drugs before, but the State Attorney's Office wrote a letter to Lakeland Police Chief Lisa Womack detailing the investigation in response to a citizen's letter to The Lakeland Ledger describing the incident.
The letter stated that Zoe Brugger was pulled over for a front headlight being out, and she was asked to step out of the car. The officers searched the car, Brugger and her passenger, Larry Fields, the letter states.
Brugger was in tears as she followed the officer's orders. The event was caught on the cruiser's dashboard camera.
"It was really, really humiliating," Brugger told Channel 9.
"He said to pull out your bra and just shake it a little bit," said Brugger.
Brugger said the officer then asked her to do it again.
"He said he was sure that I had drugs," she said.
Brugger said the incident happened in a parking lot of an apartment complex about 11 p.m. She said it happened within plain view of the public eye and that anyone could have witnessed it.
he State Attorney's Office said Officer Dustin Fetz had no reason to suspect the presence of drugs on Brugger.
Officials said that while Fetz's actions did not rise to the level of criminal misconduct, they raised "most serious concerns."
The State Attorney's Office called the search method "demeaning, ineffective and possibly dangerous."
Officials said the method of search is not taught at the law enforcement training academy at Polk State College.
However, they said that Fetz's conduct in the case is not an isolated incident and appears to be an accepted practice.
"I really hope that nothing like this happens to any other women out there," said Brugger.
The Lakeland Police Department is investigating the incident. It will also review the department's search procedures and decide if changes should be made.
Fetz was placed on a four-day administrative leave, but he has since been placed back on duty.
Brugger said she's not sure if she will pursue legal action against the department.
Officials said no drugs or weapons were found during the search.
Nothing to see here. It isn't as though this happened to your wife. Your daughter. / sarc
LOL!
They wouldn’t have to tell me to shake my bra. I unhook it in the parking lot outside of work and let the girls free for the ride home!
More and more we hear that the police have lost respect for those they serve.
Ok one does not logically follow the other. What did he offer as "reasonable suspicion" that he would ask for her to get out of the car much less search it?
I have gotten the odd traffic ticket here and there and I have never been asked for anything but license, registration and "sign here please".
It is possible she did not ask, but stepped out of the car when told to do so.
A percentage of the population will obey any police officer’s command, constitutional or no, because he is a police officer.
What was the justification or excuse for that?
The only thing I can think of is maybe a sobriety test but then don't you need a reason for one of those?
Or am I hopelessly out of date?
Textbook case of JBT right there. Minor mechanical malfunction followed by strip and vehicle search. Usually it a tail light lens broken by a Maglight. Props to the cop for finding a headlight out for a change.
>> More and more we hear that the police have lost respect for those they serve.
It’s the continuing arrogance of govt. As it is increasingly statist, it will attract the kind of employees that disregard liberty.
It would seem that the only time that a reason is “needed” is when the Good Citizen sticks up for his or her rights and doesn’t reply with ‘how high’ when the government employee unconstitutionally says “Jump!”
America has changed in the past few decades. :(
L O L !!!
Interesting!
More and more we hear that the police have lost respect for those they serve.
For sure.
I bet the girls appreciate it, too. :)
Seriously. I’d shake them for the officer, but I’d warn them first.
Something along the lines of “ you’ll shoot yer eye out!”
Don’t blame me for doing as asked.
I thought that didn't happen till later?
At my age, they just like to be called “girls” LOL!
The way I heard it down here in Tampa, is that, when she was stopped, that the officer noticed that, she seemed nervous and guilty of something. The office jumped to conclusions, and assumed that she was acting nervous for a reason. So, he asked her to shake her bra, and searched her car. All because of the suspicions that the office had.
The officer apparently lacked training or has never heard about the 4th amendment right to not be searched without a warrant.
The woman said that she was just nervous from being stopped, as many people would be.
I had to laugh because a dear aunt of mine used to make remarks like that. She was so funny....all the time.
:)
Interesting!
Not really. I hate wearing a bra. Hate it. But for propriety, I wouldn’t have anything to do with those torturous bundles of latex. Or whatever they are made of.
I used to wait until I got home, then I asked myself why? No reason to be trussed up in my own car...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.