So I'm on the Yakima Police Watch List Options

[Coomer]

I just got a call from my boss(not my immediate one but the one right under the CEO), and he's angry because the cops called him at 1AM last night and woke him up "because there's this very suspicious yellow car that just parked and some kid went into the building."

I have a key and a security code to the building, and they let me come to my office whenever I want so I can work on stuff. But now he's mad, because he thinks I was doing something suspicious, but all I did was drive normally, park, unlock, and go inside.

My boss went on to say that the officer was in an unmarked car and the officer mentioned that my car was on their watch list and being watched because of suspicious behavior!

This is straight-up ridiculous. I don't know what to do...I'm a good kid and I don't have a bad driving record and they have no reason whatsoever to put me on their watch list...I bet that's why I'm pulled over every other week too.

I dunno what to do...filing a complaint will only make things worse I'm sure.

[Galcobar]

Batman, I dunno about you, but I figure that holding the police to account, like any other part of the government, is a citizen's duty. If they're doing their jobs right, and acting legally, then they'll be fine. It's all about how you do it. If you ask them why they're searching your car, that's one thing. If you tell them they're not allowed to, that's another.

Hell, I live in probably North America's most actively governed jurisdiction, and the police still have a duty to follow the law. They have significant and usually necessary legal authority. The problem comes when that authority is overstepped or abused. Often, it's well meaning. For instance, stopping and checking every young male in a sports compact. Street racing is a legitimate concern. Detaining me just because I'm young, male and drive a sport compact is not a legitimate response, any more than stopping every black/Hispanic/Asian man driving a nice car is a legitimate response to drug trafficking.

As for the legality of taping public conversations, I would, as I've said before, check your local laws. I'd be suprised if taping a police officer on the street talking to a member of the public is illegal, but you never know.