A violation of Civil Rights?

A while back a close friend of mine suffered a tragedy. Late at night his wife, who had been ill, was suddenly dying. He called 911 and was then doing CPR on her until help arrived. The first responders there were two Dakota County Deputy's.

When the Rescue Unit people got there one Deputy took him aside and began questioning him, while his wife lay dying, while the other deputy searched his house and upon finding guns copied down all the information and the serial numbers of each one.

Well, first of all it seems to me an invasion of privacy at a very bad time. I am a solid law and order advocate and will almost always back up law enforcement, but not in this case. How dare they take advantage of a man's tragedy? I feel it is an infringement of the First and Second Amendment at the very least.

Is this the Department's policy? If so it should not be. This man had absolutely no criminal record of any kind. He was and is a well liked and respected member of that community and certainly should have been above suspicion. There was no evidence that any crime has been committed.

I have experienced some very arrogant behavior by Deputies manning the screening station at the Court House in Hastings as well, and wonder if it is Departmental Policy to abuse peoples rights and dignity, or if just some members of the force do this on their own. At any rate a little Public Relations Training is certainly in order.

DO NOT let Deputies into your home unless you have no other choice. Once in the door they will take advantage and search your belongings. If they wish to search your premises make them get a warrant!