Open Question: Verbally harassed by an officer?

by John Kernstein on September 8, 2010

Im a 22 year old female have generalized anxiety disorder. Today I had to ride the bus which put my anxiety up pretty high. I had never been to the area I was going to so when i got off the bus, I was slightly disoriented trying to find my way. I saw some cops had blocked off an area and since my reflexes are slow I sorta stared for a minute before I realized that was not the way I needed to go. I turned around and started walking the other way when a female officer came up to me and pulled me roughly on the shoulder saying things like "Why were you staring then walking away huh?" and when i tried to explain i was just a little lost she proceeded to berate me with questions of "are you high?" "whens the last time youve ever been arrested?" "Yea you look a little high right now" all the while dumping my purse. I tried to be cooperative but i was so anxious I could only repeat the phrase "please" and she started being very forward "Whyy are you saying please? You keep saying that. Why? Why huh?" . I let her look through my coat (i wasnt wearing it) and tried to explain that I have generalized anxiety but she just kept trying to twist my words. I told her I was just trying to figure out where I was going and she kept thinking i was high! I dont drink, i dont smoke, and I have never done drugs in my life! I asked if I could call my dad (whom I was meeting which is why i was taking the bus) and she says "why would I want to talk to your dad? Youre an adult. I dont want to talk to your dad." "how old are you? What are you doing here? Well, you are lookin pretty high right now". She finally let me go by pushing my stuff back at me and saying "Well get out of here." I was so embarrassed and upset when she wouldn't listen to me. Do I have any rights in this situation?

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