Where is The Fourth Amendment?


Sunday, March 3:

My wife and I were enjoying our Sunday morning coffee when a loud rapping at the front door brought me to the window. Outside was a local law enforcement officer, Now both my wife and I were not dressed to be able to answer the door I called out "just a moment officer I haft to get dressed". As I was trying to find some clothes to quickly put on the officer actually pounded ever so loudly for me to open the door! Quickly trying to think of any laws I had violated or coloring outside the lines I finally opened the door. He asked if I knew several people on his list that live in the neighborhood. I advised the officer I had no knowledge whatsoever of them He thanked me and I shut the door.


As I pondered the Incident I experienced these feelings.


Putting on clothes is not a fast operation on a Sunday morning that can be accomplished in thirty seconds or less. The loud intimidating raps were far beyond any courteous knock I would expect from any government employee presenting them selves at my door.
If there was a search warrant presented then one could expect loud door poundings with barking loud orders for the homeowner to present themselves immediately.
I resent the demanding tone of the officer to open the door immediately without the slightest manners as to which the person inside might need to dress before answering the door.

I appreciate the functions of protocol that law officers must follow in many different situations and these may be well justified to protect them from harm.

It appears that sometimes this "protocol" does not adhere to the spirit of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.

'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.'

I agree that the quoted passage does not relate "directly" to the before mentioned subject but surely supports the spirit of this report.


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I do appreciate the wonderful job that law enforcement does and the jeopardy they face on a daily basis.

I do not accept that "rudeness" is a part of their job.

This editorial is only the expressed opinion of the writer.
-Earl Wallace