Ignorance - It's not going away!

[Creed]

This is the continuing soga of the ignorance in the small town I live in. My husband was pulled over by a county policeman because he looked suspecious. My husband is the one with hep c and porphyia.He has to wear long sleeve shirts, gloves and a hat.Anywhere the sun hits he will blister(large)and have the open sores.My 17 year old stepson and my 8 year old daughter were in the truck.He makes my husband get out of the car throws him on the hood(remember his skin is paper thin and bleeds if he just barley hits anything) and tells him what are you hiding I know your hiding something in the truck.My husband tells him nothing.He goes up to the car and ask my 8 year old daughter is you Daddy drinking.She very clearly says "NO my daddy can't drink!" He said what do you mean your daddy cannot drink.My stepson steps in and says he has is sick and cannot drink.He proceeds to ask my 8 year old daughter "Does your Daddy do DRUGS!!!My 8 year old daughter doesn't even know what drugs are. She tells him NO!He than says I know he is hiding something from me.At this point my husband tells him to search the car.He searches the car and continues to search him. He made him remove his gloves and to his amazement my husband has his sores all over.They are scabbed and open (bloody).He looks at my husband and tells him he is a just a dumb cop (like my husband is lying to him)gives him a ticket for an expired inspection sticker. I am going to pay a visit to the police station and first let them know I did not appreciate the questions he asked my 8 yr old, then I am going to EDUCATE him on Hep C!!!

[rifleman]

I might suggest that you do not talk to anyone until you have had a chance to speak with an attorney.
I don;t know much about porphiria except that I saw an episode of CSI once where a female serial killer had it.  She would kill people, then freeze-dry their livers, kidneys, etc. and make milkshakes out of them for treatment.
Anyway, I digress.  I am sory that your husband has this condition, as from your description it sounds awful.
If I were him, I'd have told that damn cop that, because he touched him, now HE was going to get it.  It's always enjoyable to get into some jackbooted, swastika-waving nazi thug's head and mess him up mentally.
DJL

[Creed]

Thanks again for all the support.  I have a call into the deputy's Lieutenant and am waiting on a return call.  I am definitly going to persue this.  I also found out that he wanted to search my 8 year olds back pack!  Give me a break!! My 8 year old told me that she was never afraid of policeman but this one scared her!  I am taking the riflemans andvice and am going to contact a civil rights attorney.   After I speak with the attorney I may contact the News Station. I am very outraged.  I will keep all of you posted!  Have a great weekend!!

[Califia]

What a terrible situation for your poor husband and children.    This is  outrageous police conduct  and the self-acknowledged "dumb" cop  definitely needs to learn a lesson or two.  Do you have anything like a Police Review Board in your county?   Because filing a formal complaint sounds like the next appropriate step to take.  Abuses like this WILL continue unless citizens exercise their right not to be terrorized by overstepping law enforcement.  

All of the above suggestions are excellent ones and I hope you'll find the time and energy to pursue them.   Good luck to you and your family.

[poolcue]

You may want to listen to R-Man I think he is a attorney.
I know when I watched that T.V show {HOUSE} I have never seen it before, but when they adv. it was on Hep.C I made sure not to miss it.  Boy O Boy was I upset with that program I will never watch it again.  So don't let it go. Only you know the right way to tell your children its not up to others to question your kids.  Looks like the cop was trying to intrap (sp) your spouse using your children.
Diana

[rifleman]

Might want to speak to an attorney too.  The meanest one you can find.  
DJL

[rifleman]

I'd go thru the yellow pages and look for a "civil rights" practitioner in the lawyer section.  There is a federal cause of action, called a section 1983 action, for people who's civil rights are grossly violated.  Tell the attorney your story.  The nice thing is that the statute provides for attorney fees, up to 150% of the amount of damages awarded.  That way, you won't have to pay the lawyer.  On the other hand, the lawyer won't jump onboard unless he feels it is a good case with a client the jury would sympathize with.  Any "real" lawyer will listen to you for 5 or 10 minutes and give you a take on the case.
One thing I can tell you is that you want an attorney who does these kinds of cases all the time, as they are quite complicated.
DJL

[honey1616]

Creed,,,,I'm sorry to hear that your husband is having such a hard time with hep c and then to top it off,,,,To be treated in that manner!  Give em hell Creed!!

[LvdByGod!]

that is such a horrible experience...i'm so sorry for you guys...i can't believe that cop asked your kids those questions and put those thoughts in there little heads...what a creep!

[cuteus]

I would go to the local news editor, TV, radio or newpaper and tell the story.  At the same time I would have Internal Affairs involved in the inquiry of the extreme behavior this cop exhibited.  I would also be afraid of retaliation by the police, if it is a small town. They can be so arrogant. Can't you move to a friendlier town?