cops

[Dawg]

I am sort of new here(this is my first post at least) but I have read a few messaes where people talk about getting caught by the police. I was curiouse of everyones opinion of the police in general, and how they were treated if they have ever had any dealings with them?
Obviously I ask because I "know a bit about the subject" and I am curiouse if you see them as the enemy or someone who is doing what they have to do.

[Dawg]

I am sort of new here(this is my first post at least) but I have read a few messaes where people talk about getting caught by the police. I was curiouse of everyones opinion of the police in general, and how they were treated if they have ever had any dealings with them?
Obviously I ask because I "know a bit about the subject" and I am curiouse if you see them as the enemy or someone who is doing what they have to do.

In my case they were just doing their job. I wasn't mistreated, and there were no actual charges against me. The shrink I was sent to said I had used "Poor judgement".

[kelly99]

A couple of years ago I smoked some potent stuff and walked out the door(suburbs) stark naked(not even shoes). It was around 2a.m. so nobody around except a police cruiser up the block. Male and female cop. She(good looking too) did all the talking. She saw I was pretty wired and told me to walk back the block and a half to my house.They followed in the car. She then came into my house to make sure I was ok. I hit a verrrrry good lady. Coulda been fined and jailed.

[tarsus]

you know i do not like cops,but other then traffic tickets,of which i have had three over 34 plus years. they were just doing based on what they knew at the time,[ex-wife, pulling some stunts,that would later on back fire on her].
never was arrested for anything,took my gun once but returned it later.[ex-wife again].

[NudeAl]

I think they have a tough job to do. In most cases they handle things extremely well. I do think we all make mistakes and they are no exception. I know of one time where we had a sheriffs deputy that started his own personal crusade against our local nude beach. Writting citations because he felt offended by the nudity. After we started writting some letters and made a few phone calls to his superiors he was reassigned to another area, problem solved. I also met a senior police officer at our local nudist resort. He worked in a community about 80 miles north of us and he and his wife were very nice. So in general I don't think of them as the enemy just people who have a very difficult and sometimes thankless job to do.

P.S. My oldest son has been working for the local police dept for two years now and is going to the academy in January.

[Artie]

The Naturist Action Commity posts all current laws dealing with indecent exposure and nudity in public. I took a look at their website under the section dealing with Indiana to make sure the cops would have no reason to ever come to my house. Also I discussed my nude back yard activities with my neighbor. SHe is the only one who has a clear view to my back yard. As it turned out, she was a nudist too! Unfortunatley, she is planning to move. I hope the new neighbors are as open minded as she is!

Artie

[Dawg]

Thanks for the feed back. Seems to be the opinions are what I was thinking they generally would be.

[wannabenaked2001]

I hve only had one encounter with Law enforcement while nude. While at Pea Island (the outer banks of NC), I had a fish and wild life officer approach me and informe me of the law (can't expose your genitals to a member of the opposite sex). He then asked me to be care full of families and children and went on his way.

I understand that there is now a fish and wildlife officer on the OBX who has given at least one married couple tickets ($150. each) for being nude in front of eachother). I have also been told that he claimed it is his goal to rid the OBX of nudists.

http://b4.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?action=read&id=1067821564&user=darebare

[aunaturelone]

I have had two encounters with police while nude. One was on New Years Eve of Y2k. I was strolling down a street at 3 am wearing nothing but a red, white & blue ("Uncle Sam" style) sequined Happy New Year Y2K hat. Didn't even know they were there, rolled up behind me completely silently. They squawked the siren, which scared me to death. Then they told me to 'pull over to the side of the road (uh.. but I was walking on the sidewalk...)and present my driver's license". I didn't take it too seriously because they were laughing so hard. Then they just drove off.

The other time was in college. The school I was attending was in a rural area. It was well after midnight and I was takig a nude stroll down a two rut dirt track in the forest. I'd thought that surely I'd be completely alone here but, lo and behold, I'm caught in the headlights of a police cruiser. Their red and blue lights came on and they fixed a spotlight on me. I jumped like a rabbit and shot off into an adjacent swamp. I could hear them calling it in over their radios; they were taking it very seriously. Eventually they gave up and left.

Later I found out that that dirt road was a popular "lovers lane" for college students. The cops loved to roll silently down there, lights off until they got right up to you, to catch kids in flagrante delicto and bust 'em for lewd conduct. This was back in the 70s and there was this big "red necks" vrs. "hippies" clash going on.

I did just miss a big bust at Pirate's Cove, next to Malibu. I was going there with a Mensa Clothing optional group when we found it was blocked off. They had everything there you could imagine, deputies on horse, on foot, on ATVs and dirt bikes, in helicopters and in boats off shore to nab the people who simply stayed in the water. Busted hundreds and if you didn't have ID you went to the slammer. That was mostly a few younger minors as people over 16 usually had driver's licences.

The people who fought eventually got all charges dropped. The Sherrif declined to allow the cases to come to trial and, person by person, eventually many paid the fine and pled out, worn down by repeatedly showing for trial only to have it continued yet again. The judge figured out what the Sherrif and prosecutor were up to and ordered them to put up or shut up. Charges were dismissed, but only for those who had stood fast. Those who pled and paid were screwed.

Generally police are quite accomodating if the nudity falls within the accepted legal bounds. I even have a number of photos of nudes posing with the cops at the Bay to Breakers event. But don't try to argue the law with a cop if he decides to bust you. Cooperate, humble yourself, hope he lets you off and save it for the judge if he doesn't.

[FireProf]

I work with cops everyday I am at work, though I am not a cop. They've got a tough job, most people don't like them. I like, respect and get along with most of them. Most of them I have talked to about nudism have said they have more important things to worry about then to hassle someone for simple nudity.

It's those few that take themselves too seriously and want to enforce every little law they can that I don't have much time for. Most of these cops were young and new on the job. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[barelybob]

My son is a sheriff's deputy, and I have had numerous friends in law enforcement. I highly respect them. As in all things you will find a few rotten apples. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

barelybob,

I agree. We employ the police and expect them to do a job. We can't then complain if they do that job. The police, like tax inspectors, are one of the few professions that we criticize for being over-zealous (public servants are usually thought to be the precise opposite of this).

Here in the UK the vast majority of police are unarmed. They want to keep it that way and so do I.

As far as nudity is concerned, the police are selected from the general populace and are thus to a large extent representative of that community. If people complain about what they consider to be inappropriate nudity, then the individual officers are bound to apply their own standards to a large extent. After all, they have to decide what behaviour amounts to "disorderly" or "harassment" or "distress" in any given situation, and what doesn't. Later on a judge in a County Court may disagree with an officer's decision made at the time and whilst under pressure and award damages against his employer - and ruining the policeman's career into the bargain. That's why potentially contraversial laws have to be as clear and unambiguous as possible.

Stu

[fred950]

My only nude encounter with the law was several years back at Mazo Beach. It seems there was an acidental drowning at the beach during the night and the sheriff's department was asking everyone at the beach what we saw or heard. There were no comments about our nudity nor were any of the beach patrons asked to cover up during the investigation and recovery.

[Bob S.]

I, too, want to give the police their proper respect. They have a thankless, dangerous job where they encounter the worst of society every day. They can never tell which call will be the dangerous one.

The politicians write the laws but the police must interpret these laws in what they see. They are the applied law. They also must decide if a crime is serious enough for them to follow up on. Should they go after the car that is going 7mph over with a back brakelight not working? Should he go after the man who tossed his fast food bag toward the trash can, but missed? Should he arrest someone or help them?

Their job is hard. A nudist salute to all the police officers!

Bob S.

[Rex]

20 or so years ago, I was a regular at Swanbourne, Western Australia's famous free beach, conveniently situated not too far from capital city Perth CBD.
During my many years there, I met many police officers, including a number of senior ones, but as they were in the same "uniform" as the rest of us, their status was not immediately obvious.
I remember one senior officer, a personal friend, casually remarking one day, "half my guys are down here".
A number of years later, my wife and I, being community minded people, decided to attract more tourists to Fremantle by popularising a long standing, but little-known nudist spot on a quiet stretch of local beach near where we then lived. We got publicity in the local papers and we were getting more tourists, but someone made a fuss and the police arrived and arrested us.
A TV news team arrived at the same time and the cops thought they had been set up.
When they got us to the police station, they did not know what to charge us with, because all the usual so-called offences had one-by-one been thrown out of court in WA.
In desperation, they charged us with "not wearing a proper costume" under a 1902 act [which includes a mixed bag of offences like "letting your chickens run down the street" and "not tieing your horse to a proper hitching post"].
Apparently no-one had told them that a "proper costume" within the City of Fremantle was being covered from the armpits to at least 3 inches of leg and a front skirt for both men and women [last reviewed in 1930 something].
We were represented free of charge by a very well known lawyer and, as you would expect, acquitted.
The prosecuting police sergeant smilingly shook my hand and congratulated my wife and I and the media had a field day.
I now know a lot more about the laws on nudity, so much so that a while later when we were swimming nude on another quiet beach known for that activity and someone started making a fuss, I repeatedly contacted the local police sergeant and offered to meet him on the beach by appointment and get arrested, but my offer was always politely declined.

[noodtoonist]

as with rex, i met a policeman at the last resort i was at... but he was out of uniform too! had been a nudist for many many years.
the owner of the resort also told me that when they first opened their (unneighbourly) neighbour had complained to the police - the cops showed up at reception to say they'd had a complaint about a 'naked man' to realise, of course, everyone was naked!

[florida-david]

i was taking some pictures of the sunrise (and my naked silouette) at a secluded part of the beach in st. pete, florida. i decided that since i met no one on my out to my photo spot and it was so early, i would walk back naked. sure enough, after walking for about 15 minutes, a jeep came up in front of me. i quickly put my shorts on but did not get them fully up until the vehicle was about at my spot. it was a beach patrol and they did not stop but kept on their way. after walking a bit further towards my car, i took my shorts off and after about 5 minutes, the jeep was coming up on my naked butt again. i pulled the shorts on and this time the jeep stopped and he asked that i stay dressed. i said no problem as i was about two minutes from my car anyways. i did get a little bold and asked him if there was a nude beach near the fort and he roughly said no. they waited in the parking lot until i got in my car and left.

[Rex]

Another cop story comes to mind. Some years ago in a holiday town far from home, a policewoman friend of my wife and I was persuaded by a compere and her boyfriend to enter a wet teeshirt contest.
When she won, the compere told the crowd her occupation. She did some fast talking on the mike and misled the crowd as to the part of Australia where she worked.
My attitude was that, with the problems the police sometimes have relating to the public, sure a bit of harmless fun whilst on holiday should be seen as good PR, but she said the police hierarchy would not see it that way.
Fortunately, there were no repercussions.

[Gary Naturist]

I have had two visits by the police, one after cycling nude in a local park in the early morning, and another after getting out nude to pump gas at a gas bar at night.

In the first case, I got a stern warning. In the second case, the officer asked if I was a nudist and when I said that I was, he suggested that I find a more appropriate place to be nude.

A friend of mine was told by a female cop that, when going to people's houses looking for people with warrants out on them or to talk to witnesses, they regularly encounter nude guys. They don't hassle them at all.

The Stones played at a huge outdoor concert in Toronto this past summer (hundreds of thousands). The police announced in advance that they would not hassle anyone for nudity, nor for simple possession of weed.

My sense is that cops know about nudists and do distinguish them from those with something sexual on their mind (e.g. flashers).

Gary

[BeachBum]

Here's a view from behind the badge -- most - and i say MOST - officers have a lot more important things to do than harrass someone for being nude. I live in a beach environment and have answered many calls regarding public nudity. Here in South Carolina, indecent (???) exposure is a misdemeanor but if convicted, one must register as a sex offender.... go figure... so MOST officers are very caution about who they charge with that offense. We have county ordinances which are usually used because they do not require one to register. At any rate, I have only arrested one person for being nude in public in 23 years of policing, and that was because he was having sex in a public parking lot and had a really poor attitude. I don't consider him a nudist -- just a dumb *** with an attitude. Anyway, just one opinion from one cop....

[Rex]

Just a sensible opinion from a good cop.

[MikeJB]

Yeah I bet they dont mind that, its terms like *the fuzz* and *pig* and stuff like that that they probanly wouldnt like and find disrespectful but im sure theyre used to criminals saying stuff to them all the time though so I dont think itd bother em.

[MikeJB]

It's those few that take themselves too seriously and want to enforce every little law they can that I don't have much time for. Most of these cops were young and new on the job.
-------------------------------------------------

Yeah I can agree with you there. The young really eager trigger happy ones are the ones u wanna avoid, also the old ones that are grumpy or just the ones that are agrivated or stressed and wanna take it on you. I see peoples gettin arested all the time and im sure not all of em are legitimate arrests, I mean some of these people are just minding their business or so it seems and then the cops pull up and demand the usual stuff. Some people they make wait around 20 minutes or more just to give em a ticket.

[missouriboy]

The term "cop" is shortened from the original "copper," a nickname created way back when police uniforms had vests with many copper buttons on the front.

[Like2BNaked]

I have a number of friends who are police officers and I have always been told that the term "cop" many years ago (probably in England) was short for constable on patrol. I always thought it made sense, but I would not say the copper buttons origin is wrong. It may be a combination of both.

[MikeJB]

I think most cops understand that nudity isnt wrong per se and that besides the way society feels about it and maybe the cops own body shame, there is really no logical reason to state that someone being nude walking down the street minding their own business is causing a crime or even likely to and im sure if most cops think this through to its logical conclusion, they'll understand that. I just think some cops just think about how society feels or thinks about their own misunderstandings of nudity and dont spend the time to think it over and then needlessly arrest or ticket someone for doing something that isnt wrong or dangerous. Luckily most cops are smart and unless you run into some bad apples or ones that are new and or dont understand the laws that well or dont think things through logically then youre sure to be alright. I just think the best thing to do is be discreet with public nudity and act respectful and not give anyone a reason to question your motives beyond the nudity and if a cop does stop you then just be polite and confident with the cop and stick up for yourself. I think thats the best thing you can do.

[Dawg]

I have always known the term *cop* tocome from the copper shield the Boston Police(the first police force in the US) wore. Sounds like the copper button idea....
As far as another point of view "from behind the badge", I, being a nudist, know the differance between nudity and lewdness. If you are doing your own thing and no one is upset by it, cool. However, if the offender is what I have come to know as a weanie wagger(one who does so to kids and women only) we will most likely have a problem.
Happy Holidays..................

[a1922stanley]

I too have the upmost respect for the police.Overall they do a wonderful job of protecting us. I have had only one expierience with a police officer while nude. Walking down to a nude beach about 1/2 way down it is safe to disrobe. So I did. Unknown to me the trail was all but washed out. One police oficer was there to look over the trail. We chatted for a bit and then showed me another way to get to the beach. No hassles at all.

CWR

[krlough]

I had a different experience than what you all seem to have had.I was arrested for being on my second floor "privacy" balcony watering my plants nude.It was in the 90's, so it was much cooler in the nude.During the trial,the mother and two daughters all told different stories,which was pissing off the prosecutor.But,being the trial was on a Friday before a holiday weekend,the jury ate their free dinner and decided they didn't like nudists,said I was guilty anyways,and ran out of the court room.I'm still on probation after 10 days in jail,80 suspended,and mandatory counselling to correct my "deviance".The cop said in court he felt I was guilty of more than simple nudity because I didn't resist arrest.My Dad,who always thought I was paranoid about the government,was even surprised and discusted at the system.

Kevin /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[Rex]

My condolences, krlough.
I've not heard of anything like that happening in Australia.
I'd like to think that, if it did, one of the civil liberties organisations would offer assistance.
Many of these organisations have prominent lawyers on their executive, who are not there for personal gain.
Do you have similar in the US?

[Dawg]

Wow, krlough! That has got to be one of the worst I have heard of. Althogh I can see something like that happening(there's always an axtreme case with odd circumstances) I find it hard to believe that it was as simple as you make it out to be, I'm not calling you a liar, just saying it is hard to fathom. What was the prosecutors story? Did you know the young girls were there(where exactly were they?) How did the cop treat you?

[krlough]

The cops were arrogent,but not complaining about their behavior that night.The mom and two 15 year old girls were over two stories down on the sidewalk,and told differing stories as to what I was doing.Put the stories together and I was watering my plant facing west,south,and east,and standing one foot away from the railing but up against it with my penis sticking through it with either an erection or not,but definately sticking staight out AND straight down.Either I just stood there,or junped back in surprise when the mother asked why I didn't have clothes on,and said nothing in return at the same time two different replies other than what I actually said.All this within what the mother decribed as a 5 or 10 second time frame.One of the girls said I looked to be in my mid to late forties with red hair.I was 32 at the time,with very blonde hair.Given the descriptions,I'd have to have at least a foot and a half long,double headed penis. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif During the trial,the prosecutor was getting so angry that his "witnesses " were telling so different of stories,and the judge was medicated for a severe cold and appeared to be napping during times.I never denied being nude,and would have settled with public nudity instead of indecent exposure,but the prosecutor wanted a conviction as if I were a serial rapist.Then the guy that administered the polygraph for sentancing,told the judge that I admitted to being an exhibitionist.What I told him was many nudists have agreed that there might be some exhibitionism to nudism,like that of actors or any other profession where people are in front of others for any reason.Half the jury also had ties to friend or relatives in law enforcement,and the rest were over 55.None of them admitted to knowing much of anything about nudists.How is that a jury of MY peers?

Kevin /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[Dawg]

you got shafted

[Kenny G]

I've never had bad experiences with the police, and have alot of respect for the job they have to do. But, there's always one in every crowd. One of the members of my club was arrested for indecent exposure for cutting his grass, behind a privacy fence, with only a shirt on. It appears that the lady next door was offended when she went behind the row of bushes and looked through the crack in the fence. So offended that she promptly went in and retrieved her video camera to provide evidence of this obscene behavior. It seems that because he was wearing a shirt, but not pants, his motives must be vulgar. It ended up costing over $3000 dollars in legal fees and court costs to avoid conviction, but with less than a year til retirement from a government job, he couldn't afford to lose. Talk about a "catch 22" situation!

[krlough]

I wish it only cost $3000.That was what the one day in court cost me for an incompetant lawyer.Then there has been probation fees,additional attorney fees,court fines,lost wages,polygraph and sexual arousal testing involving wrapping a lead around my penis to "measure" arousal levels to different stimulation,and ongoing counseling costs mandated by the court to "correct" my "boundary issues".Yet never once did I waver in my innocence.The three who"testified" against me and begged to be at my sentancing to tell me how I have scarred them for life,never showed for sentancing.My concern is what this "mother" is teaching her daughter and daughters' friend about lying,character,and self-image. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

Kevin /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[Ben_m]

Kevin,

I greatly feel for you and your ordeal. I feel sick just reading about it. I can't even begin to imagine what you've been through. Obviously, I only know what you've shared with us here. I have had (naturist) friends (one pretty close one) with similar legal encounters, but absolutely NOTHING compared to what you describe. Totally incomprehensible! And, I thought I was glad I haven't had any legal issues myself so far (hope, hope, hope!).

But, I've got to say how impressed I am that you have gone through the horrible things that you have and are here in this forum talking about them. My hat (and, well, everything else I might otherwise be wearing) is certainly off to you and your demonstrated strength of character for being able to do that.

Ben.

[Rex]

If you would consider an appeal, give us an estimated cost and I would be happy to set the ball rolling with a donation. I'm not rich, there would have to be plenty more, but we need to look out for one another, and I believe you would get that support.
And contact a lawyer within the nudist movement to put you in touch with a competent lawyer in your locality.

[krlough]

I appreciate the support. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I've been getting on with what I have to do to put this behind me,but want people to know what can happen.Just because your particular area doesn't outlaw simple nudity,don't assume the "just-us" system will protect you.They may very well be the ones out to put a stop to you thinking "outside the box".I live in Washington (the state),but know that Oregon doesn't have laws against nudity.That hasn't stopped them from pushing simple nudity to indecent exposure several times in recent history.It all comes down to other people's perceptions and attitudes,not what you are really doing,that determines the putcome.Let's all be safe,but by all means stay nude! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Dawg]

I am strongly opposed to those "leads" you mentioned. I thought those were still considered unconstitutional.
Krlogh, your steadfast attitude about simple nudism is commendable.

I have to say that all these posts and there has only two negative stories about how a police treated a simple nudist. I am glad to see this. If anyone else has a police/nudist story please add it /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[krlough]

Both the sexual arousal test and polygraphs are inadmissible,but they have a loophole to use them for sentancing. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[Frank R]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by krlough:
[QB]

How is that a jury of MY peers?

The fact that you did not have a jury of your peers is, at least partly, your own fault. In any jury trial, you have the right to dismiss any juror "for cause" and you the right to dismiss a specificed number without giving a reason. (The state is allowed to challenge the same number without giving a reason either).
Even if the judge ruled against you on a challenge for cause (which is grounds for appeal) he, by law, must dismiss any juror you challenge without cause. Of course, you are only allowed a limited number of challenges without cause but it sure sounds like you didn't use any.

[Rex]

I would suggest that was not Kevin's fault, but the fault of his incompetent lawyer, for not telling him.
One of the many inequities of the legal system is that, unless you have a prior agreement to the contrary, you pay your lawyer if he/she does a good job, you also pay, just the same, for a useless job.
If it was, say, the carpenter, who made a mess of the job, you would not pay him until he fixed it.
In Australia we say, we do not have a justice system, we have a legal system.
Dawg is spot on, Kevin was shafted.
What most people don't seem to understand, if just one person is denied justice, then NO-ONE is guaranteed justice.

[krlough]

We did use our power to dismiss.But you only get three dismissals.There are things about the system that even surprised me,like the jury thing.They are assigned by seats in the box,then you and the prosecutor get three dismissals each.They are replaced out of the pool.You don't get to choose any more than this. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gifIt's little more than drawing straws for a jury.

Kevin /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[krlough]

Wanted to add that the jury is viewed as a representation of the community in practice,not a jury of peers as stated in the theory.
The prosecutors' biggest arguement or plan was to get the jury to decide this not based on the law,but based on what THEY thought was right for THEIR community.That and presenting the idea that nudism is disturbingly sexual.The older,more conservative jury ate it up.They didn't decide that I broke the law,as the prosecution failed to prove,but they decided they didn't like nudism or anything sexual in THEIR community.

/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[NewAndNude]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by krlough:
Then there has been probation fees,additional attorney fees,court fines,lost wages,polygraph and sexual arousal testing involving wrapping a lead around my penis to "measure" arousal levels to different stimulation, <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Geezus, and here I've heard of that but was hoping it was only a story made up to deter potential rapists and other sexual predators. I can't believe a device like that actually *exists.* It sounds like something from the ****ing Spanish Inquisition or at the very least something out of George Orwell's famous book 1984. Not to be too personal but just how did they think they were going to measure that?

Even if I was the most experienced nudist I'm like any male, you start putting something around my penis, hand or no hand, and nature is going to kick in.

You have my full sympathies in this matter and I hope you one day receive the justice you deserve.

[krlough]

That whole process was a little ebarressing,frustrating,rediculous,and scary.You have to measure your penis with pieces of paper twice,they adjust the lead,then you put it on and they throw visual and auditory stimuli at you all at once,and measure "penile" reaction.Now this whole thing is completely preposterous or completely scientific,depending on who you ask.If you ask me,since the penis is an organ with blood moving through it at all times,some movement is always going on.They say this movement indicates sexual arousal.If they see what appears to be an upward spike in the readings and then a downward one,they claim yo0u are "suppressing" a sexual response on purpose.I asked them if that were even possible. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif They didn't find any humor.And when I told them at no time did I have an erection and actually had a difficult time keeping the lead on due to a sometimes shy and compact when not in use penis,they said "A girl is still pregnant even if she isn't showing".
This,like the polygraph,isn't allowed as evidence in court due to the arguements that they aren't reliable,but used very frequently to determine sentancing.

Kevin /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Rex]

Kevin, I'm not doubting you one little bit, but all this sounds almost unbelievable, as New and Nude says, like something out of George Orwell's "1984".
I know it's easy to say what my response would be, when it's not me who's going through it, but I can't help but think that your best tactic would be to go for maximum publicity.
Surely most of the American public would be amazed that such "treatment" was even considered.
In Australia, the TV current affairs programs would be competing for exclusive rights to your story. I know this is very secondary to getting justice, but you would probably be able to negotiate a favourable deal, at least enough to pay for all your expenses.
Does that sort of thing ever happen in the US?

[Rex]

I should add that the TV people would not be out for sensationalism at your expense, you would get both their, and the public's, sympathy.

[Duneman]

That is certainly a horror story Kevin.

I think the Law (or Police) are a little more tolerant where we live in Canada.

My only "one on one" brush with the police, happened a couple of years ago early one summer on a local unofficial c/o beach.

It was early in the season, and there were only 6 of us naturists on a mile long deserted beach.

I was there with my Wife, and another couple....... it was kind of cool and windy, so we were in the sand dunes for shelter.

My friend and I were walking down the beach picking up gargage. (we were both nude)
when this policeman jumped out of the bushes!??!

He ran over to us, and said we can't walk around naked. We asked "why not?"

"He said there had been complaints of indecent behaviour of this beach" and he is acting on those complaints??

(there were only 6 people on this beach.... and they were all nudists!?)

I asked him who it was that complained.... and he said it occurred last year!!!!

I think he could see he was losing his argument..... and he became a little more sympathetic.

We told him.... that we make every effort to use the most secluded part of the beach. And we would usually "cover up" if we see textiles walking up the beach, especially if they had young kids.

We told him we weren't impressed with him hiding in the bushes waiting for us!! When there were no complaints of any improper behaviour.

Anyway... he said.... "next time carry your shorts with you, and he let us go"

We thought afterwards.... we should have told him that we were "undercover police officers" investigating reports of public nudity! And to get lost....or else he will blow our cover!!

[Dawg]

"we should have told him that we were "undercover police officers" investigating reports of public nudity! And to get lost....or else he will blow our cover!!"

yeah, like that wouldn't tick him off. He'd probably get all wound up and end up arresting you for impersenating a police officer/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Nude in the North]

I might have asked him which part of picking trash off the beach constituted "indecent behavior".
I would have encouraged him to continue to watch the beach for anyone who was doing anything indecent. Anyone performing sexual acts or perversions should be arrested. People simply being nude should NOT.

Steve

[Evernude]

I was sun bathing (nude of course) in my completely private back yard last August when 2 police officers came into the yard from my driveway. They had opened my drive-through gate and walked in. I heard them and looked around just in time to see them looking right at me. They politely asked me if I had been bothered by anyone or had seen someone trying to jump over my walls. Seems there was someone running from the police. About that time the helicopter started circling my house. There I was, nude, chatting with two police officers with a police helicopter circling over me. I told them that I had'nt seen anything unusual. They said thanks, sorry for the intrusion, have a nice day. They left, the helicopter moved on, and I now LOCK that gate all of the time!!!

[Fresh Air]

Woah! That would be a little scary at first Evernude. I've only seen one police/sheriff when nude. It was at San Onolfre Beach in California. It was a quiet day and I was just sunning, minding my own business when along came strolling an officer. Freaked me out for a second, then I realized he was just looking for illegal behavior. When I realized that I was glad for his presence and wished they would visit more often.

Fresh Air