I was recently kicking an idea around with a law enforcement friend of mine that I think is worthy of discussion in this space. During a suspected interdiction stop, a portable GPS unit can potentially yield some helpful information for you in a couple of ways.
First, if you sense that the story the driver is giving you about his final destination is hinky and you notice that he’s got a portable GPS stuck to the windshield or dashboard, ask the motorist if you can see it.
Tell the driver not to turn it off or pull the plug, but to simply pull it off the windshield and show you the destination he has programmed in. If it’s different than the destination he’s told you verbally, or if he hesitates and becomes nervous when asked to back up his story with support from the GPS, you might be on to something.
Further, if you do find that the driver is a contraband runner, the GPS can potentially direct you to the delivery point (and your next arrest) faster than trying to get that information from a field interview.
Remember: If the person consents to hand over the GPS, that’s great, but saying “no” DOES NOT create reasonable suspicion or any other quantifiable standard of proof. It may very well be an informed citizen exercising their right not to be intruded upon by government without probable cause.
Remember Also: An officer has to be careful — as with any inquiry — not to infringe on an individual’s Fourth Amendment rights. In the abovementioned scenario involving the GPS, you can’t put the motorist in a position where he or she feels compelled to submit to the request.
Remember, Finally: As with anything else, your ability to communicate with the subject, listening for little hitches in their story or watching for little twitches in their faces as they speak, will always be among your very best investigative tools. If you’re using your top-drawer communications skills, you’d be surprised how many subjects might just willingly hand over that GPS unit.
