>> How can a cop request information in fashion that isn't forceful? The softest, most polite question is backed by the threat of both violence and arrest. > T

>> How can a cop request information in fashion that isn't forceful? The softest, most polite question is backed by the threat of both violence and arrest. > This is an American-centric attitude towards government and government representatives. Of course, you're right. The US does have this unique tilt. it's not all bad, IMO, good to have some distrust of those in power. But the real problem is decades worth of thuggish behavior by police officers. The awesome power we grant them is sought out by those who would abuse it. This is compounded by 20th century crime and violence which caused police forces to ratchet up their process for dealing with the public to treat each interaction as potentially life threatening. So the real threat is implied by the unpredictable reaction when you describe the limits of the police officers' power. Some would recognize their bluff has been called. Yet others would double down.