Boston Police to Use New Drug ID Tool

[BC1]

Boston police will begin using a new device capable of determining what type of drug is present during a traffic stop. A new spectrometer can point a light at any substance, powder or pill, and it will return the exact drug name/composition.

ASSUMING THERE IS A LEGITIMATE STOP AND GROUNDS FOR SEARCH, those caught with pills not in their original prescription bottle may be arrested if the officer believes it's an illegal substance and the person can't prove they have a prescription. In many cases charges are dropped when it's found the substance is benign (such as heart meds, vitamins, etc.) or the person has a valid prescription. Hopefully this will reduce unnecessary arrests by over-ambitious LEO.

What say you?

 

[Firefighterchen]

Considering the recent embarrassmentS of the Boston police at the Burlington mall, I hope this tool gets used properly and effectively, accompanied by better judgment by police. If there is RAS, nothing wrong with another useful tool.

Although I could see a better use for it in EMS than law enforcement.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Is there another device pending in the Boston PD Skunk Works, that will enable them to tell the difference between a rifle and an umbrella?

 

[JeshKidney]

Lol all RX bottles have a description of the drug on it well all the ones I have had at least

 

[Tucker's Mom]

That sounds good...

 

[BC1]

Lol all RX bottles have a description of the drug on it well all the ones I have had at least

Yeah but lots of people carry a couple extra meds in case of an emergency. My wife has 2-3 of my cardiac meds, some aspirin and a few supplements in a little designer pill bottle. last year she had a lot of trouble from a LEO over this. He wanted to arrest and drug test her. She refused cooperation, our attorney went to the scene and told the cop to arrest her... and when the testintgg came back that she was not DUI and the meds were cardiac he would make an example of the department. It was enough to put off the LEO. But that day could have gone bad real fast. Remember, the charges may get dropped but you still carry an arrest record fo life.

 

[BigSlick]

Is there another device pending in the Boston PD Skunk Works, that will enable them to tell the difference between a rifle and an umbrella?

Don't forget this device must also be able to tell the difference between an Ipad and a AK47. We all know those look alike too.

 

[BigSlick]

Yeah but lots of people carry a couple extra meds in case of an emergency. My wife has 2-3 of my cardiac meds, some aspirin and a few supplements in a little designer pill bottle. last year she had a lot of trouble from a LEO over this. He wanted to arrest and drug test her. She refused cooperation, our attorney went to the scene and told the cop to arrest her... and when the testintgg came back that she was not DUI and the meds were cardiac he would make an example of the department. It was enough to put off the LEO. But that day could have gone bad real fast. Remember, the charges may get dropped but you still carry an arrest record fo life.

Sounds like that cop was a real ******bag. Glad your wife refused to cooperate. If he had arrested her she could have sued for false arrest and it sounds like your attorney conveyed that message loud and clear. Hats off to your lawyer.

In the end though convictions are what really counts. In the US if an arrest is dismissed or does not produce a conviction one can have the simple record of the event expunged. Unfortunately things like this happen but I'm glad it worked out.

 

[BC1]

Sounds like that cop was a real ******bag. Glad your wife refused to cooperate. If he had arrested her she could have sued for false arrest and it sounds like your attorney conveyed that message loud and clear. Hats off to your lawyer.

In the end though convictions are what really counts. In the US if an arrest is dismissed or does not produce a conviction one can have the simple record of the event expunged. Unfortunately things like this happen but I'm glad it worked out.

Thank God my lawyer is my best friend otherwise no one would have appeared at the scene to stop it. Stroke of luck I guess.