Q: Illegal contact by police
We were sitting in the back seat of my car and we were parked in the corner of a public parking lot at a local park. One police unit entered the lot and left. A few moments later he returns with a second unit. Officer 1 walks up to the rear passenger door and asked us to open it. Officer 2 starts walking around the car placing his hands on the windows to look inside. Officer one ask if everything was ok and what we were doing there. We told him we were talking about the chance to save our relationship. The first statement from the police was they stopped because two people sitting in the back seat and parked in the corner of the lot wasn't normal. When I asked them if it was illegal to do so they said no. Then when I asked what was the law we were breaking or crimes we committed. They said it was a welfare check they were conducting.
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A:
It's understandable to feel concerned about the police approaching you in such a situation. In general, police officers have the authority to conduct welfare checks if they believe someone might be in need of assistance or if something seems out of the ordinary. However, these checks should be carried out respectfully and without infringing on your rights.
In your case, the officers stated that they approached because two people sitting in the back seat of a parked car in a corner of a lot seemed unusual. While it might have appeared suspicious to them, this alone does not constitute illegal activity. You did the right thing by asking if you had broken any laws, and their response indicated that you had not.
If you feel that the officers' actions were intrusive or unwarranted, you can file a complaint with the local police department. Documenting the incident, including the officers' badge numbers and the time and date, can be helpful. Consulting with an attorney can also provide you with guidance on whether any of your rights were violated and what steps you can take next.
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