Riding with cops......

I have a friend who is an officer and he routinely runs full on background checks on people.  

One view might be that it is a violation of ones privacy - but another is that these guys have to be ultra selective who they choose to associate with or who is around their families.

Funny you mention it; I had a great friend growing up.  Through my college experience and her military service we lost touch.  After leaving the military she became a police officer.  I wanted to reconnect with her but was having some difficulties tracking her down until the miracle of Facebook came around and there she was.  When we finally talked after 10 years of being apart she stated in a quote I will never forget, "I knew exactly where you were and what you were up to.  If I would have seen you were getting in too much trouble I would have traveled across the country to help you remove your head from your a**!" 

Thanks for looking out for me, I guess?!  

Lost in this discussion; was he right?  Were you going to lie about your age?  Or did he look up the wrong person?

This was my question too...did he catch you in a lie or what?

Also, I think I'd feel fairly violated if someone I was hanging with sprung that on me.  I don't know, maybe just tell me you're a cop and need to check out my priors before forming a bond with me or something instead of doing it behind my back.

The Libertarian in me cringes.  That is a blatant act of violating your privacy.   He had no probable cause to do a background check on you.

You should report him.  He has abused his position.

Calling BS on that one!  Indeed they have to be careful, but many departments forbid that kind of activity without cause. (Running your license, that is, not riding with strangers! )

That doesn't mean they don't do it, but it's not right.

I agree with being selective on who you and your family is around but that is 100% abuse of power. Running background checks (for no reason) using the governments database is not right and almost sure it is not legal. If I was a cop would I do it, Hell Yes i would but I would NEVER tell anyone i did it. Expecially the person i did the check on.  

They have public background checks you can do online if you are interested in someones background.

I'm afraid you haven't given enough thought to the EXTREME lengths that criminals will go to elude Law Enforcement.  Depending upon the duties an officer is performing, particularly undercover/plainclothes-type work, someone with criminal intent can gain a significant amount of intel simply by observing an officers comings and goings.  If I know Officer "Friendly" is going for a bike ride on Tuesday; then that may be a more favorable time for to conduct any illegal activity. 

I've always found it rather....amusing... that nobody ever questions my motives when I'm giving CPR or helping you find your lost child.  I don't think any of us in Law Enforcement are asking for a special "Thank You" cookie, but I/we would, at least, appreciate your trust.  Contrary to growing opinion, We ARE the good guys, after all.

If i was a female, I think i would put "abuse of power" a notch below "creep" factor.   If some dude, police or not, did that to my wife I'd be concerned about it.  

Whoa...before you get the wrong idea... I'm from a law enforcement family, have many friends in law enforcement and have a healthy respect for the law (nearly became an officer myself)... 

As was mentioned after my post...if they used civilian means to get this information, then that is 100% acceptable and, as mentioned, anyone can do it.  However, if he used department equipment, it is most certainly a violation of procedure unless there is cause.  

No!

I never lied about my age.......why the heck should I ?

(.... but that does not mean I am going to share this magical number with BT.     )

He just came out with my "age", when we had the discussion about recovery from injury taking longer now than when we were in our 20's. So when he said I was "xyz" I corrected him and told him how old I really was. He just misread the date on the licence. 

I did not feel violated or offended  by the check. I see the point of it. He needs to know who he is associating with...........

It's all good.  No 'wrong idea' taken at all.  I'm pretty sure most of us are used to it. 

I once went on a few dates with a girl and after the 3rd date or so she showed me a text from her ex husband who is a police officer. He did a check on me and texted her my whole 1 line item along with my mugshot. (hardly a bad boy just made one stupid mistake in 2007).

Anyway, I never felt comfortable around her again and told her it wouldn't work out.

Not only would it be a violation of policy, it could result in the agency losing its right to use the system and at the extreme end, could be a violation of law.  Of course, the laws in Canada (where I assume the OP lives) may be different.