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Originally Posted by Iphinome
Could they if they really wanted to or do you like have laws curbing police powers?
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Yes, they can stop you and demand your ID card, we have laws curbing their powers though.
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Originally Posted by Iphinome
What I mean is can they stop anyone at any time and demand the passport for no reason. Could they set up checkpoints on every street corner and log the ID of any person passing?
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No, they are not allowed to set up checkpoints on every street corner. (well, there are well defined exceptions, eg. averting a danger) But patrolmen and traffic policemen could stop you at any time for no obvious reason. They don't do that though. They are not allowed to examine the interior of your car without suspicious fact or without your agreement. Also they are not allowed to do a body check without suspicious fact. Also, while our federal police has sub-machine guns in their police vehicles, they are only allowed to use it in special conditions. They are also not allowed to produce their duty weapons (semi-automatic pistol) without suspicious fact.
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Originally Posted by Iphinome
If a policeman says hell to you as you pass by you had a lawful encounter and therefore the policeman or woman would have had the right to check your immigration status. That's rahter intimidating.
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That's the usual way in germany. Every policemen is allowed to check your ID card (or passport if you are a foreign citizen).
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Originally Posted by Iphinome
I'll give an example. A few weeks ago I was out rather late checking dumpsters behind an electronics store for a large cardboard box I wanted for a project. On my way home empty handed on a public street I was stopped. A policeman drove up to me and told me to stop. Then he asked my name which I was legally required to give but i wasn't legally required to have ID so I didn't offer to show mine. At that point I was not free to go. He asked me a few questions mainly had I seen anyone or anything unusual and then he let me go.
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Even we are forced to carry our ID card with us, if you forget it it's not the end of the world. Usually the policemen will ask you some questions (eg. ask for your drivers license or another document that could prove your identity) and give you a warning. Without any further suspicious fact nothing else will happen. Well, sometimes you have to pay a small fine then...
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Originally Posted by Iphinome
Suppose the policeman had been having a bad day or I had. What if i had shown anger at being stopped or fear of the man with the gun and handcuffs stopping me? What if I had dark skin? What if it had been Arizona and he demanded proof I was a US citizen or else face an arrest?
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I don't know how having a dark skin should have any influence on a police control.
Our police can demand your ID card but they can't arrest you for no reason.
Well, i can understand that such laws stir up fearing abuse but with the right restricions there will be no space for abuse. I don't know enough about the law proposal in Arizona to form an professional opinion on it though.