What happened?
On June 27, 2023, a video went viral on social media platforms showing a West Virginia state trooper, identified as Rick Wiseman, entering a family’s home without a warrant or permission. The video was originally posted on TikTok by the homeowner, who claimed that he had knocked on the door of a nearby church to ask them to remove a traffic cone that was blocking the road. However, instead of getting a polite response, he got a home invasion by Trooper Wiseman, who followed him to his house and barged in without any legal justification.
The video shows Trooper Wiseman walking into the living room of the house, where the homeowner and his wife are sitting on a couch. The homeowner asks him to leave, saying that he has no right to be there. Trooper Wiseman responds by saying that he is also recording and that he is concerned that the homeowner might be retrieving a gun to harm him. He then proceeds to become more hostile and aggressive, yelling at the homeowner for raising his voice and smacking the phone out of his hand. The video ends with Trooper Wiseman threatening to arrest the homeowner for obstructing an officer.
Why is this wrong?
The actions of Trooper Wiseman in this incident are clearly wrong and illegal on several grounds. First of all, he violated the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. According to the Supreme Court, police officers need either a warrant or probable cause to enter someone’s home without their consent. Probable cause means that there is a fair probability that evidence of a crime will be found in the place to be searched. In this case, Trooper Wiseman had neither a warrant nor probable cause to enter the home of the homeowner. He had no reason to believe that there was any crime being committed or any danger to himself or others inside the house. He simply followed his personal curiosity and suspicion, which is not enough to justify such an intrusion.
Secondly, he violated the West Virginia Code, which states that it is a misdemeanor offense to enter another person’s dwelling or enclosure without their permission or authority. The code also states that it is a felony offense to enter another person’s dwelling or enclosure with intent to commit any offense therein. In this case, Trooper Wiseman entered the home of the homeowner without his permission or authority, and with intent to harass, intimidate, and arrest him for no valid reason.
Thirdly, he violated the professional standards and ethics of the West Virginia State Police, which require officers to respect and protect the rights and dignity of all people, to act with integrity and honesty, and to use force only when necessary and reasonable. In this case, Trooper Wiseman disrespected and violated the rights and dignity of the homeowner and his wife, acted with dishonesty and arrogance, and used excessive and unnecessary force against them.
What are the consequences?
The consequences of Trooper Wiseman’s actions are serious and severe for both himself and the homeowner. For Trooper Wiseman, he faces criminal charges, civil lawsuits, disciplinary actions, and public outrage for his misconduct. According to a report by Fresherslive1, Trooper Wiseman was fired from his job after an investigation into his behavior was conducted by the state police. He was also indicted in federal court for violating the civil rights of the homeowner by using excessive force against him2. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
For the homeowner, he faces physical injuries, emotional trauma, legal expenses, and loss of privacy for being victimized by Trooper Wiseman. According to a blog post by a civil rights lawyer3, the homeowner suffered bruises and cuts on his face and body from being assaulted by Trooper Wiseman. He also suffered psychological distress from being humiliated and terrorized in his own home. He has filed a lawsuit against Trooper Wiseman and the state police for violating his constitutional rights and causing him damages.
What can we learn from this?
This incident is a shocking example of police misconduct and abuse of power that can happen anywhere in America. It shows us that we need to be vigilant and aware of our rights as citizens when dealing with law enforcement officers. It also shows us that we need to hold police officers accountable for their actions when they violate those rights. We can learn from this incident by educating ourselves about our legal rights when interacting with police officers, by recording any encounters with them as evidence, by reporting any misconduct or complaints to their superiors or agencies, by seeking legal counsel or assistance if needed, and by supporting reforms and policies that promote transparency, accountability, and justice in law enforcement.
Trooper Wiseman West Virginia is a case that should not be forgotten or ignored. It is a case that should be remembered and discussed as a reminder of the importance of protecting our civil liberties and demanding respect from those who are supposed to serve and protect us.
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