Apple Employees May Have Falsely Represented Police Officers
Linked by Thom Holwerda on Fri 2nd Sep 2011 21:47 UTC
Apple So, I kind of mocked this story yesterday, but today an interesting twist has emerged which puts the story in an entirely different light. This week, CNet reported a story about how Apple is working with the San Francisco Police Department to retrieve a lost iPhone 5 prototype. The police and Apple apparently traced the phone to someone's house, and showed up on his doorstep, threatening him and his family. The only problem - the SFPD has no record of any house search or of the case in general - raising the question whether Apple employees falsely impersonated the SFPD, which happens to be a serious crime in California. Update: While I was busy sleeping, the story changed a little bit, but it's still far too shady. After conferring with Apple, the SFPD now states four police officers were involved, and that only the two Apple employees entered Calderon's house. However, Calderon had no idea these two were private non-police people, since he claims they did not identify themselves as Apple employees. Had he known, he would not have let them search his house. So, update or no, Apple employees still impersonated police officers, and issued threats to intimidate Calderon into letting them search his house - without a warrant. I don't understand how people can just accept this sort of behaviour. Don't you have rights in the US? Update II: Perfect summary.
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vitae
Member since:
2006-02-20

In this case the missing property was a prototype that whilst having a lot of value (as a prototype) would have been quite hard for the cops to recognise so it's even more understandable that they took some technical help along. Jesus what a storm in a tea cup. What next - Apple employee double parks shock horror!


You didn't even read the article, did you? You just fail to grasp the point completely, so desperate are you to vindicate Apple. The cops stayed OUTSIDE, didn't take part in the search, and thus were unavailable while these corporate P.I.s were making racial remarks regarding immigration status to an individual simply because he's a minority.

So one last time for posterity. No official criminal investigation means the cops shouldn't have been there at all. A couple of pushy corporate gumshoes requesting their presences is not enough reason. And even thought the man unwisely allowed the search, that does not justify him becoming the victim of racial discrimination. And finally, the guy didn't even have the GODDAMN PHONE at all. So all of this was for nothing. Is this really so hard for you to understand, or are you just pretending? RTFA again:

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2011/09/iphone_5_apple_police.p...

And pay attention to the details for christsake.

Reply Parent Score: 2

Not2Sure Member since:
2009-12-07

No official criminal investigation means the cops shouldn't have been there at all.


Umm, the police deal with 1000s of incidents that involve no criminal complaint, genius. Most incidents never involve criminal charges.

Do the rest of us a favor please. Call 911. Tell the police that you know your neighbor has stolen your tv and that you are going over to his house to demand you get it back no matter what. Give the address.

I'll wager you lots of money the police show up without any criminal complaint because their job is to protect the peace.

Also when the police show up, pretend you have a gun. Please. Thanks.

It has very little to do with vindicating Apple's actions. That would be up to them. The original poster impugned the motives of police and (apparently the rule of law in the US, lol) I still fail to see and you have not and most likely never will offer what exactly it is the police did wrong if the accounts given so far remain accurate.

You fail at the internet, btw.

Reply Parent Score: 1

Shkaba Member since:
2006-06-22



Umm, the police deal with 1000s of incidents that involve no criminal complaint, genius. Most incidents never involve criminal charges.

Do the rest of us a favor please. Call 911. Tell the police that you know your neighbor has stolen your tv and that you are going over to his house to demand you get it back no matter what. Give the address.

I'll wager you lots of money the police show up without any criminal complaint because their job is to protect the peace.

Also when the police show up, pretend you have a gun. Please. Thanks.

It has very little to do with vindicating Apple's actions. That would be up to them. The original poster impugned the motives of police and (apparently the rule of law in the US, lol) I still fail to see and you have not and most likely never will offer what exactly it is the police did wrong if the accounts given so far remain accurate.

You fail at the internet, btw.



Even though I know better than to debate with iFans (most of whom are just plain idiots, including yourself), I found the last sentence to be so out on left field that I couldn't help myself.

Number one of what the police did wrong in this case is to properly and accurately present themselves and identify Apple employees as such! They deliberately mislead the owner of the house (or occupant) just to enable their old comrade to gain access to premises.

As for your stupid statement about police proactively taking measures, are you on some drugs or what?? Without probable cause police can only knock and ask couple of questions ... politely, I might add otherwise they can be found to be in dereliction of duty, and I would sue them out of the job. People have called 911 while they were shot at and police has failed to show up on time, let alone plain cloth detectives.

This is all very simple really. An ex-cop called few of his buddies and asked for a favor, probably guaranteed that if it all turns up like he hoped they would get credits. The only smart thing those cops did was not enter the house themselves. Everything else was dumb. And yes, every time police is involved there has to be a report filled! No exceptions!

Reply Parent Score: 2