TX- Is 'Babysitting While White' reasonable suspicion for police questioning?

11-7-2008 Texas:

Scott Henson over at Grits for Breakfast has a very interesting post today, concerning a incident which happened to him personally today, he titles it "Is 'Babysitting While White' reasonable suspicion for police questioning?"

Apparently, he was babysitting his grandaughter due to a community incident closing local day care centers, and while walking with his grandaughter quote: "Someone had called 911, she said, to report a suspicious looking white man walking down the street holding hands with a black toddler. "

First I'd love to know why the police never asked for any identification before asking questions and wanting him to reveal where he was going to and coming from.

I wonder if the Texas statute requires a person to FIRST identify themselves if stopped by the police, or whether it requires the police to ask for ID first?

Secondly I wonder what the bright line is on "being cooperative or noncooperative" when questioned by police. Does it mean to waive your right to remain silent when being accused of a crime? Certainly the police stopped Scott because they thought a crime was in progress.

I urge folks to read his post, now that I've added my two cents, it certainly is an eye opener.

Finally, I wonder how many Austin police will be stopping white Secret Service men when they are tending to President Barack Obama's children?

eAdvocate

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