To the Point

Widespread Abuse of Police "Stop and Seize" Power

Since September 11, 2001, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security have spent big money training local police, sheriffs and state troopers to be more aggressive in searching for suspicious people, illegal drugs and other possible contraband. The Washington Post reports they may have learned their all lessons too well.

By Warren Olney • Dec 8, 2014 • 1 min read

Since September 11, 2001, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security have spent big money training local police, sheriffs and state troopers to be more aggressive in searching for suspicious people, illegal drugs and other possible contraband. The Washington Post reports they may have learned their all lessons too well. Local police have seized hundreds of millions of dollars in cash from motorists — stopped, but never charged with crimes. In order to get their money back, thousands of drivers have been forced to prove they’re the rightful owners. That’s according to an investigative series in the Post called “Stop and Seize.” Robert O’Harrow wrote those stories.