Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in Missouri

Does a police officer groping my buttox qualify as sexual harrassment?

The other night when I was on my way to pick up my mother, I was pulled over for "excessive noise being emmited from my vechicle" Anyway, after he gave me a ticket for that, he asked if he could search my vechile and I said yes. In the process of searching me, he, with both hands, firmly grasped on to my buttox. Since I gave him permission to search my vechicle and not me, would this qualify as sexual harrassment?


Asked on 9/29/99, 12:39 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Does a police officer groping my buttox qualify as sexual harrassment?

Not exactly, I'd say, no. It 'qualifies' as something much more tangible and serious, namely "assault" (or, assault and battery). It's possible that it is in your state something else instead or as well, perhaps "sexual assault" or "indecent assault" or something else like that.

I think that in any state it is a crime. The sexual harassment claim you asked about is probably just a civil charge.

Frankly, it's an obvious outrage. If it bothers you, report it. Even if you don't get a conviction (or even a suspension), your report will probably get him in some trouble with his superiors (who will probably think it's true even if you couldn't prove it in court). Maybe if you talk directly to his superiors they will ask you or someone else to 'entrap' him (somehow) so they can get it on camera and really nail him; I don't know.

My suggestion is to use a lawyer; consult one before you take any steps (and do it soon) and also let the lawyer take the steps for you if that's what s/he thinks would be best. If you are in or near St. Louis, I'll suggest one to you.

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Answered on 9/30/99, 10:54 am


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