Originally Posted by
duaner
Sure, but do the police need a warrant, if they are just entering a building to observe, or if they have reasonable grounds for doing so? Does AHS need a warrant? Can the police not escort AHS for safety reasons without a warrant? Why do the police need permission and the general public don't? It's not like they're going to be going through files and confiscating property. If a church is asking the police to leave, then the church is doing something they know they should not be doing.
It's a private building, even if the implied invitation to enter exists, the police need permission of the owner, a warrant or exigent circumstances need to exist. They don't have some inherent right to enter private buildings and remain after being told to leave just so they can "observe". It's like a cop showing up to your door and saying that he's going to come inside and look around, just in case. And if you ask him to leave, he's going to stay, because he's just observing (not rooting through your desk) and you must be doing something wrong if you don't want him there.
There should be strict limits on the ability of the police to enter private buildings without consent or remain if consent has been withdrawn. There should also be severe consequences if it's found that the police haven't abided by those limits, not just the dropping of charges related to the infringement.
See Crank. See Crank Walk. Walk Crank Walk.