Police Harrasment: Arlington National Cemetary.

@Jason 150939 wrote:

Last night I was harassed by the Arlington National Cemetery Police in front of the main entryway after the metro entryways. As we all know, its dark over there, its dangerous to cross, and cars are totally not paying attention. I was actually walking home from work, although I bike past this area about 3 times a week for training rides. Also, for 2.5 years I commuted every day through this area. For background, Iwork for a federal law enforcement agency, so I am aware what is kosher for officer behavior. This was not.

As I am crossing the various crosswalks, I have noticed that the only way to get across safely is to use a handheld blinky light. I walk home regularly and in this darkness I have noticed that cars literally try and run you over in this area. The guards stand around in their guard area doing nothing except helping cars move out. Nothing to help pedestrians. I have also noticed that the safest place to walk across is actually right in front of the guard area where the cones are as this is the only area where cars slow or stop. Its dark out, about 5:40PM. As I am walking across the main road, a light flashes at me. I point up my flashlight (a 60 lumen light, not that bright) on constant mode to see if its a car, bike, whatever. At this point a man dressed in black tactical gear, who did not announce his status as a police officer runs up to me yelling at me that I shone my light in his face. He then yelled at me to stop and got in my way so I could walk no further. He continued to yell at me and act aggressively. Trying to get a word in, I asked if he was a police officer. He said yes, he was police. This is after about 1min, 30 seconds of him continuously yelling at me that I had jaywalked (not sure if I had, since there is a corner where the trail is right there. I maintained a quiet demeanor (not wanting to get tased or OC sprayed). I asked for his badge number, and he yelled it out in such a way as I couldnt tell what the number was. I asked him to repeat his badge number, and he said something like seven of eleven (not kidding!). He had dilated pupils, breathing heavy, and flared nose. Definitely he had gone into fight/flight mode. When it appeared he would no longer impede my progress, I walked away.

Just wanted to let everyone know. Right now I am trying to figure out how to file a formal complaint. So watch your A$$ over in front of the guards at the cemetery. Now I have to try and figure out the safest rout in this super dark area that keeps me away from the guard idiots.

Sorry to hear about run-in with the Arlington Cemetery Police. My hunch is either the police officer is a private contractor or works for the U.S. Capitol police. If he works for the U.S. Capitol police then you can file a non-emergency complaint.

The URL is:
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/file-a-complaint.htm

You did the right thing. It sounds like you had things under control. I would have done the same thing except I would have insisted his full badge number and name. When you file the report indicate the time, location, and description of the incident. The U.S. Capitol Police should be able to determine who was on shift last night.

Finally, the other thing I suggest is never walk in front of the guard booth; some security guards are very territorial and sometimes perceive threat when you approach the controlled area.

Arlington Cemetery is run by the Army but is separate from Fort Myer. I think the area along Memorial Drive is NPS (GWMP).