I once had a strange experience where, after taking a drink of water from a Camelbak bottle, a police officer asked me if he could see my water bottle. He was about 15 away, at the corner, waiting to turn left at a stoplight. I handed him the bottle, he opened it, smelled it, and made some comment about how it's illegal to have an open container of alcohol in public. It was summer, evening, and still light outside.
I remember being so caught of guard that I never even realized I was consenting to a government search until it was over. The officer was so conversational in his tone that I had no idea why in the world he would want to see my water bottle. Afterwards I regretted not refusing the search as it would have been an easy opportunity to stand up for my own constitutional rights. In the future, I can only imagine I will be on guard, treat any police officer with suspicion and only cooperative as much as is necessary.
Police provide a great service when you're not interacting with them. But when you are, you must always assume that they are looking at you as a potential criminal, even if you're in the act of reporting a crime.
I started to write a reply to your comment expressing my confusion, when I realized I had wrongly assumed you were in the car and the police officer on foot. Once I realized the situation was reversed, I immediately agreed.
Which makes me think there are two kinds of crimes. Crimes which are bad for their effects, and preventive measures.
Of course there are grey areas, but driving and drinking is very close to doing actual damage, while walking and drinking is pretty much harmless.
I think it's a shame no law system makes any difference between the two. It would also put a lot of the drug legislation in a different light.
following up on this, i've received advice from extremely successful and well-respected criminal defense attorneys amounting to this: never talk to police; what you say can only be used against you not to your benefit.
I remember being so caught of guard that I never even realized I was consenting to a government search until it was over. The officer was so conversational in his tone that I had no idea why in the world he would want to see my water bottle. Afterwards I regretted not refusing the search as it would have been an easy opportunity to stand up for my own constitutional rights. In the future, I can only imagine I will be on guard, treat any police officer with suspicion and only cooperative as much as is necessary.