[Alan Schup]

If you get a bad officer, it is always a good idea to cheerfully and courteously request the officer his/her direct supervisor and the office the supervisor works out of. Make sure the officer sees you write down his/her name (badge number is trivial) and the information on the supervisor. Report the incident to the immediate supervisor instead of the Chief of Police (remember chain of command --- don't go immediately to the top). If you are accosted again by the same officer for the same or similar bogus offense that was previously cleared, you can then file charges against the officer directly (not involving the department) for harassment (single you out?) and abuse of authority (other incidents involving other citizens), using the supervisor as a witness of previous abuse (just you or other incidents reported) to determine a pattern for the judge. Justice Court (small claims) limit is $5000 above court costs in Texas, which is enough of a slap to get the officer's attention to not do it again, at least to you. Not to mention that the department now must investigate the officer for psycological or power/dominance/control problem.