Brown said her behavior seemed nervous and evasive. This is where Patricia made a decision that would prove crucial to everything that followed. She pulled out her phone and started recording the interaction. The moment that camera came out, Officer Brown's demeanor shifted dramatically. He ordered her to put the phone away.
She calmly stated that she had the right to record a police officer performing his duties in public. Brown stepped closer to her, invading her personal space. He told her, "Recording me is interfering with my investigation." Patricia asked what exactly he was investigating since she had provided identification proving she lived at this address. Brown said he still wasn't convinced she belonged in this neighborhood and needed to conduct a more thorough investigation.
Here's where this story takes another shocking turn. Patricia decided to reveal her identity. She told Officer Brown, "I am a federal judge, and your behavior is completely inappropriate." She expected this information would immediately end the confrontation and result in an apology. Instead, Officer Brown laughed. He actually laughed at her.
He said that if she was really a federal judge, she would be dressed professionally and wouldn't be outside watering plants in old clothes. He said he didn't believe her and that claiming to be a judge was probably another lie to try to get out of trouble. Patricia couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had just told this officer her actual profession and he was calling her a liar to her face.
She offered to show him her judicial identification card, but Brown said those could be faked, too. He was determined to believe that she was some kind of criminal despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The situation escalated when Brown said he was going to search her property for evidence of criminal activity. Patricia firmly told him he had no right to search her home without a warrant.
She explained that he had no probable cause and no evidence of any crime. Brown replied that her refusal to cooperate was making her look more suspicious. At this point, neighbors had started to notice the commotion. A few people came outside to see what was happening. Patricia recognized several of them as longtime neighbors who knew exactly who she was.