Opinion ID: 1749248
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence Obtained at The Ramada Inn

Text: On September 17, 1985, three days after appellant's arrest at the Penny Pincher Motel and following his release on bond, an off duty police officer observed appellant in the parking lot of the Ramada Inn. Upon probable cause, the sufficiency of which is not at issue here, the police obtained a warrant to search appellant's automobile. [] Prior to commencement of the search, the officer went to appellant's motel room to inform him of the warrant and give him an opportunity to accompany them to the car and provide the keys. Upon arrival at appellant's motel room, and consistent with what appears to be his normal practice, the police discovered the door standing slightly open. The officer knocked on the door and appellant, wearing only undershorts and a pair of boots, stepped out into the hallway. When informed of the search warrant for his car, appellant indicated he would provide a key and that he wanted to accompany the officers to observe the search. Attempting to re-enter his room to dress and obtain his keys, appellant discovered that he had locked himself out. As his attire was unsuitable for public activity and he did not have his keys on his person, one of the police officers offered to obtain a key from the motel office. Upon the officer's return with the passkey, appellant entered his room and attempted to slam the door behind him. One of the officers prevented the door from closing and the officers then forcibly entered the room. Once inside, the police discovered drugs and drug paraphernalia. The Commonwealth argues that the police were entitled to force their way into the motel room to protect their personal safety. We are reminded that just three days earlier appellant had been found in possession of a handgun and the Commonwealth reiterates that appellant had stated he wished to accompany the police during the automobile search. On the theory that appellant would enter his room and return with a gun or other weapon, the Commonwealth argues that Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S.Ct. 1868, 20 L.Ed.2d 889 (1968) and Michigan v. Long, 463 U.S. 1032, 103 S.Ct. 3469, 77 L.Ed.2d 1201 (1983), authorized the police to maintain observation of appellant while he was inside his room. As such observation could only be accomplished by entering the motel room, the Commonwealth argues, the police were within their rights to force their way inside. We need not burden this opinion with a review of the various exceptions to the warrant requirement of the United States and Kentucky Constitutions. It is sufficient to say that we have examined the authorities and are not persuaded that the police are authorized, in anticipation of executing a search warrant upon a person's property in another location, to constantly observe him at a time at which he is not under arrest. If such an intrusion were permitted upon the basis of generalized police safety considerations, the police would be authorized to engage in forced, warrantless searches in a multitude of otherwise prohibited circumstances. Cf. Shanks v. Commonwealth, Ky., 504 S.W.2d 709 (1974). A warrantless search upon the basis of a pretextual arrest is invalid. Amador-Gonzalez v. United States, 391 F.2d 308 (CA5 1968). It follows with greater logical force that a mere apprehension for personal safety, and the opportunity such provides for pretext, is insufficient to create an exception to the warrant requirement. By the views expressed in this opinion, we do not denigrate the legitimacy of police officers' concern for their personal safety. We recognize, however, that preservation of constitutional rights frequently conflicts with an officer's perception of his need to protect himself. This court and other courts have willingly found exceptions to various constitutional provisions to better insure the safety of police officers. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S.Ct. 1868, 9 L.Ed.2d 889 (1968); Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106, 98 S.Ct. 330, 54 L.Ed.2d 331 (1977); Adams v. Williams, 407 U.S. 143, 92 S.Ct. 1921, 32 L.Ed.2d 612 (1972); Phillips v. Commonwealth, Ky., 473 S.W.2d 135 (1971); Rudolph v. Commonwealth, Ky., 474 S.W.2d 376 (1971). We are not willing, however, to recognize exceptions so broad as to render meaningless the right secured by the Constitution of Kentucky. Without expressing any view as to the result which would be reached in this case by application of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and applicable decisions of Federal Courts, we hold that the warrantless, forced entry by the police into appellant's room at the Ramada Inn, violated Section 10 of the Constitution of Kentucky, and the evidence found therein must be suppressed. On this issue we affirm the Court of Appeals.