Opinion ID: 4644041
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Initial Police Approach

Text: As to the initial police approach, it is well-established that “[p]olice officers are free to approach anyone in public areas for any reason. Officers are entitled to the same freedom of movement that the rest of society enjoys.” Commonwealth v. Banks, 68 S.W.3d 347, 350 (Ky. 2001). When a police officer simply approaches someone, it is not a seizure. Id. at 350 (citing Baker v. Commonwealth, 5 S.W.3d 142, 145 (Ky. 1999)). Therefore, when the police approached Appellant in a public parking lot, it was not a seizure and did not require the police to have reasonable suspicion. As noted, the trial court found the police approached Appellant to conduct a welfare check as community caretakers, which also does not require reasonable suspicion. “[F]or the community caretaking function to apply there must be some specific and articulable facts that would lead the officer to reasonably believe the citizen is in need of assistance.” Poe v. Commonwealth, 169 S.W.3d 54, 58 (Ky. App. 2005). Here, the trial court found Appellant was in a parking lot, slumped over and asleep at the wheel with the vehicle running. Those facts, combined with the call from the store, make it clear 6 police could approach and check on Appellant. As such, the initial police approach and interactions with Appellant were constitutional.