Retired Officer Arrested for 'Thought Crime' Tweet: Home Searched for Extremism Evidence

Police Raid and Arrest

• 👮 A retired police officer recounts being arrested and having his home searched by officers from Kemp police.
• 🚨 The arrest was reportedly due to a tweet he posted, which the authorities were investigating as potentially related to extremism.
• 🏠 The officer states he was informed that a Section 32 search of his house would be conducted to look for evidence.

Scope of the Search

• 🔍 The search was extensive, covering every room, wardrobe, cupboard, and drawer in the house, including the loft and garage.
• 💻 All digital devices, including phones, laptops, and desktop computers, were targeted for seizure.
• 🗑️ A computer found in a garden shed, en route to the tip, was also removed as potential evidence.

Emotional and Psychological Impact

• 💔 The experience is described as deeply traumatic, akin to a home burglary, with a feeling of violation.
• 😔 Specific mention is made of officers going through personal items, including his late daughter's newspaper cuttings, causing significant distress.
• 🧠 The officer likens the lingering psychological impact to PTSD, emphasizing that the experience is difficult to forget.

Officer's Perspective and Concerns

• ⚖️ Despite the officers' respectful conduct during the search, the officer felt treated like a common criminal, which goes against his identity as an average, law-abiding citizen.
• 🗣️ He expresses a desire for people to be aware of the current climate and the potential consequences of their online expressions, even if they seem minor.
• 🤔 The fact that Kemp police decided to remove the tweet suggests they reviewed the situation and found issues with how it was handled.