The St. Louis area is unique in that we are the only metropolitan area in the country with a “wanted” (for questioning) alert system. This is where police officers who want to question a suspect or anyone for any reason, even if there is no allegation of wrongdoing on that person’s part, can essentially issue their own warrant — in the practical but not in the legal sense — for a person’s arrest. Then, when any other member of local law enforcement stops these persons and runs their name, the “wanted” will pop up, and they will then be arrested. Subsequently, they will be transferred to whatever agency issued that “wanted” so that the issuing officer can question them.
This practice is being challenged in the 8th Circuit Court of Affirms Appeals. The issue is whether an arrest for a “wanted” is an unconstitutional and wrongful seizure. Their ruling could have enormous consequences.