cop breaking something you own?

[marcamm]

I just want to ask: what can I do if a cop accidentally or intentionally breaks any of your properties when they search your house? Can I report it to the authorities? Or should I let it slide because they have a search warrant? What if they need to break a very expensive jar or vase because they think they ought to? Can I do something about this?

 

[JoanMcWench]

You can file a report but it's really your word against theirs. They can make a case for breaking anything in the house. The truth is a search warrant doesn't give the police the right to break anything but the door (but even that has to be necessary). Unless you have the money to pay for an intimidating lawyer I'd let it go.

 

[Patrick]

I think it would probably be safer to let it slide unless it was something really expensive, and there was obvious deliberate intent on the part of the officer. Otherwise the trouble of seeking renumeration would often outweigh the costs.