DURHAM, NC — A dubious police tactic has come to light, in which officers used falsified information in order to gain 'consent' to search private properties without a warrant.

Officers in Durham have apparently discovered that they can create the legal pretext for a search by lying about calls to 9-1-1 emergency services that never actually took place.  The tactic is apparently legal — and commonplace — according to an officer's sworn statements.  WTVD-TV explains: