I was just reading this same thread on the GD board.  One question came to my mind...  I believe it is standard practice for the RISP to get ID from everyone in a vehicle...  anyone they come in contact with...  & run wants & warrants on them all.   I suppose they can claim they were "acting suspicious".
I know RI has a detainment law that if a person can not be properly identified that they can be detained up to 2 hours so the Police have time to do so.  The Prof indicated he thought it might not stand up to a Constitutional challenge but is apparently still on the books...  though appears to be tightened up considerably.  RI General Laws 12-7-1   Indicates the detention must have the belief that there may have been or about to be a crime committed.  
H

sounds like the old guy mixed up his dementia pills with his Cialis