Police Behaving Badly

[TomCrac]

BPD's story keeps changing and changing. Should be interesting how it plays out between the arresting officers and the driver of the van. Wouldn't be surprised if they end up pitted against each other.

Interesting that the "officer that made the arrest was hospitalized in April 2012 over mental health concerns for an unknown duration and had his guns confiscated by local sheriff's deputies".

Interesting that the van was caught on tape stopping for a 4th time that none of the officers reported. Police viewed the tape and somehow its been "stolen".

Dude in the van with Freddie is saying cops lied about his statement.

Fraternal Order of Police sent a letter to States Attorney Mosby saying she should recuse herself and a special prosecuter should be appointed. Some of the letter is disturbing (delusional) :

Sounds like maybe BPD didn't have all the proper tools, equipment and resources....

"We recognize that there are many dimensions to this situation: the public sentiments — on all sides; the investigation being conducted by your office; the internal police investigation; and a necessary review of the tools, equipment, and resources afforded to Baltimore police officers in order to carry out their sworn duty as police officers"

Threatening her husbands future? : "Most importantly, it is clear that your husband's political future will be directly impacted, for better or worse, by the outcome of your investigation," the letter states. "In order to avoid any appearance of impropriety or a violation of the Professional Rules of Professional Responsibility, I ask that you appoint a Special Prosecutor to determine whether or not any charges should be filed."

Looks like she basically told them to piss off.

Read somewhere that the guy that filmed the police arresting Freddie was pulled over at gun point, 2 helicopters, police suv's an armored car etc etc. for what amounts to an "illegal" turn. Cops say they did not know who it was.

The letter also states that the officers involved in the case are "sincerely saddened by Mr. Gray's passing."

[Benny Profane]

I want a three way with Marilyn Mosby and Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. But Marilyn looks like she'd kick my ass and steal Stephanie away to, you know, that Greek island.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Benny Profane]

Seriously, this is turning into some kind of story. I love it. But, I will be careful about using downtown Baltimore during this trial. Sorry to say. Things could turn to shit real fast. I have to stay up in horse country, I guess. Boo hoo.

[Benny Profane]

I watched this last night, and, as a long time ALEast fan, I found it fascinating almost to jaw drop levels. His father is not well liked by many old old school Oriole fans. I suspect that situation, of course, has softened with recent success. Still, I treat a distant relative I like a lot because he won't spend a dime at Camden, and I like him and his wife. So, to see the son talk about something so raw in his home town was refreshing.

The asshole quotient on my TV screen is real low during this event, excluding Sharpton. There's a lot of smart people not being stupid.


http://www.pbs.org/newshour/videos/#142692

[splat]

Mosby made quite a point of her family's BPD legacy, which, I thought, was a resounding rebuke of the fucks running the department now.

[jon gaper]

Nifong

[Harry]

Nifong

I know, right ?

[splat]

Nifong

I don't see how that comparison exists with this case. Nobody died at Duke, there was not an acknowledged pattern of the behavior....disregarding the fact it was all a crock of shit. I don't think this woman is sensationalizing anything, given the pass cops usually get and that these cops will likely get. However, the pattern of behavior on the part of the cops lying all the way through this does indeed compare to Nifong's bullshit prosecution.

[jon gaper]

"Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke (D) declared the charges brought against six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray “George Zimmerman and the Duke Lacrosse case all over again” and said “these cops are political prisoners,” offered up as human sacrifices, thrown like red meat to an angry mob” on Friday’s “Your World with Neil Cavuto” on the Fox News Channel.

Clarke said of the charges, “it’s a miscarriage of justice. This neophyte prosecutor stood up there and made a political statement, Neil, and I say that because she’s chanting or voicing some of the chants from this angry mob. Her job is to tune that out. She said, I hear the voices. She’s not supposed to hear anything as she reviews this case that is not consistent with the rule of law and our system of justice. Look, I’m an experienced and a veteran homicide detective. I’ve had — I’ve participated in charging conferences. There is no way I have ever gotten a criminal charge within 24 hours after taking over all the reports and evidence to a prosecutor. "

[Bunion 2020]

^^^ I guess we will have to see how it all plays out. Right?

Still too stupid to understand the quote function eh?

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke (D) declared the charges brought against six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray “George Zimmerman and the Duke Lacrosse case all over again” and said “these cops are political prisoners,” offered up as human sacrifices, thrown like red meat to an angry mob” on Friday’s “Your World with Neil Cavuto” on the Fox News Channel.

Clarke said of the charges, “it’s a miscarriage of justice. This neophyte prosecutor stood up there and made a political statement, Neil, and I say that because she’s chanting or voicing some of the chants from this angry mob. Her job is to tune that out. She said, I hear the voices. She’s not supposed to hear anything as she reviews this case that is not consistent with the rule of law and our system of justice. Look, I’m an experienced and a veteran homicide detective. I’ve had — I’ve participated in charging conferences. There is no way I have ever gotten a criminal charge within 24 hours after taking over all the reports and evidence to a prosecutor.

[iceman]

Interesting that the 6 are evenly split between black and white - I had assumed that all were white. Says something about me, I guess, but also says something about what's going on with this whole "police behaving badly" dynamic too I think. Exactly what it says I'm not sure but it does seem to take some of the racism overtones out of the thing.

[My Pet Powder Goat]

Interesting that the 6 are evenly split between black and white - I had assumed that all were white. Says something about me, I guess, but also says something about what's going on with this whole "police behaving badly" dynamic too I think. Exactly what it says I'm not sure but it does seem to take some of the racism overtones out of the thing.

Brave new world we live in.

[iceman]

In today's world, cops abuse everyone equally!

[Bromontana]

The cop lobbying arm (FOPs & like) is incredibly corrupt. In their eyes criminal prosecutions should only come when a cop is filmed obviously violating the law. The privilege afforded blue is incredibly destructive.

[splat]

In today's world, cops abuse everyone equally!

[MagnificentUnicorn]

Cop unions are so corrupt. Not all cops are. There was a incident in our local, mostly rural county last year. These sheriff's deputies were having a party and they had a conversation about whether or not a gun would fire underwater. One of them took his service pistol and lay down next to the pool put his arm in and fired a few rounds. The sheriff go wind of this and three deputies got letters of reprimand in their files and one had a one day suspension. The deputies got their Union rep involved and they were trying to sue to overturn the Sheriff's decision. The Sheriff said that the behavior didn't go along with the character that deputies are supposed to have.

I think part of these problems with some LEOs is the inability to admit they're wrong and accept responsibility and understand that they should be accountable like everyone else.

[TomCrac]

I think this also has something to do with the post 9/11 authority dick sucking that has been going on for years. They are all hero's. Never question them because they keep us safe everyday.

I wonder how long before BPD goes on strike like they did in NYC after they murdered Garner.

They do not like the idea of being reigned in. Not one bit. Not an inch.

[Benny Profane]

Interesting that the 6 are evenly split between black and white - I had assumed that all were white. Says something about me, I guess, but also says something about what's going on with this whole "police behaving badly" dynamic too I think. Exactly what it says I'm not sure but it does seem to take some of the racism overtones out of the thing.

That's really the key for me. Furgenson was/is obviously a simple race issue. NYC was also a race issue, except the irony is that the most liberal mayor out there right now, far from a Missouri yahoo, fucked that one up and will deal with that fubar until he gets voted out. But here is an Eastern old school police department that is half black and has many blacks in high positions taking commands and shit from a well seasoned and educated black political leadership. And then this young black state DA woman jumps in and pours gas on the fire. It's utterly fascinating to watch.
I like Baltimore, so I hope this can come to a reasonable conclusion without a lot of violence.

[Harry]

Interesting that the 6 are evenly split between black and white - I had assumed that all were white. Says something about me, I guess, but also says something about what's going on with this whole "police behaving badly" dynamic too I think. Exactly what it says I'm not sure but it does seem to take some of the racism overtones out of the thing.

I don't agree. I think it reinforces the racism.

Cops are bullies, white or black. Who do bullies pick on ? The powerless. And our racist society has made urban blacks powerless. So who is a black bully cop going to pick on ? Other blacks.

It is still racism. Can you imagine Fox News if black cops were murdering white citizens ?

[Bromontana]

I don't agree. I think it reinforces the racism.

Cops are bullies, white or black. Who do bullies pick on ? The powerless. And our racist society has made urban blacks powerless. So who is a black bully cop going to pick on ? Other blacks.

It is still racism. Can you imagine Fox News if black cops were murdering white citizens ?

Yep, institutional racism doesn't require white skin to be applied.

To be sure, the racial component is particularly relevant in BMore, not as much in some other locales. But generally speaking it applies to urban areas nationwide.

[Benny Profane]

To be sure, the racial component is particularly relevant in BMore, not as much in some other locales. But generally speaking it applies to urban areas nationwide.

You know, I guess you felt you had to, but, you really didn't have to type that. Generally speaking.

[Sirshredalot]

Interesting that the 6 are evenly split between black and white - I had assumed that all were white. Says something about me, I guess, but also says something about what's going on with this whole "police behaving badly" dynamic too I think. Exactly what it says I'm not sure but it does seem to take some of the racism overtones out of the thing.

I feel like the public discussion of the gray killing and the Baltimore riots went to a high level discussion of race and why some of those neighborhoods in Baltimore are such a pit, etc. really quickly.

That's a worthy discussion to have, but I feel like the simple fact that the cops are apparently murdering people almost gets glossed over.

[Bromontana]

You know, I guess you felt you had to, but, you really didn't have to type that. Generally speaking.

Sweet. On a road trip. Fast mobile response = redundantly repetitive, vague thoughts.

[TomCrac]

I feel like the public discussion of the gray killing and the Baltimore riots went to a high level discussion of race and why some of those neighborhoods in Baltimore are such a pit, etc. really quickly.

That's a worthy discussion to have, but I feel like the simple fact that the cops are apparently murdering people almost gets glossed over.

This.

[Bromontana]

Whenever the conversation hovers over the race element, invariably white men over 45 come out en masse decrying misplaced focus and a desire to reset focus to something more palatable. Why the unease?

It's a fact blacks are hit the hardest and most often by this nonsense. It's a fact black/Hispanic upward mobility is hit much harder than white upward mobility by police overreach. Relative impact should guide the push for reforms.

These problems started in places like Baltimore and are deeply rooted in the drug war. End the drug war, improve access to education for the poor, reevaluate what the line is for police protocol and ensure the updated standards are uniformly implemented. Those three would make this thread dry up.

Not sure if this has already been posted:

http://www.vice.com/read/david-simon...went-wrong-429