As remarkable as this…
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Fairfax County Board Chairman Jeff McKay has actually stood up against the
Fairfax County Police by pausing the installation of new stationary Flock
...
“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America - mentally unstable cops”
Newark NJ cop fired for threatening FedEx driver after missing delivery, officials say he had “too many strikes” [0] bit.ly/zBwKCr
Fullerton CA sued by towing company claiming police have been harassing, falsely detaining & citing their drivers [3] bit.ly/wE7auM
Detroit MI cop still on duty after neighbors say she fired gun 2x during DV incident, cop says she tripped [3] bit.ly/Av7Unr
The Fairfax County Police Officer Jeffrey Hand Award for Creative Income Production. Fairfax County Police. Police Brutality
Houston TX cop convicted on corruption charges for providing escort to agents posing as drug runners [0] bit.ly/yv85Qa
Film the police whenever you can for any reason
Pinellas Co FL deputy investigated after breaking copwatcher’s camera & arresting him for filming police [3] on.wtsp.com/xzRd3W
Sexual assault charges against your local police
This weeks child molestation charges against your police...where is the Justice Department?
Haskell TX police sued by 2 woman & a juvenile claiming drug planting cop ordered their illegal strip search [3] bit.ly/ArbY02
Rockdale Co GA deputy investigated for alleged inappropriate relaitionship w/student as school resource officer [0] bit.ly/zm7mpe
Reading PA cop charged on allegations he helped two men set up a sex trafficking ring including girls under 18 [0] http://bit.ly/xjzTmu
The officer Christian Chamberlain Award for “Fuck you, I’ll get away with it anyway” Fairfax County police . Police brutality
Charleston Co SC deputies shown beating chase suspect & petting k9 as it attacked him, sheriff admits slapping him [1] bit.ly/yyK4D4
Norfolk VA offers to settle after sued by woman beaten by cops who thought she was stealing her own car [0] bit.ly/zBEBPw
DeKalb Co GA cop w/history of 30 infractions suspended 10 hours for using excessive force during false arrest [1] bit.ly/zW6c6T
Denver CO cop suspended 4 days for slamming cuffed shoplifting suspect face-first into wall & floor on video [0] on9news.tv/wrgVnX
Cleveland OH police sued by gay couple claiming cops beat them then told them “faggots don’t deserve pants in jail” [3] bit.ly/AEnIZJ
Fairfax County Police Officer Larry A. Jackson award for false arrest. Fairfax County Police. Police brutality
San Francisco CA police sued by man who spent 18yrs in prison after wrongfully convicted on false testimony [3] bit.ly/xMGCAn
Bayonne NJ cop loses $91k jury decision to woman who sued claiming he used excessive force & falsely arrested her [3] bit.ly/w0W9UAMurder by your local police...where the hell is the Justice Department?
New York NY police fatally shoot unarmed teen in front of family in apt after chase over suspected pot possession [1] bit.ly/zF4fIi
Calumet City IL police investigated after fatally shooting 15yr-old autistic kid who threatened them w/butterknife [0] cbsloc.al/wNenWJ
Bella Vista AR police lose $20k jury judgment to family of man fatally shot after chase, cop pled to neg homicide [0] bit.ly/yr4oP7
Tennessee trooper sued for leaving the scene & leaving man to die after car he chased crashed then caught fire [3] bit.ly/zS5pn5
Police brutality claim still under investigation
POWDER SPRINGS — Months after a driver says he was Tased twice by Powder Springs police officers during a traffic stop, two separate investigations are still going on.
The city council of Powder Springs, meanwhile, rejected a settlement request for half a million dollars from the driver, Brice Wilson, 23.
According to Wilson’s attorney, he was stopped last June 1 by Powder Springs Police Lt. Vernon Bailey and Sgt. Keith Moore because his license plate light didn’t work. Police say Wilson later resisted arrest after one of the officers said he smelled like marijuana.
He is represented by lawyer James Howard of Tucker.
In a November letter to the city, Howard said the officers put Wilson in a choke hold, groped his crotch and slammed him to the ground, and that Bailey twice used a Taser on Wilson, including once when he was already in handcuffs.
Wilson is a college graduate and Delta Air Lines employee with no prior criminal record, Howard said. The lawyer said that continued criminal prosecution could threaten Wilson’s future job prospects, while the repeated Taser use threatened Wilson’s heart and life due to a congenital heart condition.
In a phone interview, Howard said he did not expect the City Council to immediately approve a settlement.
“This case isn’t really about compensation. It’s about making sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said. “So far, nobody (in Powder Springs government) has indicated the officers did anything wrong.”
Sewell, who became chief on Aug. 1, said he could not discuss the case while an internal affairs investigation is ongoing. The investigation is one of two taking place, because Sewell has asked Cobb County Police to investigate it as well.
Cobb Police Sgt. Dana Pierce said his agency is investigating any wrongdoing, on either the part of the officers or Wilson.
“We’re not going to leave out something the suspect did or didn’t do, and the same thing with the officers,” Pierce said.
Lt. Bailey resigned Aug. 3 after an unrelated incident in which he was accused of taking a pellet gun from a scene where police were looking for suspects after a mobile home fire. Sgt. Moore, who pulled Wilson over, remains on the force.
The city council of Powder Springs, meanwhile, rejected a settlement request for half a million dollars from the driver, Brice Wilson, 23.
According to Wilson’s attorney, he was stopped last June 1 by Powder Springs Police Lt. Vernon Bailey and Sgt. Keith Moore because his license plate light didn’t work. Police say Wilson later resisted arrest after one of the officers said he smelled like marijuana.
He is represented by lawyer James Howard of Tucker.
In a November letter to the city, Howard said the officers put Wilson in a choke hold, groped his crotch and slammed him to the ground, and that Bailey twice used a Taser on Wilson, including once when he was already in handcuffs.
Wilson is a college graduate and Delta Air Lines employee with no prior criminal record, Howard said. The lawyer said that continued criminal prosecution could threaten Wilson’s future job prospects, while the repeated Taser use threatened Wilson’s heart and life due to a congenital heart condition.
In a phone interview, Howard said he did not expect the City Council to immediately approve a settlement.
“This case isn’t really about compensation. It’s about making sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said. “So far, nobody (in Powder Springs government) has indicated the officers did anything wrong.”
Sewell, who became chief on Aug. 1, said he could not discuss the case while an internal affairs investigation is ongoing. The investigation is one of two taking place, because Sewell has asked Cobb County Police to investigate it as well.
Cobb Police Sgt. Dana Pierce said his agency is investigating any wrongdoing, on either the part of the officers or Wilson.
“We’re not going to leave out something the suspect did or didn’t do, and the same thing with the officers,” Pierce said.
Lt. Bailey resigned Aug. 3 after an unrelated incident in which he was accused of taking a pellet gun from a scene where police were looking for suspects after a mobile home fire. Sgt. Moore, who pulled Wilson over, remains on the force.
Law enforcement websites under attack by hackers
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ Saboteurs have hacked into the websites of several law enforcement agencies worldwide in attacks attributed to the collective called Anonymous, including in Boston and in Salt Lake City, where police say personal information of confidential informants and tipsters was accessed.
The Utah hackers gained access this week to sensitive data, including citizen complaints about drug crimes, including phone numbers, addresses and other personal information, police said.
“We’re still knee deep in trying to get a feel for the extent of the problem,” Salt Lake City police Detective Dennis McGowan said.
The group claimed responsibility for an attack on the website of a Virginia law firm for a U.S. Marine convicted in a deadly 2005 attack in Haditha, Iraq.
The attacks come after Anonymous published a recording of a phone call between the FBI and Scotland Yard early Wednesday, gloating in a Twitter message that “the FBI might be curious how we’re able to continuously read their internal comms for some time now.”
In Greece, the Justice Ministry took down its site Friday after a video by activists claiming to be Greek and Cypriot members of Anonymous was displayed for at least two hours.
In Boston, a message posted on the police website Friday said, “Anonymous hacks Boston Police website in retaliation for police brutality at OWS,” apparently a reference to the Occupy Wall Street movement. A police spokesman would not confirm Anonymous was responsible.
In a message posted on the Boston police department’s website, the group said that the site had been attacked several months ago and that hundreds of passwords were released in retaliation for what they called brutality against Occupy Boston.
In October, Boston police acknowledged that various websites used by members of the police department _ including the website belonging to the police patrolmen’s association _ had been hacked and possibly compromised. The department said it had asked all department personnel to change their passwords on the police department’s network.
Boston’s Occupy movement set up camp in the city’s financial district for two months this fall. The first hack came about 10 days after Boston police arrested 141 Occupy Boston demonstrators on Oct. 11.
Police dismantled the camp Dec. 10, citing public health and safety concerns.
“They clearly ignored our warnings,” the message on the department’s website said Friday.
“So you get your kicks beating protesters? “That’s OK; we get kicks defacing ... your websites _ again.”
“It is unfortunate that someone would go to this extent to compromise BPDNews.com, a helpful and informative public safety resource utilized daily by community members seeking up-to-date news and information about important safety matters,” police said in a statement.
The Salt Lake City website remained down Friday as the investigation continued, and police said criminal charges are being considered.
Police in blamed the attack on Anonymous’ opposition to an anti-graffiti paraphernalia bill that eventually failed in the state Senate. The bill would have made it illegal to possess any instrument, tool or device with the intent of vandalizing an area with graffiti.
The group says it attacked the website of the Alexandria, Va., law firm of Puckett & Faraj, which represented a U.S. Marine convicted in a 2005 attack in Iraq that resulted in the deaths of 24 unarmed civilians. Attorney Neal Puckett did not immediately return a telephone message and email request for comment Friday.
Anonymous is a collection of Internet enthusiasts, pranksters and activists whose targets have included financial Visa and MasterCard, the Church of Scientology and law enforcement agencies.
Following a spate of arrests across the world, the group and its various offshoots have focused their attention on law enforcement agencies in general and the FBI in particular.
The Utah hackers gained access this week to sensitive data, including citizen complaints about drug crimes, including phone numbers, addresses and other personal information, police said.
“We’re still knee deep in trying to get a feel for the extent of the problem,” Salt Lake City police Detective Dennis McGowan said.
The group claimed responsibility for an attack on the website of a Virginia law firm for a U.S. Marine convicted in a deadly 2005 attack in Haditha, Iraq.
The attacks come after Anonymous published a recording of a phone call between the FBI and Scotland Yard early Wednesday, gloating in a Twitter message that “the FBI might be curious how we’re able to continuously read their internal comms for some time now.”
In Greece, the Justice Ministry took down its site Friday after a video by activists claiming to be Greek and Cypriot members of Anonymous was displayed for at least two hours.
In Boston, a message posted on the police website Friday said, “Anonymous hacks Boston Police website in retaliation for police brutality at OWS,” apparently a reference to the Occupy Wall Street movement. A police spokesman would not confirm Anonymous was responsible.
In a message posted on the Boston police department’s website, the group said that the site had been attacked several months ago and that hundreds of passwords were released in retaliation for what they called brutality against Occupy Boston.
In October, Boston police acknowledged that various websites used by members of the police department _ including the website belonging to the police patrolmen’s association _ had been hacked and possibly compromised. The department said it had asked all department personnel to change their passwords on the police department’s network.
Boston’s Occupy movement set up camp in the city’s financial district for two months this fall. The first hack came about 10 days after Boston police arrested 141 Occupy Boston demonstrators on Oct. 11.
Police dismantled the camp Dec. 10, citing public health and safety concerns.
“They clearly ignored our warnings,” the message on the department’s website said Friday.
“So you get your kicks beating protesters? “That’s OK; we get kicks defacing ... your websites _ again.”
“It is unfortunate that someone would go to this extent to compromise BPDNews.com, a helpful and informative public safety resource utilized daily by community members seeking up-to-date news and information about important safety matters,” police said in a statement.
The Salt Lake City website remained down Friday as the investigation continued, and police said criminal charges are being considered.
Police in blamed the attack on Anonymous’ opposition to an anti-graffiti paraphernalia bill that eventually failed in the state Senate. The bill would have made it illegal to possess any instrument, tool or device with the intent of vandalizing an area with graffiti.
The group says it attacked the website of the Alexandria, Va., law firm of Puckett & Faraj, which represented a U.S. Marine convicted in a 2005 attack in Iraq that resulted in the deaths of 24 unarmed civilians. Attorney Neal Puckett did not immediately return a telephone message and email request for comment Friday.
Anonymous is a collection of Internet enthusiasts, pranksters and activists whose targets have included financial Visa and MasterCard, the Church of Scientology and law enforcement agencies.
Following a spate of arrests across the world, the group and its various offshoots have focused their attention on law enforcement agencies in general and the FBI in particular.
Police chief accepts firing
POWDER SPRINGS - Former Powder Springs Police Chief L. Rick Richardson decided not to appeal his firing, Mayor Pat Vaughn announced Wednesday morning at what was to be an appeal hearing.
Richardson's lawyer, Harlan Miller of Atlanta, notified City Attorney Richard Calhoun of the change in plans via e-mail Monday night. Richardson - who did not appear Wednesday - did not state a reason for withdrawing his appeal in the e-mail, Vaughn said.
She and the Council then went into executive session for nearly four hours to discuss possible litigation and other issues related to the termination. In February, City Manager Rick Eckert confirmed that he had fired Richardson after concluding that Richardson had not followed protocol in selling two police vehicles for less than their market value and in making an unauthorized donation on behalf of the city.
Calhoun said later Wednesday that the Cobb Sheriff's Office investigation of Richardson's actions was the primary focus of the executive session, and that possible litigation was discussed. No lawsuit has been filed against the city, he said.
"There are always claims that are made to potential litigation and things like that," Calhoun said. "There were threats of litigation, I think right after he was terminated. So those are still out there. We're entitled to discuss that."
The mayor and council, which together make up the appeal board, were not allowed to view the sheriff's investigation before the scheduled appeal hearing. Therefore, they took the opportunity to look at the investigation's findings, Calhoun said.
"From Thanksgiving till now, they were not allowed to know anything about this," he said.
Richardson's attorney, Harlan Miller of Atlanta, did not respond by press time to an e-mail asking for comment from him or his client.
In February, Eckert confirmed that he had fired Richardson, after the Journal reported news of his termination.
A letter from Eckert to Richardson regarding the firing stated that he had lost confidence in the 17-year police veteran's ability to effectively run the police department, after an investigation into the sale of two police vehicles at below market value, as well as the unauthorized donation of a city-owned camera system by Richardson. Those actions did not follow city protocol, Eckert said.
The city has begun a search for an interim police chief.
Richardson's lawyer, Harlan Miller of Atlanta, notified City Attorney Richard Calhoun of the change in plans via e-mail Monday night. Richardson - who did not appear Wednesday - did not state a reason for withdrawing his appeal in the e-mail, Vaughn said.
She and the Council then went into executive session for nearly four hours to discuss possible litigation and other issues related to the termination. In February, City Manager Rick Eckert confirmed that he had fired Richardson after concluding that Richardson had not followed protocol in selling two police vehicles for less than their market value and in making an unauthorized donation on behalf of the city.
Calhoun said later Wednesday that the Cobb Sheriff's Office investigation of Richardson's actions was the primary focus of the executive session, and that possible litigation was discussed. No lawsuit has been filed against the city, he said.
"There are always claims that are made to potential litigation and things like that," Calhoun said. "There were threats of litigation, I think right after he was terminated. So those are still out there. We're entitled to discuss that."
The mayor and council, which together make up the appeal board, were not allowed to view the sheriff's investigation before the scheduled appeal hearing. Therefore, they took the opportunity to look at the investigation's findings, Calhoun said.
"From Thanksgiving till now, they were not allowed to know anything about this," he said.
Richardson's attorney, Harlan Miller of Atlanta, did not respond by press time to an e-mail asking for comment from him or his client.
In February, Eckert confirmed that he had fired Richardson, after the Journal reported news of his termination.
A letter from Eckert to Richardson regarding the firing stated that he had lost confidence in the 17-year police veteran's ability to effectively run the police department, after an investigation into the sale of two police vehicles at below market value, as well as the unauthorized donation of a city-owned camera system by Richardson. Those actions did not follow city protocol, Eckert said.
The city has begun a search for an interim police chief.
DeKalb cop accused of bogus arrest, excessive force
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A DeKalb County police officer has been reprimanded for using excessive force and being unprofessional when arresting a man in October 2010, internal department documents show.
According to a DeKalb County Police internal affairs investigation acquired by Channel 2 Action News, Officer T.J. Crumpton slammed Brian J. Peterson into an SUV, a police car and to the ground while Peterson was handcuffed.
"I hit the concrete. I feel blood running down my face. Once we get to the patrol car he throws me into it full speed and then he throws me on the ground," Peterson told Channel 2.
Peterson encountered Crumpton on the night of Oct. 20, 2010, while Crumpton was working an off-duty, part-time job at a Memorial Drive bar.
Crumpton charged Peterson with public drunkenness, felony interference with government property (kicking a squad car, the initial incident report says), giving a false name to police and obstruction.
While one person interviewed during the internal affairs investigation supported Crumpton’s assertion, two DeKalb officers told internal affairs investigators that Crumpton was too heavy-handed.
“She saw [Crumpton] throw the suspect into the passenger’s side of a black SUV in the parking lot, causing a dent,” the IA report said Officer S. Harvey stated during an interview. “After arriving at the [police] vehicle, officer Crumpton threw the suspect into the driver’s side rear of the vehicle causing a dent. Officer Crumpton then threw the suspect on the ground causing an injury to his face/head.”
Crumpton’s attorney, Tessie Edwards, declined to comment when reached by phone Thursday.
When taking a lie detector test during the internal investigation, police determined that Crumpton was dishonest when he denied using profanity while arresting Peterson and slamming the man into the two vehicles, according to the internal report.
Peterson spent five days in jail and eventually lost his job as an insurance broker because of the felony charge, his attorney Mark Bullman said in a letter threatening litigation and sent to the department last autumn. The charges against his client, Bullman said, were bogus.
“No one at DCPD has done anything to have the arrest voided and the charges dismissed, despite having overwhelming evidence that no such crime occurred,” Bullman said in the Oct. 17 letter. “Mr. Peterson will be seeking damages associated with loss of his job and income.”
In an interview with Channel 2, Bullman said, "They know Brian did not do this from every witness we spoke to, except officer Crumpton. ... There is absolutely no excuse for that man to have been remaining at the department, none.”
The DeKalb County District Attorney’s office dropped charges against Peterson in November 2011. Speaking about the arrest, the loss of his job and what he had to say to his family, Peterson told Channel 2, "It was embarrassing. It was very hard."
DeKalb police suspended Crumpton for 10 hours.
“For violating federal and state laws and DCPD policy, DCPD saw fit to give Crumpton a day off without pay,” Bullman said of Crumpton’s punishment in his letter. “This response is ludicrous.”
According to personnel records obtained by Channel 2, Crumpton has more than 30 infractions, internal investigations or complaints, including 10 incidences of excessive use of force dating back to 2005.
And one police major, reviewing a 2009 infraction for taking a part-time job without department permission and as a result being unwilling to report on another officer's excessive force, recommended Crumpton be fired.
"In review of IA’s three-year disciplinary history of Officer Crumpton, he has repeatedly shown a patter of misconduct that is indicative of someone who consistently uses poor judgment time and again," Maj. Lionel G. Higdon said in a June 3, 2009 letter to Deputy Chief G.R. Horner obtained by Channel 2.
At that time, Crumpton had amassed four counseling letters and more than two weeks of unpaid suspension between 2007 and 2009 for offenses ranging from insubordination to neglect of duty.
In his letter, Bullman argued that Crumpton should face criminal charges, citing the officer’s history of getting into trouble.
“Crumpton clearly violated Georgia law by false swearing in his affidavits to obtain the felony and other warrants, which he knew were not supported by the facts,” Bullman said. “If anyone should have been arrested for the events of that evening, it is Officer Crumpton.”
The District Attorney’s office is reviewing the case, but no charges have been filed against Crumpton, a spokesman said.
FBI arrests ex-city cop in online sex-ring case
Ronald R. Miko, 37, a nine-year veteran of the force, was charged with obstruction of a criminal investigation in a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.
Miko was arrested Thursday afternoon by FBI agents and taken into federal custody. He was scheduled to appear at the Federal Courthouse in Philadelphia today.
According to the indictment:
Miko used a room in a house owned by Sewell - who identified himself as "God" - in the 200 block of North 10th Street, where Sewell and co-defendant Michael Johnson operated an Internet-based call girl operation named "God's Prostitutes." A nearby house in the 200 block of Fisher Court also was used for the business.
The ring operators branded the prostitutes, with names such as "God's Rebel" and "God's Taken" tattooed on the back of their necks. Some of the prostitutes were underage girls.
Sewell, 46, and Johnson, 41, were arrested by Berks County detectives in the summer of 2010.
They were indicted on federal sex-trafficking charges on Nov. 4, 2010.
The indictment alleges that between May 2 and June 7, 2011, Miko wired money to Johnson's federal prison account to keep Johnson and Sewell quiet about Miko's involvement in the business.
If convicted, Miko faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the federal grand jury:
In 2007, Miko advised Sewell on how to set up the business. Between 2007 and 2010, Miko offered advice to Sewell about the females employed by the ring.
Miko sometimes lived at the 10th Street property and used a room there from about 2005 until it was raided by county detectives on July 28, 2010.
Investigators said he had sexual relations with women at the property who were not part of the prostitution business.
Miko visited the properties several times a week, sometimes in uniform in his squad car.
Sewell and Johnson lived in the house on 10th Street.
After the men were jailed, Miko tried to bribe them not to talk about his involvement in the operation. He wired an undisclosed amount of money to Johnson's federal prison account in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
City Council fired Miko in January 2011.
Investigators said Miko also was a bodyguard for Sewell.
Sewell, a former bounty hunter who unsuccessfully tried to have his name legally changed to God, was charged with producing child pornography, among other crimes.
District Attorney John T. Adams declined comment. Police Chief William M. Heim could not be reached.
Gladstone cop fired over porn, fraud allegations
City officials decline further comment in ‘personnel matter’
A Gladstone police sergeant was fired for potentially criminal misconduct that had nothing to do with the 2011 killing of Higbee Benton, according to a document released Thursday by the city at the advice of the Clackamas County district attorney’s office.
In a Dec. 12 memorandum, Police Chief Jim Pryde says Sgt. Lynn Benton engaged in a “fraudulent marriage” to a Brazilian man in 1993, when Benton was legally female, so the man could qualify for U.S. citizenship, potentially a violation of federal law.
The memo also says Benton possessed and viewed pornography on his police-issued laptop computer, a violation of city policy.
Portland and Milwaukie police, at Pryde’s request, investigated the misconduct issues, and Pryde’s memo says both allegations were “sustained.”
“As a result of these findings, bearing in mind the gravity of each individually and collectively, it is no longer tenable for Lynn Benton to serves as a police officer with the city of Gladstone,” Pryde wrote. “Therefore, I am recommending immediate termination following any due process the city feels is in order.”
City Administrator Pete Boyce fired Benton Dec. 21 after a hearing, but city officials declined further comment this week, saying it was “a personnel matter.”
Boston Police Website Hacked In Retaliation For Alleged Brutality
The online group "Anonymous" claimed responsibility for hijacking the site BPDnews.com, which provides information about the police and crimes.
The online protest group "Anonymous" is claiming responsibility for hacking the website of the Boston Police Department.
BPDnews.com provides information about the police and news about crimes in Boston neighborhoods. The hackers say in a message on the hacked site "ANONYMOUS HACKS POLICE WEBSITE IN RETALIATION FOR POLICE BRUTALITY AT OWS."
The hackers put a video of KRS-One's "Sound of Da Police" on the BPDnews.com homepage. The song compares police officers to plantation overseers during slavery.
Here is a link to the Google cache of the site as it looked during the attack. (Hat tip to Universal Hub's Twitter feed for that live link.)
In a statement, police say their engineers are working to turn back the cyber attack:
The Boston Police Department is working diligently to restore the function of BPDNews.com, the department’s public safety blog. It is unfortunate that someone would go to this extent to compromise BPDNews.com, a helpful and informative public safety resource utilized daily by community members seeking up-to-date news and information about important safety matters. Our skillful technical staff is focused on rectifying this issue. Detectives continue their investigation into individuals engaging in this type of disruptive and criminal activity.
There were tense moments during Occupy Boston's period of camping out near South Station, but no confirmed reports of police brutality.
Here is text the hacker or hackers posted on BPDnews.com:
Do you remember a few months ago when #antisec attaked the Boston Police and released hundred of passwords in retaliation for the brutality against Occupy Boston? They clearly ignored our warnings, because not only did they raid the camp again and kicked protesters off of public parks, but they also sent undercover TSA agents to assualt and attempt to steal from some organizers. So you get your kicks beating protesters? That's OK; we get kicks defacing and rm'n your websites - again. , the "Boston Poice Department Virtual Community" also fell to the swift merciless veangeance of the hive. Do you really want to step to this??
The online protest group "Anonymous" is claiming responsibility for hacking the website of the Boston Police Department.
BPDnews.com provides information about the police and news about crimes in Boston neighborhoods. The hackers say in a message on the hacked site "ANONYMOUS HACKS POLICE WEBSITE IN RETALIATION FOR POLICE BRUTALITY AT OWS."
The hackers put a video of KRS-One's "Sound of Da Police" on the BPDnews.com homepage. The song compares police officers to plantation overseers during slavery.
Here is a link to the Google cache of the site as it looked during the attack. (Hat tip to Universal Hub's Twitter feed for that live link.)
In a statement, police say their engineers are working to turn back the cyber attack:
The Boston Police Department is working diligently to restore the function of BPDNews.com, the department’s public safety blog. It is unfortunate that someone would go to this extent to compromise BPDNews.com, a helpful and informative public safety resource utilized daily by community members seeking up-to-date news and information about important safety matters. Our skillful technical staff is focused on rectifying this issue. Detectives continue their investigation into individuals engaging in this type of disruptive and criminal activity.
There were tense moments during Occupy Boston's period of camping out near South Station, but no confirmed reports of police brutality.
Here is text the hacker or hackers posted on BPDnews.com:
Do you remember a few months ago when #antisec attaked the Boston Police and released hundred of passwords in retaliation for the brutality against Occupy Boston? They clearly ignored our warnings, because not only did they raid the camp again and kicked protesters off of public parks, but they also sent undercover TSA agents to assualt and attempt to steal from some organizers. So you get your kicks beating protesters? That's OK; we get kicks defacing and rm'n your websites - again. , the "Boston Poice Department Virtual Community" also fell to the swift merciless veangeance of the hive. Do you really want to step to this??
The Fairfax County Police Officer Jeffrey Hand Award for Creative Income Production. Fairfax County Police. Police Brutality
Leland NC police chief fired after several different allegations of corruption & misconduct within department [2] bit.ly/yz9cV7
Lincoln Co WV sheriff to take plea deal along w/count clerk in election fraud case, stuffed ballot box [0] fxn.ws/zzf4Uz
RCMP officer in BC resigns after charged with stealing a computer seized from a crime scene [0] bit.ly/wBYWZF
Des Moines IA cop who was union official convicted on 2 misdemeanor domestic violence charges, fired after charged [0] dmreg.co/xPPvfj
Palm Springs FL cop arrested on grand theft charge for allegedly stealing his mom’s $55k settlement check [0] bit.ly/xTqaOb
Talbotton GA cop pleads guilty to lying to federal agents during corruption investigation [0] bit.ly/z9Xeki
Fairfax County Police Officer “Crazy Moe” Mohammed Oluwa, Jihad on your ass. Fairfax County Police. Police Brutality
Jefferson Co KY constable indicted on assault & wanton endangerment charges for firing on a fleeing shoplifter [0] bit.ly/A3QgJ8
Dallas TX police sgt arrested for DV assault w/bodily injury while under investigation after shooting incident [3] bit.ly/yyNhH6
The Fairfax County Police officer Walter R. Fasci/ Sean McGlone award for sober living. Fairfax County Police. Police brutality
Sevier Co TN deputy fired after arrested on DUI charges after less than 2 months on the job [0] http://bit.ly/xUzsVh
Chicago IL cop convicted of participating in drug ring with kingpin who was once his informant [0] bit.ly/yJafzG
Sexual assualt by your police
Plainfield NJ police sgt arrested for criminal sexual conduct for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman while on duty [2] cbsloc.al/x0z0O0
Murder by your local police
Portland OR settles suit for $1.2mil to family of unarmed man fatally shot in the back by a cop with a rifle while he was surrendering. [0] bit.ly/xD96RV
Donyell Briggs police assault case report
City prosecutors indicted Baltimore Police Officer Donyell Briggs on charges of misconduct in office and second-degree assault based on a Feb. 4, 2010 altercation with Ricky Thomas. Video appears to show Briggs striking Thomas without warning, and Thomas says Briggs misrepresented the circumstances of the assault in court documents. A second officer who witnessed the incident filed a use of force and subsequently was interviewed by prosecutors. Briggs was given probation before judgment at a trial last month.
D.C. police misconduct reviews shut down for much of 2011
Police misconduct allegations in the District went unresolved for much of 2011, The Washington Examiner has learned.
The Office of Police Complaints, which probes accusations like harassment and the use of excessive force, acknowledged that an intergovernmental squabble kept it from administering its independent review process for most of last year and into January, forcing complainants and officers alike to wait longer for answers.
Although most allegations are dismissed, referred to another agency or mediated, the Office of Police Complaints refers some to complaint examiners -- outside attorneys who act as arbiters -- for adjudication. The last decision issued by an examiner came on April 29, 2011. That judgment, which upheld a harassment claim, capped the activity of the examiners at four cases in 2011. There were 14 rulings in 2010. said late Wednesday. "Since working on this contract, OCP has completed a thorough evaluation of how we do business and made significant changes."
The program resumed on Jan. 9 under a new approach: administration by employees within the Police Complaints Office, which Klossner said saved money but didn't necessarily improve the process.
"It saves in that it's not a financial outlay, but it puts substantial stress on the staff," Klossner said.
Since the program restarted, examiners have heard four cases. Decisions are pending.
"We had cases where we had ... reasonable cause to believe misconduct had occurred and then had to hold on to the case," Christian Klossner, deputy director of the Office of Police Complaints, told The Examiner.
Johnny Barnes, executive director of D.C.'s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said a delayed review process delayed justice.
"The police cannot and will not police themselves," Barnes said. "If that board isn't functioning and cannot function, then there is likely no way to seek and find justice when citizens have complaints."
The process that ultimately forced the moratorium began in 2010, when the Office of Contracting and Procurement wanted to open for bidding the contract to administer the examination program. D.C. received no acceptable bids, and after the decision that was issued in April, the program was put on hold. "We had no mechanism by which to administer the program," Klossner said.
That set off a long struggle. "We spent several frustrating months not getting an answer on how we were going to move forward," Klossner said of his staff's interactions with contracting officials.
Meanwhile, cases lingered. By October,investigators had nine cases ready for review.
The turning point, Klossner said, came when his office complained to the contracting office's acting director.
"Then we had lots of help," Klossner recalled. "It definitely lit fires."
In a statement, the contracting office said the episode sparked reforms.
"There were obstacles that caused delays," spokeswoman Lauren Stephens spokeswoman Lauren Stephens said late Wednesday. "Since working on this contract, OCP has completed a thorough evaluation of how we do business and made significant changes."
The program resumed on Jan. 9 under a new approach: administration by employees within the Police Complaints Office, which Klossner said saved money but didn't necessarily improve the process.
"It saves in that it's not a financial outlay, but it puts substantial stress on the staff," Klossner said.
Since the program restarted, examiners have heard four cases. Decisions are pending.
Agreement made in ex-police chief, dog slayer case
CEDAR CITY - The former chief of the Parowan Police Department entered into a diversion agreement that 5th District Court Judge John Walton signed Wednesday, effectively dropping charges of obstruction of justice, a class A misdemeanor and official misconduct, a class B misdemeanor.
Preston Griffiths served as chief of police in Parowan for more than 20 years before retiring in August 2011. His retirement came after he was charged with obstruction of justice and official misconduct stemming from a July 19, 2010, incident in which Griffiths allegedly shot and killed a dog belonging to Parowan resident Amber Burton. Griffiths also allegedly lied to Burton about the incident.
The Millard County Attorney's Office took charge of the case to avoid a conflict of interest.
Griffiths' attorney, Ronald Yengich, who said an agreement to sign a diversion agreement had been made, waved a preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
Diversion is an agreement between a defendant and the state wherein the state agrees to drop charges if the defendant does not break any laws for a set period of time.
The terms of the diversion agreement between the state and Griffiths state that Griffiths will not commit any law violations, with the exception of minor traffic issues, for a period of six months. During this time Griffiths is also required to keep the Millard County Attorney's Office advised of his address. In return, the state will drop all charges against Griffiths with prejudice, meaning they cannot bring the same charges against Griffiths again.
If Griffiths breaks the terms of the agreement, he can be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to six months in Iron County Jail.
Yengich said the agreement was filed in July 2011, but for unknown reasons Millard County Deputy Attorney Patrick Finlinson, who represented the state, did not sign the agreement until Wednesday
Leland residents on Jayne's termination: 'It's about time'
LELAND, NC (WWAY) -- For months, WWAY has followed the allegations of corruption and officer misconduct at the Leland Police Department. Today, the department's leader was fired.
We spoke to a few people in Leland tonight to get their reaction to the news of chief Tim Jayne’s termination.
“I believe he's getting his just rewards right now,” said Kath McGrath, who lives in Leland.
Joanne Johnston, who has lived in the small town for years, says she's happy that people in power are finally being held accountable.
“We've just had some people that have let their power get out of hand,” she said.
Town manager David Hollis delivered the news to Jayne, also eliminating three administrative positions and another in the building inspections department. The firing comes just weeks after Hollis asked the Town Council to release information that Jayne had been on probation since September.
“I believe it's the right decision to make,” said Hollis. “It's not a decision that has come easily or lightly. I've thought about it a lot, and i just believe it's the right decision to make as a town and move forward at this point.”
Hollis claims the ongoing SBI investigation into the police department has nothing to do with his decision, and he has not spoken to anyone from the SBI recently.
Johnston says she's glad Hollis did not wait until after the investigation to take action.
“They made a good decision to go ahead and stop it, because they had a lot of the facts. Instead of waiting for everything to finish up, they knew what had gone on,” she said.
“Hopefully it will set a very, very good example and our next chief of police will make sure this kind of thing does not happen again,” said McGrath.
Illinois high court orders hearing in cop brutality case
The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday reaffirmed its longstanding opposition to coerced and tortured confessions, upholding a lower court’s decision that said a confession obtained by police torture or other physical abuse must always be thrown out.
The decision, which had anticipated for months by the legal community, came in the case of Stanley Wrice, who was convicted in 1983 of rape but had long alleged that he had been tortured by officers working for the disgraced former Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge.
The court’s 6-0 ruling means Wrice will get a hearing in circuit court to determine if his confession was a product of police torture. The decision represents another milestone in the long-running saga of Burge and his crew of officers, who repeatedly have been accused of abusing African-American suspects in the 1970s and 1980s at a South Side police station.
Defense attorneys had feared that any break in the court’s tough stance would lead to the kind of abuse seen during Burge’s tenure. Prosecutors had hoped that the court would issue a ruling allowing them to use tainted confessions when the other evidence against a suspect was overwhelming.
“We believe that this type of coercion by the state ...constitutes an egregious violation of an underlying principle of our criminal justice system...” the court wrote.
The vote in the case was 6-0 because Justice Robert Thomas did not take part in the case.
Wrice was arrested in September 1982. According to Chicago police, Wrice and some friends had been driving around when they saw a woman on the street, picked her up and took her to Wrice’s South Side home. There, they repeatedly raped her, then beat her and burned her with a hot clothes iron and other material they had set on fire. Afterwards, they dressed her and left her on the street. She awoke outside, then walked to a gas station and sought help.
Wrice, according to police, admitted only that he dropped a burning iron on the victim’s thighs, though other witnesses said he raped her.
He went to trial in 1983, alleging that Sgt. John Byrne – long considered Burge’s right-hand man – and Detective Peter Dignan struck him repeatedly with a flashlight and rubber hose while being held in the basement of the Area Two police headquarters. A judge, however, turned aside his claims that his statement was coerced and Wrice was convicted of rape, deviat sexual assault, armed violence and unlawful restraint. He was sentenced to 100 years in prison.
Later, the armed violence and unlawful restraint convictions were thrown out. Now 57, Wrice is scheduled to be released in 2041.
Wrice filed several appeals, to no avail. But he filed a new claim after a special prosecutor’s report in 2006 that largely substantiated the widespread claims of abuse under Burge. The Illinois Appellate Court ruled in his favor, saying a coerced confession was never what courts call “harmless error.” Prosecutors had argued that when they have overwhelming evidence of guilt, a judge should use a harmless error test, weighing the confession against the other evidence rather than automatically throwing out a confession because it was coerced. The Illinois Supreme Court then heard the case.
In a friend-of-the-court brief filed last year, a group of prominent lawyers, politicians and community activists urged the Illinois Supreme Court to stick with its previous ruling that a coerced confession is never harmless error. That ruling came in the case of Andrew Wilson, a convicted cop killer who received a new trial after he prevailed on his claims that he had been burned against a hot radiator during questioning.
Wrice’s attorney, Heidi Lambros of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, argued that it was crucial to always bar coerced confessions, writing that “adherence to the Wilson rule is critical to send a message that this type of egregious police misconduct will not be tolerated in Illinois.” Special prosecutors appointed to handle a number of lingering Burge-related appeals argued that some balancing was needed.
Federal prosecutors later charged Burge with perjury and obstruction of justice for lying when he said under oath in a lawsuit that he had never taken part in or witnessed any torture. Burge was convicted and currently is serving a 4 1/2 year sentence in a federal prison in North Carolina.
The decision, which had anticipated for months by the legal community, came in the case of Stanley Wrice, who was convicted in 1983 of rape but had long alleged that he had been tortured by officers working for the disgraced former Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge.
The court’s 6-0 ruling means Wrice will get a hearing in circuit court to determine if his confession was a product of police torture. The decision represents another milestone in the long-running saga of Burge and his crew of officers, who repeatedly have been accused of abusing African-American suspects in the 1970s and 1980s at a South Side police station.
Defense attorneys had feared that any break in the court’s tough stance would lead to the kind of abuse seen during Burge’s tenure. Prosecutors had hoped that the court would issue a ruling allowing them to use tainted confessions when the other evidence against a suspect was overwhelming.
“We believe that this type of coercion by the state ...constitutes an egregious violation of an underlying principle of our criminal justice system...” the court wrote.
The vote in the case was 6-0 because Justice Robert Thomas did not take part in the case.
Wrice was arrested in September 1982. According to Chicago police, Wrice and some friends had been driving around when they saw a woman on the street, picked her up and took her to Wrice’s South Side home. There, they repeatedly raped her, then beat her and burned her with a hot clothes iron and other material they had set on fire. Afterwards, they dressed her and left her on the street. She awoke outside, then walked to a gas station and sought help.
Wrice, according to police, admitted only that he dropped a burning iron on the victim’s thighs, though other witnesses said he raped her.
He went to trial in 1983, alleging that Sgt. John Byrne – long considered Burge’s right-hand man – and Detective Peter Dignan struck him repeatedly with a flashlight and rubber hose while being held in the basement of the Area Two police headquarters. A judge, however, turned aside his claims that his statement was coerced and Wrice was convicted of rape, deviat sexual assault, armed violence and unlawful restraint. He was sentenced to 100 years in prison.
Later, the armed violence and unlawful restraint convictions were thrown out. Now 57, Wrice is scheduled to be released in 2041.
Wrice filed several appeals, to no avail. But he filed a new claim after a special prosecutor’s report in 2006 that largely substantiated the widespread claims of abuse under Burge. The Illinois Appellate Court ruled in his favor, saying a coerced confession was never what courts call “harmless error.” Prosecutors had argued that when they have overwhelming evidence of guilt, a judge should use a harmless error test, weighing the confession against the other evidence rather than automatically throwing out a confession because it was coerced. The Illinois Supreme Court then heard the case.
In a friend-of-the-court brief filed last year, a group of prominent lawyers, politicians and community activists urged the Illinois Supreme Court to stick with its previous ruling that a coerced confession is never harmless error. That ruling came in the case of Andrew Wilson, a convicted cop killer who received a new trial after he prevailed on his claims that he had been burned against a hot radiator during questioning.
Wrice’s attorney, Heidi Lambros of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, argued that it was crucial to always bar coerced confessions, writing that “adherence to the Wilson rule is critical to send a message that this type of egregious police misconduct will not be tolerated in Illinois.” Special prosecutors appointed to handle a number of lingering Burge-related appeals argued that some balancing was needed.
Federal prosecutors later charged Burge with perjury and obstruction of justice for lying when he said under oath in a lawsuit that he had never taken part in or witnessed any torture. Burge was convicted and currently is serving a 4 1/2 year sentence in a federal prison in North Carolina.
Police: CHP officer arrested for DUI, kneeing cop
A California Highway Patrol officer was booked into the Shasta County jail on suspicion of DUI and obstructing a public officer
REDDING, Calif. — A California Highway Patrol officer was arrested 21Ú2 weeks ago on suspicion of drunken driving and resisting arrest after crashing her personal SUV and kneeing an officer who attempted to arrest her, police say.
Redding Police Sgt. Casey Bokavich said Tuesday that Doreen Shaw, 42, of Redding caused a four-car wreck about 11:05 p.m. Jan. 14 while driving a 2007 GMC Envoy westbound on South Bonnyview Road at Highway 273.
"During the investigation, Shaw was found to be at fault for the collision," Bokavich said.
At least one person in one of the other vehicles complained of pain after the wreck, Bokavich said.
Officers tested Shaw for being under the influence of alcohol and when they attempted to arrest her, she became "physically uncooperative and she struck one of the officers with her knee," Bokavich said.
Bokavich declined to say what her blood-alcohol level was, citing the ongoing investigation.
She was booked into the Shasta County jail on suspicion of DUI and obstructing a public officer, a jail watch commander said. She was released on her own recognizance without posting $2,500 bail.
Redding CHP Lt. Julie Horstman declined to comment and referred inquiries to Redding police. Shaw reportedly worked at the CHP's Cottonwood truck inspection facility.
A spokeswoman for the Shasta County District Attorney's Office said charges haven't yet been filed, since the case remains under investigation.
A March 16 court date has been tentatively set for Shaw's arraignment.
Bokavich said Redding police have been handling the case since it occurred in the city's jurisdiction. Bokavich said investigators have been "completely independent and objective."
He said officers didn't release information soon after the wreck due to the ongoing investigation.
"You could end up jeopardizing cases by speaking about them too early," he said. "There's no trying to hide something or anything like that."
Accused East Haven cop seeks disability retirement
EAST HAVEN — Police Officer David Cari, one of four officers indicted and arrested Jan. 24 for allegedly harassing and violating the civil rights of Latinos, has put in for a disability retirement, Deputy Chief of Police John Mannion confirmed Wednesday.
Mannion also confirmed that he has begun internal affairs investigations on all four arrested officers, as requested by retiring Chief of Police Leonard Gallo immediately after the arrests.
The investigations likely will take some time, said Mannion, who officially becomes acting chief Friday, when Gallo’s retirement goes into effect.
Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. announced Tuesday that Gallo, whose lawyer has confirmed he is the unnamed “Co-conspirator 1” in the indictment, will retire effective Friday. While Gallo has not been charged with anything, he could be at a later date.
Maturo, meanwhile, quickly appointed two new members to the Board of Police Commissioners to replace two Democratic appointees of former Mayor April Capone, Chairman Fred Brow and James Krebs, whose terms expired Wednesday.
The new members are Republican Town Chairman Lou Crisci and Jose Velasquez, who Maturo also recently appointed to the new Law Enforcement Advisory Resource Network, or LEARN, committee. Velasquez will be the first Latino member of the police board.
The mayoral appointments need no confirmation.
Maturo’s two appointments are unlikely to immediately give him control of the board, raising questions about the likelihood of the board approving Cari’s disability retirement request.
The five-member board voted unanimously Tuesday night to recommend that Maturo fire Gallo. All three of the hold-over members, Vice Chairman Joe Civitello, Carl Perez and Frank Piergrossi, also were Capone appointees.
Mannion confirmed reports from several other sources that Cari, a veteran of about 10 years who has been seriously injured at least twice in the course of performing his duties, including being shot at least once, put in his retirement papers, but said he couldn’t comment on it. He referred questions to Town Attorney Joseph Zullo
Mannion also confirmed that he has begun internal affairs investigations on all four arrested officers, as requested by retiring Chief of Police Leonard Gallo immediately after the arrests.
The investigations likely will take some time, said Mannion, who officially becomes acting chief Friday, when Gallo’s retirement goes into effect.
Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. announced Tuesday that Gallo, whose lawyer has confirmed he is the unnamed “Co-conspirator 1” in the indictment, will retire effective Friday. While Gallo has not been charged with anything, he could be at a later date.
Maturo, meanwhile, quickly appointed two new members to the Board of Police Commissioners to replace two Democratic appointees of former Mayor April Capone, Chairman Fred Brow and James Krebs, whose terms expired Wednesday.
The new members are Republican Town Chairman Lou Crisci and Jose Velasquez, who Maturo also recently appointed to the new Law Enforcement Advisory Resource Network, or LEARN, committee. Velasquez will be the first Latino member of the police board.
The mayoral appointments need no confirmation.
Maturo’s two appointments are unlikely to immediately give him control of the board, raising questions about the likelihood of the board approving Cari’s disability retirement request.
The five-member board voted unanimously Tuesday night to recommend that Maturo fire Gallo. All three of the hold-over members, Vice Chairman Joe Civitello, Carl Perez and Frank Piergrossi, also were Capone appointees.
Mannion confirmed reports from several other sources that Cari, a veteran of about 10 years who has been seriously injured at least twice in the course of performing his duties, including being shot at least once, put in his retirement papers, but said he couldn’t comment on it. He referred questions to Town Attorney Joseph Zullo
“Anything with any of the defendants has to go through Attorney Zullo’s office,” Mannion said.
Zullo did not immediately return calls for comment.
While Cari does not have enough time in as a police officer to qualify for a regular retirement, he would qualify for a disability retirement, sources said.
The Board of Police Commissioners must act on his request.
Cari was one of the two police officers initially involved in the Feb. 19, 2009, arrest of the Rev. James Manship, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in New Haven, while he was videotaping police taking license plates off the wall at My Country Store, a Latino-owned store on Main Street.
But long before that, he took a bullet in the ankle in what later was honored as a heroic effort that likely saved other police officers’ lives.
Zullo did not immediately return calls for comment.
While Cari does not have enough time in as a police officer to qualify for a regular retirement, he would qualify for a disability retirement, sources said.
The Board of Police Commissioners must act on his request.
Cari was one of the two police officers initially involved in the Feb. 19, 2009, arrest of the Rev. James Manship, pastor of St. Rose of Lima in New Haven, while he was videotaping police taking license plates off the wall at My Country Store, a Latino-owned store on Main Street.
But long before that, he took a bullet in the ankle in what later was honored as a heroic effort that likely saved other police officers’ lives.
Cari earned the state’s Medal of Honor for his actions March 14, 2006, thwarting a fleeing armed robbery suspect, diving into a car to get the gun as the suspect pulled it out and began shooting.
Another of last week’s arrestees, Sgt. John Miller, also was honored in connection with that incident.
Then, on Sept. 6, 2007, Cari was injured in a serious automobile crash while pursuing suspects in the robbery of a Main Street Chinese restaurant.
Cari was one of four police officers that the FBI arrested in pre-dawn raids Jan. 24 as part of a two-year investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice and a federal grand jury into alleged profiling and mistreatment of Latinos in East Haven.
Another of last week’s arrestees, Sgt. John Miller, also was honored in connection with that incident.
Then, on Sept. 6, 2007, Cari was injured in a serious automobile crash while pursuing suspects in the robbery of a Main Street Chinese restaurant.
Cari was one of four police officers that the FBI arrested in pre-dawn raids Jan. 24 as part of a two-year investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice and a federal grand jury into alleged profiling and mistreatment of Latinos in East Haven.
Many of the charges against Cari were related to the arrest of Manship.
He has been charged with nine counts of obstruction, which can bring up to 20 years in jail or up to $250,000 in fines, and eight counts of false arrest, which could see up to one year in jail or up to a $100,000 fine. He also was charged with one count of conspiracy against rights, which could bring up to 10 years in jail and up to a $250,000 fine.
He has been charged with nine counts of obstruction, which can bring up to 20 years in jail or up to $250,000 in fines, and eight counts of false arrest, which could see up to one year in jail or up to a $100,000 fine. He also was charged with one count of conspiracy against rights, which could bring up to 10 years in jail and up to a $250,000 fine.
Safety manager suspends Denver cop for excessive force in 2007 arrest
Denver Manager of Safety Alex Martinez issued a four-day suspension to a police officer for using unnecessary force during a shoplifting arrest more than four years ago, after a video of the bust surfaced last year.
The Police Protective Association has appealed to the Civil Service Commission the suspension without pay of Officer Rick Guzman. The amount of force Guzman used was within department guidelines, said David Bruno, a lawyer for the union.
The incident was so long ago that Guzman, who joined the department in 2005, can't remember it, and the video doesn't show what caused him to react the way he did, Bruno said.
Witnesses talked to Internal Affairs investigators, said a police spokesman.
The video wasn't available for review Tuesday, said police-records coordinator Mary Dulacki.
Guzman was arresting a shoplifting suspect held by security at the Kmart at 363 S. Broadway when the incident occurred Aug. 4, 2007, according to Martinez's order of disciplinary action.
On May 27, 2011, "an anonymous complainant" provided police with a video of the arrest. "The video of the arrest was reviewed, and it illustrates that Officer Guzman used an unnecessary amount of force while arresting the suspect. Additionally, Officer Guzman did not file a report of the incident," according to the order. Tom McGhee, The Denver Post
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