Alcorn: FCPD Should Be Equipped with Body Cameras As Soon As Possible

  

Fatimah Waseem June 4, 2020 at 2:30pm

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn says that all Fairfax County police district stations should have body-worn cameras as soon as possible.

Although three of the county’s district stations — including the Reston District Station — already have the devices, plans to implement the program countywide were stalled due to budgetary constraints posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I support implementation in the other five police districts ASAP because the program should not be limited to only part of the county,” Alcorn said.

He added that bodywork cameras are “good for government transparency and accountability” and the county’s police officers.

County officials delayed the rollout of the program, which would have equipped officers with more than 1,200 cameras across the county.

Although funding was delayed for other stations, the county’s budget still maintained an increase of $1.77 million to support the full year of the program.

The program was implemented after a 2018 pilot study by American University researchers. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the $4 million program in late 2019.

Alcorn said his office received several queries about the status of the program following the killing of George Floyd and other events across the country.

Rutherford Institute Challenges Police Use of License Plate Readers As Warrantless Mass Surveillance Tool

RICHMOND, Va. — Denouncing the fact that Americans cannot even drive their cars without being enmeshed in the government’s web of surveillance, The Rutherford Institute has asked the Virginia Supreme Court to prohibit Virginia police from using license plate readers as warrantless surveillance tools to track drivers’ movements.

Mounted next to traffic lights or on police cars, Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), which photograph over 1,800 license tag numbers per minute, take a picture of every passing license tag number and store the tag number and the date, time, and location of the picture in a searchable database. The data is then shared with law enforcement, fusion centers and private companies and used to track the movements of persons in their cars. There are reportedly tens of thousands of these license plate readers now in operation throughout the country. It is estimated that over 99% of the people being unnecessarily surveilled are entirely innocent. In challenging the use of license plate readers by Fairfax police, Rutherford Institute attorneys argue that Fairfax County’s practice of collecting and storing license plate reader data violates a Virginia law prohibiting the government from amassing personal information about individuals, including their driving habits and location.

   “We’re on the losing end of a technological revolution that has already taken hostage our computers, our phones, our finances, our entertainment, our shopping, our appliances, and now, it’s focused its sights on our cars,” said constitutional attorney John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute and author of Battlefield America: The War on the American People. “By subjecting Americans to surveillance without their knowledge or compliance and then storing the data for later use, the government has erected the ultimate suspect society. In such an environment, there is no such thing as ‘innocent until proven guilty.’”

Since 2010, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) has used ALPRs to record the time, place, and driving direction of thousands of drivers who use Fairfax County roads daily. License plate readers capture over 1,800 images of license tag numbers per minute and convert the images to a computer format that can be searched by tag number. This information, stored in a police database for a year, allows the police to determine the driving habits of persons as well as where they have been. In 2014, Fairfax County resident Harrison Neal filed a complaint against FCPD asserting its collection and storage of license plate data without an active investigation violates Virginia’s Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act (Data Act), a law enacted because of the fear that advanced technologies would be used by the government to collect and analyze massive amounts of personal information about citizens, thereby invading their privacy and liberty.

Despite a 2013 Virginia Attorney General opinion that its ALPR practices violate the Data Act, FCPD continued to collect and store ALPR data in order to track the movements of vehicles and drivers. In 2018, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in favor of Neal, but sent the case back to the trial court to determine whether the case involved an “information system” covered by the Data Act.  After the trial court found the Data Act did apply and barred FCPD’s passive use of ALPRs, the case was again appealed to the Supreme Court of Virginia. In weighing in on the case, Rutherford Institute attorneys argue that the history of the Data Act affirms it prohibits the collection and maintenance of ALPR data by the government, which along with other surveillance technologies, creates vast dossiers about the lives and activities of citizens.

The amicus brief in Fairfax County Police Department v Neal is available at www.rutherford.org.

The Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit civil liberties organization, provides legal assistance at no charge to individuals whose constitutional rights have been threatened or violated and educates the public on a wide spectrum of issues affecting their freedoms.

40%

I'd go with Walmart.

Fairfax County Police public message

This is what we call a "Con job" because this ain't NEVER gonna happen

Body-Worn Police Cameras Debut May 1 In Fairfax County
Some Fairfax County Police officer will begin wearing body-worn cameras later this week, but funding for full implementation remains unsure.
By Michael O'Connell, Patch Staff 

Some Fairfax County Police officer will begin wearing body-worn cameras later this week, but funding for full implementation remains unsure. (Shutterstock)
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Police will be rolling out the first phase of its three-phased Body-Worn Camera (BWC) program on Friday, May 1, at the Reston, Mason, and Mount Vernon stations. The second and third phases, which have 2021 and 2022 implementation dates, may be delayed due to the impact of the coronavirus on the economy.
"All stakeholder employees for phase one are nearing completion of their training and use of the body worn camera systems," said Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr., in a video message on the FCPD blog. "This includes staff from the police department, the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, the Public Defenders Office, and court personnel."
Roessler originally proposed the body-worn camera program in June 2015. Following a successful test in 2018 at the Reston, Mason, and Mount Vernon stations, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved funding for the first phase of the BWC program as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 carryover budget. On Friday, 416 cameras will be in place at those three stations.
Although Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill included funding for phase two in the FY 2021 Budget Proposal he introduced in February, the revised budget he submitted to the Board earlier this month only included a $1.77 million funding increase to meet the workload and information technology requirements for the first phase of the program.
No additional funding in the revised budget proposal, which Hill submitted to take into account the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, means the last last two phases of the program would be delayed.


Fairfax County Police Department to launch body worn cameras, after 3 year wait
VIRGINIA
The Fairfax County Police Department will be launching phase 1 of its body worn camera program on May 1
by: Kelsey Jones

Posted: Apr 29, 2020 / 07:43 PM EDT / Updated: Apr 29, 2020 / 07:43 PM EDT
FAIRFAX, Va. (WDVM)– The Fairfax County Police Department will be launching phase 1 of its body worn camera program on May 1.
Stakeholder employees such as police staff, court personnel and the Fairfax County Office of the Commonwealth Attorney have completed phase 1 of training on how to use the BWC system. According to officials, officers will have the body worn cameras on them in certain events.
Erica Ebb, 2nd lieutenant said, “Phase 1 will include the Mason Station,Mount Vernon, Reston Station, Motor squads, K-9 squads and the Driving While Intoxicated Enforcement Squad all will be issued cameras. It will also include 357 camera operators.”
According to Webb, the community requested these cameras for full transparency

I told you so....I said it three years ago....these body cameras will never see the light of the day.

Fairfax County Police Department to Delay Rollout of Body Cameras

April 13, 2020

Delays are expected for the rollout of the Fairfax County Police Department’s body-worn camera program.

In Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill’s revised budget for fiscal year 2021, the county plans to push back funding for 338 cameras for the Sully, McLean, and West Springfield Stations in the second year of the program.

The county is also revisiting funding plans for 456 cameras for the third year of the program at the Fair Oaks, Franconia and South County district stations.

The proposed budget — which was scaled back considerably in response to the COVID-19 pandemic — maintains an increase of $1.77 million to support the first full year of the program.

Funding is expected to remain for 416 cameras that will be issued to the Reston, Mason and Mt. Vernon police stations, according to county budget documents.

“The funding supports the maintenance of the program implemented in FY 2020 but does not expand the program as originally planned.”

In late 2019, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved $4 million to begin implementation of the program.

Officers in the Reston District Station were expected to receive the cameras next month.

Do as i say

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA. Wait a minute…the guy was threatening suicide and then they shot him….I mean…..Wait a minutes, this isn’t kosher.

Maryland man said to be threatening suicide shot dead in standoff with troopers

Thursday, April 9th 2020

SALISBURY, Md. (AP) — State police say a Maryland man was fatally shot during a standoff with troopers. Authorities say troopers were called to a home in Wicomico County on Wednesday regarding an armed man allegedly threatening suicide.

State police say three uniformed troopers found 59-year-old Rick Howell in the back yard of his Salisbury home armed with a handgun. Investigators say troopers repeatedly ordered Howell to drop his gun before firing their weapons.  Howell was pronounced dead at the scene. State police are conducting criminal and internal affairs investigations. The three troopers are on administrative leave.

Why are you outside?

I told you the Fairfax County cops would never body cameras and I was right

The revised budget proposal will project significantly less revenue with drops in sales tax collections, hotel stays, car tax collections, business taxes and other areas, and is expected to put off some or all of the new programs that were proposed, including additional school funding, police body cameras and additional funding for affordable housing.

Nor do I think for myself

The dumbest kid in high school now has a gun.

Don't worry! The Fairfax County Police will investigate the Fairfax County Sheriffs office and find everyone innocent

Fairfax Co. sheriff’s deputy charged with sexually assaulting inmate

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — A Fairfax County sheriff’s deputy with a history of involvement in fatal incidents has been charged with sexually assaulting an inmate in his custody.

Fairfax City Police say 45-year-old Patrick D. McPartlin of Warrenton was arrested Tuesday and charged with object sexual penetration.

Police say McPartlin was taking a female inmate from the Fairfax County jail to the Loudoun County jail when the assault occurred in the county-owned vehicle issued to McPartlin.

Online court records do not list an attorney for McPartlin, who is being held without bond.

McPartlin has worked at the sheriff’s office for more than 20 years. In 2016, he fatally shot a hospital patient who was having a mental episode and wielding a metal sign post outside Inova Fairfax Hospital.

He was also part of a team of deputies in 2015 that used multiple shots from a stun gun to restrain another mentally ill inmate. Natasha McKenna died after receiving four Taser shots during a 15-minute struggle.

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment, referring questions to Fairfax City Police.

Don't be a punk

Privilege

Gang rule

government violence

Go on the government dole and get paid to overreact

I normally don't judge a mans desires but......

Good question

wobawee divison prease

Steal it

Ist day and second day on the job

Whoever is sprending the story that this man is renting his head out as a floor buffer on weekends needs to stop. It isn't funny. OK its a little funny

Naw....its too easy...

So many questions...how did he get his hair like that? Why is his hair like that? I bet you he goes square dancing

No! No! No! Not Woberaree division, I say woberaree...you know...man with gun...

Another fucking award.....unbelievable.....I'm sort of surprised they haven't given me an award yet

We don't hire on IQ

hahahahahahahahahahahaha

To protect and serve...and beat up because it illegal to fight back

Body cameras work two ways

OFFICER BANK ROBBER

“A criminal is a person with predatory instincts who has not sufficient capital to form a corporation.” Howard Scott

In June of 1997, a 23-year veteran of the Fairfax County police was charged armed (Shotgun) robbery of bank and stealing more than $70,000.  The cop had three years to go before retirement.  After he was arrested, the cop was relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave with pay.

Let me repeat that. After he was arrested, the cop was relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave with pay.

The cop was eventually sent to prison on the charge.

On March 24, 1998, the  cop was indicted on similar charges in Stafford County Police said the former Fairfax Count Cop  robbed the National Bank of Fredericksburg on Nov. 21, 1995, and Sept. 17, 1996.

On April 18, 1979, Adrienne Kent Lamb was charged with shooting her husband to death during an argument.  The husband was a retired Fairfax County cop.

In March of 2012 a 16-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police who resigned from the force in June 2010, took a pistol and shot his 13-year-old through the head and then killed himself.  The Fairfax County Police refused to provide information on the murder suicide.

On June 20, 2012,  a Fairfax County cop was charged with domestic assault and battery by Prince William County Police. The 44-year old cop allegedly attacked a 21-year-old man causing him injury

In 2006, a Fairfax cop was arrested for drunk driving. The cop smashed his Hummer H3 sport-utility vehicle into the back of a delivery truck and refused to take a breath test. He was placed on administrative leave with pay pending an internal investigation. The case was dismissed. The arresting cop didn’t show up in court.  Pretty good deal, huh? Think you’d get the same from the police?  And what was the outcome of the internal investigation? You’re joking right?

In 2011,  a Fairfax County cop was arrested for DWI after he crashed his car into a  utility pole.

…AND THAT’S ALL WE EVER HEARD ABOUT IT

In August of 1974, Acting Fairfax County Executive Doug Harman ordered an investigation into police misconduct after the state’s attorney started its own investigation into widespread criminal wrongdoing in the department.  Two county cops were suspended….not fire but suspended…. after refusing to answer questions about graft and corruption inside the force.

Filing a Complaint against a Fairfax County Cop.  Not really a very good idea at all.

The role of the Fairfax County Internal Affairs office is to protect the image of the police department and gather enough evidence to protect the police department against possible lawsuits by citizens who have been abused by the police.

There is a reason the Fairfax County Police never, ever, make public, any disciplinary action on its own.  It’s because disciplinary action by the department is extremely rare and on those few occasions when it is meted out, it is notoriously lenient.  Nor is the  reprimand kept in the cops file permanently. 

Why?

Because the Internal Affairs office has no interest in solving your problem or bringing corrupt and abusive cops to justice.  So filing a complaint a Fairfax County cop is virtually useless and probably dangerous. Remember, they know where you live and kind of car you drive and your car’s license plate number.     

But if you insist on filing a complaint against a cop, do it in writing.  Never ... ever...under any circumstances at all should you walk into a Fairfax County police station by yourself  or with others,  and try to file a complaint against a Fairfax County cop.  It is a dangerous and stupid thing to do.  National testing had shown that even in well-managed police departments, civilian who file in-person complaints are harassed or falsely arrested.

Again, if you absolutely feel that you must file a complaint against the police do it by certified mail.  Certified mail gives you proof that you filed a complaint against a cop.  So in the event you are harassed by the cops later on and need state or federal intervention, you have evidence that the harassment is real. 

As soon as possible write down everything that happened. You have about a three months to file the complaint, so write it down, put it away, and come back to it later. That usually takes the emotion from the complaint.

Tell the truth.  The cops are going to assume you’re a lair and will look at every word to catch you in an exaggeration or a lie.  If they do, they’ll probably threaten you with arrest.

 Your compliant should include:

The name of the cop you're filing a complaint against. Name or badge number will do.

What the cop said or did to justify the complaint.

Date, time, and location it happened.

If you have witnesses you should ask each of them to write a separate account of the incident.

In the rare event that cops try to contact you by phone or mail to do a "follow up" about your complaint, don’t answer any questions and never, ever, go down to the police station for an interview.

Everything they need to know is in your letter you sent. That’s it. End of conversation. Stick to what you said in your complaint letter and say nothing else!

If You Are Stopped in Your Car

The Fairfax County Police are dangerous.  If you are stopped by one of them while you are driving, try to stop, if you can, in busy well-lighted area.

Show your driver's license and registration upon request.  You can, in certain cases, be searched without a warrant so long as the cops have probable cause.

To protect yourself later, you should make it clear that you do not consent to a search.

A cop has no right to detain you unless there exists reasonable suspicion that you committed a crime or traffic violation. In order to get around that, a cop will try to initiate a "voluntary" conversation with you.  Again, say nothing.

If you are given a ticket, you should sign it, otherwise you can be arrested. You can always fight the case in court later.

If you are suspected of drunken driving and refuse a blood, urine or breath test, your driving license can be suspended.

If you are arrested or taken to a police station you have the right to remain silent and talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police. Tell the police nothing except your name and address. Do not give explanations, excuses, or stories. You can make your defense in court based on what you and your lawyer decide is best.

Ask to see a lawyer immediately. If you cannot pay for a lawyer, you have a right to a free one, and you should ask the police how the lawyer can be contacted. Do not talk without a lawyer.

If you are arrested.

As you will read in the pages ahead, the Fairfax County Police lie, and lie regularly, about circumstances that led to an arrest. So if you are arrested SAY NOTHING. Don't answer questions the police ask you, except your name, your address, and your age. Speak to the cops only after you have hired a lawyer and the lawyer tells you what to say.

Even if the police don't read your Miranda Rights "the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be...," don't say anything until your lawyer or public defender arrives. If you "voluntarily" talk to the police, then they don't have to read your Miranda Rights to you.

Lies the Fairfax County cops will use to get you to talk

The cops will lie, cheat, steal and trick you into talking your way into an arrest.  Always, always, always say this;  "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

Here are some lies the cops will tell you to get you to indict yourself. And your answer is "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

"You will have to stay here and answer my questions" "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

"You're not leaving until I find out what I want to know." "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

 "I have evidence on you, so tell me what I want to know or else." "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

"You're not a suspect, were simply investigating here. Just help us understand what happened and then you can go." "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

"If you don't answer my questions, I won't have any choice but to take you to jail." "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

 "If you don't answer these questions, you'll be charged with resisting arrest." "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

 "Your friend has told his side of the story and it's not looking good for you, anything you want to say in your defense?" "Am I free to leave?  If not I'm going to remain silent and I want a lawyer."

The Supreme Court has ruled that cops can lie to the public. Fairfax County cops are trained at lying, twisting words and to being manipulative. SO DON’T SAY ANYTHING.

Teach your children that the policeman IS NOT their friend and that they must call a parent for permission before they talk to the cops ABOUT ANYTHING.

The cop may seem nice and pretend to be on your side they're wanting to learn your habits, opinions, and affiliations of other people not suspected of wrongdoing. Don't  answer a cops questions, it can be very dangerous. The cops WILL take a seemingly harmless bit of information and use and misconstrue it to harm you or a loved one.

If you're arrested and cannot afford an attorney, you have the right to a public defender. If you get a public defender always make it clear to the judge that the public defender is not representing you, but is serving as your counsel.

Don't talk to other jail inmates about your case. It might be a cop your talking too or one of the many snitches the police have working for them.

Within a reasonable time after your arrest or booking, you have the right to make a local phone call to a lawyer, bail bondsman, relative, or any other person. The police may not listen to the call to the lawyer.

If the Cops come to your home.

If the police knock on your door, you DON'T have to open the door unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.

There is NO law that requires you to open your door to the cops.

Don't open your door with the chain-lock on, the cops will shove their way in.

You don’t to answer the door if they knock on it and you are not required to answer their shouts to open the door.

Like any other vampire, cops need your permission to come into your home.  So never invite one into your home. All that does is to give them the opportunity to look around for clues to your lifestyle, habits, friends, reading material.

Letting the cops into your home also tends to prolong the conversation. DON’T TALK TO THE COPS.

If you are arrested directly outside your home, the cops might ask if you would like to go inside your house to get anything. The answer is No.  I's a trick.  Don't let cops, especially the Fairfax County Police, into your home.

Never agree to go to the police station if the police want to question you. Just say, "I have nothing to say"

* In some emergency situations cops are then allowed to enter and search your home without a warrant.  As an example, when a someone is screaming for help from inside your home, police are chasing someone into your home, police see a felony being committed or if someone has called 911 from inside your house.

Car and Body Searches

Remember, the cops wouldn't ask you to search your body or your car if they didn't need your permission to search.

Denying a cops request to search you or your car is not an admission of guilt, it's your right.

The law does allow cops to pat down your outer clothing to see if you have any weapons. If the cop feels something that he believes is a weapon, then he can go into your pockets and pull out the item he believes is a weapon.

A cop may ask you or even demand that you empty your pockets, but you have the right to say no.  No matter what a Fairfax County cop will tell you, there is no law that requires you to empty your pockets when you are told to do so.

The only time a cop should be taking your personal property out of your pockets is after you have been arrested.

The cops are allowed to handcuff you and/or detain.  Don't resist or you will be arrested There's a big difference between being detained and being arrested.

If you are arrested and your car is towed, the police are allowed to take an "inventory" of the items in your car. If anything is found that's illegal, the police will get a warrant and then charge you with another crime.

The cops need your permission to have a conversation, never give it to them. There is NO law that says you must tell a cop where you are going or where you have been.

Traffic Stops and Your Rights

Keep your license, registration, and proof of insurance in an easily accessible place such as attached to your sun visor.  Fairfax County Police are gun happy.  They kill people, often without good reason.  When pulled over stay in the car, turn on the interior lights and keep your hands on the steering wheel.

Sit still and wait for the cop to come to you.  Any sudden movements, ducking down, looking nervous or appearing to be searching for something under your seat is dangerous.  Again, Fairfax County Police tend to shoot first and ask later.  If they kill you, they will more than probably get away with it and they know that, so do nothing.

Don’t talk.  If the cop asks you “Do you know why I stopped you?” the answer is “No”.  Usually Fairfax County doesn’t know why he or she stopped you except their bored or under their arrest quota (The Fairfax County Police deny they have an arrest quota) 

If the cop asks “ Do you know how fast you were going?" the answer is “Within the speed limit” because the cop is trying to get you to do two things, admit that you committed a traffic violation and to get you to "voluntarily" start a conversation with him.  Remember the police officer is not your friend and should not be trusted.

The cop might start asking personal questions such as "where are you going?” etc.  At that point it's the perfect time to exercise your rights by asking the police officer "AM I FREE TO GO?" because there is NO legal requirement that American citizens provide information about their comings and goings to the cops.

A cop can detain you during a pull over for no more than 15-20 minutes, according to the Supreme Court.