More out-of-control police

[Slade797]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090903/..._shot_in_court

"JERICHO, Ark. – It was just too much, having to return to court twice on the same day to contest yet another traffic ticket, and Fire Chief Don Payne didn't hesitate to tell the judge what he thought of the police and their speed traps.
The response from cops? They shot him. Right there in court.
Payne ended up in the hospital, but his shooting last week brought to a boil simmering tensions between residents of this tiny former cotton city and their police force. Drivers quickly learn to slow to a crawl along the gravel roads and the two-lane highway that run through Jericho, but they say sometimes that isn't enough to fend off the city ticketing machine.
"You can't even get them to answer a call because normally they're writing tickets," said Thomas Martin, chief investigator for the Crittenden County Sheriff's Department. "They're not providing a service to the citizens."
Now the police chief has disbanded his force "until things calm down," a judge has voided all outstanding police-issued citations and sheriff's deputies are asking where all the money from the tickets went. With 174 residents, the city can keep seven police officers on its rolls but missed payments on police and fire department vehicles and saw its last business close its doors a few weeks ago.
"You can't even buy a loaf of bread, but we've got seven police officers," said former resident Larry Harris, who left town because he said the police harassment became unbearable.
Sheriff's deputies patrolled Jericho until the 1990s, when the city received grant money to start its own police force, Martin said.
Police often camped out in the department's two cruisers along the highway that runs through town, waiting for drivers who failed to slow down when they reached the 45 mph zone ringing Jericho. Residents say the ticketing got out of hand.
"When I first moved out here, they wrote me a ticket for going 58 mph in my driveway," 75-year-old retiree Albert Beebe said.
The frequent ticketing apparently led to the vandalization of the cruisers, and the department took to parking the cars overnight at the sheriff's department eight miles away.
It was anger over traffic tickets that brought Payne to city hall last week, said his lawyer, Randy Fishman. After Payne failed to get a traffic ticket dismissed on Aug. 27, police gave Payne or his son another ticket that day. Payne, 39, returned to court to vent his anger to Judge Tonya Alexander, Fishman said.
It's unclear exactly what happened next, but Martin said an argument between Payne and the seven police officers who attended the hearing apparently escalated to a scuffle, ending when an officer shot Payne from behind.
Doctors in Memphis, Tenn., removed a .40-caliber bullet from Payne's hip bone, Martin said. Another officer suffered a grazing wound to his finger from the bullet.
Martin declined to name the officer who shot Payne. It's unclear if the officer has been disciplined.
Prosecutor Lindsey Fairley said Thursday that he didn't plan to file any felony charges against the officer or Payne. Fairley, reached at his home, said Payne could face a misdemeanor charge stemming from the scuffle, but that would be up to the city's judge. He said he didn't remember the name of the officer who fired the shot.
Payne remains in good condition at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. He referred questions to his lawyer.
"I know that he was unarmed and I know he was shot," Fishman said. "None of that sounds too good for the city to me.""

[akinnepa]

Cops can't carry guns in court here. do they down there?

[Etek]

Cops carry everywhere here. Even past the sign that says 'NO WEAPONS PAST THIS POINT. ALL WEAPONS MUST BE SECURED!'

Some 30 years ago a cop got shot and killed with his own weapon after ignoring the law and signs.
Of course the cop was beating the holy shit out of the guy at the time in the Hyattsville lockup. (Still quite common in P.G. County)
Cops STILL ignore the law.

[IanMor]

I'm sure somebody will be along shortly to tell us we're a-holes and tin foilers for slagging on LEOs again. Thank goodness someone is here to set us straight!

[Mandaree36]

Yeah who would want some common sense interjected into the discussions around here...

Now that you stereotyped all LEO's maybe you can move on to some niggrah or joo speech too....

[Slade797]

I'd say my common sense tells me that there are cops out there who abuse their power. Some don't, and those who do should be exposed. Further, I feel that government is out of control, and I base this belief on the outrageous spending, the ridiculous social programs, and utter lack of accountability for, well, anyone. For me, race, gender, religion, etc. play no part whatever in my views.

Finally, I fail to see how me posting a news article "stereotypes" anyone.

[Mandaree36]

Originally Posted by Slade797

I'd say my common sense tells me that there are cops out there who abuse their power. Some don't, and those who do should be exposed. Further, I feel that government is out of control, and I base this belief on the outrageous spending, the ridiculous social programs, and utter lack of accountability for, well, anyone. For me, race, gender, religion, etc. play no part whatever in my views.

Finally, I fail to see how me posting a news article "stereotypes" anyone.

Now your talking. Judge not the whole based on the sins of the few - common sense for every situation.

But what government is out of control....local, state...federal...and how do beat cops play into that. They carry out state and local laws. federal agents carry out federal crap...giant difference in the LE community. You would be surprized of what the average officer thinks about Federales...

But that said...yes the federal government is out of control..has been for sometime..and as such they are now simply operating on the idea no one cared so lets push the envelope...

And the title...more out of control police...kinda screams stereotyping...

[Slade797]

Originally Posted by Mandaree36

And the title...more out of control police...kinda screams stereotyping...

That may be your viewpoint, but I disagree. Besides, if the police in question are in fact out of control, it's their problem if they match the stereotype, not mine. It's clear from the actions of the chief of that department that his officers were out of control. I mean, how often does a chief disband his whole goddamn department? It doesn't scream stereotype, it screams out of control.

[Mandaree36]

Originally Posted by Slade797

That may be your viewpoint, but I disagree. Besides, if the police in question are in fact out of control, it's their problem if they match the stereotype, not mine. It's clear from the actions of the chief of that department that his officers were out of control. I mean, how often does a chief disband his whole goddamn department? It doesn't scream stereotype, it screams out of control.

Your disagreement is duly noted.

I still disagree.

As they say...to each his own.

[Slade797]

Originally Posted by Mandaree36

Your disagreement is duly noted.

I still disagree.

As they say...to each his own.

So, you're saying the actions of the officers, holding a town hostage, forcing the chief to disband the force, were okay? I mean, just to be clear....

[IanMor]

Originally Posted by Mandaree36

Yeah who would want some common sense interjected into the discussions around here...

Now that you stereotyped all LEO's maybe you can move on to some niggrah or joo speech too....

What are you talking about???? I certainly hope you were not implying me when you were typing that. I am not one of the forum's race-baiters.

However, I do feel like a prophet tonight... I notice you came in right behind my sarcastic post about slagging on cops and needing reason injected.... I better get a lottery ticket!!!

[Mandaree36]

Originally Posted by IanMor

What are you talking about???? I certainly hope you were not implying me when you were typing that. I am not one of the forum's race-baiters.

However, I do feel like a prophet tonight... I notice you came in right behind my sarcastic post about slagging on cops and needing reason injected.... I better get a lottery ticket!!!

I would say you are def not even in the running for being a possible race baiter.

Not even close...

Just felt like rattling the old sabre a little tonight...

As for the post you made...the timing could not have been better...I had to run with it...I just had to lol..

[IanMor]

All good, bro!

[IanMor]

Just sayin'

Think about this;
I live in a small town. I hear stories. I have heard stories of different unjust and overbearing officers having unplanned..... Chats with the taxpaying population. These chats are geared towards resetting the officer in question's mindset. Reminding him of the "serve" part of protect and serve. These chats that I have heard of have been convincing, and mostly painless. Usually the officer becomes a model officer and a true gaurdian of law.... Or moves away for another job. These encounters are rare, so don't get the wrong idea.

Now to the real point... Don't officers like the ones in this news article EVER think of this??? Growing up in "good ole boy" country (yes, there is some out here in western New York. Smart-ass!). It seems this would be fairly high in the conciousness of LEOs... Dunno, just wondering.

[Mandaree36]

Thats just it they have to think to understand. But they dont - assholes like this give LE a bad name.

I would submit if the assholes were singled out from the LE herd by all then we would all win.

What you think about that city slicker lol.

[lsmurphy]

Originally Posted by IanMor

Just sayin'

Think about this;
I live in a small town. I hear stories. I have heard stories of different unjust and overbearing officers having unplanned..... Chats with the taxpaying population. These chats are geared towards resetting the officer in question's mindset. Reminding him of the "serve" part of protect and serve. These chats that I have heard of have been convincing, and mostly painless. Usually the officer becomes a model officer and a true gaurdian of law.... Or moves away for another job. These encounters are rare, so don't get the wrong idea.

Now to the real point... Don't officers like the ones in this news article EVER think of this??? Growing up in "good ole boy" country (yes, there is some out here in western New York. Smart-ass!). It seems this would be fairly high in the conciousness of LEOs... Dunno, just wondering.

No!

I'm not sure is the ability to 'think' is a gift not recieved or a lost art. Most folks don't know how to think.

One thing will tell you is that most folks, regardless of what role in life they play, live in a comfortable and familiar environment, they may awaken one day to find all that missing.

The clothes and masks will come off some day, naked with no armor.

Scott

[lsmurphy]

Live by the sword and...

Mandy you must know that those who brutalize will eventually meet up with thier own brutality. Some of us just want to help them along.

Scott

[Bascot]

I live in rural Tennessee. And yes, the cops do swagger around the courtroom dressed for combat. But since it is a small town where everyone knows each other, there are no metal detecters or searches. In my battle with my ex when she took my horse and trailer, I could easily have carried my 45 concealed up to the witness stand. Of course I didn't, but it was the last time I could have gotten a good bead on her.....

[tdbrown1969]

There are cops who abuse their power but there are many more who are cool,level headed ordinary folks who are making a living and trying to make their town safer.We had a out of control police force in the small town I grew up in.It did not start out that way,just got to where they sat and harrased any one passing through town.Got to the point where they would pull people over and tell them if they were seen in town again tonight they would go to jail.Many kids got there heads busted open asking "go to jail for what".The police chief was always in on all the crap going down,no matter the time of day it happened.He got caught walking beat one night and got his walk beat,severely.Spent several days in the local hospital and when he recovered he resigned and left town.No one was ever charged,was hardly any investigation into what happened or who done it.Rumors swirled around as to who did it for quite some time.After that things got back to normal where kids could cruise through town without being harrased.Got a new police chief who made it clear that all was cool but if you broke the law you would be busted.Guy spent time walking town and getting to know the kids who hung out,got a feel as to who to watch out for and who was just out having fun.It is now really laid back place to live,cops are all cool and friendly.Same guy is still police chief after 22 + years.td

[Beryl]

You would be surprized of what the average officer thinks about Federales...

Works both ways, man. Feds don't think much of po-dunk wanna-be's in their ninja getup, either.

Small towns like that are ripe for uniformed thugs. I have lived in small towns for many years, and I know for a fact that quite a few local cops in those cities act like the medieval castle dogs who terrorize the serfs at the lord's bidding. I think a few old Arkansas farmer boys could have remedied that situation real quick with a couple of "hunting accidents".

[Etek]

Sad about the 'Us vs. them' attitude with the cops.

We've got some good cops down here in rural South County.
Got dumb ones and jerks too.

[uzitiger]

It's a shame that some idiots get to wear a police badge. In many states applicants for police officers undergo background numerous checks to make sure the applicants meet the standard and undergo mental tests to avoid this kind of behavior.

Apparently some officers get corrupted by their power and others are corrupted by the towns they work for when these towns want more money. These officers are real asshats. Other officers get hired even though they don't qualify but they beat the system and don't deserve to be police officers.

The RICO laws have turned many good officers into highway robbers for the government agency they work for.

I still applaud the majority of police officers who are decent human beings and work to keep order. The rotten ones are scum and I have no respect for them.