Police State

New York: Federal Appeals Court Upholds Motorcycle Roadblock

"The Second Circuit US Court of Appeals last week upheld the use of roadblocks designed to detain motorcyclists so they can be issued $85 tickets when wearing unapproved helmets. New York is one of only 19 states that currently require all riders to wear a DOT-approved helmet. In 2007, the New York State Police began using federal taxpayer grant money to target these motorcyclists for the express purpose of generating citations. Roadblocks for motorcycles would be set up with the stated objective 'to detect motorcycle safety violations and ensure proper registration and operator compliance with New York State's motorcycle license requirements.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York: Federal Appeals Court Upholds Motorcycle Roadblock

Michael Reichert and the Road Pirates of Collinsville, Illinois

"The Collinsville PD conducts dozens of identical stops each week, and roughly half of its operating budget comes from seizures of cash and property through civil asset forfeiture. Despite the fact that Reichert was fired twice after being put on the so-called Brady List (police officers whose documented dishonesty disqualifies them from testifying in court) he is in charge of instructing other Collinsville officers in the dark arts of manufacturing 'probable cause' for vehicle searches. This makes a certain cynical sense when it’s understood that the Collinsville PD is engaged in a cut-throat competition with road pirates in the employ of four other police agencies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMichael Reichert and the Road Pirates of Collinsville, Illinois

Couple files civil lawsuit against former cop who stole their medication

"Former Vernal police Officer Ben M. Murray allegedly looked up information about them, including medical history and other private data, in the state’s prescription drug database. He was able to learn when they filled prescriptions, for what drugs and in what quantities. Murray, wearing his police uniform and driving his police vehicle, then visited their home at least 30 times between January and July 2011 to conduct what he called a 'pill check.' Murray discussed their medical conditions and other personal business and required them to produce their medications so he could count the pills. During that process, he would distract them and pocket pills." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCouple files civil lawsuit against former cop who stole their medication

Former Dallas cop sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison for Crime Stoppers scam

"Theodora Ross, the former Dallas police senior corporal who ran the department's Crime Stoppers program, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison today for stealing at least $175,000 from the program. Beginning in 2005 and through early 2010, Ross would give bogus tip information to an accomplice, Malva Delley, who collected cash rewards from the bank. Delley would collect the proceeds of the bogus tips and would then 'divide the cash, per Ross’s instructions, and deliver Ross’s share of the illegally obtained money by either directly depositing cash into Ross’s Bank of America bank account or by giving cash directly to Ross.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Dallas cop sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison for Crime Stoppers scam

Grandmother Struck and Killed by Drunk Driving NY Officer

"A former NYPD detective — whose BAC was more than three times the legal limit when he plowed into a Bronx grandmother with a cop car — was convicted of manslaughter yesterday. Former Detective Kevin Spellman, however, beat the rap on the most serious charges against him (aggravated vehicular homicide and first-degree vehicular manslaughter) in the death of 66-year-old Drane Nikac. Following the accident, Spellman refused a breathalyzer test, and his BAC wasn’t tested until five hours after he slammed into the Bronx grandmother while driving erratically in his NYPD-owned Chevy Impala." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGrandmother Struck and Killed by Drunk Driving NY Officer

Cleveland police chase ends with 13 officers firing 137 shots, 2 people dead

"Investigators did not find a gun inside the bullet-riddled blue Chevrolet Malibu SS when staff from the Cuyahoga County medical examiner's office removed the bodies from the car Friday evening. Why did the department get involved in a chase for more than 20 minutes, why did 13 officers fire 137 rounds, and why did this situation occur?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCleveland police chase ends with 13 officers firing 137 shots, 2 people dead

Milwaukee Police Officer Richard Schoen punches woman, fired and then re-hired

"A Milwaukee police officer fired for punching a female suspect will get his job back. Officer Richard Schoen was let go after this dashcam video surfaced of him punching a handcuffed woman he arrested in May. The Milwaukee police chief said it was clear Schoen had lost control and was using excessive force. Schoen appealed, saying he punched the woman because he was afraid she would bite or spit on him. Monday, the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission overturned the firing. Schoen said he's learned his lesson." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMilwaukee Police Officer Richard Schoen punches woman, fired and then re-hired

Will Grigg: Sex Predators in Uniform

"Orlando,Florida Police Officer Roderick Johnson allegedly did exactly the same thing that Justice, Illinois PD Officer Carmen Scardine was confirmed to have done: He is accused of taking a woman into custody and forcing himself on her sexually. Scardine remains at large and in uniform. The M.O. of Philip Emanuele, a former detective with the Eatontown, NJ Police Department, combined elements of Scardine's approach and that of Adam Sweres, a uniformed sexual predator from Pittsburgh. Emanuele has confessed to forcing a 24-year-old detainee to perform oral sex on him, using the threat of prison on a drug charge to browbeat her into becoming an informant." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWill Grigg: Sex Predators in Uniform

Glenn Greenwald: New York’s top court highlights the meaninglessness and menace of the term ‘terrorism’

"What the court is admitting here is amazing. It is saying that when someone is accused of terrorism, the rules governing trials and law completely change. All sorts of things that the state is normally barred from doing on the grounds that it is unjust suddenly become permissible when someone faces terrorism charges. Indeed, so 'prejudicial' are these special rules of 'justice' for terrorism cases that anyone convicted under these rules is, by definition, treated unfairly if terrorism is inapplicable. That's what has happened in the post-9/11 era: a whole new system of 'justice', with all new rules designed to ensure convictions and long prison terms." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGlenn Greenwald: New York’s top court highlights the meaninglessness and menace of the term ‘terrorism’

Will Grigg: Merely Being Arrested Can Ruin Your Life

"A recent investigation by the Gainesville Sun found that local police agencies make hundreds of entirely unnecessary arrests every year. The victims are arrested without charge, but the arrest is instantly noted in databases that are used for background checks for employment and housing. Even if the victim’s criminal record is expunged, the digital trail cannot be erased. Many of those arrests are summary punishment for 'contempt of cop.' Others are made for cynical reasons related to career advancement within the state’s punitive priesthood." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWill Grigg: Merely Being Arrested Can Ruin Your Life