Police State

Ticket quota whistleblower cop loses NYPD suit

"A Manhattan federal judge yesterday tossed a hero cop’s lawsuit against the NYPD, rejecting the officer’s claims that his First Amendment rights were violated by superiors after he was punished for speaking up about alleged quotas for arrests and tickets. NYPD Officer Craig Matthews claimed that he had suffered workplace retaliation for speaking up about quotas for arrests, stop-and-frisks and summonses that were allegedly ordered by his commanders in The Bronx’s 42nd Precinct. But US District Judge Paul Engelmayer said that while Matthews’ comments served a purpose, his beef amounts to a workplace disagreement." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTicket quota whistleblower cop loses NYPD suit

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Sends SWAT Team To Gun Down a Fawn

"The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources sent an armed SWAT team to kill a fawn in an animal shelter. People at the DNR know their jobs. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Nine DNR personnel. Four deputy sheriffs. When you need force, use it! These people earn their keep. They leave no stone unturned. They even used aerial reconnaisance to spot the fawn. This was a major case. At $200 a day, times 13 men, that’s $2,600. Plus it took days of planning. Maybe another $2,000. That was an expensive fawn." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWisconsin Department of Natural Resources Sends SWAT Team To Gun Down a Fawn

Santa Ana Police Officer Shot, Killed Unarmed Homeless Man

"Santa Ana police confirmed Wednesday that an officer shot and killed an unarmed 22-year-old homeless man after a short foot pursuit at a shopping center 24 hours ago. Hans Kevin Arellano was shot once in the chest when he got into a confrontation with a female 13-year veteran officer in a juice shop parking lot near South Harbor Boulevard and McFadden Avenue, according to Santa Ana interim Police Chief Carlos Rojas. The officer involved in the shooting is currently on paid leave. She could be back to work in a few days after she’s cleared by a department psychologist." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSanta Ana Police Officer Shot, Killed Unarmed Homeless Man

Arizona Man Holding Air Rifle Killed In His Own Backyard In Drug Raid

"Tempe, Arizona, police in the Special Investigations/Narcotics Unit serving a drug search warrant Wednesday afternoon shot and killed a man in his backyard as he held an air rifle. John Wheelihan, 43, becomes the 22nd person to die in US domestic drug law enforcement operations so far this year, and the sixth in the last month. The victim appears to be a local photographer whose listed business address matches the address the police raided. Police did not say whether they were serving a 'no-knock' warrant, whether they were uniformed or undercover, or whether any drugs were discovered." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArizona Man Holding Air Rifle Killed In His Own Backyard In Drug Raid

Little restraint in military giveaways to police

"An Associated Press investigation of the Defense Department program, originally aimed at helping local law enforcement fight terrorism and drug trafficking, found that a disproportionate share of the $4.2 billion worth of property distributed since 1990 has been obtained by police departments and sheriff's offices in rural areas with few officers and little crime. The national giveaway program operates with scant oversight, and the surplus military gear often sits in storage, the AP found." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLittle restraint in military giveaways to police

US Wants Its Police in Canada and Exempt from Canadian Law

"The United States wants its police officers to be exempt from Canadian law if they agree to take part in a highly touted cross-border policing initiative, an internal RCMP memo says. … The debate over whose laws would apply to U.S. officers working in Canada raises important questions of sovereignty and police accountability, says the briefing note prepared for RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson. Does this have implications for anyone who winds up in trouble/penalties over tax issues? Is Canada a sovereign country or the 51st State?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS Wants Its Police in Canada and Exempt from Canadian Law

Disturbing Video Shows Court Officer Sexually Assaulting, Then Arresting Mother, Judge Does Nothing

"The initial events took place in 2011, when Monica Contreras was led from the court into a waiting room for a supposed, though unexplained, drug search. She then says a court marshal named Ron Fox touched her and ordered her to lift up her shirt. When she fled back into the courtroom and complained to the hearing master, asking at least for a female marshal, Fox had her arrested for 'making false accusations against a police officer.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDisturbing Video Shows Court Officer Sexually Assaulting, Then Arresting Mother, Judge Does Nothing

Colorado Cops Cleared In Photo Radar Ticket Prank

"Gerlach went to Chafin's home and there was no answer when he knocked. Gerlach peeked in the garage and found Chafin's cars were there. When he ran the plates, he realized Chafin was a Denver officer. He immediately called his sergeant, who arrived at the scene with his captain. This resulted in 'half the department' being dispatched to the home. They were preparing to batter down Chafin's front door when Parker officers checked with a supervisor at the Denver police department, who made a few phone calls and put a stop to what was happening. The Denver police department fired them for lying, but the commission reversed the decision." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado Cops Cleared In Photo Radar Ticket Prank

One-Man Stand Against Police Checkpoints: Joe Draego

"The phrase 'Your papers, please' has no place in a free republic. Joe Draego of Charlottesville, Virginia is among the brave and principled people who have challenged the legitimacy of police checkpoints. In early July, Mr. Draego was stopped at a checkpoint set up near his home and refused to comply when a police officer demanded to see his ID. He joins us today to explain what happened next -- and why he took the stand that he did." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOne-Man Stand Against Police Checkpoints: Joe Draego

DEA agrees to pay $4.1 milllion to student they locked in a cell for days

"A San Diego, California college student was awarded $4.1 million in a settlement with the federal government on Tuesday, ending his lawsuit against the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for leaving him in a holding cell for five days with no food or water in April 2012. KNSD-TV reported that no criminal charges will be brought against the officers involved in the incident, which began when the victim, 24-year-old Daniel Chong, was taken to a DEA office following a raid by a task force made up of DEA, state and local officers on a '420' party Chong attended." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDEA agrees to pay $4.1 milllion to student they locked in a cell for days