Mental Gymnastics and Recording The Police

May 8, 2010 by Brad
Filed under: Copwatch, Corruption, Hypocrisy, Issues, Police, Thuggery

Last year the NH Liberty Alliance put it’s weight behind HB 312, a bill which would allow members of the public to record government agents (who have the legal authority to kill you) in public without the fear of being arrested.

This video from Seattle (which went viral today) is the real reason why the police do not want to be recorded:

If you don’t think people get arrested for filming their own law enforcement agents, please talk to our friend Cooper Travis about how he was arrested for filming the police as he was standing on his own property. In that particular case the Candia, NH Police administration did the right thing and ordered the arresting officer to release him without charges. The same cannot be said for our friends who were recently arrested in Weare for doing similar.

They say a drunk driver drives numerous times wasted for every one time they are caught. Imagine how many times this now sincerely sorry officer had used racist slurs and assaulted members of the public before he was caught.

When this bill returns again in the NH General Court there simply is no excuse for law enforcement to oppose it. That is, if they really believe that police should be held to a “higher standard.” How many police misconduct incidents have only seen the light of day due to a camera?

This misbehavior happens every day…. and this is how it is stopped.

(By the way…. The Police Chief’s Association here in New Hampshire thinks that the freelance journalist who caught this on tape should be arrested. They opposed the law change here in New Hampshire which would have “allowed” this type of public recording.)

Comments

13 Comments on Mental Gymnastics and Recording The Police

SamIam on Sat, 8th May 2010 6:04 pm

Watch, in a few weeks the police will come out and say.

After investigating this incident it was found that the officers beating the fucking Mexican piss out of homies acted in accordance with established procedures, and clearly this is not a hate crime the FBI should investigate.

What a joke the police have become.

Highline on Sat, 8th May 2010 6:26 pm

Sam,

Would you agree with the logic that it is impossible for one to say that they are against police misconduct and also against someone having the ability to film the police in public without arrest?

SamIam on Sat, 8th May 2010 6:41 pm

What misconduct? Do you have any examples? I haven’t seen any misconduct.

You need to be careful about dragging our fine heroes though the mud with your wild unfounded allegations.

KDus on Sat, 8th May 2010 7:50 pm

They were serving and protecting.

jzacker on Sat, 8th May 2010 7:53 pm

My prediction, officers will be suspended with pay. Victim will get an attorney for the civil suit. I also predict criminal charges of Simple Assault will be filed against the officers who struck the man. Since he wasn’t arrested, it is unclear if any other officers will be charged with crimes for false arrest or falsifying a police report. but the other officers might be fired.

I believe the FBI will also investigate if the local DA doesn’t charge. This could be considered a hate crime since it was based on race. The ‘mexican’ comment is really bad for the cops. Also, its obvious Deprivation of Civil Rights Under Color of Law. That’s the charge they got the Rodney King cops on.

Its funny how they helped him up. You know, I think all cops have a split personality. When they are ‘investigating’ you, they act like complete douchebags. But once they are done, or are no longer suspicious of you, they are really nice. Two personalities.

LSNL on Sun, 9th May 2010 3:24 am

The indignity of having to lay there submissively, hoping that these pathetic, thugs won’t kill, or otherwise further violate, you.. it’s inhumane.

Paul on Sun, 9th May 2010 5:43 am

The indignity of having to lay there submissively, hoping that these pathetic, thugs won’t kill, or otherwise further violate, you.. it’s inhumane.

Yep, and if he so much as lifts an arm to block a blow, it’s gonna be assault on an officer.

The double standard is sickening.

This case is getting enough publicity though, where I think there may be some form of justice. There are dozens like it however, every single day, which never get on tape, let alone the top of Drudge, and for which cops involved are never held accountable. Brutality is becoming modus operandi in certain areas.

jzacker on Sun, 9th May 2010 6:30 am

People have to file complains against the police if they feel they are mistreated. I know most people don’t because the feel it doesn’t do anything. But when non one files complaints, nothing happens.

Onederbred on Sun, 9th May 2010 2:41 pm

I believe these cops are part of the anti-gang unit here in Seattle, and since this video has come out, they have been reassigned to “other police duties.”

Isn’t it strange that if you went to work and did this to the person who “pays” your salary, you wouldn’t just be moved to another department.

Seattle police used to have a reputation of being really laid back. If you got caught with weed, they would just take it and send you on your way. No tickets, no hassle. Now they’re setting up sting ops to catch drivers who don’t slow down for people crossing the street, and putting innocent people in comas for running from officers who didn’t identify themselves. In the video below you can see he comes to a complete stop before being taken down…. hes not even running anymore.

http://www.prisonplanet.com/video-cop-slams-innocent-man-head-first-into-a-coma.html

Of course, that was just an “unfortunate accident,” and they couldn’t possibly be held accountable for that.

bil on Sun, 9th May 2010 4:18 pm

Although it may look bad,if you listen to the news report,the incident WAS investigated by the police and they saw nothing wrong with it.And since they ARE the police,in charge of investigating things,I am cartain they wouldn’t just say that to cover up any unnessessary brutality by one of their own.I mean,accidents happen,I am sure when the cop slammed him into the building,he didn’t know it would produce a coma,maybe just other major injuries and maybe even death.But certainly not a coma.And certainly not if he knew there was a camera there.Fascists. —bil

onederbred on Sun, 9th May 2010 11:19 pm

Oh yeah, I forgot about that Bil.

If only all my supposed illegal actions could be solved with an internal investigation.

“Well officer… after investigating all this, I really don’t see anything wrong with (insert victimless crime here). I’ll be putting myself on paid administrative leave until this case is closed… No further questions.”

bil on Mon, 10th May 2010 7:56 am

Wouldn’t that be great!Years ago I drove truck for myself.I nquit and got drunk,swore I wouldn’t go back until I got a raise.Eventually I gave in and paid me more!I think this idea could catch on-’It wasn’t me’,'it was like that when I got here”he was already in a coma,I just helped him down before he got hurt’2 years ago in Dover,VT,2 State police cars ran over a young man and he was killed.Admittedly,the kid was drunk and lying in the road.The cops were speeding,and both cruisers ran over him.They stopped down the road,then went back.Yep,he’s dead,we should investigate.No-one thought they were driving too fast,or too close to each other.nor did they receive any breath or drug tests.If I was them,I would have insisted on one,to remove all future doubt.When reporters asked the State Police commander why there was no test performed,he got indignant and said his officers would NEVER be on duty while impaired,the thought never entered his mind!Just a tragic accident.
While I am certainly not comparing this tragedy to the deliberate damage done in the above video,it does show the mindset when one group of police investigates another.One hand washes the other.I am also not saying all police are like this,but it seems that in the last 15 or so years,around here anyway,the older,more sensible cops are being replaced by the young,go-get-em type,that look for trouble,rather than heading it off and preventing it.
There is too much video like this on the net to think it is an isolated incident.No wonder they don’t want people taking pictures! —bil