Comments on: Philly Police Scandal Needs Sober Analysis, Not Rev. Al’s Bullhorn

By: bullhorn

bullhorn — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:29:48 +0000

[...] suspects on the street. A levelheaded investigation is needed, but Al Sharpton and his circus arehttp://pajamasmedia.com/blog/philly-police-scandal-needs-sober-analysis-not-rev-als-bullhorn/18,000 remain buried in China earthquake debris Chicago [...]

By: I.M. Copper

I.M. Copper — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:48:37 +0000

Tesler and the Atlanta Narcotics unit is a perfect example of official corruption, perjury, and a colossal police leadership failure. That easily qualified as a gross violation of the public trust by a bad of thugs with badges, and the worst aspect is that without the death of the elderly, it may not have come to light. It is clear those narcotics officers were willful in their violation of the public trust and their direct actions resulted in at least one unlawful homicide. What should be done with them? They should be fired, tried in court, and if found guilty, jailed. No question about it.

There does appear to be a subtle difference between the Atlanta officers and the Philadelphia officers. Both qualify as violations of the public trust. The Atlanta officers were on the wrong side of the law from the start and it appears that unit comprised itself of corrupt liars that fabricated probable cause for search and arrest warrants, perjured themselves to Court officers for the sake of arrests and convenience. The story line in Philadelphia seems quite different. The Atlanta officers did not find themselves in a high-speed pursuit with armed shooting suspects and then reacted to what they observed. I am not defending the actions of the Philadelphia officers because as I have previously written I believe the actions of some were illegal. But the difference is clear to me. In Atlanta, an innocent elderly woman was killed by the police and that was the result of Tesler and his units’ premeditated malfeasance. In Philadelphia there was a high-speed pursuit with shooting suspects it appeared there was a free-for-all at the end of a pursuit where suspects were unnecessarily hit, struck with batons, kicked, etc. It is clear there was official misfeasance, but the degree of actual injury to the suspects is relevant. The Philadelphia violation of trust is evident, but to me it is slightly less than Atlanta because of the actual damage caused, the end result is that it does not appear to have resulted in serious injury or death to the suspects that were struck by the officers.

Therefore, even though the violation of trust is evident in both cases, just and sober reflection by police management and the Courts are necessary for the respective branches of government to ensure that public officials are responsive to their oaths of office so public trust can be restored. When there is evidence of the violations, as in both cases above, there should be action taken by police leaders, district/county attorneys, and if necessary, the Federal legal system.

By: Amused Observer

Amused Observer — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:20:55 +0000

I.M. Copper acknowledges the existence of the Constitution and the need for repercussions for police who are criminals. He mentions willful wrongdoing but skirts the issue of negligence. An honest mistake that causes no great harm is not a reason to fire someone. However a pattern of mistakes is perhaps a reason to closely examine someone’s suitability for a specific job.

Serious mistakes are another thing all together. We hold pilots, boat skippers, and truck drivers to quite high standards. After an accident occurs drug and alcohol tests are administered. Honest errors in personal judgment by well meaning people that cause harm to life or property often mean an end to an otherwise successful career. I suggest that the power placed in the hands of police officers by society is worthy of close scrutiny.

I am interested if he could opine on the case of Art Tesler. Mr. Tesler was convicted for his part in the homicide of an elderly lady in Atlanta. Negligence and a series of “mistakes” led to the homicide of a little old lady who valiantly defended herself when attacked in her home. Officers committed perjury to obtain a search warrant and then under color of an illegal warrant broke into her home. A court later determined a conspiracy existed amongst the officers involved to plant evidence and have another criminal give false testimony in an attempt to cover up their mistakes. Perhaps their claims of good faith that they identified themselves as police officers prior to attacking this brave lady should be taken with a grain of salt.

Perhaps I.M.Copper has an opinion of what has been described as “The Thin Blue Line.” Characterized as somewhere between an unwillingness to testify against fellow officers to outright perjury and tampering with evidence. It is certainly the perception of many that this exists. The case in Atlanta certainly does little to dispel this notion. That same perception is going to taint this case in Philly. Where is the trust, the respect? Why should we believe the police?

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:54:23 +0000

Interesting reading the comments on this thread. What surprises me is that it didn’t generate into the usual hatefest. I’d like to make a make a couple of points first it’s a whole different world today’s criminals are much more likely to be violent and be feed from popular culture on a steady diet of hate the police in music and films. A fine example is mouser and his posts. On the other hand please don’t say in the good old days people were never treated badly. Thirty years ago events like this would have been much more common and accepted. Today cops are under an unprecented amount of scrunity were events like this are far less common. Also law enforcement receives more training and are held higher standards then ever before.

By: I.M. Copper

I.M. Copper — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:57:12 +0000

Amused Observer rightfully brings up the Constitution and the issue of respect and trust. All public officials, especially the police, must earn and keep the trust of the public they serve. When they violate the trust willingly, not accidentally or in the course and scope of their employment, but take deliberate steps to violate the trust, there must be repercussions. There have been and there will continue to be consequences. Careers have been lost, professional lives destroyed, disgraced officers will be labeled racists, and indictments are looming.

The Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution reminds us that equal protection under the law and due process are rights for all persons. This amendment seems poignant due to some of the comments I have read of late. For police officers that have broken the law, there is no greater violation of trust and that is why the District Attorney (DA) and/or the US Attorney (USA) are likely to weigh in on this case.

In weeks to come mitigating and aggravating evidence will be presented. The reported and sustained injuries of the three suspects will have an influence on which entity may try the case, or if the case is tried at all. If the case goes, it doesn’t take a genius to deduce the four officers that were recommended for dismissal are the likely to be the future defendants.

More to come.

By: mouser

mouser — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:12:40 +0000

According to Amused Observer there are “law abiding police officers”. I doubt that.

By: mouser

mouser — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:10:18 +0000

shanna,

There are no “good officers” as you call them. They all want desperately to shoot there guns because they have such small penis’. And you really shouldn’t bring God into this. I would guess that you’re just naive or clueless.

By: Amused Observer

Amused Observer — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:59:12 +0000

To the commenter who calls himself I.M. Copper,
Thank you for acknowledging the validity of some of the points I raised. Perhaps you might care to address some of those points instead of casting aspersions upon myself, my friends, my educational achievements and place in our economic sphere.

A quick glance at McKay’s post by anyone with adequate reading skills clearly indicates that he is an experienced older former LEO. A former LEO who is disgusted by unprofessional behavior of current practioners of his former profession.

Society has placed a
great deal of trust and power in the hands of police officers. McKay believes to be worthy of that trust police should be held to a higher degree of accountability when they break the law.

The primary question remains, what are suitable consequences for public servants who violate our trust by abusing the power placed in thier hands?
You opine that perhaps the Philly officers were illegal. Let us assume for a moment that you are correct, that this example of pulling citizens out of a car and beating and kicking them is illegal, is a crime. Plainly put, that these officers are indeed criminals. What is suitable punishment for criminals who violate society’s trust? Should police be held accountable for thier actions or are they above the law they are hired to uphold?

Perhaps after we discuss suitable punishment for criminals shielded by a badge we can address suitable consequences for the negligent officers whose incompetence results in homicide. What should we do with trained professionals who kill by accident?

I have no fear of law abiding police officers who do not commit assaults or homicides. I willingly place my trust in men who uphold the law, the
Constitution and do not perjure themselves. But respect is hard earned and easily lost. I truly wish all police were worthy of respect and trust.

By: shanna

shanna — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:01:17 +0000

I also witnessed the video tape and read Mr. Dunphy’s article. I found the tape as many did disturbing and sad. I live in Philadelphia and that tape does not represent most of the Police Officers that work to protect us. Given the situation of the fear we all have come to live with there has to be a better solution. I agree these officers should be terminated but also want to commend the thousands that go out every day to protect us and never get the thanks. The correct story was these men did try to kill and then fled. This city has seen more guns and violence increase and the criminals seem to run the city not the people. I know there is no easy answer but the fear needs to stop. God Bless the good officers and there families and God Bless us. We are fighting a war right here in our own country…do you want to volunteer.

By: Dave Joyner - Atlanta

Dave Joyner - Atlanta — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:46:41 +0000

I wonder what would happen if 18 white cops beat three white men like that and it was caught on tape. It is not uncommon to see this happening to blacks, but I cannot remember a time when anyone white was beat like that with no obvious provocation.
I heard Mayor Nutter say only 4 officers acted inappropriately. We must have been looking at different videos. He said the men were moving and had to be restrained. I saw the man taken out of the passenger seat with his hands in the air and he laid on the ground and then the kicking and beating began. I find it hard to believe anybody could remain still while being beaten and kicked like that.