# Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread #2 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 23, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531 "2020-06-23T20:29:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 155
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3088 "2023-01-04T17:13:46Z")
Well, he was concussed, so his memory of the incident will not be particularly clear. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3089 "2023-01-04T20:17:29Z")
His conscious memory may not be clear, but the event will have penetrated to his unconscious mind, so that the lesson of avoiding or running away from the police is probably well and deeply seated. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3090 "2023-01-07T02:12:13Z")
A Wall Street Journal reporter engaging in criminal activity: > **[Phoenix PD launching investigation after officer handcuffed and detained WSJ...](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/wsj-reporter-handcuffed-detained-by-police/ar-AA163MHF)** > > The Phoenix PD is launching an investigation after an officer handcuffed and detained a WSJ reporter in November. Isn’t the Wall Street Journal tough on crime? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3091 "2023-01-08T03:23:18Z")
Arrested for being black on a sunny day? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3092 "2023-01-08T18:08:10Z")
_Sir, you are under arrest for over-tanning._ _dang sun-stealers_ ---
**Author:** ![mjmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3d9bf3/32.png) [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3093 "2023-01-09T21:17:11Z")
The officer telling the bystander that she was going to be arrested for filming the arrest is just icing on the cake. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3094 "2023-01-10T17:39:44Z")
> **[A soldier is suing Virginia police over a violent stop. Here's what to know...](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-solider-is-suing-virginia-police-over-a-violent-stop-here-s-what-to-know-about-the-trial/ar-AA1693w6?cvid=f942b742c8ac4b6cab0ccead17976a74)** > > Army officer Caron Nazario sued Virginia police after video showed officers pull weapons and pepper-spray him in a December 2020 traffic stop. Cops are bullies and criminals ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3095 "2023-01-10T19:33:38Z")
> [@mjmartin](#): > > The officer telling the bystander that she was going to be arrested for filming the arrest is just icing on the cake In the old days, the officer would have just smashed her camera, exposed the film and then arrested her on some bullshit charge that he lied about. And there would be nothing anyone could do about it. Now, the person filming just has to calmly tell the criminal officer that the video is being played live, or uploaded to the cloud. ---
**Author:** ![mjmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3d9bf3/32.png) [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3096 "2023-01-10T20:05:38Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Now, the person filming just has to calmly tell the criminal officer that the video is being played live, or uploaded to the cloud. Arizona has a special breed of asshole in this regard. The state passed a law that says you can’t record the police within 8 feet. The ACLU immediately sued, and the state more or less acknowledged it was a bullshit, unconstitutional law. That hasn’t stopped the police from trying to enforce the law that’s not yet, and probably never going to be, on the books. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3097 "2023-01-10T23:05:33Z")
> [@mjmartin](#): > > Arizona has a special breed of asshole in this regard. The state passed a law that says you can’t record the police within 8 feet. 8 feet is really, really close. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3098 "2023-01-10T23:18:58Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > 8 feet is really, really close Not only is 8 feet nothing like “really, really close”, but as far as the police are concerned, if they can see you, you are closer than 8 feet. If there are several officers, one will walk toward you and say you are too close – “_you are within 8’ of **me**!_” ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3099 "2023-01-10T23:22:20Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Not only is 8 feet nothing like “really, really close” Really? 2 foot closer and I get your covid. It is close enough to be in the way of lawful police action, and _in danger_ from a suspect AND lawful police action. I get that filming them is a good thing, but not THAT damn close. Hell, you would need to step back a few feet to get everything in the frame. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3100 "2023-01-10T23:24:30Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > you would need to step back a few feet to get everything in the frame Not if you hold it the way you are supposed to. Stop holding the damn thing vertically. ---
**Author:** ![mjmartin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3d9bf3/32.png) [@mjmartin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmartin)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3101 "2023-01-10T23:33:20Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > 8 feet is really, really close. The problem is the law only singles out people recording. So standing within 8 feet is fine, but whip out your cell phone and now you’re a danger. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3102 "2023-01-11T10:20:15Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > > [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > > > you would need to step back a few feet to get everything in the frame > > Not if you hold it the way you are supposed to. **Stop holding the damn thing vertically.** Hear, hear. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3103 "2023-01-11T15:05:07Z")
I would support legislation which bans the recording of police activity in portrait mode. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3104 "2023-01-11T23:53:47Z")
Thin blue line holds again. Special prosecutor stops the case before it goes to the grand jury. Police destroy evidence, but that’s merely suspicious, not a crime in and of itself. Imagine anyone else destroying evidence and then waltzing away. > **[Special prosecutor recommends no criminal charges for Transit Police officers...](https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2023/01/11/special-prosecutor-cunha-no-criminal-charges-transit-police-officers-coverup-jason-leonor-jacob-green-kevin-davis/?p1=hp_featurestack)** > > Special prosecutor Glenn Cunha recommended no criminal charges be filed against two Transit Police officers who were allegedly involved in a coverup. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3105 "2023-01-12T00:00:34Z")
From the linked article: > Cunha said Tuesday that because the two officers involved deleted their text messages from the day of the incident, there was no way to acquire the evidence necessary to prosecute, the _Globe_ reported. I thought that stuff was always recoverable. Or is that only for civilians? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3106 "2023-01-12T00:06:18Z")
Its bullshit. If he thought there was no evidence, he could have let it go the grand jury and let them no bill it. He took it out their hands because…he’s in someone’s pocket. Probably wants a police endorsement for his next candidacy. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531/3107 "2023-01-12T01:40:42Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I thought that stuff was always recoverable. Or is that only for civilians? Despite some high profile cases, for prosecutors it’s 🙈🙉🙊 when it comes to police officers. They believe they are on the same team. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531.md?page=154) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread-2/912531.md?page=156)