# Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 10, 2014, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942 "2014-10-10T07:35:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/421 "2014-12-18T17:36:39Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > I wasn’t talking about police support for the cameras. I was giving an example of a change that, to use the language someone else used, both pro- and anti-police commentators could support. I doubt anyone (well, possibly one person here…) would think it’s acceptable for there to be so many “failures”. The pro-police commentators _have_ to (at least on the surface) support body cams, considering the rash of recent incidents. They can’t come up with any logical “anti” arguments at this time, and they think police will just figure out a way to circumvent them in due time so, why the hell not? ---
**Author:** ![get\_lives](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@get\_lives](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/get_lives)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/422 "2014-12-18T17:38:48Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Perhaps because some people don’t believe that things have actually gotten worse, but that due to things like Facebook we’re all more aware of things that are happening - good and bad. > > What would it take for someone to get voted into office? Someone who doesn’t just decry how bad things are but has a practical plan to make things better. For example, no-one’s complaining about police body cameras, no matter what side they’re on. Things have gotten a LOT worse, through a combination of the War on Drugs and overreaction to 9/11. SWAT team raids have increased a tremendous amount, and those are where some of the worst violations happen. More evidence that things have gotten worse is that the cops, despite all this negative publicity, just don’t seem to care. This exact lack of response (as shown by police union statements, sherriff’s statements, etc.) is the most troubling aspect. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/423 "2014-12-18T17:47:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The pro-police commentators _have_ to (at least on the surface) support body cams, considering the rash of recent incidents. They can’t come up with any logical “anti” arguments at this time, and they think police will just figure out a way to circumvent them in due time so, why the hell not? Or, you know, they actually want something that will show what happens, and has been proven to reduce complaints about police behaviour massively - whether by improving police behaviour, reducing frivolous complaints or, most likely, both. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/424 "2014-12-18T17:53:46Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Or, you know, they actually want something that will show what happens, and has been proven to reduce complaints about police behaviour massively - whether by improving police behaviour, reducing frivolous complaints or, most likely, both. [I guess not everyone wants this, or agrees that it works.](http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/van-hollen-money-for-police-body-cameras-better-spent-elsewhere-b99411411z1-286242981.html) Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says it’s a waste of money since it would just show that most cops are innocent of wrongdoing anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/425 "2014-12-18T18:02:15Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [I guess not everyone wants this, or agrees that it works.](http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/van-hollen-money-for-police-body-cameras-better-spent-elsewhere-b99411411z1-286242981.html) Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says it’s a waste of money since it would just show that most cops are innocent of wrongdoing anyway. Does he post on this message board? If not, he’s not someone I’m talking about. I’m not sure what argument you’re trying to make, or who you’re aiming it at, but it doesn’t have a great deal to do with my posts. That said, I disagree with him that it would be a waste of money. The amount that would be saved on investigations, trials, and suspensions would be worthwhile I expect, and even if not the better publicity would. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/426 "2014-12-18T18:32:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > The pro-police commentators _have_ to (at least on the surface) support body cams, considering the rash of recent incidents. They can’t come up with any logical “anti” arguments at this time, and they think police will just figure out a way to circumvent them in due time so, why the hell not? Apparently the body cams [malfunction](http://countercurrentnews.com/2014/12/cop-finally-fired-after-refusing-to-turn-on-body-camera-when-he-shot-woman/#) whenever it’s time to light up a citizen. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/427 "2014-12-18T20:03:06Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Apparently the body cams [malfunction](http://countercurrentnews.com/2014/12/cop-finally-fired-after-refusing-to-turn-on-body-camera-when-he-shot-woman/#) whenever it’s time to light up a citizen. SO, when will the criminal charges be filed against former-Officer Dear? BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my Og that’s funny! Ha ha! Like that’ll ever happen! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/428 "2014-12-19T00:15:18Z")
[Video shows NYPD officer punching a 12-year-old kid who is being restrained.](http://www.dailydot.com/politics/nypd-beats-12-year-old-black-kid/) How much you wanna bet that nothing happens to this police officer? ---
**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:** [December 19, 2014, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/429 "2014-12-19T00:25:54Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > [Video shows NYPD officer punching a 12-year-old kid who is being restrained.](http://www.dailydot.com/politics/nypd-beats-12-year-old-black-kid/) > > How much you wanna bet that nothing happens to this police officer? Ferchrissakes, they gotta start firing these guys at the very least. NYPD has had about as much bad press as it can handle. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/430 "2014-12-19T13:11:52Z")
[Toronto police](http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2014/12/18/22140511.html) shoot a man who may have been attempting suicide. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/431 "2014-12-19T22:31:28Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > [Video shows NYPD officer punching a 12-year-old kid who is being restrained.](http://www.dailydot.com/politics/nypd-beats-12-year-old-black-kid/) > > How much you wanna bet that nothing happens to this police officer? I love that NYPD has the gall to get indignant at the suggestion that they stop harassing and murdering citizens. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/432 "2014-12-19T22:54:56Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > [Toronto police](http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2014/12/18/22140511.html) shoot a man who may have been attempting suicide. Canadians are more helpful than us Americans. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/433 "2014-12-20T02:25:09Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > [Video shows NYPD officer punching a 12-year-old kid who is being restrained.](http://www.dailydot.com/politics/nypd-beats-12-year-old-black-kid/) > > How much you wanna bet that nothing happens to this police officer? [The cop has been suspended.](http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ny-police-officer-suspended-videotaped-punch-27728076) I hope firing is the next step so that he doesn’t become the bad apple that spoils the rest. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/434 "2014-12-20T08:06:40Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > [The cop has been suspended.](http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ny-police-officer-suspended-videotaped-punch-27728076) I hope firing is the next step so that he doesn’t become the bad apple that spoils the rest. But > [@](#): > > New York Police Department officials announced the suspension on Friday but didn’t name the officer. There is no way to confirm the suspension, we don’t know how long it was, or if it was with or without pay. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/435 "2014-12-20T12:11:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > But There is no way to confirm the suspension, we don’t know how long it was, or if it was with or without pay. Suspension with pay. We used to call that a vacation. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/436 "2014-12-20T12:18:10Z")
I can’t believe how many cops turned out for that incident. If there hadn’t been people filming it, I wonder what acts of perjury they would have committed to explain the child’s bruises. They’re nothing but a gang of thugs. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/437 "2014-12-20T14:15:17Z")
Even more, having a bunch of witnesses around (with or without cameras) didn’t seem to mean anything to him. All the people standing around and watching might as well not even existed to him, which means the thought probably never crossed his mind that his conduct could be questioned and condemned. This was business as usual that 1) just happened to be caught on tape and 2) of enough topical interest to be widely circulated. The more the public can do to disabuse cops of any notion of absolute sovereignty, the better. It’s patently obvious to me that a large part of the problem comes from cops not being held accountable for their actions. If the court system doesn’t work, perhaps the court of public opinion can apply some political pressure to the situation. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/438 "2014-12-20T14:41:36Z")
[Cop tackles and arrests a guy for speaking in a sarcastic tone.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y_UJOtvyrU) ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/439 "2014-12-20T16:57:56Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > [Cop tackles and arrests a guy for speaking in a sarcastic tone.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y_UJOtvyrU) No, it was for challenging his authoritah. I wonder what the context was - not to suggest that there was any legitimate justification for the take down or detention - but there seems like there was some interaction that led the guy to start recording and to go back to get the cop’s name. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/440 "2014-12-20T17:48:48Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > [The cop has been suspended.](http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ny-police-officer-suspended-videotaped-punch-27728076) I hope firing is the next step so that he doesn’t become the bad apple that spoils the rest. Sad, knowing, and quiet LOL. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=23)