# 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:** 310
**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:** [September 3, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6181 "2015-09-03T19:47:39Z")
Teaxas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: [asking critical questions results in police officers dying](http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-blames-npr-for-violence-against-cops-your-type-of-interview-has-to-stop/), _“You know, your type of interview has to stop. When I was asked to do an interview on NPR, I asked myself, ‘do I really want to do this? They’re not in the police officers’ corner.’ And you’ve proven that by your interview… Yes there are people in every profession who cross the line and should be fired. Quit focusing on that small percentage of those in law enforcement who have made a mistake or broken the law themselves. Focus on the men and women that you and your family depend on every day to protect your life.”_ Apparently, there is a “war on the police”, being stirred up by the media improperly depicting them as behaving badly. ---
**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:** [September 3, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6182 "2015-09-03T20:00:37Z")
[![](https://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/image.jpg1_zpsilqrjkiv.jpg) ](https://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv174/kayaker01/image.jpg1_zpsilqrjkiv.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6183 "2015-09-03T22:29:51Z")
> [@SciFiSam](#): > > Are you taking the piss? Your comment doesn’t even apply to the first linked incident in which the shot man wasn’t even accused of a crime. It doesn’t matter. Even if the perp was unarmed (the story doesn’t say), if the officers were in legitimate or plausible fear that he might be reaching for a weapon, it was a clean shoot and, with or without any kill(s), would be beneficial to society. He’s lucky they didn’t empty their magazines and sever his aorta. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6184 "2015-09-03T22:31:50Z")
Nice. Just in case real shootings of police weren’t enough: [Massachusetts cop will be fired after lying about road shooting that prompted manhunt](http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/massachusetts-cop-will-be-fired-after-lying-about-road-shooting-that-prompted-manhunt/) > [@](#): > > An unidentified part-time police officer in Millis, Massachusetts was lying when he claimed that a motorist shot at his cruiser, WCVB-TV reported on Thursday. > > “We have determined that the officer’s story was fabricated. Specifically, that he fired shots at his own cruiser as a plan to concoct a story that he was fired upon,” Sgt. William Dwyer said at a press conference. “The evidence indicates the shots were not fired by a suspect, and there is no gunman at large in or around the town.” > > The 24-year-old officer said on Wednesday that someone driving a red or maroon pickup truck fired at him, causing him to crash into a tree. He said the vehicle then caught fire. NECN-TV reported that he has been working as a dispatcher for the department and was about to begin police academy training in order to become a full-time officer. Wonder what would have happened if the SWAT team had spotted someone driving a red/maroon pickup. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6185 "2015-09-03T22:34:23Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Teaxas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick: [asking critical questions results in police officers dying](http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/texas-lt-gov-dan-patrick-blames-npr-for-violence-against-cops-your-type-of-interview-has-to-stop/), > [indent][color=“Navy”]\*“You know, your type of interview has to stop. … > Apparently, there is a “war on the police”, being stirred up by the media improperly depicting them as behaving badly. > [@](#): > > Brown asked Patrick about a statement this week telling Texans to address police officers respectfully and pick up their tabs at restaurants. Some have pointed out that respect is earned, Brown said, and added that many have been troubled by videos posted online that show police officers abusing people physically or killing them while they are unarmed. You can hardly blame the cops for abusing or killing people who refuse to pick up their diner tab. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6186 "2015-09-03T22:52:08Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > You can hardly blame the cops for abusing or killing people who refuse to pick up their diner tab. Because people making $40k-$100k (with overtime) desperately need their citizens to worship them as gods and pay for their meals. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6187 "2015-09-04T02:09:19Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Because people making $40k-$100k (with overtime) desperately need their citizens to worship them as gods and pay for their meals. And you better tip at least 18%. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2015, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6188 "2015-09-07T01:27:08Z")
…I don’t think this one has been posted but my apologies if it has, but this would have to be one of the most clearest examples of “driving while black” that I’ve seen. A guy pulled over after literally leaving his driveway, and told to take the air fresheners off his mirrors. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/rHG-fptWcLU/hqdefault.jpg "Got Pulled Over For My Air Fresheners") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHG-fptWcLU) And…bonus video: that was on the “up next list” of that video: Black man moved on for "sleeping". When he was clearly awake. The most heartbreaking bit is that the man just complies with the ridiculous order because the alternative would be at the very best jail. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2015, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6189 "2015-09-07T04:55:30Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > … And…bonus video: that was on the “up next list” of that video: > > Black man moved on for "sleeping". When he was clearly awake. The most heartbreaking bit is that the man just complies with the ridiculous order because the alternative would be at the very best jail. In California in the late 1960’s I was handcuffed and arrested just for lying down, with no option to “move on.” BTW, my “next up” video was [a cute encounter where a citizen pulls over a cop for driving a non-compliant patrol car](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsvMwLEkhQI). The citizen lets the cop go with a warning. (“I’m not going to write you up today.”) (I just watched the first 2+ minutes: it’s a boring Young Turks video.) ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6190 "2015-09-09T21:25:46Z")
[Former tennis player James Blake tackled, slammed to the ground and cuffed by police in Midtown.](http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/ex-tennis-star-james-blake-mistakenly-tackled-white-cops-article-1.2353983) Guilty of standing in front of a fancy hotel in Manhattan while black, apparently. I guess we should look at this and be thankful he didn’t have his hands in his pockets. Such bullshit but I’m sure someone will be by soon to explain how it was really Blake’s fault. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6191 "2015-09-09T21:45:08Z")
It used to be that if a police officer didn’t observe a crime, he had to get a warrant to arrest somebody. Now, just somebody saying “he look like a criminal” is enough to get body slammed, or worse. The real problem is the law doesn’t apply to the police. There are no police for the police. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6192 "2015-09-09T22:07:43Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Such bullshit but I’m sure someone will be by soon to explain how it was really Blake’s fault. “Stop resisting! Stop reaching for my gun!” ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6193 "2015-09-10T00:36:08Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > [Former tennis player James Blake tackled, slammed to the ground and cuffed by police in Midtown.](http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/ex-tennis-star-james-blake-mistakenly-tackled-white-cops-article-1.2353983) > > Guilty of standing in front of a fancy hotel in Manhattan while black, apparently. I guess we should look at this and be thankful he didn’t have his hands in his pockets. > > Such bullshit but I’m sure someone will be by soon to explain how it was really Blake’s fault. I think that what gets me the most about this story is that, even if Blake had been the actual guy they were after, their strategy for dealing with this case was still way over the top. The person the cops were seeking was, according to the story, “wanted for buying a cellphone with a bogus credit card.” Jesus fucking Christ. I’m not a huge fan of thieves, but does that level of crime really require such a pre-emptive use of force, without even identifying yourself as a police officer or giving the suspect a chance to come quietly? There were five of them. Why not just approach him from a couple of different directions—hands on weapons if you absolutely have to—and tell him that you need to ask him some questions. A quick Terry frisk to make sure he’s not armed, and they can then have a rational and calm conversation to determine what the next step should be. If he’s the guy, you arrest him calmly and take him in; if he’s not, you apologize and send him on his way. Even if the guy did use a stolen credit card, it’s no excuse for a pre-emptive slamming. Fucking asshole cowboys. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6194 "2015-09-10T00:54:07Z")
And then there is that issue of “what if it’s the wrong guy?”. > [@](#): > > One of the hallmarks of the US criminal justice system is the protection we have against being arrested at the whim of the police, that is, being arrested for any reason or no reason at all. The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution, as well as the constitutions of most states, require law enforcement agents to get a warrant before making an arrest. There are some exceptions to the rule, though. > **[When Do Police Need an Arrest Warrant?](https://legal-info.lawyers.com/criminal/criminal-law-basics/what-are-arrest-warrants.html)** > > To get an arrest warrant, the officer has to provide information that establishes probable cause to believe that the named person committed a particular crime. I’m sure somebody saying “That’s the guy officer” is not one of exceptions to the Constitution. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6195 "2015-09-10T14:35:07Z")
[No charges for the police who killed the rock-throwing man in Pasco, WA](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/no-charges-pasco-police-officers-who-killed-antonio-zambrano-montes-n424571). [Ernest T. Bass](https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5203/5361863058_87362dccb0.jpg) would be _so_ dead! ---
**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:** [September 10, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6196 "2015-09-10T15:30:53Z")
[NYC Cops befuddled by James Blake’s disinclination to interact with them; say they want to apologize: > [@](#): > > New York City’s police commissioner says he’s been trying to apologize to former tennis professional James Blake, who was handcuffed by officers after a case of mistaken identity. > > But Police Commissioner William Bratton said Thursday that Blake hasn’t responded to messages. > > \ > > The officer has been stripped of his gun and badge. Police are investigating. ]([http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_EX\_TENNIS\_PLAYER\_ARRESTED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-09-10-11-23-34](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EX_TENNIS_PLAYER_ARRESTED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-09-10-11-23-34)) ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6197 "2015-09-10T15:49:24Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [NYC Cops befuddled by James Blake’s disinclination to interact with them; say they want to apologize:](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_EX_TENNIS_PLAYER_ARRESTED?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-09-10-11-23-34) [Mr. Blake is questioning that statement:](http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/13622510/james-blake-wants-apology-explanation-new-york-police-department) > [@](#): > > “I haven’t heard anything, but I mean I’d be surprised if they were making that concerted of an effort since I’ve been contacted by a lot of media sources who found my number”, he said. Reporters can find his number but not detectives? Right. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6198 "2015-09-10T17:12:23Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > The person the cops were seeking was, according to the story, “wanted for buying a cellphone with a bogus credit card.” Well, just _think_ of all the dedicated law enforcement officers who’ve been killed in the line of duty by a cellphone or a bogus credit card! Clearly their only option was to tackle the guy before he knew what was coming down. :dubious: This sort of overreaction is just out of bounds. And no, it’s not like they are faced with a rising tide of anti-police violence and have to do this to keep themselves safe. As I keep on repeating, [this is the safest time to be a cop in the U.S. since the 19th century](http://www.nleomf.org/facts/officer-fatalities-data/year.html). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6199 "2015-09-10T19:32:15Z")
So many places to put this one: [Texas cop fires gun into wall after server tells him to stop groping her.](http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/arizona-cop-fires-gun-into-wall-in-anger-after-server-tells-him-to-stop-groping-her/) ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2015, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/6200 "2015-09-10T20:17:07Z")
[http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/10/tenants-sue-stockton-pd-for-blitz-raids.htm](http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/09/10/tenants-sue-stockton-pd-for-blitz-raids.htm) Tenants Sue Stockton PD for ‘Blitz’ Raids Under the guise of conducting code enforcement inspections, Stockton police demand access to homes with less than 24 hours’ notice, and falsely tell them they would face criminal charges or be evicted or fined if they did not consent, according to the lawsuit. “Stockton police officers intruded at all hours, including during the dinner hour, when residents were sitting down to supper, or in the evening, when people were putting children to bed,” the tenants say. During the searches, officers are “rude and demeaning,” rifle through personal belongings, demand copies of bills and enter rooms where people are sleeping. None of the “inspections” uncovered any contraband, nor did they lead to any arrests, according to the complaint. Despite the cover story about code enforcement, Gateway Apartments “rapidly became significantly more dilapidated, developed more maintenance and code violations, became crime ridden, developed a large number of vacancies and became insect-infested,” the renters say. The say vacant units have been used for drug sales, gambling and prostitution. [http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/09/10/3700184/california-police-ransacked-public-apartments-with-no-warrants-or-probable-cause-a-lawsuit-says/](http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/09/10/3700184/california-police-ransacked-public-apartments-with-no-warrants-or-probable-cause-a-lawsuit-says/) California Police Ransacked Public Apartments Without Warrants Under ‘Neighborhood Blitz’ Program Lacking warrants, the cops examined mattresses, closets, drawers, and cupboards — throwing the contents on the floor. They also searched plaintiffs’ medications and demanded to see personal documents, including bills and rental papers. If tenants tried to deny entry or failed to comply with officers’ demands, the police threatened to arrest them, place them in homeless shelters, and shut down the apartments altogether. An armed officer was present during all of the searches. Ultimately, no arrests were made. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=309) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=311)