# 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:** 362
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7221 "2015-11-27T00:59:02Z")
Well, there’s your big secret that the BK security videos would have revealed - the officer briefly drove his squad car onto the sidewalk while chasing the armed suspect. Clearly, the police had to immediately destroy the evidence to make sure nobody would ever learn the truth about what their own dashcams would reveal anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7222 "2015-11-27T12:46:05Z")
Seeing as it’s American Thanksgiving, [vid@15:15](https://vimeo.com/134908597). ---
**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:** [November 27, 2015, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7223 "2015-11-27T13:14:01Z")
tl;dw. Did the turkeys get shot by a cop they frightened? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7224 "2015-11-27T14:18:18Z")
Nope. Hit and run. The other three turkey bros went on a door-to-door search for days for their bro, and then in a back alley . . . ---
**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:** [November 27, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7225 "2015-11-27T14:57:03Z")
Never mind ---
**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:** [November 28, 2015, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7226 "2015-11-28T00:15:03Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [The Post cited the student newspaper in its editorial about the case,](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/09/29/no-accountability/) and it includes this; > > > [@](#): > > > > Quote: > > A subsequent Maryland State Police investigation also concluded that there was no evidence of a coverup. > > There is no evidence in this instance that they did not. We did a good job…a \*good \*job… ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7227 "2015-11-28T01:36:21Z")
First Freddie Gray trial starts Monday morning in Baltimore with jury selection. ---
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7228 "2015-11-28T06:18:18Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > We did a good job…a \*good \*job… Yeah. The whole point of that editorial was what a travesty it was, but **Smapti** takes it as vindication. Good faith, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7229 "2015-11-28T13:38:34Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Yeah. The whole point of that editorial was what a travesty it was, but **Smapti** takes it as vindication. The Post’s opinion is irrelevant. What’s important is the facts it acknowledges - that both the campus PD’s investigation, and the independent investigation by the state police, found no evidence of wrongdoing or tampering in the surveillance system. Continuing to insist on some super-secret police conspiracy in spite of the evidence against it is as intellectually honest as 9/11 trutherism or global warming denial. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7230 "2015-11-28T14:28:43Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > There seems to be some dispute as to that “fact”, seeing as she was never charged with a crime or disciplined in any way. > > Probably because it never happened the way the district manager claims it did. That is pretty much the whole reason for this thread. Some police are committing crimes, often resulting in death or serious injury, and they are not being held accountable. I understand that you believe that police should be able to do whatever they want, kill, beat up, whatever, because in your world might makes right and if the cops say someone deserved to die then they need to die. But many of the rest of us (obviously) have a problem with the two tiered justice system we currently have. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7231 "2015-11-28T16:45:46Z")
> [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](#): > > I understand that you believe that police should be able to do whatever they want, kill, beat up, whatever, because in your world might makes right and if the cops say someone deserved to die then they need to die. This isn’t about me believing police can and should do whatever they want. It’s about people overreacting to appropriate uses of force because they are irrationally biased against law enforcement. In the case being discussed, _the police did nothing wrong_. There was an unruly crowd on the verge of breaking out in a riot and they were maintaining order by holding a picket line when this idiot who’s either drunk or not paying attention charged right up to them and challenged their authority. He was presenting a threat to public safety and the police used appropriate force to neutralize that threat. They didn’t shoot him or Tase him or turn dogs loose on him - they just took him down with their batons so he could be handcuffed and taken away and so anyone else who was thinking about causing a scene would know what the consequences are. The problem here is the people who are acting like this is the worst constabulatory misdeed since the Jim Crow days and insisting that multiple departments engaged in an elaborate conspiracy to cover it up. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7232 "2015-11-28T16:59:34Z")
Why did they lie about what happened? An even better question is why would I try to engage with you? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7233 "2015-11-28T17:10:48Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Why did they lie about what happened? They didn’t. Nothing in the video contradicts the police report to the degree that deliberate falsehood would be indicated. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7234 "2015-11-28T17:18:52Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > They didn’t. Nothing in the video contradicts the police report to the degree that deliberate falsehood would be indicated. You know, if you were my son I’d probably kill myself too. You’re a liar and somehow continually shock me with your complete disregard for truth, justice, and complete lack of humility or humanity. It’ll be a great day when you leave this board. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7235 "2015-11-28T17:23:53Z")
For the record and anyone reading, the police said McKenna attacked them and injured an office. They said his injuries were due to a horse kick. Both statements are lies and so is **Smapti’s** defense of them. Trump level lying. Who are you going to believe, your eyes or people with an interest in lying? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7236 "2015-11-28T17:50:53Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > For the record and anyone reading, the police said McKenna attacked them and injured an office. They said his injuries were due to a horse kick. Both statements are lies and so is **Smapti’s** defense of them. Can you prove they were lies? Noone has perfect perception and perfect memory, especially not during a physical confrontation. It’s entirely plausible that the officers believed McKenna was throwing punches when he was just flailing his arms to protect himself (and there are parts of the video where he’s obscured and he certainly could be throwing punches), and it’s entirely plausible that an officer thought his horse kicked McKenna when in fact it didn’t. ---
**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:** [November 28, 2015, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7237 "2015-11-28T19:34:26Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Can you prove they were lies? Noone has perfect perception and perfect memory, especially not during a physical confrontation. It’s entirely plausible that the officers believed McKenna was throwing punches when he was just flailing his arms to protect himself (and there are parts of the video where he’s obscured and he certainly could be throwing punches), and it’s entirely plausible that an officer thought his horse kicked McKenna when in fact it didn’t. This is performance art, right? ---
**Author:** ![piepiepie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7238 "2015-11-28T20:11:47Z")
I should’ve gone to that Duke game. I believe we won? I remember looking out of my dorm window (I lived on South Campus at the time) and seeing some of the crowd. The kid got the shit kicked out of him on Knox around the corner from my dorm. I was super glad my black ass didn’t go after seeing the cops beat that kid and pepper sprayed others I believe. The mob did good by setting Ratsie’s on fire though. Terrible food. It’s closed now, not because of the riots, but I imagine because they finally tasted their pizza. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7239 "2015-11-28T20:18:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Can you prove they were lies? Noone has perfect perception and perfect memory, especially not during a physical confrontation. It’s entirely plausible that the officers believed McKenna was throwing punches when he was just flailing his arms to protect himself (and there are parts of the video where he’s obscured and he certainly could be throwing punches), and it’s entirely plausible that an officer thought his horse kicked McKenna when in fact it didn’t. It’s possible (as is the involvement of aliens), but no, it’s not plausible. But it’s not your fault that you can’t tell the difference. Whatever immense trauma you endured has warped your sensibilities regarding authority beyond any reasonable sense of decency or humanity, and you’re unable to judge situations in which authority figures are involved with any human rationality or reason. It’s not your fault, but you probably should consider that this might be possible, and stop trusting that your instincts on such subjects are anything but the crazy absurd rantings of someone severely (and probably permanently) traumatically damaged. ---
**Author:** ![phantom\_lamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@phantom\_lamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phantom_lamb)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/7240 "2015-11-28T21:19:34Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > So in your opinion he was coming closer to the officers, not walking away from them? The officers were stationary and he was approaching them, in your view? Well… yeah. That’s what it looks like to me. Except towards the very end, where the officers do approach him a few feet - but until that point he was approaching them for some reason. I don’t need to argue over this, as it’s simply how I see the video - I could be wrong, duh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=361) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=363)