# 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:** 47
**Author:** ![buddy431](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@buddy431](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddy431)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/921 "2015-03-05T22:41:58Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > [Jury sides with cops who killed a guy they pulled over. Dispatcher tape recordings recently released (for some mysterious reason) challenge the veracity of the cops’ story. Outrage ensues.](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-chicago-police-fatal-shooting-met-0305-20150304-story.html) [This is the same cop who shot a man on the ground three times in the back because he thought his cellphone was a gun](http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-22/news/ct-met-police-involved-shootings-1023-20111022_1_three-shootings-flint-farmer-gildardo-sierra). No charges there either. At least the victim’s estate did get a payout in that case (no fault admitted), which is more than happened here. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/922 "2015-03-05T23:00:22Z")
> [@buddy431](#): > > [This is the same cop who shot a man on the ground three times in the back because he thought his cellphone was a gun](http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-10-22/news/ct-met-police-involved-shootings-1023-20111022_1_three-shootings-flint-farmer-gildardo-sierra). No charges there either. At least the victim’s estate did get a payout in that case (no fault admitted), which is more than happened here. This guy _ **REALLY** _ should not be allowed to carry a gun. I mean, how many humans does he have to kill before we figure that shit out? What the actual fuck? ---
**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:** [March 5, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/923 "2015-03-05T23:01:25Z")
No, really, how many people have to die by his hand? What in the hell? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/924 "2015-03-05T23:16:22Z")
Wow, looking at that report, it seems the real thugs in Ferguson work at city hall. Also, the powers that be there had no problem shirking their own personal responsibility. > [@](#): > > In August 2013, an FPD patrol supervisor wrote an email entitled “Oops” to the Prosecuting Attorney regarding a ticket his relative received in another municipality for traveling 59 miles per hour in a 40 miles-per-hour zone, noting “[h]aving it dismissed would be a blessing.” The Prosecuting Attorney responded that the prosecutor of that other municipality promised to nolle pros the ticket. The supervisor responded with appreciation, noting that the dismissal “[c]ouldn’t have come at a better time.” > > Also in August 2013, Ferguson’s Mayor emailed the Prosecuting Attorney about a parking ticket received by an employee of a non-profit day camp for which the Mayor sometimes volunteers. The Mayor wrote that the person “shouldn’t have left his car unattended there, but it was an honest mistake” and stated, “I would hate for him to have to pay for this, can you help?” The Prosecuting Attorney forwarded the email to the Court Clerk, instructing her to “NP [nolle prosequi, or not prosecute] this parking ticket.” > > In November 2011, a court clerk received a request from a friend to “fix a parking ticket” received by the friend’s coworker’s wife. After the ticket was faxed to the clerk, she replied: “It’s gone baby!” > > In March 2014, a friend of the Court Clerk’s relative emailed the Court Clerk with a scanned copy of a ticket asking if there was anything she could do to help. She responded: “Your ticket of $200 has magically disappeared!” Later, in June 2014, the same person emailed the Court Clerk regarding two tickets and asked: “Can you work your magic again? It would be deeply appreciated.” The Clerk later informed him one ticket had been dismissed and she was waiting to hear back about the second ticket. ---
**Author:** ![buddy431](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@buddy431](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddy431)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/925 "2015-03-05T23:17:28Z")
> [@get\_lives](#): > > No, really, how many people have to die by his hand? What in the hell? 3 shot, 2 dead. He’s been on desk duty for the past 4 years. (I think the shooting the guy in the back incident was after the shooting the guy in the car incident). And honestly, I don’t think not prosecuting him was necessarily the wrong decision. I think it would have been hard to convict him with the evidence. But why the hell is he still being paid with my tax money? ---
**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:** [March 5, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/926 "2015-03-05T23:21:44Z")
> [@buddy431](#): > > 3 shot, 2 dead. He’s been on desk duty for the past 4 years. (I think the shooting the guy in the back incident was after the shooting the guy in the car incident). > > And honestly, I don’t think not prosecuting him was necessarily the wrong decision. I think it would have been hard to convict him with the evidence. But why the hell is he still being paid with my tax money? For all the problems Europe has, they sure don’t have this one. Fuck this country. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/927 "2015-03-06T05:31:48Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > The racist e-mails were were tasteless, but referring to Obama as a chimp isn’t racist. I tend not to trust racists to tell me whether something’s racist or not, thanks. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2015, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/928 "2015-03-06T09:10:10Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, then, you got oodles of examples right at your fingertips. The President directly prior to Obama would be an example. Not that I for one moment doubt the emails about Obama were racist in tone, the point is that, absent context, calling someone a chimp isn’t inherently racist. It’s the context that makes it so. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2015, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/929 "2015-03-06T09:11:35Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I tend not to trust racists to tell me whether something’s racist or not, thanks. As you are a proven, admitted racist, then you finally accept that you don’t know what’s racist? That’s good to know. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2015, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/930 "2015-03-06T10:02:14Z")
> [@](#): > > In November 2011, a court clerk received a request from a friend to “fix a parking ticket” received by the friend’s coworker’s wife. After the ticket was faxed to the clerk, she replied: “It’s gone baby!” Although [checks forum] constipated amygdala-bloated blowhards like the **Brickhead** or **Ten-Kyu** can’t figure this out, this is a good example of how governments can have instituionalized racism in, e.g. voter registration without clearly violating the law. Simply place huge obstacles in the way of, e.g. driving or registration, but waive the requirements for “the right sort of people.” All the best, S. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/931 "2015-03-06T12:28:03Z")
> [@get\_lives](#): > > For all the problems Europe has, they sure don’t have this one. Just don’t look [closely](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Silberbauer) under Europe’s [fingernails](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Papon). ---
**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:** [March 6, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/932 "2015-03-06T15:48:04Z")
Here’s a terrific article on the findings in Ferguson by Ta-Nehisi Coates: [“The Gangsters of Ferguson”](http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/03/The-Gangsters-Of-Ferguson/386893/). Targeting black people (extremely disproportionately, despite a lower likelihood of violations and contraband) for tickets and fines was a very large portion of Ferguson’s municipal income. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/933 "2015-03-06T15:54:49Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > As you are a proven, admitted racist Ha Ha. Funny man. And predictable, too - how **Shodie** finds any room to cram his head when _you’re_ so far up his ass, I don’t know. But maybe it’s because you have timeshare up all the racists’ asses… But you’re a liar, too. Or you’d be able to link to somewhere where I admitted to being a racist. And tweaking the noses of KKK-wannabes like you or **mags** in a pit thread ain’t it. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/934 "2015-03-06T16:54:10Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > No, I have a point because calling someone a chimp isn’t based on race, since people call white people “chimp” as well. By your logic, calling Obama a son of a bitch would be racist as well. Which is silly. > > Regards, > Shodan Goddamn, you’re a complete moron! This is awesome. I am so grateful that you decided to put on this little show. Keep going! As for the larger report, having grown up in St. Louis, I am shocked, shocked I say to find out that there is racism going on there! ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/935 "2015-03-06T16:54:27Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Just don’t look [closely](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Silberbauer) under Europe’s [fingernails](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Papon). Silberbauer was suspended in 1963; Papon was forced to resign in 1967. European law enforcement has had plenty of time to get its hands dirty in the _half a century_ (!) that has passed since then. More recent examples might help you make your point a little better. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/936 "2015-03-06T17:28:32Z")
[OK, here](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/27/french-police-officers-charged-raping-canadian-tourist-police-headquarters-paris) And she isn’t even Muslim. Wanna open that can of worms? ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/937 "2015-03-06T17:30:34Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > [OK, here](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/27/french-police-officers-charged-raping-canadian-tourist-police-headquarters-paris) Much better example, yes. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/938 "2015-03-06T20:50:32Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > [OK, here](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/27/french-police-officers-charged-raping-canadian-tourist-police-headquarters-paris) > > And she isn’t even Muslim. Wanna open that can of worms? Dude, in sheer numbers of abuse/corruption/rape/racism/murder/brutality/etc., western Europe’s cops are saints compared to the U.S… Please dispute that if you are a dummy, so I know whether I’m dealing with a dumb person or not. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/939 "2015-03-06T22:08:33Z")
“Yeah, fuck this country! Fuck America, all 1/3 of a billion of its inhabitants! They got evil cops and when they shit they wipe with dry paper instead of using bidets!” There, can I join your club of geniuses please? ---
**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:** [March 6, 2015, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/940 "2015-03-06T22:36:12Z")
The most disproportionate charge from the Ferguson PD? [“Manner of walking along the roadway”](http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-walking-black-ferguson-police-justice-report-20150305-story.html#page=1). “African Americans accounted for 95% of manner of walking along roadway charges from 2011 to 2013, according to the report.” “Walking while black” indeed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=46) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=48)