# 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:** 664
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13262 "2018-04-25T17:53:19Z")
Please [fail to be Negro](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/redskins/2018/04/24/redskins-paul-richardson-police-gang-drug-dealer/548072002/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatoday-newstopstories), _… former Seattle Seahawks receiver who signed with the Redskins as a free agent last month, wrote on Twitter an officer asked if he “was in a gang” during the car stop in Loudoun County … “Before asking my name he asked me if I was in a gang, then minutes later told me he thought I was a dealer (drugs),” (Paul) Richardson wrote. “What a welcome to the east coast. Finished up with asking me how much car cost me.” … Richardson’s SUV was stopped on an exit ramp of a toll road at around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday “because the vehicle did not have license plates displayed as required by Virginia law”_ Drug dealers and pimps are apparently the only blacks who can afford nice things. If normal negros can afford BMWs, we must not be keeping them down hard enough. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13263 "2018-04-25T18:19:51Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > [Black guy shot in the back running away.](https://www.theroot.com/video-va-cop-shot-black-teenager-in-the-back-as-teen-1825510114) > > Apparently, as long as you yell “He’s got a gun,” that’s a license to do pretty much whatever you want. > > Edit: They did find a gun on the guy, but it was in his pants, and I see no evidence of it in the video as he’s running away. This is not as open and shut as you make it seem. He’s a suspected burglar who is failing to follow lawful commands, last seen with a gun running away from the officer and toward other officers and, presumably, occupied houses. Why would a burglar have a gun if he didn’t think he might use it? Does he present an imminent threat to anyone? I say yes. You, apparently, disagree. Just because you don’t see the gun doesn’t mean the officer didn’t see it. Cameras don’t always give a complete picture of what is going on. This is the headline on the article the contained the video: Video: Virginia Cop Shot Black Teenager in the Back as Teen Tried to Run Away. Do you think that there is any agenda there? Kinda leaves out some important details. What if this teenager had forced his way into a house in an effort to escape and ended up shooting the owner, intentionally or not. Who would be at fault there? The cops, of course. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13264 "2018-04-25T18:26:19Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > [Black guy shot in the back running away.](https://www.theroot.com/video-va-cop-shot-black-teenager-in-the-back-as-teen-1825510114) > > Apparently, as long as you yell “He’s got a gun,” that’s a license to do pretty much whatever you want. > > Edit: They did find a gun on the guy, but it was in his pants, and I see no evidence of it in the video as he’s running away. This is not as open and shut as you make it seem. He’s a suspected burglar who is failing to follow lawful commands, last seen with a gun running away from the officer and toward other officers and, presumably, occupied houses. Why would a burglar have a gun if he didn’t think he might use it? Does he present an imminent threat to anyone? I say yes. You, apparently, disagree. Just because you don’t see the gun doesn’t mean the officer didn’t see it. Cameras don’t always give a complete picture of what is going on. This is the headline on the article the contained the video: Video: Virginia Cop Shot Black Teenager in the Back as Teen Tried to Run Away. Do you think that there is any agenda there? Kinda leaves out some important details. What if this teenager had forced his way into a house in an effort to escape and ended up shooting the owner, intentionally or not. Who would be at fault there? The cops, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13265 "2018-04-25T18:54:41Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Drug dealers and pimps are apparently the only blacks who can afford nice things. If normal negros can afford BMWs, we must not be keeping them down hard enough. Cool story, bro, but have you ever been to the DC Metro area? Huge black population. Huge middle class black population. Huge wealthy black population, in fact. Lots of blacks driving BMWs and other expensive vehicles. Hardly an area where you can point to institutionalized racism. You could keep an entire army of cops busy if being black (even in a fancy car) was sufficient reason to pull someone over. BTW, I didn’t see in the linked article where it mentioned the brand or model of car. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13266 "2018-04-25T19:03:40Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > Cool story, bro, but have you ever been to the DC Metro area? Huge black population. Huge middle class black population. Huge wealthy black population, in fact. Lots of blacks driving BMWs and other expensive vehicles. Hardly an area where you can point to institutionalized racism. You could keep an entire army of cops busy if being black (even in a fancy car) was sufficient reason to pull someone over. BTW, I didn’t see in the linked article where it mentioned the brand or model of car. So because there are successful black people, there can’t be systemic racism? That does not follow. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13267 "2018-04-25T19:05:23Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So because there are successful black people, there can’t be systemic racism? That does not follow. Yes it does. Just like that fact that there were free blacks before the Civil War shows that slavery didn’t exist. Ergo sum unum. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13268 "2018-04-25T19:20:45Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > He’s a suspected burglar who is failing to follow lawful commands,\*\* last seen with a gun\*\*… See, I’m not willing to take that on faith, given the number of times that police have allegedly seen guns, only to find the suspect unarmed after they have been arrested and/or shot. > [@MikeF](#): > > I say yes. You, apparently, disagree. Well, you’ve already established that, for you, the main reason for cops NOT to grossly violate someone’s constitutional rights is so as not to place their pensions in jeopardy. You’ll forgive me if I don’t rely solely on your assessment of the situation. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13269 "2018-04-25T19:24:06Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Apparently, as long as you yell “He’s got a gun,” that’s a license to do pretty much whatever you want. I don’t think it was the yell that was the important circumstance. > [@](#): > > Edit: They did find a gun on the guy, but it was in his pants, and I see no evidence of it in the video as he’s running away. Why is it significant that the gun doesn’t appear on the video? Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13270 "2018-04-25T19:34:39Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I don’t think it was the yell that was the important circumstance. > Why is it significant that the gun doesn’t appear on the video? > > Regards, > Shodan You think he was holding the gun when he was shot and stuffed it down his pants as he was falling face first to the ground? ---
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13271 "2018-04-25T19:35:19Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Why is it significant that the gun doesn’t appear on the video? Because if his gun was inside his pants, where they actually found it, and it doesn’t appear on the video, then that casts at least some doubt on the cop’s claim that he saw the gun before he shot the guy in the back. We’ve seen cases, discussed in this very thread, where police claims were directly and clearly contradicted by video evidence. In a world where cops never lied, or were never grossly mistaken, in their accounts of incidents like this, I’d be much more likely to take the officer’s word. As I’ve said before, my own stepfather is a retired cop, and my mother’s last job before her retirement was as a civilian administrative worker for her state’s police department. There was a time when I assumed that we could and should just take officers’ word for what they saw, and what happened in cases like this. Circumstances have transpired such that I no longer believe this is a tenable position to take. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13272 "2018-04-25T19:39:11Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I don’t think it was the yell that was the important circumstance. > Why is it significant that the gun doesn’t appear on the video? > > Regards, > Shodan The officer claimed that the gun was pointed at him. If a gun is pointed at the officer, it would show up in the video. The significance is that shows the officer lied about having a gun pointed at him, which should bring into question other statements the officer may have made. Or is it your contention that, having proved the officer lied on one count, we should take his word on the rest? ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13273 "2018-04-25T19:52:15Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So because there are successful black people, there can’t be systemic racism? That does not follow. You’re right, it doesn’t follow. That’s because I wasn’t making that argument. I am saying that there are so many successful blacks driving expensive vehicles that it makes no sense that being black prompted the stop. It’s not a unique or even unusual combination of factors in the DC area. Just because a black person gets pulled over doesn’t mean it was because of his skin tone. Could that be part of the reason? Sure. If so, I bet that cop is EXTREMELY busy pulling over black people driving expensive vehicles. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13274 "2018-04-25T20:46:43Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > You’re right, it doesn’t follow. That’s because I wasn’t making that argument. I am saying that there are so many successful blacks driving expensive vehicles that it makes no sense that being black prompted the stop. It’s not a unique or even unusual combination of factors in the DC area. Just because a black person gets pulled over doesn’t mean it was because of his skin tone. > > Could that be part of the reason? Sure. If so, I bet that cop is EXTREMELY busy pulling over black people driving expensive vehicles. It is not so much that he was pulled over for his blackness. It is that they intimated that a young black man driving an fancy vehicle must be a dealer or gang member. If it had been a white man, those questions very like would not be coming up, but with a black man they will. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13275 "2018-04-25T21:06:45Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > Just because a black person gets pulled over doesn’t mean it was because of his skin tone. > > Could that be part of the reason? Sure. If so, I bet that cop is EXTREMELY busy pulling over black people driving expensive vehicles. So if one black person is pulled over, they must be pulling over all of them? :dubious: ---
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13276 "2018-04-25T21:27:57Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > I am saying that there are so many successful blacks driving expensive vehicles **that it makes no sense** that being black prompted the stop. …I’m glad that you agree that stopping “drivers while black” makes no sense. Now would you kindly call your local police department and tell them to stop doing it? ---
**Author:** ![LAZombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LAZombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LAZombie)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13277 "2018-04-25T22:33:00Z")
Elitist liberal ex Clinton aid, Democrat party fund raiser, and government employee tries to get daughter and friend out of a ticket with threats and bullying. It’s a classic video! Share with everyone! White privilege as a bonus! > **[Former Clinton aide is filmed cursing at cops during traffic stop](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5654107/Port-Authority-commissioner-filmed-flashing-golden-badge-traffic-stop.html)** > > Caren Z. Turner, 60, is filmed berating and threatening police officers during a traffic stop involving her daughter's friend in Bergen County, New Jersey on March 31. ---
**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:** [April 25, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13278 "2018-04-25T22:39:01Z")
ignore the troll ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13279 "2018-04-25T22:39:22Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > Elitist liberal ex Clinton aid, Democrat party fund raiser, and government employee tries to get daughter and friend out of a ticket with threats and bullying. It’s a classic video! Share with everyone! White privilege as a bonus! > > [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5654107/Port-Authority-commissioner-filmed-flashing-golden-badge-traffic-stop.html](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5654107/Port-Authority-commissioner-filmed-flashing-golden-badge-traffic-stop.html) Yes, that person appears to be an asshole. Next. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13280 "2018-04-25T22:39:53Z")
That encounter isn’t “controversial,” unless someone cares to take the position that she isn’t a complete asshole or that the cops did anything wrong. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13281 "2018-04-26T02:13:37Z")
> **[Suspected Golden State Killer, a former police officer, arrested on 'needle...](https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-golden-state-killer-20180425-htmlstory.html)** > > A former police officer suspected of being one of California's most prolific serial killers and rapists was arrested Tuesday after being tied to the crimes through "surveillance and discarded DNA," Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said. In case you’re wondering… …I think it’s important to understand that serial killers have a desire for power, as do many police officers. I want to be clear: I know that most police officers are not murderers, rapists, or drug dealers, let alone psychotic serial killers. However, I think the lust for power is a trait that needs to be reckoned with. At the federal level, where there’s more funding and better training, there are checks and balances against abuses of power. We need to have this at every level of law enforcement. Weed out those who have a weak ego and a need to boost it wearing a badge and a gun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=663) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=665)