# 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:** 692
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13822 "2018-06-06T13:08:25Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Moderating] > Telling other posters to fuck themselves is a violation of the board’s language rules. Please avoid this in the future. > > No warning issued. > [/Moderating] Noted. Apologies to Steophan. But he does need help! ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13823 "2018-06-06T13:13:26Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > The guy was shouting “I’m not resisting!” > > That’s clearly resisting and deserves all the head punches that the cops can administer. This was my thought. If you look closely you can see the officer mouthing “you have the right to remain silent” with one syllable for every punch. Clearly the guy was verbally resisting the officer and deserved everything he got, right **Steophan**? ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13824 "2018-06-06T13:14:27Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > The guy was shouting “I’m not resisting!” > > That’s clearly resisting and deserves all the head punches that the cops can administer. A textbook case of verbal resisting. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13825 "2018-06-06T13:15:34Z")
13,811 posts in this thread, almost all of them in response to authoritarians who believe the police can do no wrong. ☹ ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13826 "2018-06-06T14:02:11Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > 13,811 posts in this thread, almost all of them in response to authoritarians who believe the police can do no wrong. ☹ Yeah, it’s pretty incredulous to me that someone could look at any video of any cop punching anyone in the face repeatedly, and think “So? What’s the problem?” Ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13827 "2018-06-06T15:18:22Z")
In Tangentially Related Good News - The Alabama Sheriff who was pocketing money from his inmates’ food budget and using it for personal expenses lost his primary yesterday! > **[AL Sheriff Who Pocketed $750k In Inmate Food Funds Defeated In Primary](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/al-sheriff-who-pocketed-750k-in-inmate-food-funds-defeated-in-primary)** > > The Alabama sheriff who pocketed $750,000 in inmate food funds and bought himself a $740,000 beach house was voted out of office Tuesday. Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin conceded to his Republican… > [@tpm link above](#): > > The Alabama sheriff who pocketed $750,000 in inmate food funds and bought himself a $740,000 beach house was voted out of office Tuesday. > > Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin conceded to his Republican primary challenger Jonathon Horton, the Rainbow City police chief, in a phone call Tuesday night, Horton told [AL.com](http://AL.com). The outlet said early returns showed Horton with an “overwhelming lead.” > > Horton currently faces no declared Democratic or independent challengers in the general election and is expected to be elected to the position, [AL.com](http://AL.com) said. > > The outlet pushed Entrekin’s story into the national spotlight: In a series of reports, it highlighted how sheriffs in Alabama had benefitted from a decades-old law that allows them to keep excess funds meant to feed inmates in their jails. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13828 "2018-06-06T15:29:08Z")
> [@](#): > > The outlet pushed Entrekin’s story into the national spotlight: In a series of reports, it highlighted how sheriffs in Alabama had benefitted from a decades-old law that allows them to keep excess funds meant to feed inmates in their jails. Well, I sure hope they change that law. :eek: ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13829 "2018-06-06T15:43:34Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Well, I sure hope they change that law. :eek: Aye; I’d be happier to read about the law changing than the sheriff. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13830 "2018-06-06T22:12:50Z")
[A good old-fashioned ass whooping!](https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/4-mesa-officers-on-leave-after-video-shows-them-beating-man/75-561764979) ‘Suspect’ was not a suspect in any crime. He was unarmed. The big cop knees the suspect twice, then punches him 6 times in the face. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13831 "2018-06-06T22:19:34Z")
I think it is time to retire the word “cop”. If you cannot be arsed to use “police” or “officer” or some other more respectful term, at least have the decency to revert to more appropriate language. Like “thug”. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13832 "2018-06-06T22:59:35Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > [A good old-fashioned ass whooping!](https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/4-mesa-officers-on-leave-after-video-shows-them-beating-man/75-561764979) > > ‘Suspect’ was not a suspect in any crime. He was unarmed. > > The big cop knees the suspect twice, then punches him 6 times in the face. I love this: > [@](#): > > Chief Batista says he also changed the department’s policy so that officers cannot hit a suspect in the face or head unless they’re fighting with them. The fact that this is a NEW policy says a lot about police attitudes. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2018, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13833 "2018-06-06T23:06:56Z")
That happened May 23, and the Chief said he just became aware of it last week. Not one of the cops said anything to anybody, and the Chief only found out because of the video. That is a bunch of shit. Nobody would know anything if there wasn’t a video. And all those cops on the video thought it was nothing to report about. Ridiculous. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2018, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13834 "2018-06-07T10:20:44Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Yeah, it’s pretty incredulous to me that someone could look at any video of any cop punching anyone in the face repeatedly, and think “So? What’s the problem?” > > Ridiculous. That’s not what’s happening. What’s happening is that many people are conflating much lower levels of force with repeated face punching, and then claiming anyone who calls them out on that is uncritically in favour of repeated face punching. For example, the latest story linked is described as a straightforward beating, I’ve no real interest in that as it’s not “controversial”, it’s been dealt with, and doesn’t require any further comment. It doesn’t compare to situations where cops are trying to restrain or subdue someone, but use what is arguably too much force - those are, if they are wrong, errors in the extent of force used whereas this one is an error in using force at all. Assuming the summary of it posted here is accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13835 "2018-06-07T12:31:18Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > That happened May 23, and the Chief said he just became aware of it last week. Not one of the cops said anything to anybody, and the Chief only found out because of the video. > > That is a bunch of shit. Nobody would know anything if there wasn’t a video. And all those cops on the video thought it was nothing to report about. Ridiculous. $5 says no criminal charges filed against the cops. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2018, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13836 "2018-06-07T12:41:54Z")
Yes, I have to agree that it is not controversial. Some guys from the Mesa Thug Department abruptly decide to beat the shit out of a guy, and as they commence, the elevator door opens and more thugs emerge from it to join in. It looks like a crowd of six of them basically beat the guy senseless. Because, thugs. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13837 "2018-06-07T12:51:50Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Yes, I have to agree that it is not controversial. Some guys from the Mesa Thug Department abruptly decide to beat the shit out of a guy, and as they commence, the elevator door opens and more thugs emerge from it to join in. It looks like a crowd of six of them basically beat the guy senseless. Because, thugs. Sorry, no loud rap music was being played, so, not thugs. CMC fnord! ---
**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:** [June 7, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13838 "2018-06-07T13:33:16Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > For example, the latest story linked is described as a straightforward beating, I’ve no real interest in that as it’s not “controversial”, it’s been dealt with, and doesn’t require any further comment. It doesn’t compare to situations where cops are trying to restrain or subdue someone, but use what is arguably too much force - those are, if they are wrong, errors in the extent of force used whereas this one is an error in using force at all. > > Assuming the summary of it posted here is accurate. There is video. I counted the punches to the face (after her kneed the guy in the groin twice). At least 3 of the punches were totally unnecessary, as the first 3 knocked his ass out. He’s not slumping because he’s complying, he’s slumping because he in unconscious. Were it not a police officer, we would be describing it as a _savage_ attack. Here is the disturbing part. _This was business as usual._ There were 6 cops all around this guy. None of them said anything. The only reason it is a story is that there was independent video. 4 of the officers are on ‘paid leave’. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13839 "2018-06-07T14:46:52Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > That’s not what’s happening. What’s happening is that many people are conflating much lower levels of force with repeated face punching, and then claiming anyone who calls them out on that is uncritically in favour of repeated face punching. > > For example, the latest story linked is described as a straightforward beating, I’ve no real interest in that as it’s not “controversial”, it’s been dealt with, and doesn’t require any further comment. It doesn’t compare to situations where cops are trying to restrain or subdue someone, but use what is arguably too much force - those are, if they are wrong, errors in the extent of force used whereas this one is an error in using force at all. > > Assuming the summary of it posted here is accurate. No, people are seeing videos of cops punching people in the face, and calling it out. The latest story would be no story if there wasn’t video. You think none of the cops should have said or did anything against any of the other cops because “petty crime”. It requires comment because apparently none of those cops thought that anything wrong happened and they were only caught because of the video. That’s bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13840 "2018-06-07T14:58:08Z")
Ah, Mesa PD. The same one that gunned down an unarmed man lying on the floor. About 20 years ago they pulled a “Gauntlet” and put something like 200 bullets into a SUV with two teenagers in it. Now, every time I’ve dealt with Mesa PD the officers I’ve seen have been totally professional, but someone on the force is doing this shit. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/13841 "2018-06-07T16:05:56Z")
Milwaukee police stepped on Sterling Brown’s ankle, mocked him, [bodycam](https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/06/us/sterling-brown-milwaukee-bodycam-police-footage/index.html) footage shows > [@](#): > > A Milwaukee police officer stepped on NBA player Sterling Brown’s ankle during his arrest and others mocked any potential civil rights complaint he might make, according to bodycam footage reviewed by CNN. > [@](#): > > The initial police report described Brown as aggressive, but when the first batch of footage was released last month, Chief Alfonso Morales apologized for the officers’ behavior, saying they acted “inappropriately.” Mayor Tom Barrett said, “No citizen should be treated this way.” _The initial police report described Brown as aggressive_. Because a suspect acting aggressively makes any kind of beat down OK. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=691) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=693)