Sheriff's Jackson's lame explanation typifies everything that is wrong with these militarized, shoot-first raids.
He's not happy that DOJ is now looking at him, so I hope that he has to squirm a lot in the days ahead.
Posted on 08/09/2008 5:36:06 AM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner
Police said yesterday they have cleared Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo and his family of any wrongdoing in connection with a package of marijuana that police intercepted en route to his home, leading to a violent raid in which deputy sheriffs killed the family's two dogs.
Prince George's County Police Chief Melvin C. High delivered the news in a telephone call Thursday to Calvo, saying police and State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey determined that Calvo and his family were innocent victims caught up in a drug-smuggling ring.
High exonerated the mayor and his family and expressed regret that they were victimized by drug dealers and that their dogs had been killed. High stopped short of apologizing for any action by law enforcement, police and Calvo said.
Sheriff Michael Jackson said yesterday in his first extensive interview since the incident that he was extremely upset that the Calvos had called for and been granted a civil rights review by the FBI.
(snip)
Jackson reiterated his explanation that it was a scream by Calvo's mother-in-law, Georgia Porter, who saw officers running toward the house, that changed the calculation of officers conducting the raid.
"At that point, they see you, you don't see them, and you don't know where they are. . . . That's dangerous," Jackson said. "You really don't have time to deal with that dog, you really don't have time to deal with that person. You have to secure and go.
"It is unfortunate that those dogs were killed," he said. "That would be the case whether it was the mayor's house or anyone else's house. A loss of life is always unfortunate. That is not our goal."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Sheriff's Jackson's lame explanation typifies everything that is wrong with these militarized, shoot-first raids.
He's not happy that DOJ is now looking at him, so I hope that he has to squirm a lot in the days ahead.
Those paying the large amount of monetary damages could mail me the check.
Of course not. The police are never wrong.
They should at least replace the dogs.
I hope the mayor is able to sic the nastiest, most aggressive bunch of lawyers on all involved and makes them hurt. There have been many of these raids all over the country and it’s doubtful this will be the last unless public outrage, prison time and an extremely high monetary settlement makes the price too high for this war on the Constitution to continue.
None of the officers can bend enough to lick themselves.
They need to do way better than that.
Law enforcement and government service entities are out of control in this country. We saw it in Texas, we see these sorts of stories daily. This sheriff should be in jail NOW! Law enforcement and government control authoritative bureaucracies are evolving into a militarized subjugative all controlling racket. We are sliding into fascist control, all the while we came ohhh sooo close in the supreme court to losing second amendment rights. Wake up AMERICANS!
The only reason this one got play in the MSM is because he was a mayor. It is happening everywhere everyday!
Exactly. I’d sue them from the safety of some other jurisdiction. Less chance of some “unfortunate accident” that way.
Might shouldve done a little research before strappin on the ninja gear ???
also this 'we lost initiative, so everything is now a target' is nothing less than tactics of a domestic military, no conscience of the citizenry and their sovereignty...
Here’s the cases that the county has to worry about. First, there is the Justice Department. If they find civil rights violations...that means a case. Then you have the mayor waiting when this ends....to start his case....which could be a minimum of $50 million. The PETA folks could step in and bring court proceedings on the “shame” of the dog shooting. The mother-in-law can bring her own case to court...while she was involved...and ask for at least $25 million for pain and suffering. Just for legal costs alone over the next three years...I’d add up $10 million that the county will have to pay in lawyers...before any damages are divided up.
I’m thinking the chief of police is looking at a long hard fight with the budget guys over any new cars, guns or computers. He can pretty much give up and move out of state....letting some other “pretender” take charge and ride out the storm.
At the end of this....the county will have to assess well over $50 million in costs and damages...and figure out some new method of taxing folks for the stupidity of their cops.
There is a lesson here for every city and county...if you make a big enough mistake...your citizens will clean out your accounts.
Rather, the lawsuit-happy environment in American courts makes apologizing impossible, because it sets up BIG damages in court. Of course, in this case, the County is going to pay through the nose in settling this case. I’m glad I don’t live there anymore.
Victimized by drug dealers? What asshats.
In yesterday's interview, Jackson said that although he has yet to see evidence of wrongdoing, he would not hesitate to act if he finds his deputies overstepped their bounds.
"We hold everyone to the highest standards," Jackson said. "I will not put up with disrespecting this community and using this badge for more than what it is. This badge is a ray of hope and a beacon of light."
Jackson also expressed dismay at the civil rights review. "I've been here 19 years, and this agency has been in existence since 1696. The Office of the Sheriff of Prince George's County has never been under a civil rights review or no one has ever called for the Department of Justice to come in," he said. "There is no reason, there has been no reason, and as long as I'm here there will not be a reason for it."
If any of these victims had made a wrong move and ended up dead, what then? “Clearing” them would not be enough.
For those of you not familiar with the DC area, P.G. County is one of the most violent, crime-ridden jurisdictions in all of Maryland. You would think that the police would use their resources to go after real criminals instead.
Sucks to be Michael Jackson.
No wonder the old lady screamed when they showed up at her doorstep.
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