Posted on 12/09/2010 1:55:48 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A former Oakland police officer has pleaded guilty to false reporting after he said his badge stopped a bullet in a traffic stop.
Josh Smith made headlines with photos of his dented police badge. He alleged that the driver of a sport utility vehicle with an out-of-state license plate shot him in the chest after a passenger swung a knife at him. Smith wasn't seriously injured, claiming that his police badge stopped the suspect's bullet.
(Excerpt) Read more at myfoxmemphis.com ...
Normally I’d just say tsk tsk, no more extra donuts for this blowhard. But can you imagine how hard the system comes down on a mere civilian who fibs to an occifer. Sauce for goose should be same as sauce for gander.
I read the “story” but I still don’t know much. What did this guy gain? Just a story to tell his grandkids? Did the ‘perps’ do any time? Any info would be appreciated.
The article said it was out of his character. His character is one of a liar and trouble causer.
There’s two types of cops in this world —those who’ve been caught in their lies and those who have yet to be caught lying...
Fired, forever banned from being LEO, how’s that?
Here's a link to the original story. It was a complete fabrication from top to bottom.
Oakland police continue hunt for suspects in officer's shooting
Yeah, but he feels real bad about it. Isn't that enough punishment?
Must be nice to be able to commit felonies, yet get off with 3-years probation.
I wonder if the cops and DA in TN would be as easy on ordinary citizens? (</rhetorical>)
See: False Reports in Tennessee:
A person can be prosecuted for false reports under three different theories under Tennessee law. In Tennessee, it is unlawful for any person to:
Initiate a report or statement to a law enforcement officer concerning an offense or incident within the officer's concern knowing that: 1) the offense or incident reported did not occur; 2) the person has no information relating to the offense or incident reported; or 3) the information relating to the offense reported is false; or
Make a report or statement in response to a legitimate inquiry by a law enforcement officer concerning a material fact about an offense or incident within the officer's concern, knowing that the report or statement is false and with the intent to obstruct or hinder the officer from: 1) preventing the offense or incident from occurring or continuing to occur; or 2) apprehending or locating another person suspected of committing an offense; or
Intentionally initiate or circulate a report of a past, present, or impending bombing, fire or other emergency, knowing that the report is false or baseless and knowing: 1) it will cause action of any sort by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with those emergencies; 2) it will place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or 3) it will prevent or interrupt the occupation of any building, place of assembly, form of conveyance, or any other place to which the public has access. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-502 (2008).
The penalties for false reports in Tennessee are substantial. A violation under the first two bullets above is a Class D felony. A violation of the last bullet above is a Class C felony.
See: Tennessee Charges for Crimes by Felony Class:
Class D Felony - Not less than two (2) years nor more than twelve (12) years in prison. In addition, the jury may assess a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000), unless otherwise provided by statute
Tennessee has a serious problem with its cops, here is a site that tracks the news reports from around the state on police misconduct, and criminal cops.
http://whentennesseepigsfly.blogspot.com/
Bet somebody got a few tickets recently. Your line is getting old.
He lost his gun, job and his career. He will carry that felony conviction to his grave. No sense having the taxpayers pick up the tab for prison.
He lied about this, my question is how many times did he lie in court, on arrest warrants, police reports etc... that resulting in others going to jail, being convicted...
Oh. He should go to jail because he MIGHT have lied at other times. Heck, why not hang him while we are at it. He may have murdered someone.
Plus, he feel real bad, too.
If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. Or, at least that's what we're always told.
Imagine that. The first and only time in his career that the poor schmuck has ever lied and he gets caught. </sarcasm>
So, do you think he's sorry he did the crime, or just sorry that he got caught? </rhetorical>
IMO, I suspect this type of problem is more widespread than we are being led to believe.
The evidence that this is a widespread problem is that more and more police departments "misinterpreting" wiretap laws to prevent citizens from videotaping their actions.
This is occurring despite court rulings and memorandums from DAs telling police departments that they have no expectation of privacy when working as public employees in a public setting.
I have no idea if, or for what, he is sorry for. If he did commit a crime, he should be punished. My response to you was in regards to your characterization that all cops are liars. Now you know that is not true, and if you still state so, you are being disingenuous.
If?
I still maintain that it's safer to assume that all cops are goons and be pleasantly surprised than to assume that all cops are nice guys and find out the hard way that I'm wrong.
I'm sure cops do the same thing with everyone they meet, too.
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