Yeah no need to look but in case you were curious...
Posted on 03/07/2022 12:12:11 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
Court documents show a Blaine city councilor has been charged with violating conduct and ethics after allegedly threatening a police officer who had stopped and arrested the councilor’s son.
According to the criminal complaint, 52-year-old Richard Paul has been charged with one gross misdemeanor count of misconduct by exceeding authority, as well as one misdemeanor count of violating standards of conduct in the code of ethics.
The complaint states a Blaine police officer, identified as Justin Pohlman, saw a person riding a bike near the intersection of 117th Avenue Northeast and Ulysses Street at about 9:52 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2021. Police say there wasn’t a headlamp, rear lamp or a reflector on the bike so the bicyclist was stopped. The bicyclist then identified himself as Joseph Richard, the son of Blaine City Council member Richard Paul.
The officer ran a check on Richard’s name and found he had an active warrant for theft out of Anoka County. Pohlman then asked another squad to come to the scene, and Blaine Police Officer Kurtis Greene arrived to help Pohlman.
Pohlman then told Richard about the warrant and informed him that he was going to be arrested.
Both officers searched Richard, who also called his dad and asked for him to pick up his bike so it wasn’t impounded, according to the complaint.
While on the phone, Paul asked to speak with the officers and Richard handed the phone to Pohlman.
Paul then allegedly told Pohlman to bring his son home, however, Pohlman stated a warrant was out for Richard, so he was under arrest.
The complaint goes on to say Paul kept telling Pohlman to bring his son home, as well as release him, before threatening Pohlman, allegedly saying, “don’t force me to do the other thing.”
According to documents, Pohlman then asked Paul what he meant by that, and Paul responded by saying “what do you mean, what do I mean?”
After being asked if he was going to pick up the bike, Paul allegedly stated, “I’m going to call the chief and you gonna be out of work,” before hanging up.
The complaint states Paul arrived as officers put Richard’s bike into a squad, blocked the northbound lane of Ulysses Street, got out of his vehicle and demanded that the officers release his son.
While explaining why they couldn’t release his son, the complaint states that Paul said, ‘you’re out of work.” He was then told by Pohlman he could go to the jail to bail Richard out.
The complaint states Paul responded, ‘If I go tonight, you’re both going to jail” but wouldn’t say why when he was asked what he meant by that.
Paul then got back into his vehicle, pulled into the middle of the roadway in front of police and kept telling the officers to release his son, adding, “it’s gonna be easy or it’s not gonna be easy.”
Eventually, Paul left the scene without his son’s bike.
Court records show Paul was formally charged on Jan. 4 and his first appearance was on Feb. 9. His next court appearance is currently scheduled for May 11.
If convicted, Paul could face a maximum $4,000 fine or a $3,000 fine and up to 90 days behind bars.
Paul represents Ward 3 in Blaine. His current term expires Dec. 31.
The city’s website shows he was appointed to the Blaine Economic Development Authority, the Senior Advisory Council and the Anoka County Fire Protection Council as an Alternate.
Just another instance of a small time politician pulling the "Do you know who I am?" card.
I'm betting that the police will be called racists in court, if they haven't been already.
Never mentions a political party affiliation but looking at the picture at the link, he appears to be one of 0bama’s sons.
Yeah no need to look but in case you were curious...
Yeah, not sure. Looking into it.
What we do know is that he is barely literate.
http://www.eastmetrovoterguide.com/richard-paul.html
Let me guess.............. (D)....................
At least he never got runned over or nothing.
I’m a municipal court judge in a small suburban municipality. The vast majority of small PDs have made the investment in body and dash cam technology and most require the Body cam to bees on C during all encounters.
Again, that sort of information would have been useful in this article.
My local P.D. doesn’t have body cams.
didn’t they know that Black Privilege applies in this case and every case involving black lawbreaking?
After much digging, I cannot find party affiliations for any on the city council. Not even the Mayor.
However, I did find that Richard Paul is an immigrant from South Sudan.
My guess is that he will do no time and pay no fines.
“He didn’t know any better.”
The trick is for the officer to remember to turn them on. Larger cities have ones that turn on automatically when an officer gets a call, starts his car, or opens his car door at the scene. Smaller locals don’t have the funds for the higher priced models. There the officer has to turn the recorder on himself when he steps out of the car, and often there’s many distractions at that moment so it is easy to forget.
Interesting, I know where that intersection is (I am not a local) been through it several times when visiting wifes family, though.
“What we do know is that he is barely literate.”
14. What do you think should be the city top transportation related priority?
Streets and road improvement to accommodate UN necessary accident happen so frequent on streets costing our families live
The council info leads me to believe it is a non partisan council. That said the Mayor is a Republican.
Mission Statement
Resolution Number 20-01, Mission Statement
Affirming Council / Staff Responsibilities
Adopted January 6, 2020
Whereas, the City Council previously adopted the following Mission Statement contained in Resolution No. 85-108:
“The mission of the City of Blaine is to provide on-going, quality municipal services and to bring about quality and balanced residential and commercial/industrial development through the teamwork of the City Council, City Commissions, City staff, and residents.”
Whereas, the City Council later adopted Resolution No. 86-41, Affirming Council/Staff Responsibilities, and directed that the resolution be returned to City Council for consideration at the beginning of each new year; and
Whereas, it is intended that this resolution shall continue the intent of Resolution No. 86-41; and
Whereas, the Blaine City Council is composed of seven individuals, all of whom have other occupations, duties, and responsibilities; and
Whereas, the individuals who serve on this Council must depend on the City’s staff to provide them with a great amount of background information, data and expertise to aid in determining issues, developing policy and administering the Council’s responsibilities in a fair and impartial manner; and
Whereas, it is the City Manager’s responsibility to hire and employ people who can and will provide the best possible advice to the Council and who can and will serve the public interest in an exemplary professional manner; and
Whereas, it is the desire of City Council to continue the strong, favorable working relationship it now enjoys with the City Manager and City staff.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Blaine that:
1. The City Manager and staff are instructed to continue developing and transmitting to this Council recommendations, research and information based upon their experience and best professional judgment, and are further instructed and encouraged to be forthright, honest and candid in developing and transmitting such recommendations and information, keeping in mind that their and our sole purpose is to serve the public interest.
2. This Council pledges that no staff member shall suffer recrimination for acting in a forthright, honest and candid manner in protecting and promoting the public interest.
3. This Council further pledges that it will carry out its responsibilities as intended and established by federal, state and local statutes, ordinances and the City Charter, and will do so in a fair and impartial manner. Any City official or employee, elected or appointed, who is found to have used their position in a self-serving manner designed, or having such effect, to promote their own financial interest or the financial interest of a friend, associate, business employer, or relative instead of the public interest, shall be subject to censure, possible removal from office, and prosecution in accordance with federal, state and city laws.
4. The simple intent of this resolution is to remind each of us, Council and staff, that we exist in public office or employment, to serve the public interest and not to promote or serve individual interests. In carrying forth this purpose, Council and staff are dependent upon each other to most effectively and fairly transact the City’s business and must do so in a forthright, honest and candid manner.
5. This resolution shall be kept on file in the City Clerk’s office and shall be returned to the City Council for consideration at the beginning of each new year.
6. A copy shall be distributed to employees following its adoption.
Say what?
Siri doesn’t know I have fat fingers.
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