Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Activists Want Videotaped Cops Fired
AP ^ | 1/31/6 | JIM SALTER

Posted on 01/31/2006 11:06:24 AM PST by SmithL

Saint Louis -- Black activists on Tuesday called for the firing of police officers who were shown on live television swinging night sticks and punching and kicking a suspect after a car chase.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol was investigating to see if the four officers involved had acted illegally.

The suspect, Edmon Burns, 33, of St. Louis County, was treated at a hospital and released, and was jailed. No charges had been filed. His attorney did not return calls Tuesday.

Burns and one of the four officers, from St. Louis, are black, The three other officers, from suburban Maplewood, are white.

The chase began Monday in Maplewood, where officers said they noticed a man in a van acting suspiciously. It ended in St. Louis.

Much of the chase was shown on live television shot from a KTVI-TV helicopter, along with the officers apparently beating the man for several seconds. What could not be clearly seen on the video was how much the suspect was resisting.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: communityactivists
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last
To: Bavarian Leprechaun
Yet everytime a POS leads cops on dangerous chases and the like - and the cops beat him down to subdue him - we go through all the usual blabbering about "police brutality" and we need to keep the cops "in check" and how if we don't do this, that or the other - they're gonna run wild, on and on and on...

I agree. It's a wonder any good men want to become police officers any more. Low pay, plenty of danger, major lack of gratitude from those most in need of police protection--why should they bother?

21 posted on 01/31/2006 11:49:12 AM PST by American Quilter (The urge to save humanity is nearly always a cover for the urge to rule. - H.L. Mencken)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

There seems to be an awful lot of people with nothing better to do than follow cops around with video cameras.


22 posted on 01/31/2006 11:53:22 AM PST by American Quilter (The urge to save humanity is nearly always a cover for the urge to rule. - H.L. Mencken)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bavarian Leprechaun

I dont know about anyone else but when I saw the video I felt a little safer.


23 posted on 01/31/2006 11:55:05 AM PST by Mulch (tm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Bavarian Leprechaun

"How many out here have ever been pulled over and been beaten by a cop?"

One of my old friends was walking to his home from the local bar when he was "jumped" by several deputy sheriffs and was beaten up by them.

Turned out - they had the wrong guy.

Then they started lieing to cover it up.


24 posted on 01/31/2006 12:22:43 PM PST by CATravelAgent (Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Bavarian Leprechaun

I wish I'd never been pulled over, but I've never been beaten. OTOH, I've never made the Cops chase me down.


25 posted on 01/31/2006 12:44:47 PM PST by SmithL (Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

I have a problem with the kick that the one officer delivered.


26 posted on 01/31/2006 12:47:47 PM PST by Retired Chemist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

bump


27 posted on 01/31/2006 12:51:26 PM PST by lesser_satan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: American Quilter
There seems to be an awful lot of people with nothing better to do than follow cops around with video cameras.

Of this I am thankful.

28 posted on 01/31/2006 12:54:03 PM PST by Eddeche
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

Big deal. Anyone who has spent the least bit of time around the criminal justice community is well aware of the time honored rule that says if you run from the police and they catch you, there will be an ass-whupping. Every streetwise person is well aware of this rule and makes a calculated decision when they decide to run from the cops. Is it right for the cops to do this? - NO. Do I really care or have any sympathy for someone who suffers the wrong end of this rule? - NO.


29 posted on 01/31/2006 1:18:47 PM PST by joebuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: American Quilter

Nah, I saw the video on Fox; it was helicopter footage, because this happened at the tail end of a car chase.


30 posted on 01/31/2006 1:38:01 PM PST by kenboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: One4Indictment
"If I had been one of the officers, I would have also emptied a can of pepper spray on him and also zapped him with my taser gun."

But would you have kicked him in the head with your boot? Liberal tripe seems to be in the eye of the beholder. The cop I saw was about the third or forth on the scene, and he immediately went to kicking. Kicking what, I don't know, and admited such, but it looks quite like an over-reaction, by him specifically, not necessarily the others.

I think it is safe to assume that even cops sometimes over-react, possibly less so than civilian mobs, but they really need to learn to keep their cool. After all, it isn't always just one perp you're dealing with. If you stand up to kick the guy, his partner could take aim at you.

31 posted on 01/31/2006 1:43:43 PM PST by NicknamedBob (And then I sat down and I wrote this report, ‘cause I knew that you’d want all the facts.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Bavarian Leprechaun

I have been beaten by cops, twice.

Once when I was 14, another just over a year ago.

Neither incident was remotely justified.

I have also been threatened with death by cops, merely for taking their picture while they were violating the 4th amendment rights of several individuals who were doing nothing more than "Cruising".

Nothing happens to bad cops, they lie, they lie in their report, they lie in court, they lie for each other.
They do not even have to lie well, when their own statements are clearly contradictory, they still get extra credibility, because they are cops!

I also know people who the cops planted "contraband" on, in their vehicle.

Cops also tamper with evidence when they can, I can never be on a DUI case jury because I KNOW the cops can, and do, manipulate the breathalyzer.

The phrase "drop gun" or "Throwaway gun" refers to the guns cops carry to plant on the body of an unarmed "suspect" they have killed.
Those term go WAY back, are in common usage by cops, and reflect ongoing behavior.

I used to be naive enough to think the above behavior was rare, an aberration.

I now know better.

I suspect that some of this is related to the general decline of American society, and more of it is related to the "winking" at civil rights violations per the "Patriot Act" and public frustration with the (incorrect) media & L.E. fed perception that crime in general is still growing at an alarming rate.

It seems that local cops tend to reflect the standards of Fed's, and when the Fed's lower the standards of their conduct so do the locals.

Okay, now you can flame me , blame me, and ignore the facts, cozy in your denial of the truth.
Until it happens to YOU!


32 posted on 01/31/2006 1:51:54 PM PST by Richard-SIA ("The natural progress of things is for government to gain ground and for liberty to yield" JEFFERSON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: American Quilter

"plenty of danger"

BS!

Police work is hours of boredom, lots of paperwork, and rare moments of adrenaline rush.

The one FACT the PD Unions and publicist DO NOT want to know is this:
The most dangerous person most cops ever have to face, is themselves!
Suicide is FAR more common than serious assault by a suspect.

Most cops never face serious danger from "suspects" in their whole careers.

The entire "Putting their lives on the line every day" mantra is a MYTH!

Driving a Taxi is more dangerous, working a commercial fishing boat is more dangerous!

If you value FACT over emotion, stop letting the cops manipulate you with their emotion based lies.


33 posted on 01/31/2006 2:01:55 PM PST by Richard-SIA ("The natural progress of things is for government to gain ground and for liberty to yield" JEFFERSON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: American Quilter

Not enough, actually.

Isn't it interesting how FEW cops have video equipment in their vehicle to record their actions?

Since the video becomes evidence, and the defense can subpoena the UNEDITED tape, it seems few cops are willing to be on video.

As so many here like to claim in so many threads, "if they have nothing to hide, what are they worried about"?


34 posted on 01/31/2006 2:06:04 PM PST by Richard-SIA ("The natural progress of things is for government to gain ground and for liberty to yield" JEFFERSON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

Comment #35 Removed by Moderator

To: Richard-SIA
If anyone leads police on a high speed chase thru my neighborhood, or near an area where my children are playing, or near an area where my husband is driving home from work- or an area where I am coming home from the grocery store...... for any reason- whether they are guilty of committing a crime before the chase or not..... I secretly hope they are taken out of the car and beaten within one inch of the lives. :]

If a person has nothing to hide they go willing to the police department and sort out the details with a lawyer. No one gets hurt.

36 posted on 01/31/2006 2:13:32 PM PST by Diva Betsy Ross (Embrace peace- Hug an American soldier- the real peace keepers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Bavarian Leprechaun

WOW!

Yours may be the most ASS-U-ME'ing post I have ever seen!

I was actually just trying to do my laundry that night, but the cops blocked my return to the laundromat to pick up my dry clothes, after I left to get some dinner.
So I had to park a block away, and walk back to my laundry.
I took the camera to document what was happening, since I doubted anyone would believe it without the pics.

They were not "just" abusing kids fourth amendment rights, they were blatant about it.
At that time and place cruising was NOT illegal.
As I recall, it was summer, 1985-86, El Camino Blvd, Santa-Clara, CA.
That was THE main street of that town, and a major shopping district, with a multiplex and an out-door theater.
But they were conducting warrant-less stops and searches, en mass, for no more reason than the persons mere presence.
If what they were doing was legitimate, there would have been no reason for them to threaten me for documenting it.
And yes, they did steal my film, had my car towed, arrested me on trumped up charges, threatened my life, and generally worked overtime to lose any shred of respect I might have had for them prior to their thug behavior.

The phony charges were dropped by the DA, my camera was returned minus the film.

I was not cruising, and I keep a camera handy in the same way that I carry flares, a spare quart of oil, tow strap, tire chains, etc.

But if you really believe that the cops can do no wrong, enjoy your naivete while you can.


37 posted on 01/31/2006 3:15:59 PM PST by Richard-SIA ("The natural progress of things is for government to gain ground and for liberty to yield" JEFFERSON)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: TheBigB

In this case, "acting suspiciously" seems to have meant DWB.


38 posted on 01/31/2006 4:36:18 PM PST by CGTRWK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Bavarian Leprechaun

"How many of you know anyone who is a decent and ordinary person with respect for the law - that has been beaten by a cop?"

........................

Arthur Heller is among the 3,000 New Yorkers a year who formally complain about police brutality or misconduct. His case stands out because Mr. Heller's cousin is the city's police commissioner, Raymond Kelly.

"Mr. Heller claims he was beaten by two plainclothes officers after his MetroCard didn't work properly two weeks ago. Cops have been cracking down on MetroCard abuse, and Mr. Heller apparently found himself caught up in an ongoing effort to prevent subway fraud."

http://www.nysun.com/pf.php?id=26436



39 posted on 01/31/2006 6:25:00 PM PST by dervish (Hamastan " the step-child of Iran and the Taliban")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Richard-SIA

I was a cop briefly. The things you list are among the reasons it was so brief--I just couldn't be part of it.


40 posted on 01/31/2006 6:36:59 PM PST by flada (Posting in a manner reminiscent of Jen-gis Kahn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson