Posted on 06/28/2008 8:16:57 PM PDT by ellery
NYPD Investigating Incident, Officers Placed On Modified Duty
NEW YORK (CBS) -- Undercover police officers who arrested four men on drug charges are under investigation after surveillance video proved the men they arrested committed no crime.
Drug charges against brothers Jose Colon and Maximo Colon, along with two of their friends have been dropped.
The undercover NYPD officers are seen on video dancing in the street, then attempting to frame four innocent men.
"I asked police officer why are you arresting me," said Maximo Colon. "Never did I get an answer."
The investigators swore under oath they bought drugs from the four men. Jose and Maximo colon say that didn't happen.
"The cops are supposed to help us," said a shaken Jose Colon.
Defense lawyers say the surveillance cameras proved their clients were framed.
"It was nauseating," said defense lawyer Rochelle Berliner.
Two hours of video showed no contact at all between the four men arrested and undercover officers - proof that lead prosecutors to drop charges against the four men, and even declare in court the men did not commit the crime.
Defense lawyers say it's disturbing but not uncommon.
"As defense attorneys you know it exists more often than government wants you to believe," said Brad Wolk.
In the 6 months it took to clear the Colon brothers names, they lost their business and their savings.
As a result of his ordeal, Maximo Colon has lost trust in police officers.
The two men are now involved in a civil suit against the city and hope to one day rebuild their lives.
The NYPD is investigating the officers involved in this incident. Two of the officers are reportedly on modified duty.
At least the officers, who framed the Colon brothers will have a Very Interesting life behind bars.
ping
I can’t think of a profession where there are no idiot crooks. Being police officers, they should get extra punishment for violation of trust.
Let’s hope so. I’m not optimistic. :(
I am sure they will be welcome at all the tables in the chow hall of the state prison.
Sounds like that musical police series which played for a couple of months back in the 90's.
According to the following article, one of the detectives involved here has already moved on and gotten another job with the Nassau County police:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06282008/news/regionalnews/new_tarnish_mars_badge_117611.htm
Trust NYC cops? Maybe one out of every 100 or so.
This is why I favor humane prison conditions.
Single cells, reasonable medical and dental care, safe environment, education and work opportunities for the well behaved, an hour of sunlight each day.
There are innocent people in prison. At the very least, they should not be subject to abuse.
That must be the understatement of the year.
Another WAR ON DRUGS success story!!!
Boy! That's some assessment. Just how many NYC cops have you had contact with?
I absolutely agree. Sure, cops are humans and can make mistakes and should be treated equally under the law; however, when a cop abuses his position and violates others' rights under the color of law, I think their punishment should be perhaps double of what a civilian's penalty would be.
LEOs get special treatment and privileges in many ways due to their position and I don't begrudge them that; however, it's a 2-way street. If they abuse their position, they should get "special treatment" of a different sort.
What makes you think so? These guys will walk with a slap on the wrist and they'll move on to some small town police force and just get on with their lives. Show me the last time you saw an LEO go behind bars for this?
This next line tells the whole story, disgusting as it is... "The NYPD is investigating the officers involved in this incident. Two of the officers are reportedly on modified duty."
Modified Duty? and only two of them? Four officers swore to the buy that never happened. Four officers should be behind bars with a girlfriend named Bubba.
Oh, give me a break. This is a story about crooked cops. Drugs just happen to be what they used for a false arrest. If it werent' drugs, they could have easily come up with something else if they were determined to do so. Don't try to hijack this thread and turn it into a tirade for legalizing drugs. Go start a new thread where all the potheads will suck on their bong and join you with glee.
Indeed there are. Imagine even spending as little as six months in prison on bogus charges. For many of us, a "short" six month stint behind bars is long enough to cost someone their job, deplete their savings, get their car repossessed, lose their home and all their belongings through foreclosure, and destroy their credit. Imagine trying to repair all of that once released? And those are just the financial costs. I hope these guys sue and collect big.
I grew up in Brooklyn and I go to NYC on some normal basis. Some of them look like they want to pistol whip somebody.
I think there are a lot of cops out there that really try to be honest, fair, decent, moral, and professional....trouble is, I am not sure they are in the majority....
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