Posted on 11/07/2010 5:23:28 AM PST by marktwain
Minneapolis Police Spokesman Under Criminal Investigation
Sergeant William Palmer, the Minneapolis Police Department Spokesman, is under investigation for assaulting Joel Rosenberg, a local self-defense activist, in the waiting room of the office of Timothy Dolan, Minneapolis Police Chief. this afternoon, at approximately 130PM.
Rosenberg and his wife, Felicia Herman, had arrived at the office by previous arrangement with the suspect, Palmer, to examine the first of several Minnesota Government Data Practices Act responses that Rosenberg has submitted to the MPD and the City of Minneapolis. In addition to his responsibilities as police spokesman, Palmer is also the MPD's Data Practices Officer.
When Rosenberg removed his jacket, revealing one of the two lawfully-carried handguns on his person, Palmer leaped at him, laid hands on him without lawful authority or Rosenberg's consent, and removed one of Rosenberg's pistols, "sweeping", or momentarily pointing it, at Rosenberg as he moved to unload it.
"Palmer did not commit a further assault by patting me down," Rosenberg said. "If he did, he probably would have found the snubnose revolver in my right pocket, and threatened me with that, too." Rosenberg smiled. "He took one of my knives, too, but missed two others."
Palmer admitted, in front of Rosenberg, two witnesses, and a video camera, that he had done so out of a belief that it was somehow unlawful for Rosenberg, a permit holder, firearms instructor and the author of Everything You Need to Know About (Legally) Carrying a Handgun in Minnesota to carry in Minneapolis City Hall, and threatened Rosenberg with the loss of his carry permit -- something that Palmer has neither the authority to threaten nor to do -- and with arrest.
Rosenberg responded, "I will not resist arrest, sir," and attempted to advise Palmer that Minnesota Statute 624.714 not only permits Rosenberg to carry his firearm there, but that Subd. 23 of that statute says (emphasis added):
No sheriff, police chief, governmental unit, government official, government employee, or other person or body acting under color of law or governmental authority may change, modify, or supplement these criteria or procedures, or limit the exercise of a permit to carry.
"It's really very simple," Rosenberg explained. "Bill had no right to touch me at all, much less grab my gun, much less point it at me, even momentarily. I expect that the HennCo Sheriff's Office will investigate, and act according to both the facts and the law.
"And that's not the only crime Bill committed today, in that act. He really needs to obey the law that he is sworn to enforce and uphold. Whatever that was today, it wasn't not 'To Protect' nor 'To Serve.' It's not for him to make up the law as he goes along."
Rosenberg immediately proceed to the office of the Hennepin County Sheriff, where he filed a criminal complaint with Detective Bill Gottwaldt, who has promised Rosenberg a fair and impartial investigation.
"I'd expect nothing less, and nothing more, from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department," Rosenberg said. "As the public documents on the MPD that I've received show, though, as well as today's incident, I have to expect a lot less from the MPD."
I like this Joel person.
If his account is accurate, then this will be another case of the citizenry being more informed about gun laws than the police. Sergeant Palmer may be in deep doo-doo.
Glad they posted a picture of Joel. Would never want to piss him off...
But, would be glad to see him if I got into a scuffle with some bad guys...and Joel came to my rescue!
Knowing Joel, I can just see the look on his face.
Why do these “activist” strike me as attention whores, setting up confrontations???
IMO, the Sargent had an ax to grind with Joel personally and couldn't help himself.
Not a real good reflection of the mentality of the MPD.
Didn’t take long for the “police do no wrong” bootlickers to show up.
Nothing will come of this case. It does not matter if the officer was caught on video tape breaking the law or violating Constitutional rights.
The “Thin Blue Line” protects its own against ‘civilians’. Civilians exist to pay their bloated pensions, benefits, and salaries.
It would be one thing if LEO protected citizens from crime but they are only on scene for the commission of crimes 3% of the time.
Additionally, police departments nationwide have received court rulings exempting them from actually having to enforce restraining orders or actually protecting citizens.(1)
So, 97% of the time, they are glorified report takers after a crime has been committed and serve to collect taxes via traffic laws.
Footnotes:
1) Warren v. District of Columbia, DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services, Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Department.
2)
“Not a real good reflection of the mentality of the MPD.”
How familiar are you with the Minneapolis PD?
The confrontation was initiated by the leo due to ignorance on his part and as leos would tell me when I was a teenager”Ignorance is no excuse.”
Police have been granted broad discretionary powers by fools who don't see the dander. Police have been given a code book so huge they could never stuff it into the back of a squad car. They are protected by a simple sheeple population who want to “fix” the people around them. Shame on you sir for your simplistic short sighted view of freedom.
We don't need the cozy cabal of cops, lawyers, judges (lawyers with robes), prosecutors (lawyers with elected positions), city council members (usually lawyers) and State Legislators (more lawyers) controlling our every move. People who support police support corruption and welfare for un employed lawyers. S5!
I hope Joel sues MPD’s ass off. They’re used to it.
“Why do these “activist” strike me as attention whores, setting up confrontations???”
Because you’re thinking “activist” as liberal media speak. Joel Rosenberg is NOT that type of activist. He’s a firearms instructor, science-fiction & fantasy writer, and a citizen who has been working on 2nd Amendment issues in his home state for, literally, decades.
OS
Hmmm. Who did they get to go out and talk to the press about this?
>>Why do these “activist” strike me as attention whores, setting up confrontations???<<
Have you ever heard of the phrase, “Use it or Lose it”?
Well these activists are intentionally stepping out in front of the crowd to protect our 2nd Amendment rights. Yes, most police officers in the country do not know who can carry openly or concealed until there is a local issue about the matter in their station. That is what brings them up todate. You should be thanking these activists not criticizing them.
Nice post. Thank you, sir.
We just did the Restore the Constitution "Open Carry" rally in Atlanta's "Little Five Points" among the "Urban Outdoors-men". When we first showed up, one of the officers walked over and expressed his appreciation and said that if we came by more often, his job would be a lot easier.
When we arrived, there were the usual "regulars" hanging around the park, about an hour into the rally the park was bare... well except for us, the cops and the libs wetting all over themselves at the sight of a weapon... Well actually there were A LOT of weapons there. ;-)
Before we left, another officer came over and said thanks! He said that our presence, even for one day, would depress crime in that area.
Could the same be said of our founding father?
Activists? Attention whores, wanting to draw attention to a common cause...
As someone already said use it or lose it. Far too many people have the same don't rock the boat attitude that you display. And that's the reason we are in the position we are in, as a country, regarding the 2nd amendment.
WELCOME TO FREE REPUBLIC’S MINNESOTA PING LIST!
143 MEMBERS AND GROWING...!
FREEPMAIL ME IF YOU WANT ON OR OFF THIS LIST!
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.