National CrimeWatch: Police : Indybay

National CrimeWatch: Police

Period: Tuesday, 2004/06/15 through Thursday, 2004/06/17

The Usual Suspects:

LAPD reaches key deadline
Los Angeles Daily News, CA - Jun 15, 2004
... May 17 report that found the department out of compliance on dozens of reform goals -- from developing a computer system to identify officer misconduct to tape ...

Former police officer pleads guilty to fraud
Canton Repository (subscription), OH - 20 hours ago
By SHANE HOOVER Repository staff writer. CANTON — Former Canton police officer Keith Pressley pleaded guilty Wednesday to helping ...

IPD officer pleads guilty, suspended from duty
WTHR, IN - Jun 15, 2004
Indianapolis, June 15 - Michael Farmer keeps photographs to document his fight with an off-duty Indianapolis Police officer. Farmer ...

IPD officer pleads guilty in attack
Indianapolis Star, IN - Jun 15, 2004
By Vic Ryckaert. An Indianapolis police detective pleaded guilty this morning to disorderly conduct and admitted he struck a man in a wheelchair. ...

Police officer , suspended for alleged misconduct , removed from ...
Maysville Ledger Independent, KY - 28 minutes ago
FLEMINGSBURG -- A Flemingsburg Police officer has been removed from the force under allegations of sexual misconduct. Following ...

Officer Suspended For Flushing Evidence
Carolina Channel.com, SC - 13 hours ago
GREENVILLE -- A Greenville police officer has been suspended without pay for three days after he flushed evidence down a toilet. ...

New York Officer Charged in Sale of Stolen Gun
Officer.com - 12 hours ago
A Schenectady city police officer with a troubled past gave a stolen handgun to a drug dealer last summer while snorting cocaine at the dealer's house on ...

Down and out in Joplin
Joplin Globe, United States - 23 hours ago
Down and out in Joplin

Former resident gets 'heck of a homecoming'

Pamela Sue Elfin has been sleeping on the streets of downtown Joplin since Monday.
[...] With just 20 cents in her purse and her friends apparently having absconded with her van, she has not had much choice. She spent the weekend in the Joplin city jail, awaiting arraignment Monday morning on a couple of traffic offenses, only to get out and find her vehicle and all her possessions gone, including her razor. They had spent some time looking for an apartment in Springfield and had arrived in Joplin on Friday morning to do the same when a police officer pulled them over at 7:37 a.m. at Eighth and Main streets for not having a rear license plate. Elfin said he had a temporary California tag on his front windshield because the rear window was tinted and the tag would not have been visible through it. The officer charged him with having no rear plate and not being properly insured to drive. He was told that since he was in transit, he would have to be arrested and held until he could be arraigned. [...]

Officer Charged with Assaulting Teens
WJZ, MD - Jun 16, 2004
Baltimore, MD (WJZ) A Baltimore grand jury has indicted a city police officer, charging him with two counts of second-degree assault. ...

Pittsburgh police officer charged again with assaulting a girl
Centre Daily Times, PA - Jun 16, 2004
PITTSBURGH - A fired city police officer surrendered to authorities Wednesday to face charges he molested a girl, the second time in a month he's been accused ...

Officer charged with drunken driving after crashing car
Portsmouth Herald, NH - Jun 16, 2004
By Associated Press. QUINCY, Mass. - A police officer already awaiting trial for a hit-and-run accident was accused of drunken driving ...

State Supreme Court, Manhattan:
Newsday, NY - Jun 15, 2004
... 3, Rm. 929, 360 Adams St. Summations in trial of Mark Faljean, transit officer charged with sexually abusing a woman; Judge Carter; Pt. TP3, 5th floor, Rm. ...

Officer charged with child-sex trafficking
WTEV, FL - Jun 15, 2004
(Miami-AP) -- A Hollywood police patrolman faces charges after going to a Miami hotel under the impression that he was about to meet two children brought to ...

Jury selection questions mulled for officer's trial
Lexington Herald Leader, KY - Jun 15, 2004
... Attorneys are drafting questions to gauge the impact of publicity on prospective jurors in the murder case of a former police officer charged with shooting a ...

Dallas Officer Fired Following DWI Charge
NBC5i.com, TX - 14 hours ago
FORT WORTH, Texas -- A veteran Dallas police officer is now off the streets after being arrested for drunken driving. The department ...

CCPD Officer Fired Again
Corpus Christi Caller Times, TX - Jun 16, 2004
By Dave Froelich, KRIS-TV. "Senior Officer Thomas Hudgins was terminated yesterday as a result of several investigations we had ongoing ...

Former Medina prisoner files lawsuit in abuse case
Cleveland Plain Dealer (Subscription), OH - Jun 16, 2004
Tammy Decosta also wants $1 million each from Sheriff Neil Hassinger, nine of his employees and Kathy Hastings, a corrections officer fired last year for ...

Witness contradicts Lovelace's statements
AZ Central.com, AZ - Jun 15, 2004
... Craig Mehrens, Lovelace's attorney, argued as the trial began last week that the former officer fired in self-defense and was doing his job when he pursued ...

Harlingen police detective arrested, charged with DWI
Harlingen Valley Morning Star, TX - Jun 15, 2004
... According to a county jail log, a Department of Public Safety trooper arrested Harlingen Police Detective Rebeca Cruz near La Feria. ...

Venice police dispatcher is charged
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO - 38 minutes ago
A Venice police dispatcher used the police department's computer system to steal a Hawaii woman's identity and run up more than $10,000 in credit card charges, authorities said Thursday.

http://www.pressrepublican.com/cgi-bin/newspro/fullnews.cgi?newsid1087524910,95744,
AKWESASNE -- Authorities say they crushed a major international pot-smuggling ring Thursday with an early morning raid on an Akwesasne construction company and the arrest of nine people, including a State Police dispatcher.

Lawrence P. Mitchell of Cornwall Island, Ontario, owner and chief executive officer of Mitchell's Construction Co. on Route 37, was arrested on federal conspiracy counts.

He was the alleged leader of a marijuana-smuggling ring that police say brought at least $4 million worth of drugs across the St. Lawrence River in the past year.

It is estimated that at least another $10 million worth of drugs came through the reservation before the Franklin County Narcotics Task Force set up its high-tech surveillance of the passageway between Canada and the United States in February 2003.

Also among those arrested in the 6 a.m. raid was State Police civilian dispatcher Jennifer Niles of Moira.

She reportedly provided information to her husband about where Drug Task Force roadblocks and other police operations were to take place.

Scottie J. Niles was charged with federal conspiracy, and Jennifer Niles was charged under state law with conspiracy and official misconduct as she completed her shift at Ray Brook Troop B headquarters Thursday morning, according to State Police Capt. William Keeler.
[...]

Two Miami-Dade Firefighters Arrested In Overtime Scandal
NBC6.net, FL - 6 hours ago
... Robert Cleary and Norman Hepburn are charged with one count of organized scheme to defraud, 77 counts of official misconduct and 24 counts of grand theft. ...

http://www.local6.com/news/3431291/detail.html
Police Officers In Miami Charged In Brutal Beating
State Attorney Says Cops Beat Teen Following ArrestMIAMI -- Two Sweetwater police officers have been indicted following an investigation by the state attorney's office, according to a report.Officer Allen St. Germain and Sgt. George Alvarez are accused of severely beating a teenager after they arrested him a year ago.Peter Daniel, 19, said Sweetwater police arrested him June 18 on charges of evading a traffic stop.
His attorney said that officers beat Daniel after the arrest because they suspected him of stealing a Jet Ski that belonged to one of the officer's relatives, WPLG-TV reported.Daniel was reportedly transported to the police station in Sweetwater Mayor Manuel Marono's SUV. Daniel said that an officer struck him again while he was being transported, and he said Marono saw it happen.St. Germain and Alvarez reportedly gave very differing accounts of what happened to Daniel to cause his injuries.One police report said Daniel threw himself against the floor of the police station and the wall of his cell several times.The other report said that when Daniel attacked the officer, he struck him several times in the mid-section, and then Daniel "became compliant."Daniel had surgery to repair his liver and kidney and was hospitalized for some time.Both the FBI and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office investigated the case.St. Germain and Alverez are charged with battery and official misconduct, third-degree felony offenses. Both men turned themselves in to the state attorney's office Thursday afternoon.

Official denies Net smear
The Capital Times, WI - 13 hours ago
... hearing. Cause is defined in the statutes as inefficiency, neglect of duty, official misconduct or malfeasance in office, May said. ...

From shared struggles, a call for social change
San Diego Union Tribune, CA - 20 hours ago
... odds. In a passage from "Runnin'," Simmons addresses police brutality and pays homage to the Black Panthers of the 1960s: " . . . ...

Pittston councilman raises police brutality allegation
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, PA - 21 hours ago
... A city councilman voted against the appointment of a police officer Wednesday night because of a concern he said he has involving possible police brutality. ...

What is a Country? Its People or Its Government?
Infoshop News - Jun 16, 2004
... To me, the fact that the police brutality goes on without check or prosecution is MUCH more traumatizing than the actual police brutality. ...

Reaction to Police Overreaction
Pulse of the Twin Cities, MN - Jun 16, 2004
... A complete analysis of the death of Walter C. Burks is available on the Communities United Against Police Brutality’s website: http://www.cuapb.org (click on ...

Surviving Deadly Heat at this Summer ’ s Political ...
Infoshop News - Jun 16, 2004
... When going to a protest where illegal police brutality may occur during the summer, you should wear a light long-sleeved shirt and long pants, even if it is ...

Press statement of Ohio SEP candidate David Lawrence
World Socialist - Jun 15, 2004
... people who want an end to the war, and are concerned about deepening social inequality, attacks on jobs, the destruction of education and police brutality. ...

California Law Stands On Police Committee
Officer.com - 13 hours ago
... sprang from an April 26 legal agreement between the city and Officer Charles Whitney that ended three commission probes into excessive-force complaints. ...

Police may face civil lawsuit
The University of Maryland Diamondback, MD - 21 hours ago
... The suit's allegations include the unlawful arrest of Davis, illegal search and seizure, use of excessive force, defamation and prosecution with false testimony ...

Police urged to tighten Taser use
Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA - Jun 16, 2004
... Marcus Hall, a Seattle resident with a long criminal history, filed his claim in April, alleging police used excessive force when they arrested him Jan. 17. ...

Grand jury finds excess force in inmate's death
Lodi News-Sentinel, CA - Jun 16, 2004
Besides the excessive force, the grand jury also concluded that Denmon, who died of asphyxiation as several officers were standing on his back, while he wasn't ...

Protesters out in force over parade-day cops
New York Daily News, NY - Jun 16, 2004
Protesters took to the streets of Brooklyn yesterday to accuse cops of using excessive force at a National Puerto Rican Day Parade celebration - a charge the ...

Officer charged with DUI returns to Moline duty
Quad-Cities Online, IL - 15 minutes ago
... 25, of Moline, a two-year veteran of the department, was charged with driving under the influence and improper lane usage after an off-duty accident June 1. He ...

BPD releases more details on alleged assault
Baytown Sun, TX - 24 minutes ago
... Camden Apartments are located. Smith, a patrol officer, was off-duty when he allegedly assaulted the woman. Rynearson would not ...

Civilian accused of assaulting detainee who later died is former ...
Winston Salem Journal, NC - 1 hour ago
... moments.". "He was in the Hartford (Conn.) Police Department and he got fired for beating a neighbor up off-duty," Kerry Passaro said. ...

Neighbors, Ex-Wife Describe Prison Abuse Suspect as Violent
WTVD, NC - 1 hour ago
... She claims Passaro had a mean temper, and says her ex-husband was fired from his job as a police officer in Connecticut following an off-duty brawl. ...

Guard Held in Teen's Shooting
WSBtv.com, GA - 19 hours ago
RIVERDALE -- A Clayton County teenager was in critical condition Thursday after he was shot in the head allegedly by an off-duty grocery store security guard ...

Tax dollars going to coloring books, tackle and piano tunings
Greensboro News Record, NC - 22 hours ago
... cover the costs of leading long lines of cars filled with mourners through red lights and city traffic to grave sites -- about $24,000 for off-duty officers to ...

Baytown officer accused of sexual assault
Baytown Sun, TX - 23 hours ago
... department for less than two years, is being investigated for an incident involving a woman that reportedly took place May 24 while Smith was off-duty at an ...

Report on gorilla escape faults police official
WFAA (subscription), TX - Jun 16, 2004
... Deputy Chief Troy McClain, a 34-year department veteran, is accused of rushing out of his office to an off-duty neighborhood patrol job a few minutes before 5 ...

Carter asks Michigan Parole Board for release from prison ...
MLive.com, MI - Jun 16, 2004
By TIM MARTIN. JACKSON, Mich. (AP) -- A man convicted of shooting and wounding an off-duty Benton Harbor police officer in 1973 presented his case for freedom ... (there is never mercy for civilians, but ironically, cops are almost never convicted--even if there is videotape or a shit-smeared toilet plunger in the cop's hand and 10 eyewitnesses...)

Former Norfolk Police Officers Charged With Obtaining Money Under ...
WAVY-TV, VA - Jun 16, 2004
... former Norfolk police officers were arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with obtaining money under false pretenses after their off-duty employer claimed ...

Tennessee Deputy Escapes After Fatal Shooting, Then Surrenders
Officer.com - Jun 16, 2004
... Authorities said Carpenter, who was off duty, went to the apartment of his estranged wife and fatally shot Joe Martin of Sharon early Wednesday morning. ...

New York Cop In Probe Taken Into Custody
Officer.com - Jun 16, 2004
... with an Oct. 12 off-duty incident in Hamilton Hill. Hill uttered the slur after the man jumped on the hood of his truck. It was ...

Convicted officer granted pension
The Republican, MA - Jun 16, 2004
... 55, a 17-year veteran of the Police Department, was convicted in connection with a fatal barroom shooting in West Springfield in 1990 while he was off duty. ...

Off-Duty Deputy Accused of Pulling Gun on Driver
WBNS, United States - Jun 15, 2004
A Franklin County sheriff's deputy is accused of breaking the very laws she is supposed to uphold. A taxi driver says the deputy ...

Rios was at scene of East Campus murder, chief says
Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - Jun 15, 2004
... s personal belongings. Rios was granted a personal leave Wednesday after being off duty for two days, Boehm said. The next night ...

Ex-cop admitted crash fault
East Valley Tribune, AZ - Jun 15, 2004
... Police say Baxter’s Ford Mustang was speeding when it struck the motorcycle of off-duty Maricopa County sheriff ’s deputy Doug Matteson, 29. ...

Investigation may lead to firing of police lieutenant
News Chief, FL - Jun 15, 2004
... Greene reduced a written reprimand to written counseling two years ago after Trevino remained in an Orlando hotel room while an off-duty city police sergeant ...

Crowd tries to free man in police car
Oregonian, OR - Jun 15, 2004
... were told. Another employee and two off-duty doormen chased and caught Savelio and held him down in the street for police. A crowd ...

Patrolman on trial for fight with lover's husband at bar
Cleveland Plain Dealer (Subscription), OH - Jun 15, 2004
... 9 Moore was working as a bartender at the Metropolitan Café in the Warehouse District. The three off-duty officers walked in about midnight. ...

Highland police chief quits after being placed on leave
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO - Jun 16, 2004
By Trisha L. Howard. Highland's police chief submitted his resignation Wednesday, two days after the city manager placed him on paid administrative leave. ...

Ex-cop admitted crash fault
East Valley Tribune, AZ - Jun 15, 2004
By Toni Laxson, Tribune. On a telephone at Madison Street Jail, a Scottsdale police officer told a friend about a "bit of trouble ...

Corruption-busting Whitman Knapp dies
Washington Times, DC - Jun 15, 2004
15 (UPI) -- Whitman Knapp, a federal judge who led New York through a 2-year investigation into police corruption in the early 1970s, has died. He was 95. ...

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=38950
Dirty blue by Joel Miller
Editor's note: Joel Miller's new book, "Bad Trip: How the War Against Drugs is Destroying America," is available now in ShopNetDaily. Says Larry Elder, "Miller nails it. He powerfully and persuasively articulates the folly, the harm and the unconstitutionality of our government's War against Drugs." And Judge Andrew P. Napolitano of Fox News rules, "Read this book and send a copy to every lawmaker and judge you know." Get "Bad Trip," today in ShopNetDaily.

Residents of Middletown, R.I., were perhaps a little alarmed over the weekend when they found out officials arrested a decade-long veteran of the local police for stealing marijuana from the evidence locker.

No doubt the same goes for residents of Washington County, Ore., when it turned out a sheriff's deputy – a member of the countywide drug team – filched crank taken as evidence in a case.

"In early April, [William] James and his partner confiscated methamphetamine from an undercover buy. The partner thought James had logged the drug as evidence, but James kept a small amount for personal use," reported the June 10 Portland Oregonian. "Another time, James smoked meth after seizing it in a search. He also arranged two personal drug buys through an informant."

Cops are charged with the impossible: effectively enforcing the myriad laws that constitute America's war on drugs. As I explain in my new book, "Bad Trip: How the War Against Drugs is Destroying America," not only is prohibition a losing proposition, but it has the singular ability to suck its enforcers into a mire of corruption that twists them into the very thing they are charged with fighting.

The specimens above are hardly alone. These lawmen are just two clippings from last week's news; this stuff – and far worse – goes on every day in most every city, in every state in America, threatening the very legitimacy of the law. I dedicate an entire chapter to the problem of drug corruption in "Bad Trip." I could have written a whole book.

[...]

Police academy employee accused of trading records for drugs
Salt Lake Tribune, UT - 18 hours ago
... 34, is facing two counts of receiving or soliciting a bribe or bribery by a ... Cutburth has worked for Utah's police academy since March 2001 as an office clerk

LaHood bill would ban Bell’s filing
The Hill, DC - Jun 16, 2004
... In a 187-page document, Bell charged DeLay with corruption, bribery and money ... legislation, the House would receive $1 billion, the Capitol Police $220 million ... (oh, the smell...)

Martha Stewart witness pleads innocent to lying
The Journal News.com, NY - 21 hours ago
By ALLAN DRURY. NEW YORK — A US Secret Service ink expert pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges that he committed perjury at Martha Stewart's trial. ...

National CrimeWatch: Police