Austin, Texas
An Austin police officer faces a one day suspension after hitting a pedestrian with his squad car.
According to his disciplinary memo Officer Richard Castillo made an illegal left turn in downtown Austin in January.
He struck a pedestrian who had the right of way. That person suffered minor injuries.
Castillo's suspension is scheduled for March 7. He does have the right to appeal.
Source
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Sex Offenders With Badges
According to the 3rd Quarter Report of The National Police Misconduct Statistics and Reporting Project, police officers were accused of sexual assault at a rate of 79 per 100,000 law enforcement personal. That is over two times the rate in the general public (28.7 per 100,000). The fact that rapists seem to be concentrated among a group of armed individuals who have the purported authority to detain and arrest other individuals should be more than a little alarming for even the most prolific police bootlicker. In just the last month, several stories of officers committing disgusting crimes have been in the news.
There are a high number of cases from around the country lately. In Houston, most recently, Houston Police Officer Abraham Joseph was indicted for Rape. The incidents, according to court documents, happened while the officer was on-duty. While he is currently free on bond, other victims have reportedly been coming forward. At last count, authorities have determined Officer Abraham Joseph has been implicated in at least five rapes.
Source
There are a high number of cases from around the country lately. In Houston, most recently, Houston Police Officer Abraham Joseph was indicted for Rape. The incidents, according to court documents, happened while the officer was on-duty. While he is currently free on bond, other victims have reportedly been coming forward. At last count, authorities have determined Officer Abraham Joseph has been implicated in at least five rapes.
Source
Comments From Around The World on Houston Police Brutality
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"Defense attorneys and Houston police say it will be tough for the officers to get a fair trial now that this tape is out there, and they are blaming a community activist and the media, specifically for putting this tape out there."
Why would the video tape prevent a fair trial? You can be damn sure that if the cops had a video tape of Holley breaking in to the residence, it would be submitted as evidence of him "breaking the law".
Yet when the police break the law, the video tapes are deemed illegal and attempts are made to suppress their release!
Why would the video tape prevent a fair trial? You can be damn sure that if the cops had a video tape of Holley breaking in to the residence, it would be submitted as evidence of him "breaking the law".
Yet when the police break the law, the video tapes are deemed illegal and attempts are made to suppress their release!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Dallas Cop Investigated for Allegedly Injuring Hospital Worker in Dispute and Bragging About It on Facebook, Along With Other Inappropriate Posts
Dallas, Texas
A Dallas police officer is on administrative leave after bragging on Facebook that she cut a hospital worker's face by throwing a boot at him during a dispute, 1 of several inflammatory posts by the 6-year veteran.
Dallas police tell The Dallas Morning News that 32-year-old Sr. Cpl. Cat Lafitte is under investigation over the incident and whether she violated department policy on social networking.
Lafitte also has posts disparaging homeless people. The newspaper is reporting she posted a picture of a small black boy surrounded by officers with the comment, "Quick, sprinkle some crack on him!" That post had apparently been removed Friday.
Source
A Dallas police officer is on administrative leave after bragging on Facebook that she cut a hospital worker's face by throwing a boot at him during a dispute, 1 of several inflammatory posts by the 6-year veteran.
Dallas police tell The Dallas Morning News that 32-year-old Sr. Cpl. Cat Lafitte is under investigation over the incident and whether she violated department policy on social networking.
Lafitte also has posts disparaging homeless people. The newspaper is reporting she posted a picture of a small black boy surrounded by officers with the comment, "Quick, sprinkle some crack on him!" That post had apparently been removed Friday.
Source
Residents Videotaping Houston Police Officers Worries HPD's Chief
Houston, Texas
Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland went on the defensive Thursday during a meeting with local journalists, saying officers have made recent traffic stops in which residents leave their vehicles to take pictures or shoot video — encounters he says could endanger officers and that have increased following the release of the Chad Holley beating footage.
"Officers are telling me that they're being provoked," the chief said. "Even when they try to write a simple traffic ticket, people are jumping out with cell phone cameras scanning their badge numbers and their nametags. And I've asked them to remain calm and treat people with respect and dignity."
McClelland said he is concerned that an intensifying anti-police sentiment in the community could increase negative interactions between Houston Police Department officers and residents.
"This rhetoric can give someone a free pass to try to assault a police officer or kill a police officer, and I'm not going to allow that," he said. "My officers should be able to go out here and work in the neighborhoods and keep this city safe without fear and without hesitation."
And, the chief implored the community - naming himself, activists and journalists - to "lower the rhetoric."
But community activists who have been involved in organizing two town hall meetings this month strongly disagree with the reasons why the police chief may be receiving more reports about people documenting encounters with police.
Activist Quanell X called the chief's reaction to this increasing phenomenon "inappropriate."
"I believe citizens have a legal, constitutional right to record and film police officers in the line of duty. I don't see anything wrong with the public recording," Quanell X said. "I believe no decent police officer has anything to be afraid of. I believe the rogue cops who like to beat, kick and stomp people may have a whole lot to worry about."
The chief, who leads a force of 5,300, said the vast majority of officers do not brutalize people.
But Pastor D.Z. Cofield, president of the NAACP Houston branch, said residents are responding in the best way they can - by creating their own record of events.
"I hope Chief Charles McClelland recognizes that what his officers are now complaining about is a fear many of the citizens of Houston have lived with for decades," Cofield said. "And while it may be true that the vast majority of the 5,300 HPD officers do not brutalize citizens, far too many are complicit because they sit silently by with full knowledge of those who do brutalize citizens."
"I respect the opinion of citizens, individuals, activists that are out there in the community," Chief McClelland said. "I certainly haven't had my head stuck in the sand and I am listening to what they're saying and their complaints."
He implored residents and leaders to "be responsible" in their words and their tone.
Source
Disgraced Texas Badges Opinion:
We can certainly understand why the Chief is worried. It is even more obvious why Houston Police Officers are objecting. Suddenly, they are under the microscope and are having to think twice before acting. The fact that they feel "provoked" is questionable.
So again, Chief, we understand your concern. However, citizens have the right to protect themselves. It appears that your officers are to blame for the fear of the citizens of Houston, Texas. While waiting for the perfect solution, the best option for citizens to protect themselves against lies, false reports and brutality, is to use photos and videos. We will continue to encourage this. As for the safety of the officers, the video below seems to show that they know how to take care of themselves.
Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland went on the defensive Thursday during a meeting with local journalists, saying officers have made recent traffic stops in which residents leave their vehicles to take pictures or shoot video — encounters he says could endanger officers and that have increased following the release of the Chad Holley beating footage.
"Officers are telling me that they're being provoked," the chief said. "Even when they try to write a simple traffic ticket, people are jumping out with cell phone cameras scanning their badge numbers and their nametags. And I've asked them to remain calm and treat people with respect and dignity."
McClelland said he is concerned that an intensifying anti-police sentiment in the community could increase negative interactions between Houston Police Department officers and residents.
"This rhetoric can give someone a free pass to try to assault a police officer or kill a police officer, and I'm not going to allow that," he said. "My officers should be able to go out here and work in the neighborhoods and keep this city safe without fear and without hesitation."
And, the chief implored the community - naming himself, activists and journalists - to "lower the rhetoric."
But community activists who have been involved in organizing two town hall meetings this month strongly disagree with the reasons why the police chief may be receiving more reports about people documenting encounters with police.
Activist Quanell X called the chief's reaction to this increasing phenomenon "inappropriate."
"I believe citizens have a legal, constitutional right to record and film police officers in the line of duty. I don't see anything wrong with the public recording," Quanell X said. "I believe no decent police officer has anything to be afraid of. I believe the rogue cops who like to beat, kick and stomp people may have a whole lot to worry about."
The chief, who leads a force of 5,300, said the vast majority of officers do not brutalize people.
But Pastor D.Z. Cofield, president of the NAACP Houston branch, said residents are responding in the best way they can - by creating their own record of events.
"I hope Chief Charles McClelland recognizes that what his officers are now complaining about is a fear many of the citizens of Houston have lived with for decades," Cofield said. "And while it may be true that the vast majority of the 5,300 HPD officers do not brutalize citizens, far too many are complicit because they sit silently by with full knowledge of those who do brutalize citizens."
"I respect the opinion of citizens, individuals, activists that are out there in the community," Chief McClelland said. "I certainly haven't had my head stuck in the sand and I am listening to what they're saying and their complaints."
He implored residents and leaders to "be responsible" in their words and their tone.
Source
Disgraced Texas Badges Opinion:
We can certainly understand why the Chief is worried. It is even more obvious why Houston Police Officers are objecting. Suddenly, they are under the microscope and are having to think twice before acting. The fact that they feel "provoked" is questionable.
So again, Chief, we understand your concern. However, citizens have the right to protect themselves. It appears that your officers are to blame for the fear of the citizens of Houston, Texas. While waiting for the perfect solution, the best option for citizens to protect themselves against lies, false reports and brutality, is to use photos and videos. We will continue to encourage this. As for the safety of the officers, the video below seems to show that they know how to take care of themselves.
City of Houston to Launch Complaint System for Citizens to Report Houston Police Brutality and Misconduct
Houston, Texas
Mayor Annise Parker is implementing a new system that will allow citizens to directly file complaints against any city employee.
It's what the public in Houston has been demanding: Independent oversight of the Houston police department.
But what's missing is subpoena power.
Today Mayor Annise Parker announced sweeping changes as a result of that Chad Holley beating we've seen caught on tape. Houston Police officers are seen kicking and punching the 15-year-old burglar.
Those new changes include the creation of an ombudsman. That person would serve as intermediary with the public. He would take their complaints against police officers instead of them going to internal affairs.
The mayor also says she's revamping the citizens review committee and renaming it the independent police oversight board with the authority to examine all police probes and disciplinary actions.
Parker says while the changes will require an executive order, residents can begin taking advantage of the new system now.
Source
Mayor Annise Parker is implementing a new system that will allow citizens to directly file complaints against any city employee.
It's what the public in Houston has been demanding: Independent oversight of the Houston police department.
But what's missing is subpoena power.
Today Mayor Annise Parker announced sweeping changes as a result of that Chad Holley beating we've seen caught on tape. Houston Police officers are seen kicking and punching the 15-year-old burglar.
Those new changes include the creation of an ombudsman. That person would serve as intermediary with the public. He would take their complaints against police officers instead of them going to internal affairs.
The mayor also says she's revamping the citizens review committee and renaming it the independent police oversight board with the authority to examine all police probes and disciplinary actions.
Parker says while the changes will require an executive order, residents can begin taking advantage of the new system now.
Source
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Midland Police Sued by Family of Unarmed Man Fatally Shot by Police
Midland, Texas
Midland, Texas - The family of a man shot and killed during a standoff with police has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Midland.
The plaintiffs claim that Paul Holland did not have a weapon in his hand as he exited his home that day, therefore there was no need for officers to fire weapons.
Documents show that Holland’s wife did call police that day for a welfare check, worried about her husband who had previously been hospitalized for his mental condition.
Source
Midland, Texas - The family of a man shot and killed during a standoff with police has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Midland.
The plaintiffs claim that Paul Holland did not have a weapon in his hand as he exited his home that day, therefore there was no need for officers to fire weapons.
Documents show that Holland’s wife did call police that day for a welfare check, worried about her husband who had previously been hospitalized for his mental condition.
Source
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