Video: Oh look, another viral video involving police and tasers
posted at 6:44 pm on June 17, 2009 by Allahpundit
So prized are new additions to this niche online that you’ll actually hear the cameraman squeal about how he can’t wait to upload the footage to YouTube. The question: What’s a cop, or team of cops, to do when they can’t force a drunk’s arms behind his back? One tasing doesn’t do it, a second tasing doesn’t do it, and then, around 40 seconds in, the fists start to fly.
Mick Taylor, chairman of Nottinghamshire Police Federation, said he recognised some members of the public would be shocked by the footage.
But he added: ‘They aren’t privy to what training we have in such situations. What the taser is used for is preventing long struggles.
‘You give an instruction. If they fail to comply you discharge the taser. If that doesn’t have the desired effect it’s normal practice to discharge it again.
‘With regards to the punches, they seem to be in the area of the shoulder. When you’re not getting compliance you apply pressure to certain parts of the body.’
Exit question for our cop readers: Aside from cases of self-defense, is it ever appropriate to punch a suspect? Even if we give the office here the benefit of the doubt and assume he was punching him in the shoulder to get his arm to relax, is that proper? If not, what’s the alternative — call for backup and wait for a whole new squad of guys to arrive and have eight men on his arm? Content warning.
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It’s better than getting shot….
just sayin….
Hog Wild on June 17, 2009 at 6:46 PM
A friend who was a Baltimore policeman and trains policemen in self defense shows them how dangerous it is to be in various positions that ploice get into all the time. He looks harmless, but drops them on the ground with ease (and pain.)
They probably could use billy clubs to move the drunks arms around, but that is just hindsight.
Right_of_Attila on June 17, 2009 at 6:49 PM
How hard is it to listen?
Notorious GOP on June 17, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Where in Tehran did you say this was?
elduende on June 17, 2009 at 6:49 PM
ploice = police
Right_of_Attila on June 17, 2009 at 6:49 PM
Wankers…!
How many British cops does it take to cuff a drunk?
One to hold the cuffs and four more to hold his arms and legs.
Those guys need to go to the gym a little more.
NeoKong on June 17, 2009 at 6:54 PM
It’s is hard to say whether more or less donuts is the answer.
infidel on June 17, 2009 at 6:58 PM
The perp is an idiot. The cop throwing the punches will probably be reprimanded.
These guys appear to be about 80-100 pounds lighter than many American cops I’ve seen.
The Race Card on June 17, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Punching in the arm, right in the shoulder towards the front is known as the brachial plexus tie in. It is taught that it must be struck a minimum of three times in order to make the arm go numb. This allows for the operator to control the arm and move it to a cuffing position.
The taser is less effective on some individuals. I am guessing he was striking the tie in to release the arm. Right next to the tie in toward the top of the shoulder near the neck is the supra scapular striking point. This area can also be used to cause the arm to release.
In short, YES it is proper and taught to strike in this method to bring the arms under control. It is a technique taught to law enforcement in the united states under a system called “presume point control tactics.”
Inzax on June 17, 2009 at 7:00 PM
First of all AllahP… this happened in Europe, in the UK, so their laws, policy and procedures, and tactics can and will differ from ours. And frankly, since it’s the UK (or anywhere else in Europe), I could care less and so should everyone else in this type of case.
Second of all, his head never budged. The cop was hitting his shoulder trying to get the big dude being arrested to get his arm around behind his back.
Third, ALLAHP, you cop hating muck raker… Why? The cops in Iran are murdering people with AK’s and breaking into homes and dorms, beating people senseless, but barely a peep from you (and certainly no plethera of ‘viral’ police/government abuse videos from you on that despite the motherload that’savailable) … but you just can’t resist a cop tazering by the boys in blue.
You have a personal beef with police. That’s obvious. You should tell us about it some time so I and others can understand. Because otherwise, for me anyway, it’s really really hard to respect you and your views and opinions, as far off base as they may be from time to time.
SilverStar830 on June 17, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Love the sexy R&B soundtrack in the background.
Savrielle on June 17, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Those cops are racists, right? They must be. That’s the only time cops force a subject to comply, isn’t it?
jaime on June 17, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Personally, I think they should be commended for their restraint.
If someone physically resists a cop, I think they should be able to beat the living sh$t out of them until they comply.
These guys see the crappy side of society every day. I don’t know how they do it.
BacaDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:03 PM
My first thought exactly.
sammypants on June 17, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Yeah, barely a peep from me about Iran. Search Hot Air high and low and nary an AP post about Iranian repression is to be found. What a joke you are.
I don’t hate cops. People like these vids because they like debating necessary force. End of story.
Allahpundit on June 17, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Are those the “Muslim youths” I am always hearing about getting ready to jump the cops? Nice.
Vigilante on June 17, 2009 at 7:06 PM
You beat me to it.
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Did the cop who tasered him the first time ask “What has he done?” AFTER doing so?
Savrielle on June 17, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Yawn.
nickj116 on June 17, 2009 at 7:06 PM
This puts me in mind of Rodney King’s months of rehab after the brutal beating he took.
Oops, he was treated and released the same night.
Stephen M on June 17, 2009 at 7:07 PM
By the way, ALLAHP, it is definitely appropriate to ‘punch’ a suspect if the situation warrants it. Police work is fluid and very dynamic. The amount of force necessary to effect the arrest and control of a suspect is a complete spectrum from a simple wrist lock to shooting the suspect. Everything in betweeen is permissable use of force if it can be justified. Think of it as a pie and every type of use of force is a slice of the pie. Police are in the center and can transition from one to to any other slice in the extreme if it is necessary and justifiable.
You already know that about police use of force though. Hence… the muck-raker tag sticks.
SilverStar830 on June 17, 2009 at 7:07 PM
“Look! Over here! A shiny penny! No, noooo, not that little Iran stuff, this is a real shiny penny!!!”
No coincidence.
Lockstein13 on June 17, 2009 at 7:08 PM
You’ve been doing an excellent job, AP, even more than usual. You’ve been on overdrive covering the Iran stuff for us. Don’t listen to the commenters who like to burst out with nastiness from time to time because you don’t think 100% exactly like they do. If they hate you so much, I have no idea why they read your posts at all. Weird.
aero on June 17, 2009 at 7:08 PM
Calm down. These videos are entertaining and controversial. They’re good blog material.
After your comment I re-read AP’s post. I didn’t see any cop-hating rhetoric. Can you point some out?
jaime on June 17, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Let’s not make light of what’s happening over there to compare it to this.
I imagine they have to be without guns.
Esthier on June 17, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Honestly, after all the Iran posts I’ve written since Sunday, I ought to ban the two of you for being such shameless liars. I posted video of the assault on the Basij complex just two hours ago, and here you both are whining not because you’re unhappy with the Iran coverage but because you can’t stand challenges to police procedure. For the millionth time: If you don’t like a post, don’t read it. If you don’t like the site, don’t read it. I’m tired of this.
Allahpundit on June 17, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I might add striking a “nerve motor point” is considered less force the using an intermediate weapon such as a taser. (According to force continuum’s used by police.”
Inzax on June 17, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Relax and have a donut.
infidel on June 17, 2009 at 7:10 PM
SilverStar you seem way out of line.
Allah and Ed post what we want to read, and from past cop you tube videos I think it is very obvious we want to see them. This doesn’t mean he hates cops. In fact he even asks for the opinions of cops so he can get a better understanding what they have to go through and what the limitations are.
As for it taking place in the UK, if you see what you think is abuse no matter where it is you should shed light on it. I think our President’s silence on Iran is an extreme example of this.
P.S. Allah you rock
sammypants on June 17, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Honestly, after all the Iran posts I’ve written since Sunday, I ought to ban the two of you for being such shameless liars. I posted video of the assault on the Basij complex just two hours ago, and here you both are whining not because you’re unhappy with the Iran coverage but because you can’t stand challenges to police procedure. For the millionth time: If you don’t like a post, don’t read it. If you don’t like the site, don’t read it. I’m tired of this.
Allahpundit on June 17, 2009 at 7:10 PM
F’ck You Ban me.
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:12 PM
there’s just no luv on hot air tonight.
SHARPTOOTH on June 17, 2009 at 7:12 PM
I’ll ban myself. How do I delete my account?
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:13 PM
Silver Star: Why don’t you go to twitter and read Allahpundit’s posts on Iran before you go off on him? You do NOT know what the hell you are talking about. His twitters have led me to follow this incident. Jerk.
mimi1220 on June 17, 2009 at 7:13 PM
I concur. I didn’t see anything.
Esthier on June 17, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Too bad, I kinda liked some of your posts.
infidel on June 17, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Har!
jaime on June 17, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Honestly, I dunno how it is that you tolerate this crap to begin with, AP. I’m not a big fan of the “cop uses unnecessary force…?” meme myself, but cripes…I swear some people make complaining look like a basic human need!
You’re a mensch, AP. Sometimes you grate on me like nobody’s business, but keep up the good work. Unlike certain others here, I’m not given to pissing and moaning.
gryphon202 on June 17, 2009 at 7:15 PM
You can’t just stop coming here?
Esthier on June 17, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Any of you tried to take down somebody who was high on a certain kind of drug? I was in a convenience store when a guy came in to rob it. He was a small dude. It took three officers to get him on the ground.. while they were beating him on the head and body. He would not go to the floor.
It was very scary. The only thing that saved me and the clerk was that he was so high he couldn’t remember where he put his gun. Tasers were not available then. What I remember most was the officer (who just happened to drive up at the right moment) pointing his gun at the perp and saying “don’t make me shoot you”.
GoodBoy on June 17, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Twitter is part of HA? Who knew.
No, I’m OCD
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Agreed, the cops aren’t the problem. What I think is puzzling though is that a lot of the training in this regard now is “comply or be tazed”…..I guess we’ve come along way from when I was younger and police were civil servants…..
Ozprey on June 17, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Actually I was hoping to get banned so I can go around the Net and lie about why AP banned me saying it was because I’m a Christian. In reality, I am just one of the HA grievance mongers with a martyr complex. I knew, I heard it on Twitter.
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:17 PM
You’d have to back read months, maybe years, worth of cop posts here to understand where I’m coming from with AllahP and his cop hate inciting videos. It’s not just today’s post, or last weeks, or last months… it is a running tally and culmination of many over a long period of time from which I draw my conclusion.
Sometimes the abuse is obvious and there’s no question. He posts those too. But honestly, this happened in bloody ENGLAND and he just can’t resist raking the muck and inflaming Hot Air’s cop haters.
I think he gets some kind of twisted sense of satisfaction from it all. Why? Heck if I know, but I’d be much more understanding if I did.
Honestly speaking, just because I don’t agree with ALLAHP, or the other cop haters here, which I think is ALLAHP’s target audience with these things anyway, it does not make me the ‘joke’.
SilverStar830 on June 17, 2009 at 7:17 PM
What’s with all the hate? If you don’t want to read a blog, go elsewhere.
ladyingray on June 17, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Please calm down and don’t get yourself thrown out. I like your comments. Your Iran stuff has been great.
aero on June 17, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Love the blonde bimbo who waltzes up behind the officer like she owns the place.
Lucky she didn’t get knocked on her ass.
The Ugly American on June 17, 2009 at 7:19 PM
The cop at the end of the clip looks pissed…never call a cop a wanker!
infidel on June 17, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Who are these cop-haters on HA of which you speak? I’ve witnessed none of that.
In fact, the only hate I see is yours for AP.
ladyingray on June 17, 2009 at 7:19 PM
I stole it all from AP on Twitter.
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:20 PM
If you don’t want to read certain comments, don’t read them. See how it works now?
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Re-read my initial post. There’s no ‘lies’. I didn’t say you haven’t posted anything about Iran.
Besides, I’m not so stupid to suggest what you have twisted to suit your needs.
Sorry if I hurt your feelings. I’m allowed to express my opinions and interpretations aren’t I? After all, like you said yourself, “People like these vids because they like debating necessary force. End of story.”
SilverStar830 on June 17, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Ever hear of an arrest where the suspect gets ahold of the police officer’s gun?
mossberg500 on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Guys, at it’s most basic, AP’s and Ed’s job is to get as many page views and comments as possible. The cop use-of-force threads ALWAYS get lots of activity. AP’s just giving us what we want — something to wrangle over. Give the guy a break. Both our HA blog-kings work 12-16 hour days to feed our insatiable appetites for more stuff to read and argue about. And it’s FREE! So give AP a little respect here, m’kay? He works hard and deserves some love.
aero on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 PM
I know the feeling. Still, I think if you calm down about this you might change your mind.
Esthier on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Booooriiiiing…juice him again and make him flop around like a fish.
Itchee Dryback on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 PM
You’ve never read a single thing I’ve written have you? Did you bother even skimming the video of the old lady tazed? I didn’t think so.
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Cute little matchbox police cars they have.
Guess that’s what’s coming now that GuvMoters will be designing the next generation of cruisers.
tru2tx on June 17, 2009 at 7:24 PM
This is the first step.
However, this is not the second.
An apology might be helpful.
Do you need a donut?
How about this?
Loxodonta on June 17, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Are you saying Allah hasn’t posted a ton of material on HotAir on Iran in the past few days? What about this one just a few hours ago: http://hotair.com/archives/2009/06/16/video-murder-in-the-isfahan-dorms/? That doesn’t show police abuse in Iran? There have been many other videos that he’s posted in a similar vein, in addition to lots of general coverage and analysis.
Can you explain your criticism of Allah’s coverage of Iran on HotAir?
Allah is usually great, but this past week he’s been especially good in covering an important and fast-moving event.
tneloms on June 17, 2009 at 7:26 PM
What I think is puzzling though is that a lot of the training in this regard now is “comply or be tazed”…..I guess we’ve come along way from when I was younger and police were civil servants…..
Ozprey on June 17, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Ever hear of an arrest where the suspect gets ahold of the police officer’s gun?
mossberg500 on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 PM
oh lol! Is that what that 78 year old grandma from Texas was thinkin?
Ozprey on June 17, 2009 at 7:26 PM
You’ve never read a single thing I’ve written have you? Did you bother even skimming the video of the old lady tazed? I didn’t think so.
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 7:23 PM
thx, beat me to it
Ozprey on June 17, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Yeah, I see your point, but I don’t agree with it.
I almost never agree with AP on these things. Especially in regard to the cop knocking that asshole off his bike. But AP has a legitimate point of view – shared by many (but not by me). No matter how thin skinned you are, it’s inappropriate to call AP a “cop-hater”.
Do you blow up like this on the street when someone has an opinion you disagree with?
jaime on June 17, 2009 at 7:30 PM
She probably would have been if this had happened in the US.
ladyingray on June 17, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Twitters? Why? Why read twitter? So I can read one sentence posts until my eyes bleed to get info and the big picture as opposed to complete columns replete with source links in one sitting? Is this a twitter website? What am I missing here?
And sweety, seriously… ‘jerk’? C’mon. I’m coming at ya with a long time here at Hot Air and with a view of the big picture. There are many ALLAHP cop posts. One post is not the source of my ire. I like ALLAHP overall. I truly do. But he chaps my hide with these muck-raking cop nothing-burgers. It’s like he wants this. I oppose his position, and apparently yours too. But I have that right to oppose yours and others positions. I’m delivering what he’s after- “People like these vids because they like debating…”
Tuff cookies if you disapprove.
SilverStar830 on June 17, 2009 at 7:32 PM
“Tazer! Tazer! Tazer!”
LOL!
Why are they jumping away? They can hang onto him. Not like it’s a defibrillator. Geez.
AP. As for the shoulder strike on a non-compliant person?
Legit. That and they were kinda being pussies about securing his arm. They should have been on him like White on Rice, wrenching the silly bastards arm into a compliant position. And, yes, I have had to do that with a non-compliant prisoner. Which was a pain in the ass, but necessary nonetheless.
As for the dick calling the uniforms “fucking wankers?” Leave now or you’re under arrest for disturb peace. Don’t leave? Under arrest, sunshine.
People are stupid. Drunk people are “fencepost stupid.”©
MT
Mistahtibbs on June 17, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Victicrat.
The Race Card on June 17, 2009 at 7:35 PM
From the video, it looks like one probe had been pulled out as the second tase had no effect. Shouting Taser, Taser, Taser is simply training to warn it is being deployed.
As for force, what force? The officer did a verbal command while controlling the arm and did not get compliance (even after the perp tried to kick his partner twice!) The blows to the shoulder are just as others stated, break moves to gain compliance.
End of story? The idiot wouldn’t comply, he was made to. The officers were not injured and were able to go home to their families. TS to the perp.
dkeppner on June 17, 2009 at 7:35 PM
Well, my last comment seems to have gone to the bit bucket. I must have said something indecorous. I’ll wait a few minutes to see if it shows up.
jaime on June 17, 2009 at 7:38 PM
#1… don’t see any problem with what the wankers did.
#2… Why do we care if the Euro police force is beating the crap out of its semi-citizens? They’ve given up participating in their countries, might as well have at ‘em.
12thMonkey on June 17, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Yeah. I read Larry Elder’s book too. Victicrat couldn’t be farther from the truth in this case (and it actually garnered a giggle from me too given your screen name is ‘The Race Card’).
But if ad hominem is all ya got to contribute here… Heck, go with it. It’s better than nothing.
Isn’t it?
SilverStar830 on June 17, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Yes. Beats getting whacked with the nightstick, doesn’t it?
Oh, and SilverStar remains an a$$hole. I’m glad me and mine don’t live in whatever piece of turf he’s ruling.
Pablo on June 17, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Actually many law enforcement agencies require some sort of physical resistance as opposed to simple non-compliance before lighting them up with a Taser. Blows to nerve areas are a-okay.
Use of force debates are good and should be welcomed as a way to educate those not faced with the daily challenges of a police officer.
That said, sometimes you wish you could just shoot ‘em.
califdreamnred on June 17, 2009 at 7:48 PM
These cops were justified in everything they did. Trying to get a noncooperative subjects hands behind their back can be extremely hard. Even weaker subjects can hold out for quite a long time before you can get the arm behind their back. The only thing I saw that needs to be taught to police is when the female officer walks up, kneels down and grabs 1 foot leaving the other swinging around. She is lucky she did not eat a shoe.
Howcome on June 17, 2009 at 7:51 PM
I wish that video starter a bit sooner, but the suspect is clearly non-compliant and could have saved himself all of that trouble by doing as he was told. I don’t see anything wrong here.
Pablo on June 17, 2009 at 7:53 PM
I don’t see why your question of ‘after’ even matters. His noncompliance happened before.
anuts on June 17, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Do you only read 1 post a month or something? Allah’s been the one on top of the whole Iran situation since it started, providing regular updates on Twitter and on here, and making sense of the news and information coming out of the social networks.
Good sweet motherf****** Jesus, at least pay attention to what’s been covering the site the last few days.
On topic, can’t remark about British police. They pretty much do whatever they damn well please. Well, except carry firearms. After all, they banned handguns. They can be sure no criminal would have one of those.
MadisonConservative on June 17, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I think they should of shot him.
Jeff from WI on June 17, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Meh, the guy was big and drunk. And those “punches” if that’s what you want to call them were pretty weak. Cops didn’t do anything wrong and the person recording them and the girl with him sounded like idiots.
clearbluesky on June 17, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Are you new? Where were you when I needed you?
Blake on June 17, 2009 at 8:11 PM
That would stand true, Pablo, only if you and yours lived on the wrong side of the law on my turf that I am sworn and dedicated to serving and protecting, not ‘rule’. Yeah. You bet. I’d take you and yours down and take you down hard if that were the case.
Just like I have and will continue to do so with criminals and those that prey on the weak and the defenseless, and those that simply prey on the people that are just living their lives as good and hard working people. For as long as I ever walk the beat. This I swear. But well within the Constitution and well within basic human rights, human dignity, and within the law. I wouldn’t have been doing what I do for 20-years+ with awards for valor and life-saving, citations, and meritorious service if I didn’t.
Otherwise, on my ‘turf’, I’d love you and yours and even give my life for you and yours like any and all the men and women I work with would if it came to that. I’ve given my blood, I’ve given my sweat, I’ve given my tears. I’ve even gave a sizable chunk of my knee joint too. Why? Because it is the noblest cause for me in my life that I could have ever hoped to do as a career other than a military career.
Despite the hate and the clueless arm chair quarterbacking. That is just part of the job. Like sawdust in the eyes of a carpenter. It’s just an annoyance.
SilverStar830 on June 17, 2009 at 8:12 PM
If you really hate this site, leave. Otherwise you’re nothing but a typical little attention whore. Try leaving the basement and going outside.
MadisonConservative on June 17, 2009 at 8:12 PM
I think the cops here were just incompetent. There were 5 of them and they couldn’t control one person. . . no wonder they lost the Revolutionary War.
Having said that, I used to wrestle. I went up against some strong dudes, and never had any problem getting their arm out from under their body. . . PUNCHING was definitely against the rules.
Here’s how you do it. You put your elbow on their spine, and your hand under their elbow. You use your arm as a lever and put ALL of your weight and the weight of the pressure on their spine. The arm will come up no matter how strong you are.
It’s not rocket science. Punching the shoulder is worthless. I’d be glad to demonstrate, but you’ll have to sign a waver. I was pretty good at using leverage. I enjoyed making them scream in front of their families and girlfriends (legally) . . . and I didn’t have a taser or backup.
ThackerAgency on June 17, 2009 at 8:12 PM
BigOldDog, I really like your comments. This Iran situation is getting us all worked up. I hope you can see your way to staying on board.
Missy on June 17, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Geez, I thought this was just another R&B video.
AUINSC on June 17, 2009 at 8:18 PM
You have been extremely provocative on your police use of force posts in the past. Don’t get upset if people don’t give you the benefit of the doubt and see this as another cop bashing post or post designed to attract all the cop bashers.
Blake on June 17, 2009 at 8:20 PM
They need bigger cops. What, not enough donuts?
Jeff from WI on June 17, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Taser wasn’t wired right, not enough power.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQmHvPU81tM
Jeff from WI on June 17, 2009 at 8:25 PM
To feed the fire…
Flashers Unite
a man driving to a ball game who was flashed by a car traveling in the opposite direction to warn him that there was a speed trap up ahead. He flashed back, was detected by an eagle eyed police officer, and fined $50 because flashing headlights in Maryland is illegal. The police are also considering charging him with “obstructing a police investigation.”
Then this…
Upstater85 on June 17, 2009 at 8:29 PM
No not new, I had some free time and saw an opportunity to comment on an area I actually know VERY WELL.
I am a defensive tactics instructor in, close quarter combat, ground avoidance ground defense and spontaneous knife defense. All of these are different areas under the same police defense system.
Inzax on June 17, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Longtime reader, new commenter.
I like the police-beating vids, b/c it reminds everyone that cops have power, they know it, and they use it, even when being knowingly recorded. Some cops do many wonderful things, but many of them do awful things – few lose their jobs for acts that would result in the rest of us going to prison. Having never been arrested or spent time in jail but having been the victim of three nonviolent crimes (all burglaries), I have no problems in saying that I’ve never had a good experience with a cop.
Being an upper-middle-class white guy in a rural area, I can only imagine the experiences of those not like me in urban areas. The day I rely on the police for protection is the day I know I’m no longer free.
elcapt on June 17, 2009 at 8:32 PM
So? It’s not illegal for police and ambulances to speed and not obey traffic signs. But to prosecute them criminally, they have to be criminally – not civilly negligent. I don’t see it here.
Blake on June 17, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Wow! That was bad Jeff.
ORrighty on June 17, 2009 at 8:38 PM
First, I just posted it out there… but now I will take a stand. He was chasing a speeder… Yeah, he’s allowed to speed to stop crime, but this incident may raise the question of whether there should be some restrictions… What do you tell the families of the victims? “Sorry, just had to give that speeding ticket.”
Upstater85 on June 17, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Actually I take that back… There are already some restrictions. My understanding is that a state trooper has to use caution when going through an intersection…
Upstater85 on June 17, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Ah, a benevolent dictator! I take it all back. I love you, Mahmoud!
Pablo on June 17, 2009 at 8:43 PM
ROFLMAO! Get off your knees, wipe off your chin and man up honey bun!
TheBigOldDog on June 17, 2009 at 8:49 PM
It’s not illegal for police and ambulances to speed and not obey traffic signs.
Blake on June 17, 2009 at 8:34 PM
And how bout that cop who keeps pulling over ambulances? What rules is that guy goin’ by? lol
Ozprey on June 17, 2009 at 8:50 PM
One, the lost and grief of the family is irrelevant to the issue of whether or not someone charged with a criminal offense is guilty or not of a crime.
Two, the defense was that he was following dept policy, while the prosecution theory was that he was not. The jury found for the defense. Not every accident rises to the level of a crime.
Again, the jury either found that he did exercise caution or if he didn’t, it did not rise to the level of criminal negligence.
Blake on June 17, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Considering the guy wasn’t black and the cops weren’t american. I’d say he got relatively good treatment.
EMR on June 17, 2009 at 8:57 PM
That’s not really the question at hand, Blake.
Pablo on June 17, 2009 at 8:59 PM
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