National CrimeWatch: Police

Period: Friday, 2004/06/04 through Monday, 2004/06/07

Announcements:

• This semi-weekly news extract is being re-focused on police. We are excluding corrupt judges, politicians, bureaucrats and prison guards from the feed. Why? For one thing, there is so much official crime out there that a tight focus is essential (i.e. we are not being paid anything for doing this!). Police are pretty much the same as everyone else, no better or worse. But their position in American society is the proverbial "canary in the coal mine". When cops are in trouble with the law it shows the corrosive effects of our government's propensity for passing unconstitutional "vicimless crime" laws; these have created black markets, have turned millions of good people into "criminals", and have put our police in the unhappy position of enforcing a veritable Police State and laws that they themselves do not respect. It is natural for people to look the other way and accept bribes when a victimless crime is noticed -- after all, who is to complain?
• If you appreciate this extract of news, please input a comment and say what you like or don't like. It takes a fair amount of time, at least an hour to put each edition together, and if it is of no tangible use to anyone except the editors, then we will discontinue it. There is a saying that the most sincere form of flattery is imitation, but the reality is that very most $incere form of flattery is written on green pieces of paper. So if you appreciate this work consider expre$$ing your appreciation directly to our friend$, the good folks running www.indybay.org or www.unknownnews.net. Thanks!
  

The Usual Suspects

Albuquerque police officer arrested for drunk driving
KOB-TV, NM - Jun 4, 2004
Eyewitness News 4 has learned that an Albuquerque police officer was arrested in Red River for drunk driving. APD Detective James ...

Former police officer arrested on suspicion of pandering
Tallahassee.com, FL - Jun 4, 2004
CARROLLTON, Ga. - A former Villa Rica police officer and chaplain was arrested Thursday on charges of pandering and violation of oath of office. ...

Thomaston officer arrested, fired after alleged scam
Macon Telegraph, GA - Jun 4, 2004
By Tim Sturrock. THOMASTON - A Thomaston police officer has been arrested and fired in an alleged shoplifting scam, and the GBI is ...

After 12 Years, Handcuffs Stay on LAPD Reform
Los Angeles Times (subscription), CA - Jun 6, 2004
... civilian authority. Consider: The department still lacks an effective computerized complaint system to track officer misconduct. The ...

Bennett denies suit settlement role
Contra Costa Times, CA - Jun 4, 2004
... Bennett confirmed Thursday that he did not participate in a recent lawsuit settlement curtailing civilian review of officer misconduct complaints, despite ...

Former West Deer officer pleads guilty
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA - Jun 6, 2004
A former police officer pleaded guilty to fixing a drunken-driving charge in exchange for a Las Vegas vacation. Robert D. Feil, 43 ...

Former Officer Pleads Innocent To Porn And Indecent Exposure
WAVE, KY - Jun 4, 2004
(ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky., June 4th, 2004, 6 pm) -- Former Elizabethtown police officer Brian Leasor has entered a not guilty plea to charges that he viewed child ...

Local Officer Suspended After Arrest
Channel Cincinnati.com, OH - Jun 4, 2004
CINCINNATI -- A local police officer was suspended after he was arrested on a charge of domestic violence. Alvin Triggs (pictured ...

Gary detective a target of internal police probe
Gary Post Tribune, IN - Jun 5, 2004
... For the third time in as many months, Detective Jon Jones testified this week on behalf of an officer charged with violating departmental rules. ...

Motorcylist crushed under a tow truck
New Jersey Journal, NJ - Jun 5, 2004
... A hearing that had been scheduled for Thursday for the Weehawken police officer charged with murdering a Union City teen has been postponed until later this ...

Officer charged in beating
Chicago Daily Southtown, IL - Jun 4, 2004
By Jonathan Lipman. A Chicago Police officer Thursday was charged with official misconduct and battery for allegedly beating several ...

Officers face possible restrictions
Denver Post, CO - Jun 6, 2004
... Walsh. "...Our officers fired on the suspect vehicle because the suspect vehicle posed a threat to citizens and police officers.". ...

Shootout at eye care clinic; One doctor killed by police
WTNH, CT - Jun 5, 2004
... Sgt. Vance said. The officer fired and wounded Kissel. He died later in the emergency room at Griffin Hospital in Derby. Tzepos ...

Police policy under review
Santa Maria Times, CA - Jun 5, 2004
The use of warning shots, under scrutiny since a Santa Maria officer fired a round into the dirt during a pursuit of a juvenile suspect Tuesday, is viewed ...

Deputy suspended after seeking refund
St. Petersburg Times, FL - Jun 5, 2004
He was upset about having to pay a $100 fine after his wife's vehicle was towed. But officials say he went too far. By NORA KOCH, Times Staff Writer. ...

SeMo Sheriff & Chief Deputy Charged With Stealing
KAIT, AR - Jun 4, 2004
A special prosecutor found that Sheriff Steve Fish told Stoddard County he had sold a damaged Crown Victoria for about $130 this spring. ...

Deputy charged with sex assault of inmate
Chicago Sun Times, IL - Jun 4, 2004
A sheriff's deputy working at the Cook County courthouse in Markham tore an inmate's bra and sucked her breast in a holding cell late last year, Cook County ...

County to pay officer's legal bills
Chicago Sun Times, IL - Jun 4, 2004
Nearly a half-million dollars in legal bills for a Cook County sheriff's deputy charged with murder will be paid by county taxpayers. ...

State trooper indicted on sexual assault charge
Fort Worth Star Telegram (subscription), TX - Jun 5, 2004
McKINNEY, Texas - A state trooper accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl is facing a first-degree felony charge. Granver ...

Wyoming trooper suspended after shoplifting charge
The Casper Star Tribune, WY - 14 hours ago
By The Associated Press Monday, June 07, 2004. LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) -- A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper has been placed on administrative ...

Trooper, charged with stalking, headed for July arraignment
Gettysburg Times, PA - Jun 5, 2004
By S TACI GEORGE - Times Staff Writer. During a Thursday morning preliminary hearing, Defense Attorney Michael Koranda advised District ...

Deputy constable arrested on child porn charge
KVUE (subscription), TX - Jun 4, 2004
By Amanda Lawson / KVUE News. A Travis County deputy constable is charged with having child pornography on his home computer. The ...

Wash. Twp. officer gets three years
The Gloucester County Times, NJ - Jun 5, 2004
... tears, former Washington Township police officer Danny Moore was sentenced to three years in state prison Friday for an official misconduct conviction in which ...

Police: Officer aided drug ring
Today's Sunbeam, NJ - Jun 5, 2004
... authorities said. They charged her with official misconduct and conspiracy to distribute over five ounces of cocaine. Sulton was ...

Deputy constable is charged
Indianapolis Star, IN - Jun 5, 2004
... zone. The township officer, Paul Woods, 37, was charged with obstructing traffic and official misconduct after police Sgt. David ...


Testimony Begins In Police Sex Abuse Trial
KVAL, OR - Jun 4, 2004
... targets for intimidation and abuse. Magana faces 52 charges ranging from official misconduct to rape.The trial continues Tuesday.

Police officer pleads not guilty after kicking caught on tape
Chicago Sun Times, IL - Jun 4, 2004
Patrol Officer Bryan Vander Mey, 33, is charged with four counts of official misconduct and two counts of battery, prosecutors said. ...

Jersey City cop admits he sold cocaine
New Jersey Journal, NJ - Jun 4, 2004
... distribution of cocaine, distribution of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school and within 500 feet of public property and official misconduct, officials said. ...

Riverside cop faces charges
Cherry Hill Courier Post, NJ - Jun 4, 2004
... Vacanti - a 17-year member of the department who continues to work on the force - also is charged with two counts of official misconduct, two counts of ...

"I've Seen This Before"
Revolutionary Worker Online, IL - 17 hours ago
... The October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality cites thousands of examples of individuals and families that were not as lucky as me--where victims lost ...

Protesters say cops killed May Molina
Workers World - 17 hours ago
By Lou Paulsen. The movement against police brutality and abuse in Chicago has swung into action demanding justice in the death of one of its own leaders. ...

Laws Reflect a Society
Infoshop News - Jun 5, 2004
... unlawful activity.” So, in essence, the police wanted to outlaw anything that would protect the average citizen from outrageous police brutality and weaponry ...

Lawsuit alleges police brutality
Fresno Bee, CA - Jun 5, 2004
By Russell Clemings. A recycling-center owner who was charged with interfering with police and firefighters during a blaze last summer ...

HOWARD'S CONSERVATIVE ALTER-EGOS
Philadelphia Daily News (subscription), PA - Jun 5, 2004
... of horrific NYPD brutality, "Lying Louima." Hannity informed his radio audience that Louima's severe injury was the product not of police brutality but of a ...

An Open Letter to Peter Jennings About Gangs & the LAPD
Dissident Voice, CA - Jun 5, 2004
... The subject matter of gang violence and police brutality are realities many of us who live in certain communities have to deal with first hand. ...

Feds won't prosecute Minneapolis officers in plunger case
Pioneer Press, MN - Jun 4, 2004
... Both officers had denied the assault allegations. Porter stood by his story Friday, saying the investigation was a cover-up of police brutality. ...

Marshall files civil rights complaint in US District Court
Lassen County News, CA - 3 hours ago
... The illegal search and seizure involved the use of excessive force and physical brutality to extract a blood sample from plaintiff after he was booked for ...

Police chief outlines use-of-force process
South Bend Tribune, IN - Jun 5, 2004
... Benchwarmers, a downtown bar. Smith and several witnesses have accused the arresting officer of excessive force. Fautz spoke Friday ...

4th abuse complaint against officer
South Bend Tribune, IN - Jun 5, 2004
... Cpl. Jess Elliott reportedly has had three allegations of excessive force made against him since February. He also had been investigated ...

Lawsuit alleges police brutality
Fresno Bee, CA - Jun 5, 2004
... had. An internal police investigation previously cleared Louchren of excessive force, lack of professionalism and false arrest. ...

Sue city in pepper spray death
New York Daily News, NY - Jun 5, 2004
... The lawsuit alleges that cops used the spray on the younger Mateo without justification and used excessive force to restrain him.

Police incident stirs outcry in Richmond
Louisville Courier Journal, KY - Jun 5, 2004
... police say they've launched an investigation of an altercation between officers and nightclub patrons that sparked allegations of excessive force and racial ..

Deputies shot 22 in vehicles since '99
Houston Chronicle, TX - Jun 5, 2004
... others said they could not see inside. Viveros died from a shot in the back. Investigators say surviving drivers often testify that ...

Trooper to keep his job
Capital News 9, NY - Jun 5, 2004
... in him losing his job. The alleged incident happened when Amengual was off-duty last October in Warrensburg. He confronted 33-year ..

Suspended officer found guilty
The Saginaw News, MI - Jun 4, 2004
... in the bar's parking lot Jan. 23. He said it was in self-defense. Tuer was off-duty at the time. Tuer was in the bar with friends ...

Corrupt officer, accomplice ordered to pay $9.8 million
Canton Repository (subscription), OH - Jun 4, 2004
... Aric Sinclair, an off-duty officer who worked security at the bank, had given Waldon information about Safar’s banking habits. ...

Scottsdale sergeant placed on leave after accusations
East Valley Tribune, AZ - Jun 4, 2004
By Toni Laxson, Tribune. A Scottsdale police sergeant was placed on administrative leave Thursday night after several women accused ...

Report: Officer shoots at dog 13 times
Lorain Morning Journal, OH - Jun 5, 2004
... city dog warden. Cambarare said a citizen's complaint was filed against Long prompting the internal investigation. ''They felt his ...

NOTE: all the news stories concerning "police corruption" seem to be in either Australia or Canada. Makes you wonder...

Research Refines Homicide Statistics
Los Angeles Times (subscription), CA - Jun 4, 2004
... factors that authorities control, such as resources for homicide investigations, the number of patrol officers, or the degree of police corruption, as part of ...

Braker trial starts June 29
New Jersey Journal, NJ - 6 hours ago
... lieutenant and former deputy director of the Jersey City Police Department, Braker is ... helped the government ensnare two Hudson officials in a bribery scheme by ...

Former West Deer officer pleads guilty
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA - Jun 6, 2004
... Feil, who resigned his job as a Springdale police officer in 2000, pleaded guilty to bribery and obstructing the administration of law. ...

King/Drew Draws Warning on Tasers
ktla 5, United States - Jun 5, 2004
... Nationally, about 40 criminal suspects have died in custody after police use of the device, although the manufacturer maintains that medical examiners have ...


10 years after Simpson killings, where are players?
AZ Central.com, AZ - 7 hours ago
... Mark Fuhrman-The LA Police Department detective who found the bloody glove created a ... He left the LAPD after being convicted of perjury for denying at the trial ...

New prosecutors counter that lawyer could be disqualified
San Francisco Chronicle, CA - Jun 4, 2004
... with Oakland city officials to punish police officers who testified on behalf of the defendants. Officers who were accused of perjury after testifying for the ...