CMPD Officers arrest a suspect in Uptown Charlotte
Photo Credit: News Channel 14
Just after midnight Wednesday a couple of CMPD Independence Division Officers threw the US Constitution out the window and had a major "Nutty" when a well known and well respected blogger tried to take a photograph of an arrest in progress.
When one of the officers saw that a photo was about to be taken, he shouted that the blogger was not allowed to take a photo of the arrest, and then threatened jail by saying that if a photo was taken the blogger would be arrested for "interfering with an investigation."
The blogger these officers threatened with arrest was none other than the well known author of the Crime In Charlotte blog. It was the blogger's earlier call to 911, that helped the officers locate the convicted felon and make an arrest on an outstanding warrant.
CMPD has a lot of great officers, many are personal friends of Cedar Posts, but nothing gets my blood boiling faster than a jackass cop.
But wait there's more:
When Crime In Charlotte requested the officer's name he told her that his name was Williams. Turns out he forgot that his name was M. Thompson and that the other officer's name was Williams.
When Crime In Charlotte called CMPD's Public Information Officer Rosalyn Harrington to discuss what happened, Harrington was unapologetic saying that officers were within in their rights to arrest Crime In Charlotte. When Harrington was pressed on the validity of the law she stated that Charlotte had rules that are different from other cities like Baltimore, as she continued to explain away the officers actions as justifiable.
Cedar Posts contacted CMPD point man Rob Tufano seeking comment on Harrington's explanation that Charlotte has "different rules" and the actions of CMPD officers. 12 hours later still nothing but crickets. A CMPD Internal Affairs investigation is reportedly underway.
All of this ahead of next year's Democratic National Convention doesn't give Charlotte a very tolerant image, rather we are suddenly looking more like a 3rd world "Police State".
So here's a news flash for officer Thompson and Ms. Harrington, I'll try to make it simple for these two or any other CMPD officer who might be a little camera shy.
The First Amendment Reads:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
In other words it is not illegal to take a photo of police making an arrest or doing anything else on a public street or area.
But can't "local governments" make laws keeping people from photographing the police?
No!
The answer in short is found with the decision in Gitlow v. New York, 268 U.S. 652 (1925), the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment applies to each state, including any local government.
But blogger's and the public aren't really the press, so the First Amendment doesn't afford any protection to bloggers.
Wrong again!
In Lovell v. City of Griffin, 303 U.S. 444 (1938), Chief Justice Hughes defined the press as, "every sort of publication which affords a vehicle of information and opinion." Pretty simple.
Need a little more convincing?
How about this from the Seattle Times: "An amateur photographer who was taken into custody last year after shooting pictures of two Seattle police officers while they were making an arrest on a public street received an $8,000 settlement this week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington said this morning." You can read the rest of the story here.
Cedar Posts is no fan of the ACLU, as a card carrying member of the NRA and the Republican Party nothing goes against the grain more than the ACLU, except when it comes to the right of free speech and the press.
So there you go, want to be a jackass? Fine go ahead, make my day. I need the money.
In fairness to the 99% of good officers out there they do have a right to ask that photographers stay out of the way, a good telephoto lens works well for this. If it is a crime scene, the police have a right and an obligation to tape off the area and insist that you stay out of that area.
Cedar Posts often takes photos of arrests, accidents and crime scenes, it is in my DNA. Frankly I don't have a problem with an officer requesting that his or her identity or face not be published and I normally honor that request.
At night I don't use a flash unless it is unavoidable.
Finally consider this, how many times has an amateur photo or video been the only evidence of a crime? People like Crime In Charlotte are the real first line in crime fighting so lighten up Independence guys.
Need more? Read Carlos Miller's story about his arrest by Miami Beach Police Officer David Socarrasand and Miller's subsequent acquittal on the same "interfering" charges here.
Want to go more in depth on this issue? Read War on Cameras here.
114 comments:
Cedar did it ever cross your empty head that these officer were concerned for their safety? Maybe they were arresting an MS13 gang member and were concerned they might be trageted?
Nope I didn't think so, who is the JACKASS NOW?
Ask Rosalyn Harrington (who has discipline and suspension on her record) what rules she was trying to make up that CMPD follows... CMPD absolutely DOES make up plenty of rules here,especially to march to Rodney Monroe's orders. That's one thing she got right. She is a mouthpiece for him (one of many). It's a shame for all the good officers. There are too many officers out there that shouldn't be wearing a badge and too many bad ones that are covering for them or just trying to keep their jobs by keeping quiet. Threatening to arrest someone on made up charges is typical of many officers now as a show of force, not as a matter of law. That is unprofessional, unconstitutional, and dangerous. If there were any matter of danger to the officers or bystanders, that could have been addressed reasonably. That's not what this was about... this is straight up Rodney Monroe leadership.
Once again CMPD is showing that they're fighting the wrong battles.
The sad part is I bet the perp is already back out on the street.
Anonymous 10:22 PM You are the jackass. If the cops don't want their picture taken they need to find a new line of work.
When DNC 2012 comes to town CMPD officers are going to get a lot of face time. They need to accept that fact and if they want to beat up someone they better do it in a dark alley with no one around other wise it will be on video.
10:22am- The arrested party was NOT an MS-13 gang member, he complied with all police commands (to the point of telling one officer he had a cigarette in his hands so the officer would not get burned.) This was an 'easy one' for Officer C. Williams & M. Thompson.
I called 911 to come pick this guy up after spotting him outside. I know the suspect-- I would never put an Officer in harms way and this was in no way "an investigation" -- it was picking up a guy who had an outstanding warrant! Your MS-13 nonsense is for the birds!
Yup, Trench... he was back on the streets by 3:24pm.
Thank you Cedar Posts! Excellent reporting!
Cedar give the cops a break. This was during an intense man hunt and arrest. During the "fog of battle" and suffering from PTSD the one officer forgot his name. It happens, with the stress and all when you are in fear of being attacked and killed at every corner in our city.
Poor cop was so confused I'm sure he broke down in tears after it was all over.
Hmmm, not a fan of the ACLU? Were you aware the organization once defended Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North to protect his 5th Amendment rights?
Jackass Cops might explain why Cops don't get any respect.
See: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28323313/detail.html
I don't get why republicans hate the ACLU so much. If you believe in liberty, they it seems you would fully support the ACLU.
I'm not surprised CMPD hasn't responded. That the RoMo Directive when things go wrong.
They all go into a huddle so next week if the story dies they will be fine. If someone picks it up like Fox or WBT Radio then they will get all defensive.
Hell they might even release a highly edited video.
I'm all for the ACLU until they like so many donation heavy operations go off the deep end just to bring in the green.
ASPCA, Siera Club, Green Peace and other they must have the nut case segment to survive. The far far left looney tunes people that leave their entire estate to Save the Whales!
So I'm not against any of these groups in their centric forms, it is just when they go off the deep end, that I have no tolerance.
This isn't the first instance of CMPD officers attempting to block bystanders or media from filming or photographing. Some officers seem to have forgotten that portion of instruction from the Academy about Constitutional Rights. I see refresher training about this coming along soon.
However, I'm not knocking these officers, because I wasn't there and don't know the circumstances. Also, I know in the heat of the moment things happen and poor decisions can be made. But that's human nature.
If they were wrong, give them their punishment and let them get back to risking their lives while protecting the city for less than average pay and very little "thanks" from the public or police administration.
If they were wrong, how about an apology, instead of several BS justifications for their wrong doing.
Also, why don't they add me back to the 'media list' so I can continue blogging?
Big surprise.
Judges and lawyers don't like Court Watch shining daylight on the backend of the system -- CMPD doesn't like too much interest on the front end.
Ours is a wholly corrupt criminal justice system. I keep waiting for the CMPD officers with intergrity to call a press conference, lawyer up (from out the area, of course) and start telling the truth.
Guess everyone is content to keep their heads down and hope to get their 20 years in.
Easy enough to prove me wrong -- Who shot Antonio Stukes?
Rosalyn is out of her depth.....but she was put in that job because she is diverse.
And she is just following rodney's orders, which doesn't make her excuses right. But when you have been "given" a position by rodney, you do his bidding.
And Trufano is like a scared little rabbit ....always running around in a dither....trying to hold onto his job.
Disinformation is the MO of this regime. And it does "trickle down".
MeckDeck,
Many have long been waiting for the same thing.....
hope springs eternal.
I think most have given up and are just waiting for rodney to leave to spill all.
Unfortunately irreparable damage will have been done, which could literally take years to recover from.
And rodney has so many who owe him now at cmpd for their promotions and jobs they would all rally round him while he is still there.
I agree with you 100%, and there are those there that are honest people of integrity that have an obligation, IMO, to step up and be heard and stop the corrupt behavior. But it's like the freaking mafia there, paybacks for straying from the "company line" are brutal!!
Yet another CMPD fiasco. Thompson sounds like the next Marcus Jackson... no prob, sweep it under the rug, RoMo!
What would it take for the officers with integrity to join together in safety to expose Monroe? Will the DOJ investigator provide an attorney name to contact privately? Will the Attorney General's Office do same? What about citizens in fear? Agree with MeckDeck: But this City needs a Lawyer to come forward to be the hero and volunteer to be contacted. Local media, report that--or I guess we'll be expecting Monroe's edited version for your reports.
Sounds like the jackass cop picked on the wrong person. Most people would just gone home and hate cops just a little more.
Crime in Charlotte sought out and got the help of Cedar Posts, exposing again RoMo's army of thugs.
Crime In Charlotte has been a standard bearer for CMPD for as long as I can remember never saying a negative time about RoMo or any CMPD officer and this is how they treat one of their biggest fans?
Sad day but just shows you how low CMPD has fallen.
Watch this CMPD Tude in action making friend where ever they go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_GFtwqHrA4
The homies are jackasses but the cop makes matters worse. Hate the CMPD!
This isn't only a Charlotte problem. I only caught part of the news report on the radio the other day so do not know exactly where in the country is was. A woman, standing in her own yard photographing the police making an arrest was repeatedly told to go inside her home or she would be arrested. Long story short, she refused to go in and they arrested her IN HER OWN YARD!! ON HER OWN PROPERTY!! The audio was astounding and made my blood boil!
This is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately because it is only going to get worse when the DNC is in town next year. NC is a one party consent state, so only one party has to consent to the recording, but the NC Attorney General has yet to specifically opine on recording of the police. Be prepared to go to jail next year bloggers unless you're really up on your statutory law.
holy crap! cmpd's "finest" at work. need i say more?
Is that a stock photo Cedar, or one from episode with Crime In Charlotte ???
The photo is a screen grab from a News14 story on Uptown during last years July 4th event.
The officers in question are both black.
If it's officer CH Williams, that officer was reported on 16 hours of active suspension and 24 hours of inactive suspension in the past. There are so many officers whose disciplinary actions are not disclosed, even if they make it that far (including Marcus Jackson), that the real number of discipline problems are unknown at this time. Obviously, CMPD under Monroe's leadership works to knock down any dissent inside or from the public, no matter how serious the problem. You should be allowed on the press list like the rest of us. You must demand a written explanation for your "ousting."
Time for action! With the uptown July 4th fireworks there will be many CMPD photo ops. They can't arrest everyone with an iPhone, better yet let them try.
I'm working with all I know to plan on photographing and video taping CMPD officers over the July 4th weekend.
I'm not just talking cell phone camera photos while cops are making arrests, I mean photos standing around looking bored doing nothing at all.
By the time the weekend is over I hope we have 10000 photos of CMPD officers on the job.
How about it Cedar can I count on you to spread the word?
Here is a bigger pay out! In July, 2010 the city of Beaverton, Oregon, paid a $19,000 settlement to a man wrongly arrested for recording officers as they arrested his friend outside of a bowling alley.
Two reasons to become a cop:
1) You want to help people
2) POWER
Once CMPD has established the reason is #2, they need to get that person outta there! Period.
These two black cops are in the biz for POWER. Bye, bye guys and all those defending them!
Cedar didn't you have a contest last year? I think you put a bounty on Ken Burger and if I have it right paid some girls $100.00 for a photo of the Post and Courier reporter.
How about putting a bounty on CMPD Cops?
Rob Tufano, Cam Selvey, Rodney Monroe, Curt Walton, Council, Foxx, anyone listening??? Out of control for any reason means unfit to carry a gun under color of law. Other officers who know about it are also required to report. If your conscience doesn't tell you, check CMPD directives. If you are afraid of losing your job or worse, get together with the rest of the good cops and get a lawyer.
Whoa! foul! please do not use the word 'bounty' associated with anyone, especially police, even though you are referring to photographs--wrong on top of all the wrong done.
Thompson,Marko D.
Police Officer $45,759
Independence
Williams, Clemson Bernard
Police Officer $41,503
Independence Div
As of 11:25 pm, I am officially BACK on the media list.
Someone is watching this blog and that was a very good decision on your part, CMPD!!!
Thank you Cedar and the rest of the commenters... this blog is clearly being watched and CMPD has FINALLY done something right for me in the past 3 days!
Sorry, I have to laugh...
CMPD Directives really don't mean anything anymore.....
If Rodney doesn't like one, he either ignores it or changes it to suit him.
Yes, but CMPD Directives meant hundreds of thousands of $$$$ in the Marcus Jackson lawsuits, and those are not over. Of course, Rob Tufano--in last year's interview with WFAE--warned that Marcus Jackson could break his neck in jail... ominous. This most recent lawsuit is supposed to go to trial, which would expose the internal acts of Monroe and the Police Department if Jackson testifies and if his records are fully presented and other officers and Monroe testify. I hope the trial happens. Everyone at CMPD may ignore Directives as they see fit now and they may laugh about it now even after the first $700K or so in Civil pay outs, but they will probably stop laughing when reviews of criminal charges happen. I hope Jackson is properly guarded and Tufano's expressed concerns don't come true.
"ASPCA, Siera Club, Green Peace and other they must have the nut case segment to survive. The far far left looney tunes people that leave their entire estate to Save the Whales!"
Cedar Posts, you're an idiot. If you're a Republican, and you like the freedom of choice and the freedom of speech, what the hell do you care if folks leave their entire estate to Save The Whales?
It is their right, jackass. I've been reading this blog and following your Twitter for a while, and I think it comes down to this - you're just not a very smart guy. You weren't well educated, were you? And you'll respond by saying "education doesn't matter, I have real world experience." Blah, blah, blah.
Intelligence is sorely lacking in the blogging community and you, idiot, are bottom of the barrel.
Anon12:16
The truth is, Cedar is right 99% of the time and does the community a great service by reporting on and exposing corrupt behaviors.
And you don't have to agree with his political or social views...I sure don't...we could not be further apart.
So if you are intolerant of his views, a simple solution is....don't read the Blog...you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out,so I think you will eventually come to this realization.
Take my picture, record a video, pull out your paintbrush and canvas and have at it. I don't care, just don't get in the way. Unless you want to complain on me, don't ask me my name, because I don't know you and don't know what you are going to do with that information. It's already hard enough trying to keep people from knowing where I live. I do my job, I do my job honestly. I have worked pre-romo and post-romo and have seen things change quite a bit, but it doesn't change the way I do my job. I worry about me, the Officers I work with, and yes, the general public that I do my best to serve. Even though the majority of you really don't care about me and are just praying I do something wrong so you can say how bad of a cop I am. But I don't take it personal, that's just the nature of the beast. Believe it or not, it annoys us more than you think when one of our own does something stupid because one stupid incident like this camera thing takes away from anything good we have done, or try to do. We try people, we really do, and some of us actually care.
CMPD cops need some serious empathy training. Aren't you supposed to be practicing community partnership here in Charlotte? Is this crap what RoMo had in mind?
Just in case you need a reminder, empathy is the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another, fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.
Threatening ANYONE is showing a complete lack of empathy. The girl in that pic on the crime site (if it's the blogger herself) doesn't look to be much of a threat. If these cops were threatened be her, they totally lose their man cards.
What happened to Serve, Protect & Honor? When did the honor get dropped? Honor is a primal code of behavior that defines the duties of an individual (cop) within a social group. (cmpd)
These two cops need a good talkin' to by their brothers & sisters in BLUE.
The DNC of 2012 will be here before you know it and we are going to need a lot of pulling together to get through this coming nightmare.
To the feet on the Street most of you are up to the task, but a few of you are going down. You will be under the microscope like never before. And if you are a bad cop, this test will find you out.
Expect to be filmed, photographed and your name noted again and again.
The nut cases are going to come out in force. They will come from all over the country. Some just want to provoke you, others want to see you lose an leg to a IED and some want you dead.
Make no mistake there are evil people out there, but don't take your eye off the ball chasing down a blogger with a camera because you may be overlooking a serious threat.
To the video bloggers and shutter bugs, paparazzi how about giving our guys a break? Back off some, give us some space, don't make us worry about you when the crowd is getting out of control.
You want to take my photo great but think just a little about what your doing. And trust me if your running your mouth like a couple of these video camera guys are doing uptown you are going to get shut down.
We don't get paid enough to put up with your trash talk.
For all the suggestions about rallying people to photograph officers downtown on July 4th, GET REAL. Everyone photographs officers downtown ALREADY. It has been happening for years and years. Every July 4th, every New Year's Eve, every international soccer game. Focus on the specific officers' misconduct instead of blasting all officers with hate. If you don't, your judgement and actions are no better than those two problem officers.
It doesn't really matter what you're paid. If someone isn't committing a crime, you don't get to mess with them because they hurt your feelings.
Suck it up and deal with it. I'm sure your job sucks sometimes, but that's what you signed up for. There are other jobs out there if you don't like it.
@Meck Deck:
We ALL know who really shot Antonio Stukes, Vickie Fosters Security team, that is why the investigation went down the tubes!
Think that one will ever be brought up again? Nope, not while she is 2nd in command! Just like her video where she says she can't help you if you don't believe in God....that YouTube Video got taken down pretty darn fast and yet she is STILL in office!
From these comments I can't tell which is worse: obsequious badge-lickers or knee-jerk Republicans.
I don't think anyone denies that the majority of Officers want to do a good job, and DO a good job.
There is also no denying that standards have been lowered for admittance to the academy and leadership and other training has been done away with, all since rodney came into power. And his attitude of diversifying at any cost. And the results are glaringly predictable.
These are the facts.
And the majoriy of "command staff" are so busy thinking about themselves, it leaves little room to actually care about cmpd as a whole.
So all the Officers who are professional and do a great job are damaged by the jackass officers who feel they are protected by rodney.
Yet nothing changes at cmpd for fear of real, vindictive
paybacks if you speak up.
This is what life at cmpd has become.
Cops in Charlotte are just stupid. No need to make excuses for them I've never met one who knows his ass from a hole in the ground. They are all on some power trip just waiting to arrest someone for nothing. Shoot someone for looking at them wrong. These CMPD wonder why people hate them? Just ask anyone on the street. Now some rich ass white women gets all the attention for being dressed down and told off for trying to take a photo with her fine new iPhone. Welcome to my world bitch! Every day bitch every day.
Anon 10:36
I've got an idea, I'm sure your background is stellar, why don't you apply for a job at cmpd and "make a difference"?
You sound like a bitter hater.....I am sure your attitude serves you well when dealing with the PoPo!
"I'm against the ACLU, I am just unable to articulate any legitimate reason for my position"
Perhaps "Crime in Charlotte", when confronted by the officers, should have said "Relax, I am not that Cedar Posts guy!"
I have a suggestion for Cedar Posts and Crime In Charlotte.
Why don't you team up occasionally and guest blog on each other's site?
I've enjoyed reading how you have supported each other during this episode, and clearly respect each other, especially since you approach this subject from different angles.
This is something we don't see enough of these days.
Anon June 25 10:16 a.m. : Will you post what those recruiting standards are now and what they used to be, or a link to let the public know? Also, if there are any documents regarding the "diversity at any cost" those need to be known. Another thing you didn't mention here is about misreporting crime stats: not reporting a crime at all or reporting a crime improperly, and then counting crimes as closed when they are not, etc... Call to the excellent officers afraid of the repurcussions on the job: send in your information anonymously and and let others help you. The damage to the department's reputation (which is deserved) is making your job more dangerous (which is not deserved or desired). The longer you stay silent, the worse things are getting for you and the citizens of Charlotte. Crimes are being committed by officers that make threats of arrest over photos look like a day at the park (NOT belittling the incident--NO OFFICER HAS THE RIGHT TO THREATEN ARREST ON FALSE GROUNDS FOR ANYTHING JUST TO BE AN INTIMIDATING JERK--READ THE CONSTITUTION). Speak up now while people are paying attention and will give you support. Don't let Rodney and Tufano hold their breath until Monday and hope this will all go away.
In response to 10:36am: I am a white lady but I am NOT rich, I can barely pay my rent, have an OLD cricket phone & I drive a 1999 beat up pick-up truck!
Does that make YOU feel like an ass??? I hope so! So welcome to "MY" world bitch!
In response to 1:45pm: I could not have survived this 'attack' by CMPD (officers and command staff) if it weren't for the support of Cedar Posts! My blog would have been deleted and I would have called it a day... I cannot thank Cedar enough!
Bloggers stick together (IMO) because we know the time, heart and energy we put into what we do on a daily. It may not look like much to the reader but it does take a lot of time & heart to get the info, do the research, link, etc.
to anon June 25th 10:16 a.m. and all the good officers afraid to speak up: send in documents of admission standards before RoMo and after. Send anything regarding "diversity at any cost." Don't do it from job computers or e-mails (of course). There are many more crimes being and wrong acts taking place by people in the same uniforms as you than the issue that started this conversation thread. The bad reputation it spreads to all the good cops makes it more dangerous for you to be out there protecting us because of increased hostility and people fearful, needing to document all police activity at this point. Speak up. Is it easier to walk around with a gun than to tell the truth about what's going on in the CMPD?
"nothing goes against the grain more than the ACLU, except when it comes to the right of free speech and the press."
So you're completely against the ACLU, except when it's convenient? I agree that the ACLU should take more of an interest in 2nd amendment issues, but YOU should take more of an interest in the other amendments as well. The Bill of Rights isn't a buffet where you can pick and chose what should and shouldn't be applicable. They are absolute rights granted to ALL citizens.
Truly supporting the 1st amendment means standing up for freedom of speech, even when you don't agree with it. Truly supporting the bill of rights means standing up for all of those civil rights, even when you don't agree with them. The ACLU may be wrong for leaving out the 2nd amendment in their crusade, but that doesn't make the battles they DO fight any less important.
Why no updated court date for the thug? Let me guess DROPPED THE CHARGES
http://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars.Offense.do?submit=submit&case=5902010222534&court=CR
It comes from the top, the cover up, and dark opps, the fear of the truth. It has spread through the CMPD like a fungus.
Lies like Chief Monroe and it has become common place as CMPD.
Bloggers do got each others back, and I am behind what you are putting out CIC (a.k.a. TQC) Take a photo anytime you want, a picture, is a picture and worth more than a thousand words. I never figured you to be so wealthy...
Nice job Cedar, thanks for showing the world how ugly our local police department can be.
I'm sure Tufano thought it would go away, blew off CiC and discounted Cedar Posts as well.
While your story hasn't gone viral, at least not yet, it has gained 60+ comments and some cross country attention.
Kudos!
dont mess with the 1st amendment cmpd. Sure doesn't make folks happy.
Jackass Cops are out there but as this blog has pointed out so many times most CMPD Officers are doing a great job under the most stressful conditions of working for RoMo.
I have a pretty good idea who the guy is the CinC had a run in with and he is a jackass to put it in a nice way.
Glad I'm in Providence and don't have to look as his face most of the time.
I'd would be laughing my ass off otherwise since RoMo reads this blog every day you can bet he's pounding his fist tomorrow.
CMPD keeps on keeping on. Can it really get much worse than this? RoMo and his goons need a good kick in the butt.
@Billy - As much as I would love to do what CiC does it is not me :-( But thanks for the huge compliment!
To Cedar, CiC, MeckDeck & Billy - I read ALL your blogs ever day! Thanks for all you do to keep us informed!
You ALL rock!
To the Cops out there who really do care and do their jobs accordingly. Believe me there are ARE many of you....thanks :-)
To RuttMutt and the rest.....can't wait for you to be GONE! And you will be gone one day....believe that!
I don't appreciate CMPD taking away freedom of taking a picture.I email ACLU. Why don't you do the same? http://www.acluofnorthcarolina.org & aclunc@nc.rr.com
To ALL Press:
To be honest if the 4Vision photog got in my face with his foul mouth, he would be lucky to have his teeth and I am not a cop.
He makes the rest of us look foul and stupid. It is sad but not all act like this.
I think there has to be some accountability as to how you handle yourself in the press. This scum is nothing more a fool out provoking the police. He is most definitely attempting to start a war between blacks and police. His agenda is quite obvious.
Rest assured not all blacks condone his antics or rhetoric, he does not represent us at all. Let's hope someone stops him or at least gives him lessons in etiquette.
Serve And Protect each ither is the new motto People beware of the totalitarion pratices of law enforcment
Tufano hasn't commented on the statements CMPD made that our Police department doesn't follow the FIRST AMENDMENT or OTHER RULES here in Charlotte, right? Don’t forget the one about violating the FOURTH AMENDMENT which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures. Then there’s the FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT which requires due process for all citizens. Of course, there are the CMPD Directives. Then there’s proper hiring, retention, supervision… They didn’t get the message with all the lawsuits that have been filed already. The City has done their best to keep them as quiet as possible. Most ‘Local Media Outlets’ have assisted. If that were not true, they would be covering this story already.
Welcome to the REAL world bitch.
'Good cop/bad cop' tactics involves a team of two interrogators who take apparently opposing approaches to the subject. The interrogators may interview the subject alternately or may confront the subject at the same time.
The 'bad cop' takes an aggressive, negative stance towards the subject, making blatant accusations, derogatory comments, threats, and in general creating antipathy between the subject and himself.
This sets the stage for the 'good cop' to act sympathetically: appearing supportive, understanding, in general showing sympathy for the subject. The good cop will also defend the subject from the bad cop. The subject may feel he can cooperate with the good cop out of trust and/or fear of the bad cop. He may then seek protection by and trust the good cop and tell him the needed information.
It is not uncommon for a subject to testify falsely against other subjects under the good-cop/ bad-cop duress, only to recant the testimony at a later point when the psychological stress is no longer present.
The technique is especially useful against subjects who are young, frightened, or naïve. Using the technique on those familiar with it may still cause an instinctive psychological response.
There are various counter measures available that can disrupt the tactic or cause it to backfire:
- An experienced subject may choose to deliberately bait the 'bad cop' with provocative behavior of his own short of violent provocation (derogatory remarks about the bad cop or his family, racial, ethnic and gender slurs if applicable, offensive gestures, etc.), hoping that the 'bad cop' will lose self-control and react violently towards the subject.
Most liberal democracies expect the utmost professionalism from law enforcement personnel, so any physical violence towards a subject during interrogation in the absence of bona fide physical provocation could compromise the prosecution's case and/or lead to civil and/or criminal legal consequences for the interrogators.
- Severe verbal abuse or otherwise insulting behavior targeted at the 'good cop' has also proven highly disruptive on occasion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_cop/bad_cop
June 7, 2011. The City of Oakland, CA has agreed to pay $175,000 to a former KGO-TV cameraman who claimed he was roughed up by police while trying to film on the day four officers were killed.
The City Council approved the settlement with Douglas Laughlin on June 7.
Laughlin filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, claiming he was accosted by several officers outside Highland Hospital in Oakland on March 21, 2009, the day four Oakland police officers were fatally shot.
Laughlin said he was trying to film the arrival of an ambulance carrying one of the wounded officers when an off-duty officer cursed at him and knocked him against a parked car, breaking his camera’s viewfinder.
Laughlin said the incident left him traumatized. He accused police of violating his First Amendment rights.
The city did not acknowledge any wrongdoing in the settlement agreement.
Official hostility toward citizen photographers is a nationwide problem. They don't want to get caught at wrongdoing, so they lie and initiate unwarranted prosecution to intimidate other photographers. Awareness of this is growing though, and photographers aren't taking it lying down.
To Anonymous @ June 25 2:29 am:
You said " . . . don't ask me my name . . ." Surprise; if you're a cop on duty, not undercover, then you are required by law to provide identification when asked. To do or imply you would do otherwise is to prejudice any defense you might provide if and when you get sued. If you're a cop, you are deemed to know the law - all the laws - because the supreme Court has ruled that professionals are deemed by their professional status to know.
To Anonymous June 25 @ 6:33 am:
You said " . . . if you're running your mouth you're going to get shutdown . . .". Excuse me, don't you know the law ( see above)? Unless an actionable threat is being made, you have no lawful jurisdiction to "shut anyone down".
You two - if you're not the same genius, need to lawyer up.
To Anonymous @ June 25 2:29 am:
Re my previous comment(June 27 @ 3:03 pm): You could, of course, use the defense that you are not, in fact, a professional.
My question then is "What are you doing wearing a badge; what is your department doing allowing you on the street?
Try that and see how your supervisors and your citizen employers respond.
Does anyone know if it's possible to file a class action lawsuit on behalf of citizens of Charlotte/Mecklenburg against CMPD for civil rights violations?
Isn't that what Dept. of Justice is doing?
So CarlS, out of my whole post you decide to focus on the "name" part. I said don't ask me, not I won't give it to you. More than likely I would do what I normally do when fine upstanding citizens like yourself want to get in my business when it doesn't concern you is give you a card which has my name first initial, last name and district on it.
Sir, I have been shot at, here, and while in service of my country. I have been assaulted on the job, had a couple of surgeries due to the work I try to do. I've been spit on and been told that because I am a cop I should expect these things. So excuse me if I don't get all excited about you telling me I better lawyer up.
Last thing, I'm not the "shut you down" guy. You obviously didn't read my entire post and got so mad about the name thing that you didn't see that I actually respect the general public. Yes, even you CarlS.
This nothing new at all. Check out Carlos Miller's blog sometime.
http://www.pixiq.com/contributors/carlosmiller?page=1
You'll find that this happens almost everyday across the US. To be honest Crime in Charlotte is lucky she wasn't arrested or worse. Cities have been paying out tons of money lately due to these types of incidents.
My question is this, why does everyone want to take pictures of cops? Is it really that big of a deal? It sounds like some of you only want to take their picture just to see what they will do, or try to push their buttons. I understand CinC, she explained she was trying to get a picture so she could show her property manager there was a felon living there. She sounds like she was trying to do something positive for her community and not trying to start something with the cops. Unfortunately the cops response wasn't great, I'm not defending that at all, sounds like they were wrong. But (and I am not a cop), if you come up to me in my workplace, stick a camera in my face and start speaking down to me or being a smart ass then I would probably get upset too. I guess I just don't get why we feel the need to push their buttons when they are under enough stress already.
I have been lurking here for a long time and this is the first time I've really felt I needed to comment.
As Cedar Posts has said time and time again the guys on the street don't have it easy.
Long hours, and commnand staff that rule by fear and intimadation.
And jerks like 4Vision acting like a bunch of idiots.
Cedar doesn't seem to have a liberal agenda, but rather pro blue and pretty much for the feet on the street.
There are more comments on this one story than any other I've seen posted so it must have hit a nerve?
What surprises me is the lack of officer comments supporting the guys who gave Crime in Charlotte a hard time.
I really expected someone to speak up to defend them, is there no one to defend their actions?
I was with you right until your last two lines of surprise that no one is defending the actions of police illegally threatening a law-abiding citizen with arrest in order to intimidate her, lie about their names, etc... Maybe it doesn't seem like a big deal to someone who gets to have the gun on their belt, but it is. The fact that it MIGHT get straightened out later doesn't make it OK. And as you pointed out, many worse incidents are taking place in CMPD. But according to your mouthpiece, CMPD doesn't have to follow the rules.
Anon 9:50
Why would anyone defend them?
They were wrong in the way they handled the situation.
If they had the proper training and maturity, they would have handled this situation responsibly.
They didn't.
Reply to Anon 9:13 p.m.: Dep. Justice investigation will bring criminal charges. You are talking about a civil law suit.
Hey photogs/videogs- Ceck out the cats transit center around midnight every night. Last night, at least 200 teeny bops come crashing in transit center from TW arena. Get the shot- every day, better shots on weekends.
Did you wonder why they are moving the transit center for DNC? It's not about space!
Mayor, Council, Monroe, local "journalists" together last night and answering questions at public meeting... not one question about CMPD admitting they don't follow rules they don't want to. Shame. Let's see if we can do better.
Obviously the machine was very hard at work (or maybe it didn't take much) all weekend and local media reacted by falling in line instead of acting like journalists. Yet.
CMPD has become the biggest joke in Law Enforcement since ROMO'S reign of terror. This department has brought itself into the disrepute by officer's actions. When is someone going to wake up and smell the coffee? I agree that there are rules being created at the last moment. As it was stated in the post concerning Rosalyn Harrington. So many good officer's are getting the shaft, while the dirtbags and CRY BABIES. Yes, I do mean CRY BABIES. Do anything they can to keep their job. Yes, it is swept underneath the rug and is covered up. It even includes throwing fellow officer's underneath the bus. What are those officer's trying to prove. Guess, they will get down on their knees for anyone and anything.
This all started when the standards to becoming a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer were lowered in the hiring phase. It won't be able to be covered up forever. An officer will screw up so bad, that it can't be hidden and someone like Don Griffin will come across it. Then it will be all over the news, which I can't wait for it to happen. It basically breaks down to the three P's. Which does reflect on ROMO's leadership. He doens't care about his officer's only himself.
Why are you waiting for "someone like Don Griffin to come across it"?! Publish or speak about the lowered recruiting standards. Give examples of wrongdoing in CMPD to weed out the bad ones. Officers have ALREADY screwed up so badly it can't be hidden, that doesn't mean the rest shouldn't be exposed, and most importantly Monroe's reign and role exposed so that the the good name of good cops restored... and, oh, the safety of the citizens those good cops were interested in protecting and serving. GET TOGETHER AND SPEAK UP. Even little children know there's safety in numbers.
US Dept of Justice Civil Rights Div. Spec. Litigation:
*67 202-514-6255
FBI office in Charlotte:
*67 704-377-9200
North Carolina Dept. of Justice at the Attorney General:
*67 919-716-6400
Reports from even higher volumes than they have been working with will let them know they are on the right track to clean things up. Private attorneys are needed to file Civil suits for cases violations against individuals or groups.
All of you here need to become familiar with COPBLOCK.ORG I was a State Constable, I see lots of good law enforcement and unfortunatly lots of bad we need to keep our rights by recording the police and holding them accountbale for their actions.
Yeah, and call the local reporters--there are a few good ones--and tell them what's going on. Prob. is politics, management & ownership, so give them 100 calls back them up w/editor
What has happened to cmpd since rodney took control will most definitely have a negative impact on the quality of life in Charlotte...it has already happened in so many ways.
Less Training: Poorly trained Officers don't make informed, educated decisions. Ongoing training keeps Officers in the loop of new methods and ideas in law enforcement..something sorely lacking with rodney.
The quality of the police department not only impacts your safey, but your general quality of life.
Having a bunch of untrained, ill qualified rookies with dubious backgrounds serves NO ONE, except rodney.
And, if you try to stand alone against rodney and his posse,
they will destroy you. You will be on third shift in outter Mongolia, the Watch Commander's, or a really crappy job.........with NO CHANCE of promotion or a better assignment.
It is a culture of paybacks and "taking care" of your buddies. It is a culture of butt kissers and kowtowing.
A culture of nontransparency, of not being truthful: to protect themselves, of cover ups.
It seems rodney wants to leave a legacy of "diversity"
....and he knows he will not be here to suffer the consequences of his diversity at any cost, take no prisioners attitude.People continue to look the other way and he gets a pass because of the fear of blacklash.
Morale is in the proverbial toilet. The RULE by fear and intimidation, degradation and bullying has worked so far.
So how do all of you brave souls propose to expose what
is going on and save your jobs and retirements?
Use a dummy account from the computer of a friend who does not work for CMPD or from an un-monitored public place to send e-mails to every Council Member and the Mayor demanding that they fire the City Manager and fire Monroe and his people and investigate all wrong acts committed by them. Copy all press outlets in every one. That's how. Citizens with a brain will support you. Don't stand alone. Make the world watch.
Wow! Who would have thought this would have created such a stir. Apparently, this happens much more than I ever thought- all across the country!
Remember, everything trickles down. Since Monroe is allowed to continue to control his force by 'fear' and 'intimidation' it was only a matter of time it trickled down... It will only get worse from here forward until citizens & Officers are able and willing to SPEAK UP!!!
The Observer interviewed me today and they get the exclusive!
If the local news stations would do some digging into the crime reports here within Charlotte. I'm sure they would find that the numbers are being fudged to make it look like crime is being reduced. Reduced my white rear end. Anyone who believes what CMPD is shoveling. I have some ocean front property in Arizona.
Crime in Charlotte - June 28, 2011 @ 3:15 p.m. Let's just say that several officers have tried to speak up against what is wrong within the department since ROMO has taken over. They have been given the high road to know where. I see no chance of them recovering, while trying to do the right thing. The command staff within the department is scared and they won't speak up. So, the department and the civilians which the department is supposed to protect will suffer.
Phone numbers above, guy... Help yourselves and us. While you're having a chat about the rest, explain how the crime numbers are being reported incorrectly. Everyone can see it. If they hear it from another 100 officers, that's going to help. If you have a set of actual numbers vs. reported numbers, even better.
Anonymous - June 29 @ 1205. All you have to do is look at the crime reports which are public knowledge. It can be obtained on the net. For some reason, some rocket scientist came up with the idea to combine crimes under one set of numbers. That will show an actual reduction in crime. However, the times will be different and if in a parking lot a few stores down. Like in a shopping mall how can they consider it to be done by the same individual?
Okay, what's the specific thing to ask for to get the REAL numbers? Calls for service? Incident reports? Crimes reported? I know sometimes officers won't even take a report. Is there a "911 report" that would be more inclusive? Then we can add it all up and compare it to what's being reported. It might be interesting to see how the numbers change from one of those items to the next. What summary reports are already available but accurate (if any)? Is there any way to tell if mulitple charges are called in on one call, or will that only show as one?
Anonymous - 06/29/2011
Regarding calls for service. There are actual times in which a crime has been commited and officer's have not taken reports. They have actually gone and changed the call for service code and just typed an MI which is referred to as a miscellaneous incident. If you are not aware of the elements of criminal law it will be almost next to impossible in obtaining that specific information.
All the information that you are asking about is public knowledge and it can be obtained. It just has to be done the correct way. It will take some leg work and the numbers are already posted on the website in different districts. You will just have to do some work in comparing those numbers.I would go with actual calls for service and then compare that to the crimes reported.
thanks. I will keep watching for this and other important information to check.
Crimes in Charlotte and Cedar,
You don't have to go to IA, you can go straight to City of Charlotte Community Reations Committee,
Police Complaint Review Program 704 336 2382.
Anonymous - 07/02/2011 @ 10:33 p.m.
Hopefully if enough queries are presented to City of Charlotte Community Reations Committee,
Police Complaint Review Program. Maybe ROMO will start making an escape plan to get out of here, while the going is good. I'm sure the command staff is already strategizing some type of plan. To see how many more of our rights which were set up in the constitution can be violated.
I think Monroe has to stay here long enough for the Civil law suit in Supreme Court now... or maybe they can go pick him up for that when it's time. That will be some interesting testimony. Note to lawyer for Marcus Jackson's victims: don't settle. Let the truth come out in open court... everything that Monroe knew... which City employees knew what when. Or maybe there will be a sudden rash of resignations and announcements of people who won't be running for re-election after all?
The CMPD "spin" came in when the CMPD released the posted e-mails and statements to all city council members, Mayor Foxx, The Charlotte Observer and myself without any statement nor detailed account from the VICTIM.
I have evidence to disprove some of Officer Thompson's statements but I was never given the opportunity to share with CMPD.
I was violated when my 1st Amendment rights were denied by a CMPD Officer when disallowed to take a photo.
I was intimidated by a CMPD Officer (threatened with arrest) for no just cause.
I was lied to by a CMPD Officer when I was given a false name.
The CMPD is busy released public statements stating I was 'not compliant' with an Officer, which is yet another violation of my good name as it is something I would NEVER do.
However, the CMPD & IA closed the case without any formal statement (with all details) nor interview with the victim. If that doesn't show how CMPD works, I don't know what else to say.
Crime in Charlotte - July 6, 2011 @ 7:43 a.m. unfortunately, that is how the way it works with CMPD. If it was a filed an Officer Complaint, then it fell on deaf ears. A HALF ASS investigation was conducted and they must have been a member of the click that incorporates all of CMPD. Too bad you will never be able to find out who that coward of an officer is. They should be considered a SORRY, SPINELESS ASS. What comes around goes around.
Quick update: I requested a meeting with Chief Monroe yesterday morning. Within hours, I received a response and set it up.
I am impressed with his willingness to meet with me, although, I only intend to discuss my blog and let him get to meet me for himself.
I truly believe the 'brass' at CMPD do not fully understand my intentions nor do they understand the power of a blog and social media/networking to reach the public.
Crime in Charlotte - July 8th @ 1:40 a.m. I wish you all the best of luck in getting some where when and if you get to meet with Chief Monroe. Please keep us updated on your blog or this one, as to how the event unfolded with the results.
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