Americans are armed to the teeth, and it's drilled into them to defend their homes at all cost. Then the moronic police act surprised that people actually do so when they think their home is being invaded by armed thugs.
Which it was...
Guns and four bottles of prescription painkillers — three of them empty — were among the items seized after a drug raid at a Hampton home Saturday led to the homeowner's death during a shootout with police.
William A. Cooper, 69, was shot at about 10 a.m. after police — executing a search warrant seeking controlled prescription painkillers — forced entry into his home on Clifton Street in Wythe.
Police say Cooper opened fire on them in the home, and they had no choice but to shoot back. A friend of Cooper's says he thinks Cooper must have been startled by the raid and believed his home was being invaded by criminals.
The list of seized items, filed Tuesday in Hampton Circuit Court, included one empty bottle of OxyContin and three bottles of Oxycodone-acetaminophen — one containing pills and two of them empty. OxyContin and Oxycodone-acetaminophen are controlled substances that are highly sought on the black market.
They also did the Montreal thing, and wild bullets hitting neigbouring houses, luckily without injuries. But hey, they got to kill a 69 year old prescription pill pusher, so all is good...right?
Read more here.
Showing posts with label police. Show all posts
Showing posts with label police. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Arizona police kill former Marine in pot raid
On May 5 at around 9:30 a.m., several teams of Pima County, Ariz., police officers from at least four different police agencies armed with SWAT gear and an armored personnel carrier raided at least four homes as part of what at the time was described as an investigation into alleged marijuana trafficking. One of those homes belonged to 26-year-old Jose Guerena and his wife, Vanessa Guerena. The couple's 4-year-old son was also in the house at the time. Their 6-year-old son was at school.
As the SWAT team forced its way into his home, Guerena, a former Marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq, armed himself with his AR-15 rifle and told his wife and son to hide in a closet. As the officers entered, Guerena confronted them from the far end of a long, dark hallway. The police opened fire, releasing more than 70 rounds in about 7 seconds, at least 60 of which struck Guerena. He was pronounced dead a little over an hour later.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department initially claimed (PDF) Guerena fired his weapon at the SWAT team. They now acknowledge that not only did he not fire, the safety on his gun was still activated when he was killed. Guerena had no prior criminal record, and the police found nothing illegal in his home. After ushering out his wife and son, the police refused to allow paramedics to access Guerena for more than hour, leaving the young father to bleed to death, alone, in his own home.
I can now report a number of new details that further call into question the police account of what happened that morning. But first some context:
Read more here.
As the SWAT team forced its way into his home, Guerena, a former Marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq, armed himself with his AR-15 rifle and told his wife and son to hide in a closet. As the officers entered, Guerena confronted them from the far end of a long, dark hallway. The police opened fire, releasing more than 70 rounds in about 7 seconds, at least 60 of which struck Guerena. He was pronounced dead a little over an hour later.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department initially claimed (PDF) Guerena fired his weapon at the SWAT team. They now acknowledge that not only did he not fire, the safety on his gun was still activated when he was killed. Guerena had no prior criminal record, and the police found nothing illegal in his home. After ushering out his wife and son, the police refused to allow paramedics to access Guerena for more than hour, leaving the young father to bleed to death, alone, in his own home.
I can now report a number of new details that further call into question the police account of what happened that morning. But first some context:
Read more here.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Gee, I wonder why police don't want citizens to video them
Las Vegas-based videographer Mitchell Crooks was beaten and falsely arrested by Las Vegas police officer Derek Colling while filming a burglary arrest taking place across the street from his house. The entire sorry affair was recorded by Crooks’ brand new, $3,500 camera, which kept rolling throughout the arrest.
Shortly after the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Crooks’ story, the Clark County district attorney’s office dropped the “battery on a police officer” and “obstruction of justice” charges Colling brought against him. “I asked for a more definite description of the battery because battery requires a violent touching,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Christopher Laurent said.
According to ACLU attorney Allen Lichtenstein, “it’s perfectly legal to film officers as long as it does not interfere in their investigation.” Concerning Colling’s trespassing claims, Lichtenstein points out that a trespassing complaint can only be made by a property owner. “Even if the officer didn’t think he lived there, that doesn’t mean he didn’t have permission to be there,” Lichtenstein told the Review-Journal.
The Metropolitan Police Department announced that an internal investigation into the incident has been launched, but Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie declined further comment.
Monday, July 12, 2010
No-name officers: Cheap but not necessarily better
Toronto Police are investigating whether numerous officers on G20 duty failed to wear proper identification.
At issue is whether officers violated a force requirement to wear epaulettes with their badge numbers and name tags on their uniforms, regardless of whether they’re wearing riot equipment or standard police outfits.
Read more here.
At issue is whether officers violated a force requirement to wear epaulettes with their badge numbers and name tags on their uniforms, regardless of whether they’re wearing riot equipment or standard police outfits.
Read more here.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Toronto Council and Police hold public circle jerk to celebrate their G20 wonderfulness
After an emotional morning-long debate, city council voted 36-0 to “commend the outstanding work” of Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, his officers and other police forces working during the G20 summit in Toronto.
Two amendments — lauding Blair for supporting a civilian review planned by the Toronto Police Services board, and the board itself for “exercising its appropriate oversight role” — passed 35-1, with Councillor Rob Ford, a candidate for mayor, the nay on both votes.
The votes, triggered by a motion of support from Councillor Mark Grimes (Ward 6, Etobicoke-Lakeshore), came a day after the police services board reversed its earlier stance that only an internal review was necessary.
The debate at council underlines the aftershocks that continue to rock the city from the June 26 rampage by vandals who broke away from a peaceful protest as world leaders met, and from the mass arrests and detentions a day later.
Read more here.
Two amendments — lauding Blair for supporting a civilian review planned by the Toronto Police Services board, and the board itself for “exercising its appropriate oversight role” — passed 35-1, with Councillor Rob Ford, a candidate for mayor, the nay on both votes.
The votes, triggered by a motion of support from Councillor Mark Grimes (Ward 6, Etobicoke-Lakeshore), came a day after the police services board reversed its earlier stance that only an internal review was necessary.
The debate at council underlines the aftershocks that continue to rock the city from the June 26 rampage by vandals who broke away from a peaceful protest as world leaders met, and from the mass arrests and detentions a day later.
Read more here.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Toronto police bullshit to justify 1 Billion dollars in new butched up uniforms
Toronto Police staged a display of weaponry to demonstrate “the extent of the criminal conspiracy” among hard-line G20 protesters, but several of the items had nothing to do with the summit....
...Julian Falconer, a Toronto lawyer representing four independent journalists in summit-related police complaints, called the display of unrelated objects a “public-relations exercise [that] borders on the absurd.”
The items, which were laid out on tables in the lobby of police headquarters, also included gas masks, cans of spray paint, a replica gun, saws, pocket knives, a staple gun, a drill, a slingshot, chains and handcuffs. However, there were also objects not normally considered dangerous, including bandanas, skateboard and bicycle helmets, golf balls, tennis balls, bamboo poles, goggles, rope and walkie-talkies.
Read more here.
...Julian Falconer, a Toronto lawyer representing four independent journalists in summit-related police complaints, called the display of unrelated objects a “public-relations exercise [that] borders on the absurd.”
The items, which were laid out on tables in the lobby of police headquarters, also included gas masks, cans of spray paint, a replica gun, saws, pocket knives, a staple gun, a drill, a slingshot, chains and handcuffs. However, there were also objects not normally considered dangerous, including bandanas, skateboard and bicycle helmets, golf balls, tennis balls, bamboo poles, goggles, rope and walkie-talkies.
Read more here.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Operation Golden: Just a friendly F*ck You from your local police
In the pantheon of dumb ideas, this is golden...
People whose properties are an easy target could be woken in the middle of the night by [U.K.] police who are promising to try windows and doors in a bid to cut break-ins.
Code-named Operation Golden, householders in Cheshire who fall foul of their checks will be roused with a lecture from officers on what they could have lost....
...Once inside, officers pick up any valuable items they see such as iPods or purses and leave them in a ’swag bag’ for the owner to find.
They also leave a letter explaining how easy it was to break in, with a recommendation to the homeowner to lock their doors and windows.
Love how police think they have the right to do this.
Read more here.
People whose properties are an easy target could be woken in the middle of the night by [U.K.] police who are promising to try windows and doors in a bid to cut break-ins.
Code-named Operation Golden, householders in Cheshire who fall foul of their checks will be roused with a lecture from officers on what they could have lost....
...Once inside, officers pick up any valuable items they see such as iPods or purses and leave them in a ’swag bag’ for the owner to find.
They also leave a letter explaining how easy it was to break in, with a recommendation to the homeowner to lock their doors and windows.
Love how police think they have the right to do this.
Read more here.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Supt Andrew Murray: Idiot of the Day
Sheesh Supt, lighten up.
Police officers filmed using riot shields to sledge down a snowy hill while on duty have been reprimanded.
The footage of a group of officers on Boars Hill, Oxford, was taken by Rick Latham on Tuesday. He posted it on the file-sharing website YouTube.
Mr Latham said they were only there for a few minutes and praised the officers for having a "sense of humour".
Supt Andrew Murray said those involved have been spoken to and advised that their actions were a "bad idea".
Read more here.
Police officers filmed using riot shields to sledge down a snowy hill while on duty have been reprimanded.
The footage of a group of officers on Boars Hill, Oxford, was taken by Rick Latham on Tuesday. He posted it on the file-sharing website YouTube.
Mr Latham said they were only there for a few minutes and praised the officers for having a "sense of humour".
Supt Andrew Murray said those involved have been spoken to and advised that their actions were a "bad idea".
Read more here.
Monday, September 28, 2009
A sonic cannon
Not from a movie...
“Other law enforcement agencies will be watching to see how it was used,” said Nate Harper, the Pittsburgh police bureau chief. “It served its purpose well.”
Read more here.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
London's Metropolitan Police accused of waterboarding suspects
Metropolitan Police officers subjected suspects to waterboarding, according to allegations at the centre of a major anti-corruption inquiry, The Times has learnt.
The torture claims are part of a wide-ranging investigation which also includes accusations that officers fabricated evidence and stole suspects’ property. It has already led to the abandonment of a drug trial and the suspension of several police officers.
However, senior policing officials are most alarmed by the claim that officers in Enfield, North London, used the controversial CIA interrogation technique to simulate drowning.
Read more here.
The torture claims are part of a wide-ranging investigation which also includes accusations that officers fabricated evidence and stole suspects’ property. It has already led to the abandonment of a drug trial and the suspension of several police officers.
However, senior policing officials are most alarmed by the claim that officers in Enfield, North London, used the controversial CIA interrogation technique to simulate drowning.
Read more here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Montreal cops consider levying fines for verbal abuse
What will they do after they've fined...well, everyone.
Epically stupid idea. So of course it will pass.
Next step, ban any video taken by any citizen. We don't want those shootings showing up on Youtube, now do we?
Montreal municipal authorities are pondering a possible bylaw change that would allow police officers to fine a citizen who verbally insults them, Chief Inspector Paul Chablo of the Montreal police said Monday.
Bylaws conferring similar powers on the cops are already in effect elsewhere in the province, including Quebec City, Sherbrooke and Three Rivers, he said.
The rule change – discussed by the city executive committee last November – is scheduled for a follow-up in March, Chablo said.
The Montreal Police Brotherhood has been pushing for such a new rule since 2003.
“A bylaw like this has to be clear, it has to be understood by the officers, and it has to be applied in a proper context,” Chablo said.
It would also, he added, “have to respect rights and liberties and freedom of expression.”
Because of free-expression issues, he said, lawyers for Montreal’s civic administration are taking “a very, very cautious and analytical approach.”
No tentative text of any such a bylaw has been released, Chablo said.
He also said he could not provide the possible sizes of fines for first and subsequent offences.
”It’s in the very early stages,” he said. “We haven’t gotten to that point.”
Gee, I wonder if it has anything to do with this story from November...
MONTREAL — It is the most crude of curses in the English language, a four-letter expletive usually avoided in polite company. Yet in Montreal, the f-word is apparently not a swear word at all. A municipal court judge has ruled that a man who repeatedly tossed the expletive at two police officers during a confrontation was not swearing, because he wasn't taking God's name in vain.
Epically stupid idea. So of course it will pass.
Next step, ban any video taken by any citizen. We don't want those shootings showing up on Youtube, now do we?
Montreal municipal authorities are pondering a possible bylaw change that would allow police officers to fine a citizen who verbally insults them, Chief Inspector Paul Chablo of the Montreal police said Monday.
Bylaws conferring similar powers on the cops are already in effect elsewhere in the province, including Quebec City, Sherbrooke and Three Rivers, he said.
The rule change – discussed by the city executive committee last November – is scheduled for a follow-up in March, Chablo said.
The Montreal Police Brotherhood has been pushing for such a new rule since 2003.
“A bylaw like this has to be clear, it has to be understood by the officers, and it has to be applied in a proper context,” Chablo said.
It would also, he added, “have to respect rights and liberties and freedom of expression.”
Because of free-expression issues, he said, lawyers for Montreal’s civic administration are taking “a very, very cautious and analytical approach.”
No tentative text of any such a bylaw has been released, Chablo said.
He also said he could not provide the possible sizes of fines for first and subsequent offences.
”It’s in the very early stages,” he said. “We haven’t gotten to that point.”
Gee, I wonder if it has anything to do with this story from November...
MONTREAL — It is the most crude of curses in the English language, a four-letter expletive usually avoided in polite company. Yet in Montreal, the f-word is apparently not a swear word at all. A municipal court judge has ruled that a man who repeatedly tossed the expletive at two police officers during a confrontation was not swearing, because he wasn't taking God's name in vain.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Ex-officer charged with murder in BART shooting
If it hadn't been for the videos made of the incident, this man would never have been charged.
Keep filming folks.
"What I feel the evidence indicates is an unlawful killing done by an intentional act," district attorney Tom Orloff told reporters at a news conference.
Read more here.
Keep filming folks.
"What I feel the evidence indicates is an unlawful killing done by an intentional act," district attorney Tom Orloff told reporters at a news conference.
Read more here.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Hundreds demand answers, action in subway shooting
A BART spokesman has said there is more to the story than what can be seen on the grainy images.
Yes, I'll bet they hope we see another story there, just not the one that is glaringly obvious...
The article spends too much time on the protests, and not enough on what is clearly a cold blooded shooting.
Hundreds of citizens and community leaders packed into the Bay Area Rapid Transit board room and two overflow rooms Thursday, demanding the group take responsibility for a subway officer's shooting that left a young man dead.
The BART board of directors meeting started with a moment of silence for Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old father who was killed on New Year's Day in a crowded train station, but it quickly turned into a parade of angry speeches by elected officials, activists and outraged citizens.
For nearly six hours, according to local media, about 60 people addressed the board.
Read more here.
Yes, I'll bet they hope we see another story there, just not the one that is glaringly obvious...
The article spends too much time on the protests, and not enough on what is clearly a cold blooded shooting.
Hundreds of citizens and community leaders packed into the Bay Area Rapid Transit board room and two overflow rooms Thursday, demanding the group take responsibility for a subway officer's shooting that left a young man dead.
The BART board of directors meeting started with a moment of silence for Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old father who was killed on New Year's Day in a crowded train station, but it quickly turned into a parade of angry speeches by elected officials, activists and outraged citizens.
For nearly six hours, according to local media, about 60 people addressed the board.
Read more here.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Oakland Police Officer Shoots Unarmed Man, Handcuffed Man
Monday, December 01, 2008
The Police of Shieldaig: Idiots of the Day
As Lulu Matheson was warming herself by the fire at her remote rural cottage, police and sniffer dogs burst through the door.
The officers were sure that the house was a cannabis factory – and refused to accept that her pot plants weren’t . . . well, pot plants.
Despite protestations by the 79-year-old widow that they were looking at her family’s prized tomato crop, the officers insisted on sending samples of the plants to be analysed.
Apologizing would be out of the question...
Read more here.
The officers were sure that the house was a cannabis factory – and refused to accept that her pot plants weren’t . . . well, pot plants.
Despite protestations by the 79-year-old widow that they were looking at her family’s prized tomato crop, the officers insisted on sending samples of the plants to be analysed.
Apologizing would be out of the question...
Read more here.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Riots in Montreal
The police in Montreal are keeping alive old traditions.
1987
The city changed on the morning of Nov. 11, 1987. According to court documents, at around 5:30 a.m., Anthony Griffin, a 19-year-old black man, jumped a cab but was arrested by police about an hour later. Griffin, after lying about his identity because of an outstanding warrant against him, was placed in the back seat of a police cruiser and then taken to a police station. Upon arriving in the station parking lot, he bolted, and only stopped when Constable Allan Gosset yelled, while aiming his .38 police revolver, “Stop or I’ll shoot!” after twice yelling at Griffin to halt. Griffin stopped and was turning around when he was shot in the head. He was pronounced dead at 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish General. Gosset was charged with criminal negligence but, in 1993, was acquitted on appeal. Racism was dismissed as a factor in Griffin’s death.
2008
The mother of an 18-year-old shot and killed by a police officer in broad daylight is demanding explanations from the Montreal police force.
But people in the neighbourhood where Fredy Villenueva was fatally wounded weren't waiting for explanations last night. Their fury erupted into a riot in Montreal North, with knots of protesters roaming the streets and setting fire to cars and garbage barricades.
The Montreal riot police squad was called out, and hundreds of officers formed a perimeter four or five blocks away from the Ground Zero at Rolland Blvd. and Pascal St.
Read more here.
1987
The city changed on the morning of Nov. 11, 1987. According to court documents, at around 5:30 a.m., Anthony Griffin, a 19-year-old black man, jumped a cab but was arrested by police about an hour later. Griffin, after lying about his identity because of an outstanding warrant against him, was placed in the back seat of a police cruiser and then taken to a police station. Upon arriving in the station parking lot, he bolted, and only stopped when Constable Allan Gosset yelled, while aiming his .38 police revolver, “Stop or I’ll shoot!” after twice yelling at Griffin to halt. Griffin stopped and was turning around when he was shot in the head. He was pronounced dead at 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish General. Gosset was charged with criminal negligence but, in 1993, was acquitted on appeal. Racism was dismissed as a factor in Griffin’s death.
2008
The mother of an 18-year-old shot and killed by a police officer in broad daylight is demanding explanations from the Montreal police force.
But people in the neighbourhood where Fredy Villenueva was fatally wounded weren't waiting for explanations last night. Their fury erupted into a riot in Montreal North, with knots of protesters roaming the streets and setting fire to cars and garbage barricades.
The Montreal riot police squad was called out, and hundreds of officers formed a perimeter four or five blocks away from the Ground Zero at Rolland Blvd. and Pascal St.
Read more here.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Robbie Coltrane not wanted in New Zealand
Police in New Zealand hunting a serial burglar have issued a wanted poster bearing a photograph of the actor Robbie Coltrane.
Officers said Coltrane was not a suspect in the crimes, which have been committed by a juvenile who happens to look like the Cracker star. But because New Zealand law bans pictures of juvenile criminals being published, they decided to use Coltrane's image instead...
...Coltrane is believed to be in Los Angeles, but a response is being sought from his spokeswoman in London.
He's not in L.A., he's on a plane to New Zealand to play those dumb police a little..visit.
Read more here.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Albuquerque police attack photographer
Nothing cops hate more than citizens talking back (and yes, the photographer was rude).
IMHO, the cop is clearly in the wrong.
So, nothing will happen to him.
Monday, March 17, 2008
'Comfort Zone' Busted in Early Morning Raid
A mix of plainclothes and uniformed officers, some wielding shotguns and outfitted with bullet-proof vests stormed an after-hours club early this morning.
Many people were taken to awaiting police wagons in handcuffs as police executed a search warrant at The Comfort Zone at Spadina Ave. near College St. shortly after 6:00.
Police are not releasing many details about the incident other than it was a routine sweep of the club by officers from the Emergency Task Force, the Drug Squad and members of 14 Division.
Authorities have said they will reveal more about the case at a press conference tomorrow morning.
One apparent witness says:
dude, it was not routine!!! there were 200 cops in there, with at least 50 swat team members. They ran a HUGE operation, shit was hitting the fan. 90% of the people in there got charged, all the doors were broken down, walls were taken down, pool tables, bathroom stalls couches - nothing was left unturned. they even had to call in paramedics, people were kicked around, strip searched, even molested. what a horrifying experience, and to think it was our first time in the place after hearing about it for so long...
Update
"Right now, there's nothing to stop them from opening this weekend,"
Maybe, but would *you* go?
Despite 33 arrests and more than 65 drug charges after an early morning raid Sunday on a downtown after-hours club that one detective described as "a flea market for drugs," police acknowledged Monday they are powerless to close it down.
Detective Sergeant Ed Roseto said nearly 100 officers surrounded the Comfort Zone, a rave club on Spadina Avenue that is notorious for open drug use and sales, and began clearing out the cavernous building, arresting patrons and staff alike as they went.
"The floor, the seats, the tables . . . were covered with little vials and pill," he told a news conference Monday.
Read more here.
Many people were taken to awaiting police wagons in handcuffs as police executed a search warrant at The Comfort Zone at Spadina Ave. near College St. shortly after 6:00.
Police are not releasing many details about the incident other than it was a routine sweep of the club by officers from the Emergency Task Force, the Drug Squad and members of 14 Division.
Authorities have said they will reveal more about the case at a press conference tomorrow morning.
One apparent witness says:
dude, it was not routine!!! there were 200 cops in there, with at least 50 swat team members. They ran a HUGE operation, shit was hitting the fan. 90% of the people in there got charged, all the doors were broken down, walls were taken down, pool tables, bathroom stalls couches - nothing was left unturned. they even had to call in paramedics, people were kicked around, strip searched, even molested. what a horrifying experience, and to think it was our first time in the place after hearing about it for so long...
Update
"Right now, there's nothing to stop them from opening this weekend,"
Maybe, but would *you* go?
Despite 33 arrests and more than 65 drug charges after an early morning raid Sunday on a downtown after-hours club that one detective described as "a flea market for drugs," police acknowledged Monday they are powerless to close it down.
Detective Sergeant Ed Roseto said nearly 100 officers surrounded the Comfort Zone, a rave club on Spadina Avenue that is notorious for open drug use and sales, and began clearing out the cavernous building, arresting patrons and staff alike as they went.
"The floor, the seats, the tables . . . were covered with little vials and pill," he told a news conference Monday.
Read more here.
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