16 year old youth beaten by police

[intensityx]

Originally posted by TDQuiksilver

And I would have to agree with Freeza.. cops have never been the first to be liked at all.. granted there are cops that can have an attitude, but you expect them to sing you a Teletubbies song when they pull you over for travelling 30 mph. over the speed limit, robbing a store, not showing up to court, and the thousands of other criminal acts? Like I said, you people have never seen anything outside of the show "Cops".. open your eyes, it happens.

If a cop can not control his temper, he has no business in that line of work. There's no excuse for breaking the law...it goes both ways. Cops are not meant to be judge and jury.

[TDQuiksilver]

Originally posted by threetonesun

That's not law enforcement, that's just disrupting the flow of traffic to make some money.

Um yeah.. I don't believe cops recieve comission for how many people they catch. LoL.. some people.. :s

[TDQuiksilver]

Originally posted by intensityx

If a cop can not control his temper, he has no business in that line of work. There's no excuse for breaking the law...it goes both ways. Cops are not meant to be judge and jury.

1) Who said he wasnt controlling his temper? Does he need to sing Sesame Street as well?

2) In your last sentence you're basically saying that cops are not the law. Heh, thats right, Joe from the grocery store enforces the law :right:

[Tesseract]

The fact is that no one is above the law, no one.

[intensityx]

Originally posted by TDQuiksilver

Um yeah.. I don't believe cops recieve comission for how many people they catch. LoL.. some people.. :s

Right, but the city does make revenue off of traffic tickets and even though they won't admit it some cities have quotas that the cops are supposed to meet. I've heard this from a cop. Ever notice how you see more people pulled over at the end of the month?

[TDQuiksilver]

And where do you think that money goes back to? Joe at the grocery again? Maybe your town has no need for improvement in roads and what not, but I do know that here they are using revenue to shape up the area and the surrounding community. As I am sure this happens elsewhere. If the criminal acts are out of control, then I can understand why there would be quotas.

[Tesseract]

Originally posted by TDQuiksilver

If the criminal acts are out of control, then I can understand why there would be quotas.

Some towns, especially on major highways, pull lots of drivers over even if they go over the speed limit 5 mph. They must have to meet a quota of generating so much revenue.

[TDQuiksilver]

cody, I dont particularly understand your last sentence but if you are referring to cops as recieving a lot of revenue.. well for a fact, they do not get paid that well.

[intensityx]

Originally posted by TDQuiksilver

1) Who said he wasnt controlling his temper? Does he need to sing Sesame Street as well?

Hmmm...doesn't look like he's controlling his temper to me when he's striking a person that is in handcuffs. Which happens to be called assault. He's no better than someone who assaults someone else.

Originally posted by TDQuiksilver

2) In your last sentence you're basically saying that cops are not the law. Heh, thats right, Joe from the grocery store enforces the law :right:

Well, what I said was that cops are not judge and jury and that's true, they are not. That's what the judicial system is for.

[Tesseract]

Originally posted by TDQuiksilver

cody, I dont particularly understand your last sentence but if you are referring to cops as recieving a lot of revenue.. well for a fact, they do not get paid that well.

Each officer has to generate a certain amount of revenue depending on how many officers there are in the precinct or department.

It is a shame that police officers do not get paid well because the job that they can do can be very dangerous and stressfull. However, I don't think that police officers should have to pull large amounts of drivers over to meet their quota, though.

[azazel-]

Russian law enforcement are legally allowed to pull over anyone, at any time, for any reason. They don't like the way your car looks, they can pull you over. Other nations have law enforcement personnel that are just one step above the criminals they are supposedly stopping. The only reason this is so shocking is because it's in the United States, it was on tv, and the US's law enforcement is at a different level of expectation.

All of you kiddies posting comments like "Cops suck" and "Them cops is stupid", why don't you ask someone in the middle east what would happen to them if they lunged at a cop.

Once again, not saying the cop was right, nor justifying his actions. Just saying that you shouldn't rate a whole profession based on a few instances.

And, if you break the law, you deserve to have retributions, be it speeding or homicide. You don't like it, vote and change the laws...if you're old enough. :right:

[mat987]

"Cops are dumb, cops are idiots"

Shut up. Just shut up right now. Never bother speaking another word, because if you truly believe this...then nothing you can say can benefit any human being. Go get a horse and live in the moutains somewhere so noone has to deal with you stupidity.

Imagine the US with no cops. Ok, you can stop imagining, because you're probably being robbed right now and being shot at. So what if a kid who lunged at a police officer gets his head banged off a car?! Make an example of him. I'd much rather see that on the news than a kid lunging at a cop, him silently put back in the car...and then reading in the paper about how he attacked more people, or robbed someone. I'm not saying people should fear cops in any instance, but to know that you can run all over them just like the judicial system is completely retarded. These guys go into neighborhoods you wouldn't dream of setting foot in. They arrest people, they put themselves in the line of fire. So you sit at home behind your computer screen and call them stupid, but guess what pal? There needed a lot more in this country than you are! This whole human rights movement is bullsh*t. Don't get me wrong, a eutopian society where you never had to lock your doors or worry about what street you drive down would be great, but that's not going to happen. But what these people are trying to do is make the police force eutopian, and keeps the criminals the way they are! This won't work. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Oh and by the way, the family claimed the kid was 'emotionally handicapped' not mentally 'handicapped'. Emotionally handicapped...hmmm, I wonder if that was a way to get an extra 5 million on the settlement. People really urk me sometimes.

[Tesseract]

What a sue crazy world we are living in today. :sigh:

[azazel-]

Can someone please define "emotionally handicapped" for me? Does that mean he doesn't feel emotion, or just not to the same capacity that a "normal" person would?

I'm being serious here. I've never heard of that phrase.

[intensityx]

Originally posted by azazel-

Russian law enforcement are legally allowed to pull over anyone, at any time, for any reason. They don't like the way your car looks, they can pull you over. Other nations have law enforcement personnel that are just one step above the criminals they are supposedly stopping. The only reason this is so shocking is because it's in the United States, it was on tv, and the US's law enforcement is at a different level of expectation.

All of you kiddies posting comments like "Cops suck" and "Them cops is stupid", why don't you ask someone in the middle east what would happen to them if they lunged at a cop.

Once again, not saying the cop was right, nor justifying his actions. Just saying that you shouldn't rate a whole profession based on a few instances.

And, if you break the law, you deserve to have retributions, be it speeding or homicide. You don't like it, vote and change the laws...if you're old enough. :right:

Thanks for your opinion on Russian law enforcement, but this has nothing to do with Russia or any other country...This is about U.S. laws and U.S. law enforcement. Conditions in other countries bear no weight on how we conduct our law enforcement. We are a nation of laws, laws that are designed to protect ones civil liberties and to maintain order. Neither of which can be maintained if law enforcement abuse their power.

I do believe that most law enforcement officers are honerable and do a good job. Unfortunatly, it's the corupt minority that cause mislead and misinformed individuals to say stupid things like "cops suck".

[azazel-]

It's called an example. I was attempting to put this into perspective. Thank you for misinterpretting it and taking it out of context. Glad to know I'm in the company of intellectuals. :right:

Also thank you for editting your post. If you feel that you can do a better job, please, haul your ass from behind that computer and feel free to go make a difference in this country.

Unfortunatly, it's the corupt minority that cause mislead and misinformed individuluals to say stupid things like "cops suck".

Yes, because those are the only cops the media shows you. But, this was videotaped, and this kid happened to not be a gang member. Otherwise, you'd never have seen this, because there's no shock value in it, and no ratings. You'd also never have seen it if the cop had been shot and killed by that "emotionally handicapped youth". Why? That's just part of that cops job. And that videotape would never have been mailed in. No money in seeing a cop die. :rolleyes:

[TimeRider]

I can only speak for the State of Minnesota, but it is illegal in Minnesota for any law enforcemnt agency to impose quotas. Before you say that they do it anyway, I can only tell you that Police Officers in my State are members of a Union. A very strong Union I might add . . . it's really very hard to fire a cop here . . . anyway if a community tried to impose quotas the Union would be all over that like white on rice. It doesn't happen.

Officer's here are licensed by an independent entity called the POST Board. (Peace Officers Standards and Training) An incident like this one would be subject to investigation by not only the Agency, but also the POST Board. The POST Board could in effect revolk his license and "fire" him by making him ineligible to practice law enforcement.

Cops are NOT the law, contrary to what some here seem to think. Courts and legislators are the true law of the land. Police Officers are peace keepers and service providors. Every decision they make, every arrest they effect are subject to the scrutiny of the court. When cops administer "Street Justice," they are taking on a role that is not afforded them under their office. They aren't supposed to administer punishment.

The authority to use force in order to maintain peace or effect arrest is there to provide them with the tools required to accomplish their mission in the face of those who would resist their authority . . . nothing else. Any officer who would use force as a method of retribution or to lash out in anger . . . is the very worst kind of officer there is.

Irrespective of the events that preceeded the assault, I saw an officer strike a handcuffed citizen with a closed fist. I saw other officers including a supervisor intercede and try and stop him. That's what I saw. This young man, regardless of his crimes, had not been given the benefit of his rights in court.

This Police Officer should be severly disciplined and perhaps even fired.

-TR

[SuperJediMedia]

*Sigh*

Why is that many of you think this Cop had a right to punch/shoot this kid, even because the boy lunged (which remains to be proven) at the officer? Again, it is remains to be proven... Still though, didn't law say say a Police/law enforcement officer ARE supposed to use minimium force against any suspects? So what if the boy lunged at the officer? If you think this cop had any reason to beat up this kid (even if the kid tried to escape, hit the cop by doing so or whatever), then you are certainly NOT FIT to be a cop! I DON'T want your kind to become a cop, so don't apply for a law enforcement job, you'll only disgrace yourself. Cops lead by examples, they are not judges, but they are examples of how law should be handled.

I am Not even a cop, and I am sure the manual says you would be fired for that. I don't think the boy did anything to cause cop injury or anything. But, the cop did that to the boy, appearantly! The boys eyes are all red and swallown, according to the news. And, the cop so far was just suspended WITH pay? He should be FIRED, pronto!!!

And, why am I insulted on my grammar skills? Yes, I WAS from another county, which is probably why the grammar is not as good as you American-borners. But, really, what does it have to do with my intelligence? SHOW SOME RESPECT!!!

Why do you think the boy attacked the cop first? For what reason? I think One, might be that the boy is retard and he is clearly not strightheaded. Second, the cop might really be harassing the kid, because he is a racist cop, and the kid got mad. Third, the cop lied about that, that never happened.

You guys think that did happen, we'll WAIT and SEE! However, I still DO not think the cop had a right to beat the kid, after the arrest.

And, why is EVERYONE ignoring this statement

Asked if he thought the attack was racially motivated, Donovan's father said, "Yes, I do."

Said Hopkins: "One of the officers said to him, 'You're going to jail, << racial epithet >>. We've already beat your son's ass and now we're sending you to jail. I'm going home and if I see you on the street, I'm going to send you to jail.' "

because you already made up your mind that this is a lie?

I agree with you completely and I think you expressed you point of view very well.

People are attacking you because they can't defend what the cops did. They talk about race, but this is about bad cops who

got caught. Cops don't have a right to beat up criminals once the are in handcuffs.

Thanks for the agreement and support, man ;)

I do get the feeling too, that people attacking me because they've nothing else better to say.

A lot of you shows ignorance, and some of you - racism even though you might not admit it and all *Sigh*

I am going to be nice and not going to accuse anyone here specific who I think are racists... you know who you are.

[kryptonik]

Now that is just mean. Why would they beat him for? What even started it? Well, anywyas, that is just wrong.

[azazel-]

JediXAngel; this will be decided in a court. The WHOLE DAMN THING remains to be proven in a court of law, so quit saying "its yet to be proven the boy blah blah blah"... It's also "remains to be proven"...

One of the officers said to him, 'You're going to jail, << racial epithet >>. We've already beat your son's ass and now we're sending you to jail. I'm going home and if I see you on the street, I'm going to send you to jail.

Yet that hasn't stopped you from taking his statement at face value and assuming the cop is racist. Quit flip-flopping on your logic because it's getting old, as is your blatant sensationalism over this.

And, the cop so far was just suspended WITH pay? He should be FIRED, pronto!!!

Assuming you have a job, lets pretend I walked into your place of employment. I go up to the manager of McDonalds and make a completely unsubstantiated complaint about you, and he merely walks up and tells you to take off your little apron and leave, no explanation, nothing. Would you like that? THIS HAS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE THE OFFICER GETS FIRED!! I posted the same damn thing last nite. You've already decided that this cop is guilty, he shouldn't be getting paid, and should be fired, before this even goes to court, yet you time and time again say that anything that kid might have done "remains to be proven". And you wonder why I ask how old you are. Probably because your logic makes you seem about 12 years old.

Quit being stupid and pay attention to what others say, go buy yourself a "Hooked on Phonics" set, and for god sakes...will you please get it through that thick skull of yours...the kids family said he was "emotionally handicapped" (which I have yet to find a definition for), which is different that being a "retard", as you so eloquently put it.

In this country, calling someone a "retard" is generally a bad thing, and considered an insult. I'd hoped maybe after almost a full day of this thread, you'll finally be able to comprehend that.

[mat987]

hahahaha, ownage. :)

[sOma]

All of these comments about how this kid may have deserved this are so totally uncalled for... And just because a police officer risks his or her life for us everyday does not make them immune to the law... they have to follow rules just as we do... And in the process of enforcing these laws, they cannot break them while trying to enforce them... If they were given rights that said otherwise, the whole situation would be highly hypocrital, and pointless.

There are many good police officers... I won't deny that, and I mean no disrespect towards the decent cops when I get angry at officers who aren't decent... But people have a right to be angry... I'm not suggesting that we should be angry with all the police officers, just these select few who find it so hard to control themselves due to the stress.

Since when did it become alright to beat people up who are already in custody, who are not even struggling or resisting arrest? His race shouldn't even matter... a great injustice has been done, no matter what color he is... if he were white, it wouldn't change how I feel... Race should not even be an issue.

No offense, but I feel sorry for the kids or future kids of those who are posting these insensitive, evil, hateful, and just mean comments about this kid, without even knowing him. It seems like many people are automatically assuming the officer was in the right simply because he had a badge and a gun... it seems as if some people here wouldn't even care if the boy had not lunged at the police officer, they would have still applauded the assault these officers instigated, which is sick, disturbing, and quite depressing to me.

And even if he had lunged at the police officers, he wasn't doing much lunging while he was being slammed against a car, and while the officers were punching him. He couldn't even defend himself... nor did he try. I have absolutely NO respect for police officers who resort to things like this. I cannot give respect to people who abuse children, let alone those who mistreat people AFTER they have already been taken into custody.

As for making an "example" out of him, that is done in a court of law, not in a street, not by slamming one's head into a car, and not by punching one in the face. One is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Many people here seem to think otherwise based upon the comments I have read so far.

[sOma]

Originally posted by azazel-

JediXAngel; this will be decided in a court. The WHOLE DAMN THING remains to be proven in a court of law, so quit saying "its yet to be proven the boy blah blah blah"... It's also "remains to be proven"... Yet that hasn't stopped you from taking his statement at face value and assuming the cop is racist. Quit flip-flopping on your logic because it's getting old, as is your blatant sensationalism over this.

Assuming you have a job, lets pretend I walked into your place of employment. I go up to the manager of McDonalds and make a completely unsubstantiated complaint about you, and he merely walks up and tells you to take off your little apron and leave, no explanation, nothing. Would you like that? THIS HAS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE THE OFFICER GETS FIRED!! I posted the same damn thing last nite. You've already decided that this cop is guilty, he shouldn't be getting paid, and should be fired, before this even goes to court, yet you time and time again say that anything that kid might have done "remains to be proven". And you wonder why I ask how old you are. Probably because your logic makes you seem about 12 years old.

Quit being stupid and pay attention to what others say, go buy yourself a "Hooked on Phonics" set, and for god sakes...will you please get it through that thick skull of yours...the kids family said he was "emotionally handicapped" (which I have yet to find a definition for), which is different that being a "retard", as you so eloquently put it.

In this country, calling someone a "retard" is generally a bad thing, and considered an insult. I'd hoped maybe after almost a full day of this thread, you'll finally be able to comprehend that.

Emotionally handicapped could have many different meanings... so we would probably need to see a psychological evaluation from a respectable psychiarist in order to rule out what problems he allegedly has. But handicapped or not, I still don't agree with how things were handeled by these police officers.

Personally, I'd rather have him suspended with pay rather than not suspended at all... As they need to be suspended in order for an investigation to be carried out, as we don't want a possible bad cop on the streets beating up innocent civilians during the investigation. So by all means, pay him... but don't allow him to keep his gun and badge during the investigation... for our own safety.

[azazel-]

That's all I was suggesting. Due process under the law. Nothing more, nothing less.

Soma; to an extent, I agree with what you've said about some of the comments here, but others, I interpreted it as being pretty much my same mindset; wait until this is played out in a court and all the facts are heard before people pass judgement.

*edit*

Btw, what part of New Mexico do you live in? I lived in Albuquerque for 3 1/2 years.

[mat987]

I agree that making an example should be done in the court of law. I'd much rather see it there than on the back of a car. But out judicial system worries me sometimes. I gurantee he'll remember the trunk of that car more than he will the legal process. And the best part about it is, more than likely he won't get in any trouble at all for assaulting that officer if he indeed did. (The officer had a bloody gash on his head if you noticed.) It's just sad to think that the kid will get 10 million dollars for hitting a cop, but the cop will get 2 years in prison, lose his job, pay fines, and be publicly humiliated. I just don't want to see that...