TX - Sandra Bland, 28, found dead in jail cell, Waller County, 13 July 2015 #2

[KaaBoom]

References? TIA.

Is this enough? The main job of police in the US is to rob American Citizens of their hard earned money, through traffic fines and confiscating cash. That's why most police officers spend their entire day writing out traffic tickets and searching peoples cars. Thats all they do, all day long.

Why a $100 California Traffic Fine Ends up Costing $549

Traffic fines are far more than crime deterrents and punishment for violations in California; they are a major source of revenue that become more critical to local and state governments in tough economic times. In 2006, the California Research Bureau calculated that traffic violations generated $502.6 million in revenue, and that was before the Great Recession.

Why a $100 California Traffic Fine Ends up Costing $549

Driverless Cars Could Cripple Law Enforcement Budgets

Approximately 41 million people receive speeding tickets in the U.S. every year, paying out more than $6.2 billion per year, according to statistics from the U.S. Highway Patrol published at StatisticBrain.com. That translates to an estimated $300,000 in speeding ticket revenue per U.S. police officer every year. State and local governments often lean on this source of income when they hit financial trouble. A study released in 2009 examined data over a 13-year period in North Carolina, finding a 'statistically significant correlation between a drop in local government revenue one year, and more traffic tickets the next year,' Popular Science reported. So, just as drug cops in Colorado and Washington are cutting budgets after losing revenue from asset and property seizures from marijuana arrests, state and local governments will need to account for a drastic reduction in fines from traffic violations as autonomous cars stick to the speed limit."

Driverless Cars Could Cripple Law Enforcement Budgets

How segregation led to speed traps, traffic tickets and distrust outside St. Louis

Ferguson, Missouri, collects around $2 million annually in fines and fees, mostly from traffic tickets -- a 44 percent increase from three years ago, the city's annual budget shows.

According to data compiled by Better Together, an economic-development group in St. Louis, fines for speeding and other violations account for more than 14 percent of Ferguson's municipal revenue. The town of 21,203 is too small and too poor to support itself with taxes, so police help the city's bottom line by ticketing drivers aggressively, say advocates of local reform.

How segregation led to speed traps, traffic tickets and distrust outside St. Louis

Special Reports - Reining In Forfeiture | Drug Wars | FRONTLINE

Rudy Ramirez never expected to become a statistic in the War on Drugs when he set off to buy a used car, $7300 in cash at the ready, in January 2000. Ramirez, who lives in Edinburg, Texas near the border with Mexico, had spotted a listing for the used Corvette in a magazine and wanted it badly enough that he talked his brother-in-law into accompanying him on a thousand mile road trip to Missouri to make the purchase. When Ramirez was pulled over by police in Kansas City, however, the tenor of the trip changed.
"They asked if I had any money with me, and I said yes," recalls Ramirez. "I didn't think they would take it away. I had nothing to hide." But the trajectory of the rental car, and the piles of cash, suggested otherwise to police--who suspected him of trafficking drugs from the Mexican border. As Ramirez tells it, he was detained at the side of the road for hours while his car was thoroughly searched and inspected by a drug dog. "They kept asking me, `Where are the drugs?'" he recalls. "I told them they had the wrong guy."

Still, the search turned up no drugs of any kind, and the officers finally told Ramirez that he was free to go--but not before confiscating $6,000 of his money in the name of the federal war on drugs in a process known as "forfeiture."

Special Reports - Reining In Forfeiture | Drug Wars | FRONTLINE ...

 

[EllieBee]

She was going to get a warning for the law she broke.... she was arrested and taken to jail for assault, she went before a judge and was given a bond amount. She had choices. For whatever reason she chose to end her life and not go to court like she was shouting she couldn't wait to do.

The officer's own words were that she was under arrest as soon as he pulled her over. His own words.

 

[Night-owl]

Is this enough? The main job of police in the US is to rob American Citizens of their hard earned money, through traffic fines and confiscating cash. That's why most police officers spend their entire day writing out traffic tickets and searching peoples cars.



Why a $100 California Traffic Fine Ends up Costing $549



Driverless Cars Could Cripple Law Enforcement Budgets



How segregation led to speed traps, traffic tickets and distrust outside St. Louis

Special Reports - Reining In Forfeiture | Drug Wars | FRONTLINE



Special Reports - Reining In Forfeiture | Drug Wars | FRONTLINE ...

That is their main job? Enforcing the law and keeping order is barely a footnote? Somewhere in the SOPs of every police force is the one where they rob people and violate their rights?

You mistake "a source of revenue" for "that's their job". Yes, they make money from citations and seizures. Yes, there are examples of bad policing. That is absolutely not showing the main main goal is robbing and violating.

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[KaaBoom]

Relentless amount of video showing horrendous abuse? There are 1.1 million LEOs working in the states currently. How many videos do we see on the news?

I see about one to five new ones a day. But that is only what is caught on video and posted on the internet. Even these days the vast majority of police encounters are never recorded. We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. If this is the way they behave when they are being recorded, what do you think happens when they are not being recorded?

Take a look at this video, and tell me where the good cops are. There are 13 bad cops there. Where are the good cops? Is it coincidence that 13 bad cops all came together in the middle of the desert, and not one good cop was there to stop what was going on? Of course not. They are all bad. They are just 13 average normal cops doing what they do every day.

[video=youtube;IXFiMdt1gEc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXFiMdt1gEc[/video]

 

[BritsKate]

She was going to get a warning for the law she broke.... she was arrested and taken to jail for assault, she went before a judge and was given a bond amount. She had choices. For whatever reason she chose to end her life and not go to court like she was shouting she couldn't wait to do.

But, according to the transcripts released, she was informed she was under arrest before even leaving her vehicle...? How was she under arrest for an alleged assault that hadn't taken place yet? It would certainly seem like BE went out of his way to find something to charge her with - only after threatening her, removing her from her car, physically detaining her, etc. Refusing to put out a cigarette or even questioning why she was being ordered out of her vehicle certainly, obviously, isn't assault.

 

[KaaBoom]

That is their main job? Enforcing the law and keeping order is barely a footnote? Somewhere in the SOPs of every police force is the one where they rob people and violate their rights?

You mistake "a source of revenue" for "that's their job". Yes, they make money from citations and seizures. Yes, there are examples of bad policing. That is absolutely not showing the main main goal is robbing and violating.

American law enforcement is an example of bad policing. It's a classic police state mentality. Any serving and protecting that American cops ever did, ended over 40 years ago, when they became revenue agents for the government. The United States Department of Justice admitted as much when they released their Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department Report.

 

[Night-owl]

I see about one to five new ones a day. But that is only what is caught on video and posted on the internet. Even these days the vast majority of police encounters are never recorded. We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. If this is the way they behave when they are being recorded, what do you think happens when they are not being recorded?

Take a look at this video, and tell me where the good cops are. There are 13 bad cops there. Where are the good cops? Is it coincidence that 13 bad cops all came together in the middle of the desert, and not one good cop was there to stop what was going on? Of course not. They are all bad. They are just 13 average normal cops doing what they do every day.

[video=youtube;IXFiMdt1gEc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXFiMdt1gEc[/video]

Following your reasoning, a person could look at video from the riots in Ferguson and state catagorically that there is no such thing as a lawful person of color.

Wow, just wow.

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[BellaVita]

Quote Originally Posted by BellaVita View Post

BBM: Who abused their power, lied on their reports, or falsely arrested anybody in Ferguson? All I have to say is when somebody goes looking for trouble, he/she will most often find it.

The behavior of many nauseates me and most often, it is not the cops.

The abuse of power being referred to here was with Sandra:

Elton R. Mathis, the county’s district attorney, said he was “not happy” about what he had seen on the videotape from the trooper’s dashboard camera. Mr. Wolfe, the Hempstead mayor, said he was “very, very upset” by it. The State Department of Public Safety has said the trooper violated protocol.

No official here is defending the trooper’s behavior.

In his report he claimed

“I tried to de-escalate her, and it wasn’t working at all,”- I tried talking to her, trying to calm her down, and that was not working. did anyone see any of that on the video?

“I’m going to yank you out of here,”

Details of the confrontation were not included in the arrest warrant written by Encinia, which officials released Tuesday, 11 days after the arrest — and eight days after Bland’s death in the Waller County Jail.
( nor does it mention the Taser, nor does it elaborate on why Encinia ordered Bland out of the vehicle.)

Bland is heard saying that the officer “just slammed my head to the ground.”

If you recall they got caught messing around with the tape and had to release another version. The part that seem to vanish was :

the dashcam video had been edited from its original form...t.he issues were most pronounced in a portion of the video where Encinia can be heard speaking to someone on the phone about the incident. In the video, a tow truck operator is seen walking out of the frame of the video, then that portion of the video plays again.

“There are questions that need to be answered as it relates to the arrest,” noted West. “Regardless of the situation, the DPS state trooper has an obligation to exhibit professionalism and be courteous,” said DPS Director Steve McCraw. “That did not happen in this situation.”

— Two Texas lawmakers said Sandra Bland should have never been arrested after watching the video of the traffic stop

shows Encinia losing his temper

“The problem here is, he’s the one who escalated everything,” Harrington said. “Dragging her out of the car is crazy.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/21/much-too-early-to-call-jail-cell-hanging-death-of-sandra-bland-suicide-da-says/

http://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/21/waller-county-press-conference/

You brought up Ferguson in the original post. As an example of police abusing their power.

As to many officials speaking out on either side: I take all that with a huge grain of salt. They say what they think they should say and most have never put their lives on the line. It is all just noise to me.

 

[BritsKate]

You brought up Ferguson in the original post. As an example of police abusing their power.

As to many officials speaking out on either side: I take all that with a huge grain of salt. They say what they think they should say and most have never put their lives on the line. It is all just noise to me.

In the same vein, no one should be allowed to act with impunity because they choose a difficult, stressful, or potentially life-threatening career. I believe most here can agree some people, in all sorts of positions of authority, sometimes abuse power and need to be held responsible when doing so, both by those in official capacities and we as a society.

JMO

 

[BellaVita]

You must have a short memory. Not only did they falsely arrest people in Furguson, but some even thretened to kill people.

Suburban St. Louis cop suspended for threatening to kill, pointing gun at media in Ferguson, Mo.

Police in Ferguson arrest and threaten more journalists

Ferguson had way more problems at that time than those 2 examples. Just can't get excited by that when there were/are so many other problems that are so much worse. Do two wrongs make a right? No. But in a world with so many issues, it's all relative to me and people's issues with LE are way down on the totem pole. Most problems people have with LE are of their own making and symptomatic of their own very poor choices/mode of living.

 

[Elisaa444]

re: Kind of uncomfortable to have your line of work being painted with a broad brush

I think much of that is many folks shock at the relentless amount of video making the nightly news showing, horrendous abuse of citizens who are paying there salaries. There certainly is much "proof" of what has been going on for decades.

ANd what is really strange one would think that the endless stream of this stuff would slow down - like guys and gals things are different now, you all better toe the line, follow the laws, chances are real good people are recording you now days. And if you dont want to find yourself in another line of work - follow the laws

its a culture, what is called something like code of blue or something - its like a fraturnity

BBM

Yes, you'd think that would be the case. Though, IMO, the likely hood of being recorded hasn't mattered really.

And even when they know they're being recorded (as in the link below) and on the job no less to some LEO's they somehow believe it is OK to treat the public as they wish.

http://www.koaa.com/story/29650803/cop-pelts-homeless-man-with-peanuts

I was waiting to view this footage. This happened where my brother currently works as a LEO. No, he is not the deputy throwing peanuts at a handcuffed homeless man and giving the man dog commands to eat them off the floor. Nor is he any of the other deputies who are watching this occur but do absolutely nothing.

When my brother told me about this I was so disgusted and angry. When I actually saw the video I was seriously sick to my stomach. Hearing about it was one thing actually seeing it made me beyond angry. Though not as angry as the excuses I've read from people online (not speaking of this forum at all) actually trying to justify the LEO's behavior. If my brother was in this same video, wearing his uniform and badge and doing this or watching this occur, the last thing I'd do is defend him.

2nd BBM:
Reading the last part of your post made me think about this video again. When I first heard about it I just couldn't believe other deputies were seeing this happen and did nothing about it....yes, one bad apple here treating a human being in a very inhumane way. This bad apple that is supposed to be serving and protecting us ALL. Including homeless people. But here we have not just one "bad apple" we have several because even though they're not partaking - by sitting there and doing nothing at all - imo is indirectly partaking.

This entire video got to me but seeing those deputies watching this really got to me. Makes me really think how some LEO's really stick together and it just increases my belief in potential coverups, lying to help your 'buddy' get out of something..etc. So, I understand how many people today are more distrusting of our LEO's. When you see things like this over and over to varying degrees I don't think it is surprising to have people feel the way they do. Yes, there are far, far more good LEO's than bad but unfortunately while videos such as these occur- the tapes don't lie - people don't sit down and count ...oh ok so, I've only seen this many horrible videos of cops doing really disturbing things and there are this many LEO's in the country so in the scheme of things ....LEO's aren't so bad overall. No, people do not rationalize, imo, like that after seeing a video like this. Yes, some do. My opinion is that most don't. Also, seeing it occur on video is (at least to me) much more powerful than reading about it ..like we used to do..back in the "good ole' days"... It definitely stays with me more when I see LEO's in action on video doing something controversial. It always makes me think 'I hope I never encounter any LEO that could do something like this to me.'

anyway, moo and all of that.

 

[Elley Mae]

No other cases have any bearing on this case, and IIRC we are not suppose to bring other cases in on the topic of another case. Maybe I am mistaken. jmo idk

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

I don't know why some things aren't standardized. How about this for a template interaction:

Hi, my name is Officer O'Websleuths. I've pulled you over for >>><<<. Please let me see your license and registration.

<Driver hands over registration, information is digested, etc.>

Is there any emergency, such as a medical or family emergency, that caused you to disobey the traffic ordinance known as>>><<<.

[If so] Thank you, Here is your citation for >>><<<; please contact **** if you think that your circumstances mitigate this citation. Drive safely and have a good day.

[If not] Thank you. Here is your citation for >>><<<. Drive safely and have a good day.

--==--==--==--

LOL, actually................you are on to something and may not even know it

IIRC, DPS said he (BE) violated their "courtesy" policy or some such named policy.

Before I came to Feds, I worked at DPS for 4 years, and I remember they had a 6 or 7-step violator process. It was so, ummm, robotic. But, the point was to instill to the troopers that they were to go through the steps in introducing themselves, stating why they pulled the person over, whether it was going to be a warning or ticket, etc.

I don't remember all the specific 6 or 7 steps, but y'all need to be watching for it, whenever it comes out and he is disciplined at the end of the investigation. Keep this in mind, LOL.

P.S. Troopers could also get written up, counseled for not having their Stetson on during the stop. Sometimes it was just stupid (JMO)...when you're working on the side of I-10 or I-40 in windy conditions, IMO it's unsafe for the trooper to be worried about his/her hat being blown off by wind or large trucks flying by, haha.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

American law enforcement is an example of bad policing. It's a classic police state mentality. Any serving and protecting that American cops ever did, ended over 40 years ago, when they became revenue agents for the government. The United States Department of Justice admitted as much when they released their Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department Report.

Well, I guess we are all free to believe what we want to believe.

My belief is that is very hard to read. Very. With such hard and fast distrust against LE in America, it shows no matter all the good LE can and does do, some will just look for the bad, apparently.

I try not to get too wrapped up in people's experiences, and therefore feelings and views, but dang...there are many good solid LE's and other first responders that are out there trying to make a good difference to their communities. We are having to fight the new trend of parents teaching their young children that police are the bad guys. We used to be the ones that children were taught to go if in need of help or safety.

Our community, earlier this year, got together and tried to do an educational opportunity for our citizens, specifically trying to focus on the younger generations. It was hosted by the NAACP, with speakers from local LE and churches and several lawyers (prosecuting and defense). The NAACP coordinated to have it on a Saturday morning at the largest high school, so we had a huge auditorium for the expected large crowd. This was in response to complaints after all the past LE vs AA issues in the past year. The whole purpose was, "What are your rights? And how to handle traffic stops and LE interactions."

Yep, what happened? A total of about 30 people showed up, of which about 12 were the presenters and hosts! A perfect opportunity to listen and ask questions, and go back to the neighborhoods and spread the info...and not that many even cared. Sigh.



I will remember this today as I go about our work: American law enforcement is an example of bad policing.
Hey, maybe I'll tell the entire office and we can elect to just go home, and the community will be better off!

 

[KateB]

Thread #3 is ready & open for posting. This thread will be closed in 15 minutes. Thanks.

TX - Sandra Bland, 28, found dead in jail cell, Waller County, 13 July 2015 #3