[kirk]

Read the article and see the video. I’m curious to see what other members think.
http://www.ktsm.com/news/city-employee-police-officer-beat-me

[eon]

Well, based on that report it’s hard to think the officer involved is anything other than a complete asshole who should be fired immediately. I try to be understanding of the work they have to do. I’m sure they spend all day cleaning up after the dregs of society, but there comes a point where enough is enough and they should clean house rather than trying to protect their own. Here in Seattle there have been way too many similar cases recently and each time the officers are cleared or get a slap on the wrist.

Being from the UK I have to say I was shocked when I first came to the States to see the attitude of cops. There is a huge, huge difference in attitude. In the UK for the most part it is people doing a job, I never got the feeling there was a general attitude of being above the law or us versus them. There will always be bad individuals but not this culture of the cops being above the law. Almost the opposite in fact. The higher rank officers are held to a high standard and any charges of DUI could be career ending after a public flogging.

In NJ, and I still find this hard to believe, the cops hand out PBA cards to their family and friends and if you get pulled over you hand over the card and you are let off with a warning. My friend was delighted when he got a family PBA card from his new brother in law. This card he got to keep if pulled over, it wasn’t a one time deal like the other cards. It staggers me that everyone knew about this practice and acted as if it was normal and not a huge red flag. To me it was simple corruption and they couldn’t even be bothered to hide it.

So this video above I don’t find surprising at all.

[kirk]

I couldn’t agree more. Right now the story is raising red flags about the behaviour of our local constabulary. The officer in the video is been called a thug and other less glamours terms. In addition to this incident, other people are coming forward with similar stories of abuse.
I’ve seen the video over and over and I have seen nothing that would warrant his actions. His life or the life of others was never in any danger. I’m not sure if this was in this report, but the officer later admits that he was angry because when the biker crashed into his new cruiser, the bike damaged the cruiser. Of course he denies that he hit the biker multiple times while on the floor. A later report goes on to say that there was minimal action taken against the officer.
Perhaps we should import police officers from the UK? Based on eons description it seems they are more professional.

[eon]

“Perhaps we should import police officers from the UK? Based on eons description it seems they are more professional.”

Well I don’t know if I would go that far, there are plenty of idiots in the UK police as well. It’s just that they are held accountable by the public much more than they are here. I cannot explain why they get away with the shit they do here. Videos like the one above are not uncommon, there were two or three similar stories in the news here in quick succession. Huge public outcry but nothing seems to change. As an outsider it’s something that truly baffles me.

[Author]

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