Cops misbehaving in the US

oslooskar said:
A tie? I’m not sure what we were debating, Olivia, as my point was about clarity and consistency—not a matter of differing opinions. But if calling it a tie helps you move forward, I’m happy to let you have that.
Click to expand...
You're welcome to put me on ignore.
 

Ruthanne said:
I believe there are still plenty of good cops no matter what anyone says. Yes there are a handful of problematic cops, too but let's not get on the hates cops bandwagon
Click to expand...
Are they really "good" if they tolerate corruption?

There is clear and convincing proof of police corruption starting from training and on to the job, and despite some not participating in corruption and abuse they do tolerate and enable those illegal and unconstitutional behaviors which they are sworn to protect.
 
Last edited:
‘This is personal’: Marine veteran reacts to judgment on federal loophole police used to seize his cash

A Nevada judge ruled that state police can't use a federal loophole to seize people's property, as highway patrol did when officers seized a Marine Corps veteran's life savings.

"The fight is not over," plaintiff Stephen Lara told Fox News Digital. "You have a lot of other people out there that are continuing to go through this unfortunate civil asset forfeiture process. Stories that we're not even hearing about in other states."

Lara's story began in February 2021 when he was driving from Texas to California to visit his daughters. He had about an hour left in his journey when an officer with the Nevada Highway Patrol pulled him over, accusing Lara of following a semi-truck too closely and driving under the speed limit, body camera video shows.


The officer asked Lara to get out of his car and casually asked him about his shirt, his daughters and, finally, whether he had any "large amounts of United States currency in the vehicle," video shows.

Lara said he was traveling with cash.

"I don’t trust banks, so I keep my own money," he said. He let officers search his car, where they found $87,000 in a plastic bag, along with bank receipts and paystubs.

Officers had a dog sniff the money and told Lara that the dog "alerted" to the money, suggesting it was tied to drugs. They seized his money and handed it over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) using civil asset forfeiture, which allows the government to seize and keep property it alleges is connected to criminal activity, even if police don't arrest anyone.

Lara was never charged with a crime.

The DEA lauds forfeiture as a means to "attack the financial structure of drug trafficking and money laundering groups worldwide, from the lowly courier carrying cash or drugs to the top levels of drug cartels."

Nevada is one of many states with limitations on civil forfeiture, requiring clear and convincing evidence that property is connected to a crime for it to be forfeited to the government.

But a program called "equitable sharing" allows state and local law enforcement to partner with federal agencies on forfeitures and sidestep restrictions. After federal officials seize the property, they can return up to 80% of the proceeds to the state agency.

"That being incentivized so that that department or that agency can gain assets or gain more revenue, to me, that's dirty," Lara said. "That's absolutely disgusting."

With the help of the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit civil liberties law firm, Lara eventually got his money back, but he has continued to sue for damages and to stop police from being able to take other peoples' cash.

Nevada Second Judicial District Judge Connie J. Steinheimer ruled earlier this month that the state legislature has "not explicitly permitted NHP to utilize the federal process for forfeiture — which has less rigorous standards."

"NHP cannot undermine this bedrock policy and effectively circumvent Nevada’s civil asset forfeiture statutes by electing to participate in the federal equitable sharing program," Steinheimer wrote.

A spokesperson for NHP did not respond to a request for comment. The Institute for Justice expects the state to push back on the ruling.

Lara said he believes there won't be real change "until qualified immunity goes away." That's the doctrine that often shields police and other government agencies from being sued for violating people's rights.

"Taxpayers are paying these lawsuits," Lara said. "There's no accountability. And until these officers and until these departments are penalized directly … there's not going to be any incentive to stop."
 
^^^I was aware of Lara's case and had watched the full video starting w the pretrextural traffic stop, the cops taking full advantage of this man, and the ****ery leading up to the "theft" by the cops.

I'm happy to see that the wheels of justice are turning in this case and I hope he wins big $$$.

 
This idea of asset forfeiture based on "suspicion" violates the principle of innocent until proven guilty. I don't see how the courts can ever allow such a thing. And this whole idea that if you are carry a large amount of cash immediately puts you under suspicion always bothers me a lot. It seems to me to be part of our governments efforts to force us into a cashless society.
 
CAF is a way to fund local departments and the incentive of "free money and property" is another reason to trample our rights as citizens, like they actually needed more incentive to trample our constitutionally protected freedoms, which they already do with impunity.

Case in point:


2nd case were Sgt. schools the ignorant cop. Go to 20:00 to see the lesson.

 
Last edited:
Trade said:
‘This is personal’: Marine veteran reacts to judgment on federal loophole police used to seize his cash

A Nevada judge ruled that state police can't use a federal loophole to seize people's property, as highway patrol did when officers seized a Marine Corps veteran's life savings.

"The fight is not over," plaintiff Stephen Lara told Fox News Digital. "You have a lot of other people out there that are continuing to go through this unfortunate civil asset forfeiture process. Stories that we're not even hearing about in other states."

Lara's story began in February 2021 when he was driving from Texas to California to visit his daughters. He had about an hour left in his journey when an officer with the Nevada Highway Patrol pulled him over, accusing Lara of following a semi-truck too closely and driving under the speed limit, body camera video shows.


The officer asked Lara to get out of his car and casually asked him about his shirt, his daughters and, finally, whether he had any "large amounts of United States currency in the vehicle," video shows.

Lara said he was traveling with cash.

"I don’t trust banks, so I keep my own money," he said. He let officers search his car, where they found $87,000 in a plastic bag, along with bank receipts and paystubs.

Officers had a dog sniff the money and told Lara that the dog "alerted" to the money, suggesting it was tied to drugs. They seized his money and handed it over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) using civil asset forfeiture, which allows the government to seize and keep property it alleges is connected to criminal activity, even if police don't arrest anyone.

Lara was never charged with a crime.

The DEA lauds forfeiture as a means to "attack the financial structure of drug trafficking and money laundering groups worldwide, from the lowly courier carrying cash or drugs to the top levels of drug cartels."

Nevada is one of many states with limitations on civil forfeiture, requiring clear and convincing evidence that property is connected to a crime for it to be forfeited to the government.

But a program called "equitable sharing" allows state and local law enforcement to partner with federal agencies on forfeitures and sidestep restrictions. After federal officials seize the property, they can return up to 80% of the proceeds to the state agency.

"That being incentivized so that that department or that agency can gain assets or gain more revenue, to me, that's dirty," Lara said. "That's absolutely disgusting."

With the help of the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit civil liberties law firm, Lara eventually got his money back, but he has continued to sue for damages and to stop police from being able to take other peoples' cash.

Nevada Second Judicial District Judge Connie J. Steinheimer ruled earlier this month that the state legislature has "not explicitly permitted NHP to utilize the federal process for forfeiture — which has less rigorous standards."

"NHP cannot undermine this bedrock policy and effectively circumvent Nevada’s civil asset forfeiture statutes by electing to participate in the federal equitable sharing program," Steinheimer wrote.

A spokesperson for NHP did not respond to a request for comment. The Institute for Justice expects the state to push back on the ruling.

Lara said he believes there won't be real change "until qualified immunity goes away." That's the doctrine that often shields police and other government agencies from being sued for violating people's rights.

"Taxpayers are paying these lawsuits," Lara said. "There's no accountability. And until these officers and until these departments are penalized directly … there's not going to be any incentive to stop."
Click to expand...
He "doesn't trust banks?" :rolleyes:
 
Trade said:
I don't. I only use credit Unions. One that I have been with for 30 years and another for almost 50 years.

And I don't trust cops at all.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've been using credit unions since the '90s, and I'm not impressed with them. A few years ago, I reported that some of their form pages weren't secure! I mean, that's the bare minimum security a website should have, and this was a credit union asking for person information!

Banks might be even worse, but they're like Fort Knox compared to carrying money in a plastic bag! Was this guy some kind of "sovereign citizen" or something?

I don't trust cops, either, which sucks considering what's in store for the people of the U.S. in the near future.
 
HermitHogan said:
Yeah, I've been using credit unions since the '90s, and I'm not impressed with them. A few years ago, I reported that some of their form pages weren't secure! I mean, that's the bare minimum security a website should have, and this was a credit union asking for person information!

Banks might be even worse, but they're like Fort Knox compared to carrying money in a plastic bag! Was this guy some kind of "sovereign citizen" or something?

I don't trust cops, either, which sucks considering what's in store for the people of the U.S. in the near future.
Click to expand...
IMO, he wasn't too smart for carrying that kinda dough, but no not a SC. He was counting on a being able to enjoy the freedoms all US citizens are blessed with, but unfortunately encountered some that seek to benefit by abridging those freedoms and abuse the public.
 
A crime family implodes, son follows his criminal father's footsteps:

NYT - "A Long Island [New York] state trooper hailed as a hero last fall was charged on Monday with staging a shooting that set off a manhunt for a nonexistent suspect, according to Nassau County prosecutors.

Thomas J. Mascia, 27, had told authorities that a gunman had shot him in the leg during a traffic stop, according to a criminal complaint — a report that shut down a major road and terrified the public, prosecutors said. Investigators later discovered that Mr. Mascia had actually shot himself, prosecutors said. He was charged with falsifying evidence and lying to law enforcement.

In the West Hempstead home that Mr. Mascia shared with his parents, officers discovered a Smith & Wesson semiautomatic rifle with illegal modifications, according to the criminal complaints. His parents, Dorothy R. Mascia, 55, and Thomas Mascia, 62, were charged with possession of a firearm, a felony, prosecutors said. The rifle was not connected to the charges against Mr. Mascia.

The senior Mr. Mascia, a former New York City police officer, is a felon who is not allowed to carry a gun, according to prosecutors and public records. Mr. Mascia — who was charged in 1992 for illegally buying and selling cocaine in a corruption scandal that led to sweeping police reforms — was fired in 1993 after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute the drugs."


You can't make this stuff up.
 
Bad behaviour by police needs to be dealt with in a public way. below is a link to unacceptable behaviour of a senior officer towards a junior in my state of New South Wales (Australia)

He was given what I would regard as a slap on the wrist but not demoted. He was just warned and transferred.

Edit - Actually, I just heard that he wasn't even issued with a warning.

Outrage at NSW Police response to complaint against sergeant
 
Last edited:
Trade said:
This idea of asset forfeiture based on "suspicion" violates the principle of innocent until proven guilty. I don't see how the courts can ever allow such a thing. And this whole idea that if you are carry a large amount of cash immediately puts you under suspicion always bothers me a lot. It seems to me to be part of our governments efforts to force us into a cashless society.
Click to expand...
I think anyone who carries that kind of cash is either stupid or doing something illegal.
 
againstthegrain said:
A crime family implodes, son follows his criminal father's footsteps:

NYT - "A Long Island [New York] state trooper hailed as a hero last fall was charged on Monday with staging a shooting that set off a manhunt for a nonexistent suspect, according to Nassau County prosecutors.

Thomas J. Mascia, 27, had told authorities that a gunman had shot him in the leg during a traffic stop, according to a criminal complaint — a report that shut down a major road and terrified the public, prosecutors said. Investigators later discovered that Mr. Mascia had actually shot himself, prosecutors said. He was charged with falsifying evidence and lying to law enforcement.

In the West Hempstead home that Mr. Mascia shared with his parents, officers discovered a Smith & Wesson semiautomatic rifle with illegal modifications, according to the criminal complaints. His parents, Dorothy R. Mascia, 55, and Thomas Mascia, 62, were charged with possession of a firearm, a felony, prosecutors said. The rifle was not connected to the charges against Mr. Mascia.

The senior Mr. Mascia, a former New York City police officer, is a felon who is not allowed to carry a gun, according to prosecutors and public records. Mr. Mascia — who was charged in 1992 for illegally buying and selling cocaine in a corruption scandal that led to sweeping police reforms — was fired in 1993 after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute the drugs."


You can't make this stuff up.
Click to expand...
Why do you hate law enforcement? You pull up random incidents and hammer cops repeatedly. Why? Would like to know.
 
I live in a CCL state and know the laws of self-defense and obey its stated citizens' rights.

Many in today's society have not been raised with the peaceful outlook.
Cop says I need to cuff you , you are under arrest. go peacefully, STFU 7
An call an attorney. Might those not resist with great gusto.

Sure its easy to say 3 or 4 Leo are trying to cuff em. I know a couple of friends
Shooting their mouths off and beat with Billy clubs and a weekend at a
Hospital getting stitched up. They laughed about their drunken stupid
ways. They didn't do it again that a way. Thankful for them to.

Needlessly there are many who resist arrest and it is a beating they's a gonna get.
Sure some end up getting shot 2, especially by LEO ordered to do their jobs.

Many peaceful people just can't understand the kind of harm a Violent resistor might
do to others in a few seconds. They only understand force, beating the crap out of
others in their way. Call it football / Ice hocky / Bully / brain dead types.

Take for instance large shopping parking lots and all the 1 persons you see sitting in vehicles.
Sometimes they sit there for many minutes / 1/2 hour or longer. It is getting more frequent here.
Yep you look down the line and there are LEO sitting in Squads too. & ya get a feeling
that avoiding large parking lots could be a good thing?
 
Last edited:
My son has been a police officer 8 years now. He wanted to be a police man from the age of about 4. Once he got into it, the disillusionment stage set in. He was surprised by the lying people, lying to his face when all he is doing is trying to help people, and get the the bottom of a problem, sort it all out and let everyone go about their day.

He hasn't had to pull a gun and use it in the entire time he has been an officer, except he had to shoot a pit bull that was attacking him. He said he felt "horrible" he had to shoot a dog.

The majority of police officers are just there to try to help people, to keep order, and peace, protect others and property from crime. They want to go home alive and safe; make a living just like the rest of us.

There are bad people in every profession of course, but how many will lay their life on the line to protect when need be?

When you rag on police, you rag on them ALL, it causes even the good ones to be disheartened and want to stop policing because they don't get a sense of being appreciated.

Hate does nothing for anyone.
 
Warrigal said:
Bad behaviour by police needs to be dealt with in a public way. below is a link to unacceptable behaviour of a senior officer towards a junior in my state of New South Wales (Australia)

He was given what I would regard as a slap on the wrist but not demoted. He was just warned and transferred.

Outrage at NSW Police response to complaint against sergeant
Click to expand...
That's pretty sick, yet well tolerated. by those charged w upholding laws.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top