Cops force a couple out of their home, abuse 'em, essentially for no good reason
I study government and police abuse, overreactions and overreach. And this one's pretty outrageous: It happened way back in 2011, when George Booosh was president, so...oh wait--Bush had already been gone for over 2 years so I guess liberals can't blame him. But I'm sure Democrats will find a way to blame this on him anyway.
I suspect the only reason you're hearing about this old event now is that the couple that was rousted, terrified, forced out of their homes by the cops and ultimately arrested for no legitimate crime have sued. I'd wish them a huge settlement but it wouldn't bother the cops a bit because they don't pay those costs. Instead the costs of settlement or award are paid by the taxpayers of that city or town. The cops get off without a lick of punishment. Pretty cool for them, sucks for the rest of us.
You really should click on the link. Summary: Cops responded to a domestic violence call at a residence. Seeking a tactical outpost, they sought to set up in the house next door, owned by the Mitchells. But that couple didn't want to get involved. They told the cops they weren't leaving their house, nor did they want the police to enter their house.
The cops apparently considered this intolerable, and their internal notes showed that they devised a strategy to get what they wanted by any means: "If Mitchell answered the door he would be asked to leave. If he refused he would be arrested for obstructing a police officer. If Mitchell refused to answer the door, forced entry would be made and he would be arrested."
Nice.
That's what happened, plus a whole lot more.
Now I fully understand--and with sympathy--that *under emergency conditions* bad decisions are often made. This doesn't seem to fall under the "emergency" category. The city needs to make clear to all its officers that Constitution doesn't allow them to force a law-abiding resident out of his home *unless* there's a life-threatening emergency. If the cops can't operate under those rules they need to seek other employment. Period.
I suspect the only reason you're hearing about this old event now is that the couple that was rousted, terrified, forced out of their homes by the cops and ultimately arrested for no legitimate crime have sued. I'd wish them a huge settlement but it wouldn't bother the cops a bit because they don't pay those costs. Instead the costs of settlement or award are paid by the taxpayers of that city or town. The cops get off without a lick of punishment. Pretty cool for them, sucks for the rest of us.
You really should click on the link. Summary: Cops responded to a domestic violence call at a residence. Seeking a tactical outpost, they sought to set up in the house next door, owned by the Mitchells. But that couple didn't want to get involved. They told the cops they weren't leaving their house, nor did they want the police to enter their house.
The cops apparently considered this intolerable, and their internal notes showed that they devised a strategy to get what they wanted by any means: "If Mitchell answered the door he would be asked to leave. If he refused he would be arrested for obstructing a police officer. If Mitchell refused to answer the door, forced entry would be made and he would be arrested."
Nice.
That's what happened, plus a whole lot more.
Now I fully understand--and with sympathy--that *under emergency conditions* bad decisions are often made. This doesn't seem to fall under the "emergency" category. The city needs to make clear to all its officers that Constitution doesn't allow them to force a law-abiding resident out of his home *unless* there's a life-threatening emergency. If the cops can't operate under those rules they need to seek other employment. Period.
posted by SF at
7:31 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home