Oklahoma Police Arrest Data Shows Racial Discrepancies

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Tulsa police arrested, stopped, searched and used force against blacks at a rate disproportionate to their population during seven months when data was collected by the city under a federal consent decree, according to an analysis by the Tulsa World.

Blacks also were slightly more likely than other races to get a citation during that time, which spans from May 14 to Dec. 31, 2004.

The city compiled the data as required as part of a 2002 settlement to a federal racial discrimination lawsuit filed by black police officers.

Louis Bullock, the plaintiffs' attorney, called the figures ''disturbing.''

Beaten victim reacts to police abuse

One of the victims of a police beating caught on store surveillance video reacts today to punishments handed down by Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks.

The chief fired two officers and suspended three others for using excessive force.

But victim Jason McCollum believes if those cops were not caught on tape, they would not have been punished.

"The guy that kicked me, the 28 day suspension that seems about right. The other guys, some of those guys tased me 4 or 5 times while I'm in handcuffs. I mean, how do you ever make it on the force a person like that. If that happened to me, I'm sure there are people in jail right now that happened to and got a trip to jail over."

Witnesses Allege Police Brutality In Teen Arrest

SALINAS, Calif. -- Witnesses who saw a 16-year-old Salinas teen subdued by sheriff's deputies with Taser guns Wednesday evening are making allegations of police brutality.

Witness Linda Hobson said law enforcement overreacted.

"I thought they didn't need to use the amount of force they used," Hobson said. "I didn't think the kid was endangering anybody, and he looked like they could've stopped him without using the Taser (gun) or without hitting him."

The teen spent the night in a local hospital. His attorney said he has been badly bruised, has cuts on his face and Taser burns on his back.

Interview with host of Bad Cop! No Donut!

Skidmark Bob interviews Ron Anicich Bad Cop no Donut before Media attack from Police Cheif Julian Fantino saying Bad cop no donut promotes hatred of the police. Ron talks about the show and support from CKLN it will be intresting to see how this develops.

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COPS HATE FREE SPEECH

Toronto police Chief Julian Fantino is pressuring Ryerson University to ban a program on its campus radio station that airs negative stories about police.

Bad Cop, No Donut! on CKLN 88.1 FM focuses on "stories about police abuse that happen throughout North America each week, taken mostly from local newspapers,'' said Ron Anicich, the show's volunteer radio host, producer and self-described anarchist.

FBI Bombshell in Police Abuse Case

Jacksboro, Campbell County (WVLT) - Five former Campbell County lawmen are expected to cop a plea.

As Volunteer TV's Lee Merrit reports, the center of the case against them: a tape recording of their alleged beating of a drug suspect.

The tape remains in the Assistant US District Attorney's Office, but part of a 59 page FBI transcript of what it contains is now public.

Detective David Webber is accused of threatening Siler, saying “we're going to take every dime you have today and if we don't walk out of here with every piece of dope you got and every dime you got, your ass is not going to make it to jail."

Later, the transcript reads Detective Franklin threatening Siler to cooperate, saying "I’m gonna take this slapjack, and I’m gonna start working that head over, you understand?"

Man with heart ailment dies after being shocked with Taser

HOUSTON - A 52-year-old psychiatric patient who had a heart ailment died after Harris County constables shocked him with a stun gun.

Chief Deputy J-C Mosier says the two constables went to the man's mother's home yesterday to serve a mental health commitment warrant.

Mosier says the deputies used the Taser after the man resisted their efforts to take him away.

Police fear civilian taser popularity

RANDOLPH COUNTY, Ind. - Winchester Police said taser guns are an effective weapon, a weapon they don't want to see in the hands of the public. The department has had the taser guns for about a year.

"The tasers can definitely be dangerous if they get in the wrong hands" Officer Traci Tucker of the Winchester Police, said.

$250G bail set for cop in child-sex case

Suspended New York City Detective Brian C. Tuitt was ordered held on $250,000 bail by a Yonkers judge yesterday after he was arraigned on charges alleging he sexually assaulted two 11-year-old Pennsylvania girls in the Royal Regency Hotel on Tuckahoe Road earlier this month.

Tuitt, 38, of Pine Island, N.Y., will probably not be able to post the bail, according to Peter Brill, an attorney with the New York City Detectives Endowment Association, who is representing him.

And he will probably be held on suicide watch at the Westchester County jail in Valhalla.

"All of a sudden, his whole world has crashed down below his ears," Brill said of the 18-year police veteran, who was arrested Wednesday afternoon in his Orange County home by detectives with Yonkers' Child Abuse Squad.

Taser incident costs assistant chief 3 days

EULESS - An assistant police chief was suspended Friday for three days without pay for accidentally zapping a city employee with a Taser earlier this month.

Assistant Police Chief Bob Freeman will probably serve the suspension next week, said Betsy Boyett, a city spokeswoman.

The suspension came Friday after the completion of an internal affairs investigation of the Feb. 2 incident at the Euless police detention center.

cop arrested in rape case

ST. PAUL - Prosecutors are preparing to charge a Minneapolis police officer arrested in a rape case.

David Hansen is behind bars in the Ramsey County jail. He will likely be charged with kidnapping and rape charges on Friday.

The officer was arrested at his home Wednesday, said Paul Schnell, a spokesman for the St. Paul Police Department. He has not been charged but was being held on probable cause kidnapping and probable cause first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Hansen is accused, while off-duty, of attacking the woman Friday afternoon after asking her for a ride to his car as she left an athletic club in Highland Park. The woman said the assailant told her he had a gun, forced her to drive to her home and raped her.

Bad Cop, No Donut!: February 17/2005

Download (28:06 minutes)

This week:

One third of Waterford, NJ, cops now fired

FBI probes Plum, PA, cops

Oakland police fail to keep "riders" settlement promises

Former Iowa cop get life in prison for selling crack

Indiana cop fired

Tennessee cop fired

New stun gun deaths

Orange County Sheriff accused of cover-up in shooting by off-duty Homeland Security officer

Alberta police chief fired

Toronto police union boss arrested again

The aftermath of LAPD shooting of a 13 year-old

Chicago police kill 14 year-old

Ten more counts of obstruction for Mississippi officer accused of stealing cash from Latino drivers

and much, much more!

This week's show also features a special report from WBAI's Fred Nguyen about a recent police killing in Newark, New Jersey.

Email comments and story ideas to ihatepigs@hotmail.com

Lake City officer arrested on drug charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A Lake City police officer has been charged after authorities say he helped drug dealers in the area.

William Webb, 40, of Olanta was arrested Tuesday without incident, officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigation said.

Webb, a police officer since 1991, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute powder cocaine and crack cocaine, officials said.

Webb was arrested after a joint investigation of the FBI, the State Law Enforcement Division, the Florence County sheriff's office and the Lake City Police Department into allegations of public corruption in Lake City.

Houston police DNA test found inaccurate

HOUSTON, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- An independent lab has determined DNA tests used to send a Houston man to prison for murder were inaccurate.

The case of Robert Lee Wallace is the second in which the DNA work of the Houston Police crime lab has been completely discredited, the Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday.

The DNA section of the Houston Crime lab was closed down two years ago when questions arose about testing.

Universal Under Fire After Disabled Man Shot With Taser Gun

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A 45-year disabled man is considering possible legal action against Universal Studios Orlando after he was shot to the ground by an off-duty Orlando police officer patrolling the theme park, according to an exclusive Problem Solvers investigation.

In 2004, Christopher Traub and family went to Universal Studio's Halloween Horror Nights as part of a family reunion.

Traub, who had both of his ankles crushed in an elevator accident in the '80s, said during his visit to the theme park, he was abused by police and shot with a Taser gun, according to the report.

"I just couldn't believe what happened," Traub said. "I was like, one minute we were at a park and happy, and the next minute, I'm on the floor and I hit my head."


An off-duty Orlando police officer working security at the theme park literally blew Traub off his feet, Local 6 News reported.

"He pulled out his Taser gun and shot me," Traub said. "I was 4 feet away from him on the other side of the ropes."

Tom Luka, who is representing Traub in a possible legal case against Universal Studios, said his client was just trying to reason with the officer to keep his son from being kicked out of the theme park before he was shot with the Taser gun.


"He used brutal force against a man who could not even defend himself," Luka said. "He (Traub) posed absolutely no threat to this officer. This officer turned around, pulled his Taser and shot him once in the chest."

Traub was thrown into a beverage stand and cut his head, nose and eye, according to Luka. He was reportedly refused any medical treatment, Local 6 News reported.

"When you go to a theme park, there might be a danger severe force may be used against you or your family." Luka said.

Orlando police say the officer in this case has not been disciplined and even though he was "off-duty," by law, he is still authorized to use his Taser gun.

Universal Studios says they often hire police to patrol the park and have no plans to change their policy to prevent off-duty officers from using Taser guns against other Universal customers, according to the report.

Brutality

WROC-TV - For the second time in two months, a formal complaint has been lodged against an East Rochester police officer. It's by women who claim the cop used excessive force against them.

The most recent claim alleges the officer used a stun gun on a woman four times...after she was already subdued.

"Part of bringing these claims forward is to see if this is a coincidence, or this is a pattern"

THE POLICE KILLING OF RASHID FUQUAN MOORE

FOUR DAYS AGO, AN UNARMED 13-YEAR OLD BLACK TEEN-AGER WAS SHOT DEAD BY THE POLICE IN LOS ANGELES, PROMPTING MAYOR JAMES HAHN TO URGE THE LAPD TO REVISE ITS POLICIES REGARDING SHOOTING AT MOVING VEHICLES. YERSTERDAY, THE PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATION FOR PROGRESS CALLED FOR A MARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR RASHEED FUQUAN MOORE, WHO WAS KILLED IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, BY NEWARK POLICE OFFICER THOMAS RUANE, RIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 24. WBAI FRED NGUYEN WAS AT THE PROTEST AND FILED THIS REPORT:

Download audio (4:10 minutes)

Canton officer indicted on extortion charges

CANTON, Miss. - A Canton police officer has been indicted on 10 counts of extortion for allegedly pressuring Hispanic motorists to give him money during traffic stops.

Officer Roger Thomas is accused of taking the cash between March 1, 2003, and Jan. 25, 2004, according to the indictment made public this week. Thomas, a lieutenant, resigned after his arrest last month on one count of extortion. He now faces the additional counts of extortion, with each count carrying up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

"We believe the reason he picked on the Hispanic community is the fact they were very frightened of being in a new country and not able to speak the language very well, and they were somewhat use to this being the way that law officers treated people when they were in Mexico," Clark said.

Bad Cop, No Donut!: February 10/2005

Download (19 minutes)

This week:

DA wont charge LA cop who beat man with a flashlight on TV

Ontario man sues cops for $5 million

Florida Sheriff implicated in crime stat scandal

Female NYPD officer ordered to do laundry for superiors files lawsuit

Trial begins for New York cops who vandalized a homeless community at 4am

White South Carolina cop charged with beating three black men

Wisconsin cop pleads not guilty to 22 sex abuse charges

Mississippi town running out of cops after three recent arrests

Pennsylvania town sees one-quarter of police force suspended for misconduct

Manitoba cops kill First Nations youth

LA cops kill 13 year-old "gangster"

and, sadly, much more.

Email comments and story ideas to ihatepigs@hotmail.com

Protests Follow Police Shooting of Unarmed Boy

Angry residents today protested the police shooting of an unarmed boy in South Los Angeles on Sunday morning after police said the 13-year-old auto theft suspect backed his car toward an officer.

The boy was identified as Devin Brown, coroner's spokesman David Campbell said today. Police did not identify the officer involved in the shooting, which occurred shortly before 4 a.m. at West 83rd Street and South Western Avenue.

LAPD internal affairs has begun its investigation into whether the officer's actions were in line with department policy. Police said that the officer fired 10 shots into the car. Deputy Chief Michael Berkow said the suspect was not armed.

The slaying occurred nearly a year after LAPD officers fatally shot another fleeing motorist as he backed his car toward police at the end of a widely televised, 90-minute chase. That incident, which occurred near Santa Monica High School, prompted Police Chief William J. Bratton to announce in March that the department should place new restrictions on officers' ability to fire at moving vehicles.

Cop's Taser puts boy in cardiac arrest

A 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after police used a stun gun to subdue him, authorities said Tuesday.

He did not have a weapon and was not believed to be under the influence of drugs, Harris said. By the time police arrived, the boy had calmed down, Harris claimed. Still, he refused treatment for a severe cut to his hand, which was bleeding.

"It was my understanding he was just sitting there,'' Harris said. "But he didn't want anybody to touch him.''

Fort Wayne Police forgo Tasers in face of health risks

The Fort Wayne Police Department has decided not to supply officers with Tasers.

Police Chief Rusty York said Tuesday he wants more independent data about the hazards of using Tasers on people who are using drugs or those who have heart conditions.

Officer Indicted By Grand Jury for On Duty Assault and Battery

YORK, S.C. -- The State Law Enforcement Division says a former veteran Rock Hill police officer was arrested Monday after a grand jury indicted him on charges of beating three men while on duty.

Former Lieutenant Derek Williams has been charged with three counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Newport Police Officer Indicted On Assault Charge

NEWPORT, R.I. -- A Newport police officer has been indicted for an alleged off-duty assault that happened last October.

Maurice Sellers, 28, was indicted Tuesday by a state grand jury. He's scheduled to be arraigned in Newport County Superior Court on Feb. 24 on a misdemeanor assault charge.

Bad Cop, No Donut!: February 3/2005

Download 21MB (1 hour)

This week:

Georgia cop who fatally shot man with stun gun placed on leave for killing dog

Ohio man killed by police taser

Detroit cop kills pedestrian in drunken car crash

Arizona cop beats up a 16 year-old

New Hampshire cops in St Patrick's Day brawls

Iowa police chief gets 10 years for sex-for-freedom extortion

New Jersey cops gets 7 years for attempted sexual assault of a 14 year-old

Washington cop found guilty of raping a 12 year old

Louisiana cop found guilty of rape

and much more incredibly unpleasant stuff!

This program also features an interview with Terry Miles, who worked for years to expose the crimes of Whitehall, Wisconsin police officer Daniel Wineski. In November Wineski was sent to prison for seven years for forcing a 14 year-old girl to perform a sex act on him in his squad car in 1996.

Email comments and story ideas to ihatepigs@hotmail.com

Investigation urged into death at jail

The Lucas County jail corrections administrator plans to recommend today that the sheriff's internal affairs bureau investigate the death of a central Toledo man who was shocked nine separate times with a Taser.

Jeffrey Turner, 41, died Monday after he was shocked with two different Taser models, which distribute 50,000 volts of electricity for five seconds to subdue a person.

City police jolted him five times after he refused to identify himself and didn't comply with police instructions. He was arrested about 6 p.m. after police were sent to the Toledo Museum of Art to investigate a suspicious person standing in the street.

Top cop at O'Hare tied to scandal

Chicago Police Cmdr. Michael Acosta consoled police widows at their worst moments.

He also helped his drinking buddy, who stole $4 million in tollway money, and a mob bookie, federal prosecutors allege in a criminal complaint.

The startling contrast came to light Wednesday as prosecutors charged Acosta -- most recently the top cop at O'Hare Airport -- with lying in October to FBI agents investigating the Hired Truck scandal. He is the 17th person charged in the investigation.

Mom Of Teen Shot With Police Taser Disappointed In MPD

MADISON, Wis. -- Madison's police chief is defending an officer's use of a Taser gun on a 15-year-old Memorial High School student and says officers will continue to use Tasers.

Officer Tim Harder arrested Dalarence Goodwin, 15, at Memorial last month on a warrant that turned out to be a mistake.

Exactly who do the police work for? Who do they answer to?