When I was growing up I was taught that the police were the “good guys”. In recent years I have realized that this was a naive interpretation of events. Cases of police brutality and misconduct are cropping up all over the net. Posted below are a few select videos of “America’s Finest” in action.
The following video should be very disturbing to all viewers. In this video we can see BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) officer Johannes Mehserle shoot an unarmed Oscar Grant in the back. When I first saw this footage it made my stomach turn.
This case did go to trial and On July 8, 2010, the jury returned its verdict: Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Involuntary manslaughter ladies and gentleman. I am no lawyer but this video clearly depicts a murder if I ever saw one.
In this video a Sacramento man John Campagne had his head slammed into a wall after he had already been immobilized by deputies. Immediately after being released from jail Mr. Campagne had to go to the straight to the hospital.
Sheriff John McGinness had this to say about the incident “an officer has been put in a position where he has to take control of a combative, argumentative, unpleasant drunk.” I have heard a lot of excuses in my time but this is clearly an instance where the deputies in question simply lost control. Although they were clearly in control of their suspect it is obvious that they had little or no control over their own anger. The deputy that committed this violent act was “disciplined” and is still at large as a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy.
This next story hurts my heart. 86-year-old Lona Varner was Tazed twice by El Reno, Oklahoma police. This is wrong on so many levels. Apparently the police said that the octogenarian woman was brandishing a knife and threatening them. Even if this is true the woman is 86 years old and disabled to boot!
Posted at the following link is a offical report of this incident. http://www.scribd.com/doc/33557136/Dallas-Org-El-Reno-Police-Report-on-Lona-Varner I find most of this document to be far-fetched. I do not believe that an 86-year-old woman on oxygen tanks would pose any significant threat to anyone. Grandson Lonnie Tinsley pleaded with police saying “don’t taze my granny”. Amazingly the police thought she was a physical threat however no criminal charges were filed.
This next video is extremely brutal. Streamwood, Il police officer James Mandarino is seen beating an unarmed motorist Ronald Bell. The victim of this assault was struck 15 times with a night stick after he had already placed his hands behind his head and was clearly cooperating.
This story does have a happy ending of sorts. Former officer James Mandarino was fired and will face charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct. Fitting that someone who loves using a club on other people found himself getting the axe.
With all of this police brutality today why would anyone want to trust the police? Do any of you have any police horror stories? We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to share your opinions and experiences by leaving a comment.
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