skycop

I seriously doubt there will be a plea in this, during trial the actual facts come out. There will be no chanting crowds and political grandstanding, at least inside the courtroom (hopefully). "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

I know it's taken a while, but Bill, you're finally coming around........... "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Political motivation perhaps? "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Feigning knowledge, but knowing zero about implementation. IMHO all the prosecutors office had to do was lead, they decided to go the "social justice" route. Much like our current POTUS in regards to police matters. The leadership in Baltimore has failed, I think we'd all agree on that. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Not at all, What I am saying is when the cops back off, bad things happen. Proactive police work prevents crime, it's that simple. The Ferguson situation was based on a lie, the narrative simply wasn't true, the facts didn't matter. Put that with the Baltimore prosecutor burning a bridge with the police she has to prosecute cases with, you are looking a recipe for crime to spike significantly, and it has. We've enjoyed historically low crime rates for the last 15yrs, that is going to change at least for the short term. I've been in numerous situations where if someone videoed the interaction, it would have looked bad, but was 100% right. No cop wants the 24 hour news cycle to fall on his head, Ferguson showed you can be right, and they still come down. You've never heard me defend police misconduct, nor will I. This is going to be a mess at trial, my WAG is several of the officers will walk, one or two will get convicted of some type of manslaughter. Most likely the van driver and the supervisor at the scene. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

More platitudes, coming from you, that's surprising........... Take one look at the current crime rate in Baltimore, then argue facts. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Not having him buckled in COULD be criminal negligence. Hitting the brakes, turning sharply ON PURPOSE would be murder (maybe), that's what he's charged with. The prosecutor made a huge mistake charging "up" on this, once the actual facts come out, they will matter. Unlike the media reports. But then again, in all these situations, the facts didn't matter to the media. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

The point I've been making all along, the most as far as criminal charges go would be whatever Maryland has for criminal negligence. Even that would be shaky. When trial comes around, and facts actually matter, most of these officers are going to walk. Policy violations can be used for disciplinary actions, and civil liability. Does it rise to criminal negligence? I guess we'll see, my guess is it will not. Unless the van driver did something intentional, and they can PROVE it. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/freddie-gray/bs-md-ci-freddie-gray-autopsy-20150623-story.html#page=1 This should make for some interesting twists and turns........ "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

I thought smart guys like you understand nuances. But it's guys like me that are literal right? "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

I've dealt with the AP, not very impressed. I hate to break this to you, but most media outlets lean to the left. And no I'm not an exclusive Fox News viewer, most of the people I know and deal with in the media are registered democrats and lean left. I'm friends with several. Sometimes the truth hurts................ "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

How tough things CAN get when it gets stupid busy. Hours and hours of mundane tasks interrupted by moments of stress and suffering. My favorite answer from police critics. This answer comes when they don't want to acknowledge just how incredibly difficult police work can be. The people who use this argument would never have the temperament or fortitude to do the job of a cop. Speaking of getting paid, I've managed to work out a pretty decent living doing this. My extended family are all college educated professionals, my living is on par with most of them. It's been a tortoise and the hare thing, I kept chugging along, now I do pretty decent. I was able to have a pretty successful military career as well. When I turn 60 I should be set, never rich, but certainly not poor. Don't worry, you got your tax dollars worth. Did I ever complain about my employer? This was your leap to answer a situation you don't understand or could never handle. I did not have a mask to fit an infant, I did what I had to do, I'd do it again. I have to admit, I've experienced more support for LEO's the last 6 months or so, since after 9/11. These are people from all walks of life and races. I've had my meals picked up on several occasions, people coming up and thanking me for what we do, and expressing support during difficult times. The only detractors who threw up the rash of media fueled incidents were people with warrants and one that was harboring a fugitive. Go figure Speaks volumes doesn't it............... Now if you'll excuse me, I have to set up some evil military surplus equipment to light a school fundraiser/festival. The "militarization" saved the school some money renting equipment, although the generator/light towers are still painted that scary green................... "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Great post, thanks for sharing! "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Wow, That's the best you can do? We weren't short handed, we were just exceptionally busy. That's the way real life works some times, especially in police work. One of the kids involved with the guy in the woods, grew up, then shot and killed someone during a street robbery. The thing was I actually kind of liked the kid, I even paid his Boys and Girls Club membership out of my pocket. However, he was screwed by his environment. That is another stressor in police work, you see kids grow up that really have no chance. Most of the time it's through very little fault of their own. You can try to help them, but you hardly ever actually see the good outcomes, but you surely see the bad ones. All these things are cumulative, and after a while they take a toll. People are quick to condemn cops, but most have no idea what they see on a regular basis. The guy in Texas actually admits he was over the top in his response. He was actually there, as I've always said unless I was there, I'll withhold judging based on media accounts. Well the guy who was there said he fucked up, so he fucked up. However there were other people there that supported his actions, others that didn't. It's the totality of the circumstances. In this environment good cops are going to start leaving in droves, guys who would make good cops are not going to apply, and crime rates are going to rise. We used to joke that if people actually saw what really happened on the streets, they would be appalled. I mean the completely justified stuff, there is no nice way to fight someone, no nice way to control chaos when chaos reigns. I've been in fights where if someone had video it would have looked REALLY bad, but was 100% justified. I started wearing a body camera in 2009 for this very reason. I've always policed as if I was being recorded. When things go bad, they go REAL bad with scenarios unimaginable to the general public. If we raised taxes and hired a bunch more guys, the same crowd would be screaming "police state". It's a never ending cycle, but those who make the most noise are the most closed minded and ill-informed. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Unfortunately in the course of trying to save that infants life, I was a bit task saturated to worry about potential OSHA violations. I simply didn't have time to decontaminate, I wasn't just involved in the situations, I was leading them. All three would have been fatal, had it not been for the actions of my guys. There were also other things going on as well, and other emergency runs backing up. What the fuck was I going to do, I was the one who ran into the house, with a mother yelling "save my baby". I didn't have a one way mask at the time, this was just a bit time critical. MMMMkkkkk............... "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Cops don't have that luxury, due to manpower or the type of calls. Believe me, I been there. Two examples I can think of; I went from giving an infant CPR, the infant threw up in my mouth during the process, the infant died. To talking to a bridge jumper for 30mins, sneaking up on him, then wrestling him to the ground (he tried to take me with him). To another suicidal guy who OD'd on pills who locked himself in his house, we had to force entry with family members to go get him out. All these were back to back to back, the last two were conducted while I had dead infant puke in my mouth, over the course of several hours. I didn't have time to rinse my mouth out or any time to decompress. Finally, when we got to the hospital with the last suicidal guy, I told the nurses what was up and I needed some mouthwash. They REALLY saw what my stress level was, took me to a nice cool room, and let me decompress for a while. I was supervising the shift, I didn't have the luxury of being able to take anytime between calls. Another time I chased a child molester (he would see street kids using trails through the woods to get to K-Mart he would pay them $5 to pee in his mouth, to these kids, 5 bucks was a lot of money). I chased him about 1/2 a mile, caught him, took him to the station. As I was putting him in the holding cell, a guy started shooting up a liquor store a block away. I got there as the last shot was fired, it turned a SWAT call out lasting several hours. It was resolved and I had to come back and deal with the child molester. Needless to say, I wasn't in the best mood to deal with child molesters. These are two examples that just popped into my head, there are several more. We don't have the luxury of saying, "I can't respond, I know you're getting your ass kicked, but I'm taking a stress break"...... I'm just one guy, in a medium sized town. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Some Chiefs of Police are politicians, some can take pressure, some can't, some have no balls. Before the flaming starts, there is a very reasonable argument for him to be acting that way. A bit over the top, sure, MAYBE. Much depends on his previous service history. But for a chief to make comments like this, before the entire situation is looked into and taken in it's totality, reeks of political pressure and having no spine. Would disciplinary action be warranted? Not sure, depends on what their policies are, and this officers previous history. For all the Monday morning quarterbacks out there, the first thing needed in a situation like that is control. Most of the time gaining control ain't easy and certainly not pretty, especially dealing with a bunch of teenagers (regardless of race) running around, not listening, and fighting. Once control was gained, the guy seemed to chill out, that's the way it works, like it or not. Unless you've had the 24 hour news cycle come crashing down on your head, don't fault the guy for resigning, especially when his own administration threw him under the bus. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Yes, quite factual information, you are very objective and trustworthy. Only Reich Wing conservatives would resort to name calling. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

I'm a gun enthusiast as well, I was speaking in a broader sense, as it relates to threats faced. It's very different where I live, open carry for the most part is no big deal. In the country it's very common, you can also carry a loaded weapon in your glove box, as long as it has an enclosure with a latch. It's always been that way. The CCDW process is fairly easy and relatively hassle free. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

"Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

I knew that would ruffle some feathers............ But I stand by what I said, they were harder to find and seldom used. I bought a Norinco "Farmers Friend" SKS in 1990. He stated 1965, from then to the mid-80's there was not the proliferation there is now. The mid-80's saw an increase in tactical teams and tactical training. Partly as a response to an increased weapons capability of our adversaries. Bad guys in the 30's were using Tommy-guns and BAR's. So was law enforcement, but again, those were the "good old days"............... I never said I was against it did I? That would be an assumption on your part. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

It's called a sense of humor, you should try it, it's fun. I've actually had it put in my performance evaluation, "deals with adversity by using humor"........... Stop throwing sand, it's not nice........... And "we" are the ones who sound angry. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

A delicate little flower, aren't you? "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

Some Major cities had SWAT Teams that early, LAPD was one of the first. However tactics and training were still being developed. Watch Hill Street Blues and look at Howard the SWAT commander, he is an example (not a real one, but the stereotype) of SWAT of the era. I doubt the MOVE situation was SWAT driven, if so then I'm sure there was a change in leadership. LAPD is the father of the modern SWAT Team, along with training and tactics. Pre-Sept. 11 LAPD did extensive training with the military for MOUT scenarios. With all the recent real world MOUT missions there is a lot less networking. To use your term, "get off my lawn" with the SWAT stuff, I started my tactical career in 1989. SWAT tactics have changed since then as well, much less isolate and contain, Columbine changed that. With that said, it's my understanding they gave this guy 20 hrs. That is a LONG time for an armed stand-off. Everything in a several block area essentially stops, that is extremely disruptive to a community. It was property damage, no hostages or bad guys were hurt. But in the current internet/media driven police bashing environment, people are now saying property damage is too much. This was an armed gunman who took hostages, if they'd have done this for a raid, then I'd agree. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"

If I remember it was only supposed to be a limited run of 8 shows. I was in high school when it was on, I loved AIRPLANE, this was a spin off by the Zucker Bros. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!"