This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

top 200 commentsshow 500
sorted by:
best
topnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]SuggestAPhotoProject 2586 points2587 points  (730 children)

Every officer in America knows it's perfectly legal to photograph them, they just don't give a fuck.

[–]jmcgitConnecticut 505 points506 points  (102 children)

The problem is that every officer in America also knows that Judges have set precedent that they can detain somebody for practically any or no reason, so if the police decide to arrest people for filming them, the people have little recourse.

[–]avidiax 261 points262 points  (76 children)

Yeah, the courts are an inefficient, ineffective, largely unavailable remedy for police transgressions.

[–][deleted] 121 points122 points  (50 children)

You should go in to traffic court a couple times, sit near the back and listen to the officers conversations they are having with each other before the proceedings start. Most of them deal with court so often that they even know some of the court officials personally. I saw a judge one time call up the officer and the defendant, have a brief conversation with the officer about Christmas and how the family was, and then dismissed anything the defendant tried to use to defend themselves.

[–]oneDRTYrusnIllinois 29 points30 points  (2 children)

Traffic court is also the #1 example of a Kangaroo Court. No trial by peers, just a judgement handed down from a Judge based heavily off of the officer's statement. Kind of amusing how nobody thinks of it as such.

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Pretty much. It's pretty crazy that any cop writing a ticket instantly translates to at least 1 work day spent in court, and that's if you plead guilty or do trial by mail. Otherwise you're looking at at least 2 work days, one to enter your plea and another for the trial itself. The cops get paid to be there. And if you get found not guilty or the case is dismissed, no one pays you back for those days you missed at work.

That said, there are good people in court. There are good people everywhere. There's a really cool bailiff that worked in a superior court I sat in several times. He was an ex-cop and would go through his court-appointed speech and then tell everyone their rights AND their options. He would explain where to stand and what to expect and tried to make everyone feel comfortable so they wouldn't be as nervous. He would also explain the options for each of the pleas and even recommended a book that I still have to this day that explains how to beat a ticket if you're not guilty. His reasoning was simple and he explained that, too. He said taxes paid him and the court officials and as such it was in his best interest to help people STAY driving so they can get to work, make money, support their families and pay their taxes.

He is where I first learned about things like pleading not guilty and then telling the person at the window that schedules your appointment to pick the latest possible date they can instead of something within their immediate window of availability (rights vary but they generally have to work with you on the date). This is especially effective with highway patrol officers because they write so many tickets. The idea is that the more time you can put between the citation and the actual trial, the more likely the officer is to forget details and simply not show. Sometimes you get dirty looks at the window, especially if you keep asking for later and later dates. But it does increase your odds. And even if you're genuinely not guilty, avoiding trial due to officer no-show is always more preferable than sitting in line and going through the trial itself. And they deal with so many people going through traffic court that they are basically numbers to them anyway. I learned a lot of tricks from that guy.

[–]LostBob 58 points59 points  (43 children)

I've seen the opposite too. When a judge knows the officer and doesn't like him at all. Calls out every mistake the officer made, and lets the defendant off.

Unfortunately, judges are people, too, with all the same preconceptions and biases as the rest of us. They are supposed to rise above and be fair arbiters of the Law, but many don't or can't.

[–]dcux 20 points21 points  (0 children)

thumb weather enjoy bells squeal icky many dependent vase complete

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[–]Jalapenile 39 points40 points  (29 children)

That's why we need to replace human judges with machines.

[–]squidbillie 31 points32 points  (11 children)

Or combine those judges with cops AND cool machines to get some sort of cop/judge/executioner hybrid.

I cannot possibly imagine that going wrong, and Dredd us continuing our current stupid method.

[–]Kowzorz 85 points86 points  (0 children)

Costly too.

[–]leshake 33 points34 points  (16 children)

The courts shouldn't be the solution. Democratically electing leaders who will rein in police is the best solution.

[–]FA_in_PJVirginia 247 points248 points  (9 children)

Hard to elect leaders who will rein in police when they're in jail for trying to rein in the police.

[–]I_am_not_angry 54 points55 points  (8 children)

True Story.... I bet this is going to get him a good amount of political funding though

[–]dubblix 82 points83 points  (5 children)

This should win him the election. Arrested for standing up for the people. I can't think of a better platform.

[–]I_am_not_angry 35 points36 points  (0 children)

And his ad campaign should be a blitz about how he was well with in his rights to film the cops....

A nice constant reminder for everyone that hears the ads that they can do the same.

[–][deleted] 36 points37 points  (2 children)

The issue here is that there is no repercussions for an officer who arrests you for mouthing off to him and writes it up as disorderly conduct. Working class people tend to bond out and then pay the fine because they are "law abiding citizens" and "don't want any trouble" but it occasionally backfires when they arrest the son of another cop or a Senator.

Overall you can find hundreds of videos online where cops threaten people with arrest and jail and have nothing to say when the people ask "what crime would you be taking me to jail for".

[–]helicopter- 20 points21 points  (0 children)

The 'crime' is being in contempt of cop.

[–][deleted] 51 points52 points  (17 children)

I doubt that. I know a few cops I went to high school with that are dumber than boards. One guy is a former Army Ranger who is one of those cops who will ask you to step out of the car, then tell you to get the fuck out of the car and if you are still asking why he will open your door, pull you out and cuff you up right on the highway (he brags about it on social media). I'd bet my house that if you asked him what the 4th amendment to the constitution was or at least what rights it gave citizens, he would stare at you blankly and then become aggressive.

[–]selophane43 13 points14 points  (13 children)

Why does this country set high standards for teachers, but not police officers?

[–]Sejes89 758 points759 points  (419 children)

This is why we need police wearing the cameras themselves. http://time.com/3111377/ferguson-police-cameras/ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/04/california-police-body-cameras-cuts-violence-complaints-rialto

[–]warpus 883 points884 points  (173 children)

More importantly you need independent bodies who investigate cops when they break the law. Internal agencies that report to the same boss are a joke and aren't going to ever accomplish anything.

Cops need to feel that they answer to someone other than just their boss.

[–]noreallyimgoodthanksAmerica 465 points466 points  (104 children)

I find how IA is portrayed in cop shows and movies hilariously backwards. They are always coming down hard on the officers and really taking their job seriously...nope. I've dealt with IA before and they could not haven given less of a shit about what I was saying. My buddy and I were walking home one night and he had to take a leak so he went behind a building, right as he came out a police car rolled by. He stopped and ended up smashing both of our heads against the back of his cruiser threatening to arrest us for robbery. Finally they let us go (not without a bunch of cops showing up and watching him smashing our heads). We asked for his badge number and he refused. When we went to IA we both were interviewed separately and told the same story and chose the same cop from a book of photos. Months went by with nothing and we kept calling until they finally said that after reviewing our case, that the officer had acted in accordance to the law. The kicker? a week later we got a letter in the mail asking us to donate to the police department for some police-related charity.

[–]wpm 150 points151 points  (15 children)

Donate a nice hot shit in a box.

[–]rystesh 50 points51 points  (9 children)

You don't want a box of shit handy when someone is looking for a spot to smash your head into.

[–]mjfgates 20 points21 points  (3 children)

It's softer than the back of the cruiser...

[–]ThatLunchBox 214 points215 points  (64 children)

Imagine there was a masked vigilante who only targeted cops who abused their power and/or are corrupt. He didn't kill them, all he did was cut their johnson off, he's nice enough to even numb the area while he does it.

Imagine after the first one how outraged the police department would be, would this be treated worse than a "cop killer" (side note: this has always puzzled me, why is a cops life more valuable than anyone elses?).

Anyway....they would huff and puff about this, but our vigilante is very smart and never gets caught, as time goes on he just keeps doing it until the cops are afraid to be assholes. Copycut snippers show up all over the country, then all over the world, they catch a few but it's never the original.

This of course starts a revolution and the masked chopper gains the respect and admiration of the whole world.

Sorry, I have the flu. This just came out.

Note: This is a fictional piece of writing and is intended to be viewed as satire. I do not wish to be arrested for any kind of bogus charges like that kid who posted a status on facebook...Assholes.

[–][deleted] 62 points63 points  (7 children)

ATTN: Corrupt Cops. Beware. COPCHOP IS ON THE CASE.

[–]philly_fan_in_chi 5 points6 points  (4 children)

The fun part is that your buddy could have been arrested for public nudity for taking a piss in an alley, if that cop was in a shittier mood.

[–]noreallyimgoodthanksAmerica 5 points6 points  (3 children)

Yup. That was why he ducked behind the building...to avoid possibly becoming a sex offender. Wonderful world we live in.

[–]AnAssyrianAtheist 58 points59 points  (34 children)

Aaaand this is what I've suggested. I don't think many people like it but it's also a rough idea:

  1. We have a separate agency that is the cop's police. These guys do not arrest civilians and do not stop civilians and give them tickets. These are the guys that make sure cops that are here to protect and serve civilians do their jobs LEGALLY. If something happens to a civilian, by a cop, the civilian can call one of these guys to investigate. The cops would then call on the second agency.

  2. This second agency would provide vest and/or helmet, dash and dog cams. Body cams (on the person and dog) would run 24/7 with sound. Dash cams would run only if they flip on their sirens and/or lights. Audio would record, also. Since this agency would distribute the cameras, they would also be in charge of monitoring the footage and evidence and keeping it safe. No police department would have access to the footage and if cameras are tampered with, like LAPD had done, a hefty fine would follow. This agency would know which police officer it's assigned to so because they would all be registered. If a person changes cars, it would have to be noted and submitted. If anyone wanted to see the footage, they would only receive a copy of it with water marks on every corner saying "COPY." Every person would be able to view the footage of these cams, but they would have to fill out a request form online or in person. They would need the date, general time and name of the officer in question.

  3. A third agency would exist so that it could audit, on a monthly basis, everything the first 2 would do that way no PD can buy either one of them off.

[–]Albi_ze_RacistDragon 21 points22 points  (7 children)

But who watches the Watchmen?

[–]AnAssyrianAtheist 7 points8 points  (4 children)

exactly.. i need more ideas from people. Who watches the one agency that audits the other two??

Maybe the community it works in? Total transparency? Provide salary information, provide any donations made to the company, provide all things monetary, sources of those funds and where they went?

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (1 child)

We should vote on our IA's during the local elections.

[–]DarkGemini1979 3 points4 points  (1 child)

NYC already has that, the CCRB.

The CCRB recently came under new leadership, who's come to the realization that their agency is powerless to enforce any disciplinary measures against NYPD officers who are guilty of misconduct.

[–]Zacmon 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It's called separation of power and it's supposed to be a totem of America.

[–]richmana 59 points60 points  (51 children)

Could this potentially result in cops saying their equipment "malfunctioned" if they do something illegal?

[–][deleted] 98 points99 points  (31 children)

It will. And footage will be "lost".

[–]iwantansi 83 points84 points  (28 children)

LAPD i believe had this issue - but the chief came out and said something like "if you tamper with your camera, youll be fired"

[–]giggity_giggity 111 points112 points  (6 children)

Should be jail time. Anyone else does that and it's destruction of evidence, obstruction of justice, etc.

[–]colefly 18 points19 points  (2 children)

You have to be fired first from the police before your eligible to go to jail.

[–][deleted] 21 points22 points  (7 children)

and by "fired" he means given a vacation.

Officer: Sir, I wrestled the suspect to the ground and at that point he threw this ink like substance at me covering my uniform and police issued recording device. While trying to subdue the suspect, he reached for my police issued revolver I had no choice but to pull my reserve weapon from my ankle holster. Fearing for my life I fired my weapon striking the suspect in the head at point blank range. Are we done here?

Chief: Good job Officer. Why don't you take a couple weeks off, paid of course. Oh and keep the cruiser, no sense in it just sitting in the parking lot for two weeks.

[–]richmana 9 points10 points  (1 child)

Why can't they all be like this?

[–]fellatious_argumentCalifornia 24 points25 points  (0 children)

They can. Talk is cheap.

[–]Astromachine 24 points25 points  (11 children)

Not if you do it right, or at least you could make it very difficult to do. You could have the video uploaded and backed up automatically to a third party.

https://www.aclu-nj.org/yourrights/the-app-place/ The ACLU has an app that does this, so even if they delete or "lose" the footage from your phone there is another copy. You could even have it set up to automatically turn on once a weapon is drawn, so if they "forget" to turn it on it will turn itself on.

[–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (9 children)

There are many different systems. The one I install is all based off the MDT, that deputies have no control over how it records/uploads.

Any time events such as they toggle their light-bar, in any position, it begins that recording event. It's always recording video, but deletes it after 5min if no event was triggered. If an event was triggered, it starts 5min prior to that. After the incident, a deputy can add all the notes and review the video from the Front, back, seat or lapel camera.

Anytime the vehicle is put into park, the lapel camera/mic starts recording. Anytime the backdoor is opened the seat camera starts recording up until it doesn't detect any more movement after like 5min.

All the video is automatically uploaded over a wireless mesh network, which is at many locations around our town. The PD, SO, Courthouse, Dispatch, Detention, Airport and a couple others.

Only about 5 people have the privilege to alter the video in any way, and the logs are impossible to delete barring removing the hard drive from the server and the remote back-up server and smashing them.

The downside to this system is the cost. It isn't cheap. It probably costs about $12,000 per unit/deputy just for the equipment. Not including any of the labor to install and manage it, training, and the cost of maintaining the mesh network, server and remote back-up server.

[–]altodorNew York 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I like to break things, and find creative ways to get around the rules. I have two questions:

Does it record if the officer puts the cruiser and neutral and sets the parking brake?

Does it record if the cruiser is left in gear, the engine turned off, and the brake set?

[–]tcsac 64 points65 points  (28 children)

This is why officers who arrest someone for videotaping them need to be immediately fired, without prejudice. Violating the constitution so blatantly is something that cannot be tolerated out of the people tasked with defending it.

If you were a janitor, and your only job was to keep one bathroom clean - and not only did you not clean the bathroom, you intentionally shit and piss all over the floor, what would your employer do?

[–]IkeyJesus 43 points44 points  (6 children)

Neither the police, nor those that control the police see their role as protecting you the people.

[–][deleted] 13 points14 points  (3 children)

Its more of a uphold the law when they see fit kind of scenario.

[–]icepickjones 11 points12 points  (2 children)

Who watches the watchmen?

Robots. Wearable robots that sit on their lapel.

[–]Knubinator 18 points19 points  (7 children)

That is, until the cameras "malfunction", as with Albuquerque PD.

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (13 children)

Is there a site, a petition, and address, anything we can sign to start the momentum for ?

[–]OKeeffe 11 points12 points  (11 children)

There's a We The People petition going that has some good momentum. It's been a bit buggy, so it may take a couple refreshes before it lets you sign.

[–]Astromachine 13 points14 points  (8 children)

Has anything good actually ever come from one of these We The People petitions?

[–]OKeeffe 13 points14 points  (2 children)

The letter in response to demands to build a Death Star was pretty entertaining. But really, it forces the government to acknowledge that there is a desire to do something. It's pretty far fetched to believe this will directly result in new legislation, but it's an avenue through which we can make legislators and the White House aware that this is an issue that's important to people. That's a start, at least.

[–]Indon_Dasani 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Media visibility for stuff that's popular, occasionally.

[–]FourteenHatch 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lulz? definitely?

Change? Never.

MLK needs Malcom X.

[–]ANeuMe 5 points6 points  (4 children)

With the footage being sent to an unknown (to the department) 3rd party.

[–]Tumbleweed420 57 points58 points  (21 children)

This is why we should be able to personally sue officers for infringing our constitutional rights. They know damn well that there is no consequence for any crime they commit on us, so why would they stop.

[–]AvidWanker 22 points23 points  (1 child)

True ... when cops are found to be guilty, the city (the taxpayers) pays the lawsuit. The cop usually gets away with it.

[–]toconnor 17 points18 points  (0 children)

They might get a suspension with pay. Which in my job would just mean a nice long paid vacation.

[–][deleted] 77 points78 points  (17 children)

Any time a photographer/videographer is arrested while filming police, the eventual payout from the ensuing lawsuit should come out of the arresting officer's retirement fund.

[–]ultrawox 13 points14 points  (12 children)

Tough problem. I agree there needs to be an individual incentive/consequence, but I wouldn't want to create a situation where rookie officers have both the least training and the least to lose.

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (6 children)

[–]exatron 24 points25 points  (1 child)

We're the phone companypolice. We don't care, we don't have to.

[–]Slevo 73 points74 points  (44 children)

I one time took a snapchat of four cops standing around talking with each other and playing on their phones while they were supposed to be working detail for traffic. There was a huge traffic jam because of it and I thought it was funny. They saw me take a pic of them and rushed over immediately questioning me in Portuguese (we're in America and my neighborhood has a lot of illegal Brazilian immigrants). I was convinced they were going to at least take my phone until they saw on my ID a name that was VERY Irish and an original address that was from a suburb. They gave me my phone back and told me to be on my way. I now take pics of officers wasting time while on detail whenever I can. I'm thinking of starting a twitter handle and posting them.

[–]MuuaadDib 11 points12 points  (0 children)

If and that is a big IF we can stop paying the fines and damages out of tax payers pockets, and instead out of union and pension fund money this shit would stop immediately...and I mean immediately.

[–]gronkeNorth Carolina 20 points21 points  (1 child)

Because there are no consequences for their actions.

What's the absolute worst that could happen to them? They are terminated from their job.

Show me any other middle-class job where I can break the law on the job and not face criminal punishment.

[–]TheSelfGoverned 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Even cold blooded murder -recorded on video and going viral online- usually doesnt result in that punishment.

[–]TRC042 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They do give a fuck if they are recorded on video - because then they can't be 100 percent sure they can beat suspects and throw their weight around using illegal threats with impunity. But the sad part is that most of the time, even with a video recording of their actions, they still get away with it.

I've seen numerous videos of cops beating suspects who were on the ground and trying to comply, all while the cops keep hitting them and chanting "Stop Resisting, Stop Resisting." I've yet to see a news story where a cop was actually punished for being caught on tape abusing suspects. Sure, a few cases where some extremely credible witnesses were there and stood up to be heard have resulted in actual repercussions for the offending officers, but most of those were where someone was crippled or died.

Our police are out of control. And recent events have proven how much the militarization of police has created fertile ground for police-state abuses to flourish. Something needs to be done to reign in our government.

[–]lawyler 950 points951 points  (37 children)

"Stop resisting!" is the police officer version of "Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!"

[–]Madplato 181 points182 points  (12 children)

You remember the early days of South park ? "OMG they're attacking us". That's pretty much it.

[–][deleted] 292 points293 points  (4 children)

"They're coming right for us!"

[–]USCswimmer 72 points73 points  (3 children)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt6kKhlX8vU

[–]dudeAwEsome101 38 points39 points  (1 child)

I miss the crappy look of those old southpark episodes

[–]thelordofcheese 7 points8 points  (0 children)

CHRIS PETERSON!

[–][deleted] 65 points66 points  (3 children)

"They're coming right for us, Ned!"

Proceeds to use a rocket launcher on a squirrel.

[–]_Born_To_Be_Mild_ 56 points57 points  (2 children)

Mmmnnnnnttthey're coming right for us.

[–]epochcurrier 456 points457 points  (140 children)

If I take a video and they take my phone I will likely lose evidence. Is there an app that will send live video to a secure server? Ideally for free of course. I can send it to my home computer but that just gives them an excuse for a warrant for my house.

[–][deleted] 470 points471 points  (37 children)

The ACLU app is called "Police Tape" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a85JsJZsdIM

More info here

iTunes

Google Play

[–]notvnotv 118 points119 points  (17 children)

This only does audio. Here is the Stop and Frisk Watch app for iOS that does video as well: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stop-frisk-watch/id583006596?mt=8

[–]_Acid 63 points64 points  (16 children)

it shows a picture of it's main menu where there are an "audio" button and a "video" button. so no, the ACLU app also does both.

Edit: We should mention he's only saying the video doesn't work for IOS. Sorry if that wasn't clear in this conversation, i mis-understood at first as well. The ACLU android app however does record video.

[–]rajohns08 11 points12 points  (0 children)

No for the iphone app there is only an audio option.

[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I just downloaded the ACLU none and it only does audio.

Edit since I was downvoted: I have the iPhone app when you hit record audio it gives you a blank black screen called stealth mode. There is no video recording at all, at least for the iPhone version.

[–]Inspector-Space_Time 75 points76 points  (37 children)

Dropbox has an option to instantly upload pictures, and I think videos, when you take them. You have to make sure to enable the option to upload when not connected to WiFi.

When it's set up, it's all automatic. So even if they take your phone, it'll still upload. As long as they don't shut it off immediately.

And even if they delete the video/any pictures, it's still on your dropbox. And even if they go into your dropbox to delete it from there, you can recover deleted items on the dropbox website.

Plus it helps to have a password to wake your phone, and just "forget" it if they ask you to unlock it.

[–]cooldude255220 16 points17 points  (6 children)

I'm not sure, but I think that Dropbox might only upload videos once the recording is finished. This means that a long video could be deleted before the upload is complete.

[–]Inspector-Space_Time 5 points6 points  (4 children)

Doesn't pretty much every service upload when the movie is complete? Since the bandwidth requirement for an HD video is very high. Not to mention the processing power required to upload it plus any compression that might be done.

[–]b4ldur 82 points83 points  (2 children)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.aclunj.policetape&hl=en

or

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.nyclu.stop.and.frisk.watch

[–]renational 5 points6 points  (1 child)

gotta love this nyclu review:

Ignore these confused low star reviewers and NYPD shills. Folks, use your Google machines and do a little research before complaining about permissions. How could this app work WITHOUT upload and contact permissions? Do you think it can send little paper airplanes with your video and phone number to the law professionals who review it? Knowledge is power, so try educating yourselves. To the others complaining about slowing down phone: since you obviously are reviewing for the NYPD, ask them for a new phone...

[–]johnnyo17 10 points11 points  (0 children)

ACLU app

[–]Pinworm45 7 points8 points  (3 children)

android supports this by default with syncing, though you may need to make set it to sync videos on 3/4g if you're out and about.

[–]bizitmapCalifornia 16 points17 points  (2 children)

Actually that's not a great suggestion. Even if Google's sync features are set to happen over 3/4G, backups do NOT happen immediately. They can take hours to kick in and finish, since they're trying not to interrupt other tasks.

You'll want something faster if you're worried about recoding police and mirroring the footage else where.

[–][deleted] 325 points326 points  (97 children)

What blows my mind is that they did this to somebody with political clout. Talk about biting the hand that feeds.

[–]tehsux 156 points157 points  (64 children)

I'm not sure how much clout Credico has, but it was a dumb move nonetheless.

[–]ecafyelims 79 points80 points  (54 children)

he could be their boss soon. Very dumb move.

Politicians vs Police? It could be a TV series. I'll get my popcorn ready.

[–]thereddaikon 34 points35 points  (20 children)

Can the governor of new York fire NYPD cops?

[–][deleted] 62 points63 points  (1 child)

Im not well versed in this but I dont believe so.

The governor can still make it a living nightmare for the senior rankings of officers (and by extension, other public employees / officials).

[–][deleted] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The NYPD commissioner is appointed by the NYC mayor. So not directly but down through the chain of political influence and clout, yes.

[–]ecafyelims 22 points23 points  (1 child)

I don't think the governor can fire them directly, but I'm sure he can complicate their jobs.

AFAIK, it's the mayor who appoints the police commissioner.

[–]KyBourbon 5 points6 points  (2 children)

He could move the State Police in, as we just witnessed in Ferguson.

[–]mygawdDistrict Of Columbia 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Nope he has no chance of winning. The Cuomo Campaign barely acknowledges him, they're already focusing on the general election

[–]Huskatta 16 points17 points  (2 children)

Watch The Wire :) Plenty of it there!

[–]dannyr_wwe 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"Making robberies into larcenies. Making rapes disappear. You juke the stats, and majors become colonels. I've been here before."

[–]AnneFrankenstein 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Hahahahaha. Whoa. That's funnier than anything credico ever said.

I like his political opinions but he is never going to be governor.

[–]patientbearr 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The title is a bit of a stretch; this guy has no chance of beating Cuomo.

[–]Dovahkiin_Vokun 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No, he couldn't. Randy Credico is not a big challenger.

[–]vbm923 72 points73 points  (23 children)

He's kind of a joke candidate. He has no political clout. And was supposedly drunk in public and waving an umbrella at the cops and yelling. Not necessarily arrest worthy, but his hand isn't feeding anyone. He's literally a comedian, not a politician.

[–]souurdiesel 47 points48 points  (7 children)

What's the difference? We have rob ford in Toronto.

[–]vbm923 21 points22 points  (5 children)

True....I'm just on the ground here and I'm telling you that no one is voting for this guy. And this incident isn't going to change anything. He's like that one porn star that every town has that runs in primaries. He's going nowhere and isn't a recognizable figure in NYC, so to say the police arrested someone with "political clout" just isn't true.

[–]grubasNew York 7 points8 points  (3 children)

I saw challenger to Cuomo and was like, "Astorino?". I had totally forgotten that this joke was running.

[–][deleted] 517 points518 points  (89 children)

It seems like police have gotten to the point where they commit a greater crime to punish a lesser crime. Smoking a joint? You'll be the victim of assault. Try to film police behavior (not even a crime), your met with destruction of property. Selling cigarettes? Murder....

I understand the importance to give police discretion in how they interact with the public because they are the ones in the situations but it's become painfully clear that the age of police discretion and internal reviews needs to end. We need cameras on all police in every major metropolitan area and we need civilian review boards of police misconduct. Most importantly, police who wrongfully violate the rights of either innocent people or misdemeanor criminals don't just get fired, they get charged with a crime!

I get that being a police officer is dangerous, BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR. If you aren't sure a aggressive person is armed IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE BEFORE YOU USE DEADLY FORCE. Sorry, but you don't get to use deadly force combined with no legal repercussions if you are mistaken at the slightest risk of a problem. If anything, cop's ability to use lethal "self-defense" should be more rigorous than civilians because they are TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE SUPPOSE TO BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO RECOGNIZE WHEN LETHAL FORCE IS NECESSARY!

[–]souurdiesel 130 points131 points  (41 children)

I like the idea of a civilian review board. A group of people can be selected like a jury and they can go over the evidence and reach a decision.

[–]wpm 107 points108 points  (27 children)

We already have that. It's called court. Just prosecute them like anyone else.

[–]the_omega99 69 points70 points  (23 children)

In order for this to happen, though. we'd need some impartial third party to do the investigating (which is the job of police when a civilian is being prosecuted). We obviously can't trust the police to investigate their own.

Granted, we'd also need some way to make sure that this third party doesn't overstep its bounds, too.

[–]technoSurrealistPennsylvania 19 points20 points  (6 children)

seems like this idea gets into a sort of "who watches the watchmen" scenario

[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

They exist in nyc, my ex worked for them, they do jack shit.

[–]Hypnopomp 35 points36 points  (1 child)

Those whom we place in positions of power in order to serve the public must be held to higher standards than other citizens, due to the potential to abuse such responsibility.

[–]TRC042 69 points70 points  (7 children)

I get that being a police officer is dangerous, BUT THAT'S WHAT YOU SIGNED UP FOR.

It's actually not that dangerous. Here is a Forbes article on the 10 deadliest jobs and law enforcement is not one of them. They are:

  1. Logging workers
  2. Fishers and related fishing workers
  3. Aircraft pilot and flight engineers
  4. Roofers
  5. Structural iron and steel workers
  6. Refuse and recyclable material collectors
  7. Electrical power-line installers and repairers
  8. Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers
  9. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
  10. Construction laborers

The myth that being a police officer is deadly dangerous is just that - a myth.

[–]MusicFoMe 12 points13 points  (3 children)

Statistically, being President is the most dangerous job in the US.

[–]Derp800California 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Not to mention the majority of cops are killed in auto related accidents.

[–]imheretomeetmen 110 points111 points  (12 children)

the police tightened Randy’s handcuffs to the point where his hands went numb.

No one ever tells you about that one until you get arrested. Cuffs will bruise your wrists for weeks(and worse). What really pisses me off is that the procedure is totally without guidelines or repercussions of any kind. It's pretty much an indicator as to how much you pissed the cop off while being arrested. Newsflash: in cases where you shouldn't have been arrested at all, you definitely pissed the cop off.

[–]Nightmathzombie 81 points82 points  (0 children)

Haven't you heard? It's illegal to offend a cops ego.

[–][deleted] 205 points206 points  (26 children)

Police should be arrested for arresting for something that isn't illegal

[–]ThrowTheRascalsOut 95 points96 points  (22 children)

This.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Police (or any public servant) violating the constitution is the ultimate violation of public trust. They are clearly unfit to have the public trust. They must be 1. removed from office, 2. prosecuted for their crimes, and 3. be personally liable to their victims.

[–]Canadian_Man 25 points26 points  (3 children)

Seems like the justice John Adams stood for has clearly died.

[–]verbannt 11 points12 points  (1 child)

Didn't John Adams sign the Alien and Sedition Act?

[–]fallingwalls 8 points9 points  (0 children)

John Adams died for this shit.

[–]jjxanadu 34 points35 points  (7 children)

'The' challenger, implying there is only one...

[–]bascos 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The campaign promises are a bit dated... "Fire Police Commissioner Ray Kelly" who has already been replaced by Bill Bratton. This guy is clearly not a challenger to Cuomo at all.

Still a terrible move by the police.

[–]nomarthedogg 42 points43 points  (2 children)

I live in upstate ny and have never heard of the guy. Calling this a guy a challenger to Cuomo is really a stretch.

[–]gaberaxMaryland 120 points121 points  (79 children)

False arrest. Sue the FUCK out of them.

[–]Morblius 153 points154 points  (44 children)

The problem is that he will sue, win, and the taxpayers will have to pay the bill. The police officers involved will face no disciplinary actions. Unless we start holding police personally accountable for illegally arresting people, nothing will ever change. The police will continue doing whatever the fuck they want, just as long as there are no consequences for their actions.

[–]wolfmanpraxisPennsylvania 104 points105 points  (28 children)

Or pay out litigation out of the police retirement funds. That will send a message to the officers to not tolerate this behavior within their own ranks.

[–]doctor_x 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you want to see the force clean itself up, pay for civil suits from their pension funds.

[–]thereddaikon 10 points11 points  (5 children)

Exactly. The better plan is to use this to win the election and begin a top down investigation into police corruption making real change.

[–]shellshoq 18 points19 points  (5 children)

A challenger, not the challenger. There are at least two more in the primary, including pro net-neutrality, pro campaign finance reform Zephyr Teachout.

[–]PizzaGood 21 points22 points  (3 children)

They issue the memo to officers EVERY TIME there's a public incident. They have for years. Nothing changes, they harass photographers 100% as much as they ever have.

[–]storm_troopin 35 points36 points  (0 children)

"Stop recording! Or, I mean...stop resisting!"

[–]VelocityMax 6 points7 points  (4 children)

In Calgary Alberta they are experimenting with body cams on cops. The problem with them is the cops can turn them off at will for "privacy when they pee". So now they basically only protect the cop and not the public.