Army officer sues Virginia police over violent traffic stop

I live in Australia

A couple of years ago an officer pulled over a speeding vehicle outside of Longreach QLD and pulled his gun

He was fined $1,500

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02...ned-1500-pulling-gun-couple-longreach/8258904

Our police do NOT pull a gun unless there is a clear and present danger

 

And it's okay for a cop to tell someone they should be afraid? Is that what a professional? should be saying to a citizen who's only crime if any is hesitating to exit his car because he fears for his life? After that ****** comment from the cop maybe he had every right to be afraid to exit the car.

 

This ain't Australia and yes our officers pull their guns with they have a reasonable suspicion or cannot clearly discern if there is not one. Having your windows heavily tented so they cannot see into it can lead them to such conclusion.

As I said in my previous, if you want to deal with police in that manner go ahead, I won't and will go home that night with at worst a ticket.

 

Thanks so much for posting that. It gives me comfort to know this monster will actually feel the backdraft of his stupidity. I'm usually the forgiving type but this case boils my blood. It is just beyond ridiculous.

P.S. Not to be cliche` thank you for your service. I don't take my freedom for granted and appreciate all you men and women that provide that for me and my loved ones.

 

As I said, go ahead and act like this guy whenever the police pull over, argue with them, refuse their lawful orders, make it a Mexican standoff. I OTH will cooperate and follow their orders and then be on my way.

 

He had not committed a crime and had men with guns giving conflicting commands. He was likely afraid for his safety. Police officers are concerned about their safety and rightly so. But do they (or you) ever consider that citizens also have a right to be concerned for their safety, i.e., with respect to being beaten, tazed, pepper sprayed, shot, or falsely arrested? You act like we live in a world where these things never happen. Possibly the man referenced his military service because he did not want to be profiled as a thug. BTW, police commit crimes and they are not above the law.

Knowing Southern VA like I do I have to wonder if the cops considered this black man to be "uppity" -- a term that used to be common in the South.

 

You’re describing a sheep, not a free American. It’s sad we have to bow to public servants to avoid them killing us. And over what? His temporary plate location? Lmao

 

Let's hope not. The man is a liability and a future lawsuit ready to happen if ever put back in police work.

 

Because he was black?

 

I second this.

 

Perhaps you would have expectations of what police call "professional courtesy"? How does that work? Is there some sort of "Courtesy Card" one hands out?

 

There are no Southern Dems anymore.

Respect is earned.
No matter who you are or what you're position is.

 

In this hick town the cops are the ones generating the town's revenue by their fake traffic tickets. If the town reduces the police force they reduce the town's revenue. The State is in on the act too. Knowing the hick town uses police for revenue, the State of VA passed a law that they get a percentage of the revenue from the Speed Trap tickets.

 

Why do you keep ignoring that the one cop is fired? Is that not an indicator he did something wrong?

 

Maybe he will get JAC legal assistance suing the former Cop.

 

I don't think they would represent him in a private matter such as this, this is civilian.

 

Cops are fired in a heart beat these days.

As I said you go ahead and act like this guy did the next time the police stop, I give up. Me I will do quite the opposite.

 

A real conservative does not believe in surrendering rights. Generally speaking it is the advocates of big government that want to surrender rights.

 

They couldn't see into the vehicle because it was so heavily tented so NO ONE COULD SEE IN until after they had stopped and were already approaching and then he rolled down his window. So what does his being black have to do with anything?
It was STUPID on his part. How did he know that they weren't on a BOLO for a car that his fit the description? That is was a black person in it and they had just murdered someone? He doesn't know that, you would know that if they stopped you because you matched a description. So you don't sit there and argue with the police.

But I give up you go ahead and act like this guy when the police stop you for something, argue, try to debate it, refuse to follow their commands. Me I'll do the opposite and cooperate and be on my merry way.

 

Once he rolled down the window and saw he was black, their entire conduct didn't act like a normal traffic stop.

Every time I've been pulled over the 1st question the officer asks is, do you know why I pulled you over?
None have ever told me to exit the vehicle as the 1st set of words spoken.

 

Absolutely!! And this is the bottom line

Civil servant does not equal civil master

 

You're welcome.

My father was a Chicago cop until he retired. I am a former LEO. My brother served in Afghanistan and my sister is a suburban cop. I was severely abused growing up and the cops wouldn't help us because they always gave our father a pass. An uncle was a Chicago cop (detective) who regularly beat his pregnant girlfriends. He is an awful human being. Just despicable and the world would be better off when he's gone.

I was hit by a drunk driver going 70 miles per hour so my time on the force was short but I witnessed many incidents like this one. Looking back, that drunk driver spared me from having to look the other way while cops abused their power against civilians and supervisors covered it up. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I had done that so getting injured was probably the best thing to happen.

Several years ago, I went through a messy divorce and my ex called the cops on me at least 40 times. I was never arrested but a few cops were a bit like the one in this incident - hell bent on abusing authority. And, like most of them, they got away with it because the other cops and some paramedics lied about what happened. I will carry the scars the rest of my life.

I tell police officers "thank you" whenever I see them. I also add in "Be careful out there." I have respect for most police officers and I'm always cordial (even to the bullies). I agree that a few bad apples spoil the bunch and I'm glad we now have cop cams so the bad ones can be culled from the roster. It's going to take some time but I'm hopeful we can get to a point where people aren't being abused and gunned down by the very people who are hired to "serve and protect".

 

If the QLD police can manage traffic stops without this form of escalation then why can’t American police?