Very bad police encounter in Canton Ohio

[BKVic]

Ive been listening to Micheal for about a year now and met him at this years NRA convention in Pitt. I lurk in the forums every now and then but have never really had a reason to post. Id like to share a few links with you all about a bad stop that was recorded on a dash cam by the Canton Police in June 2011. More info can be found on the OFCC website.

BKVic


http://www.ohioccwforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=53994&start=270

[Solus]

Beat me to the post, BKVic......

Ohio law requires a CCH (Concealed Carry, Handgun) permit to"promptly" inform any Officer of the Law with whom they come in contact that they are armed.

I was cautioned in class that the best way to do that is not to loudly proclaim "I've got a gun" when the officer comes close.

I have had 3 occasions where I needed to let an officer know the situation.  Each time I said   "Officer, I have a CCH permit and I am required by law to inform you that I am carrying a weapon".   I have never had any problems and once I felt that I may have been given preferential treatment.  I was pulled over for 50 in a 35 mph zone and was let off with a warning.  I also had an NRA license plate and a FOP bumper sticker.  The other two occasions where both minor traffic incidents where I was lightly rear ended and the officer arrived on the scene while we were looking at our bumpers. 

I feel that one of the most dangerous situations for a police officer is a "routine" traffic stop and I know they are trained to do what it takes to take "command" of the encounter.  However, the police need to be aware that their actions in that regard can prevent a citizen from complying with the law.

I tend to think that this officer was a bit angry and embarrassed that he allowed an armed "subject" to remain unattended for as long as he did and decided to blame the citizen and take his anger out upon him.  The fact that the officers were able to walk about, illegally search the car and otherwise go about their business with no threat from the CCH holder plainly demonstrates he had no illegal intent. 

Folks in Ohio have been working hard to have their carry laws "fixed" since it was passed.  One requirement that was eliminated was that of having your weapon in plain sight when in a vehicle.  Not only did it require additional and unnecessary handling of a loaded weapon in cramped positions, it was not clear when you were in or out of the vehicle...was one foot in and one foot out when you had to switch?  Could you hide the weapon while still seated just be for getting out?  Did you need to expose your weapon outside the car just before entering?  Perhaps the biggest flaw in the law is that it applied to motorcycles.  There were numerous calls of "Man With a Gun" and ON A MOTORCYCLE!!!   before this portion of the law was rewritten.

[Hazcat]

The victim tried several times to state that he was armed but the officer kept shouting him down.  Later in the tape officer says he should have 'executed' the victim.  This officer does not need fired he needs a felony conviction and prison time!

[tt11758]

There is so much wrong with this "encounter", I don't know where to begin.

As most of you know, I am a former LEO, and am appalled at the content of this video.

First, where was the probable cause necessary for the officer to search the rear seat on this vehicle? 

Second, why the HELL did he he conduct a search with a subject still in the car?  Much as I hate to say it, if he had gotten shot during this search he'd have had it coming.

Third, the video clearly showed the driver attempting to inform Officer Dickhead that he had a permit.  Officer Dickhead, however, seemed way too busy throwing his weight around to be bothered.


AT THE VERY LEAST, the officer who conducted the search of the car's rear seat should revisit the Police Academy (Special Education Division) before he is allowed back on the street.  His tactics will one day get him (and possibly somebody else) seriously hurt or killed.

AT THE VERY LEAST, Officer Dickhead should be forced to undergo Anger Management Training, and upon successful completion, be relieved of his badge, weapon, and any other symbol of authority.  After that, he should be given a good, old-fashioned ass kicking, just on general principles. This walking, talking rectum is a disgrace to the uniform, and should be unemployed TODAY, before he has the opportunity to seriously hurt or kill somebody.  Sadly, the man is a ticking time bomb, and it's less a matter of if, than of when.

These guys are among the minority that give a bad name to all the good, hard-working men and women who are out there trying to protect and serve, and as a former LEO, their reprehensible, badge-heavy behavior royally pisses me off.

[tombogan03884]

AT THE VERY LEAST, the officer who conducted the search of the car's rear seat should revisit the Police Academy (Special Education Division) before he is allowed back on the street.  His tactics will one day get him (and possibly somebody else) seriously hurt or killed.

Blue "hockey helmets" ?

[Sponsor]

[Badgersmilk]

I knew three cops in three different Michigan cities well enough that we had dinner together a few times.  All three told me the same thing almost verbatim (as though its what they're taught).  "If your in a shi#y mood, and you think your going to do something you might get in trouble for just turn off the blue lights!  When you turn off the lights, the dash camera turns off."  Followed by a big sh!t eating grin.

Anyone wanna give odds this will become a training video for cops to "turn off the blue lights"?



 

[Solus]

I knew three cops in three different Michigan cities well enough that we had dinner together a few times.  All three told me the same thing almost verbatim (as though its what they're taught).  "If your in a shi#y mood, and you think your going to do something you might get in trouble for just turn off the blue lights!  When you turn off the lights, the dash camera turns off."  Followed by a big sh!t eating grin.

Anyone wanna give odds this will become a training video for cops to "turn off the blue lights"?

It is very discouraging to hear that attitude might be common among LEOs.

For some time now I've seen a "bad side" to law enforcement.  I've seen incidents where officers will issue a citation to an innocent civilian to cover for an intoxicated off duty officer in a traffic accident and other examples of this type of behavior.

I don't watch any of the "COP" shows any more because that attitude becomes evident.  Even watching a officer run down a fleeing suspect after that suspect assaulted and robbed someone, the officer clearly expresses the belief that the real wrong done was that the bad guy tried to get away rather than his actual offense.

Yeah..I do know the police have a tough job and that it can take a real toll on one's outlook and perception of others, in addition to the real risks involved, but their "Us against everyone else" attitude becomes evident in cases like the stop in the video.

Combine the "Us" attitude and the need to dominate a situation and you've got a thin line between proper conduct for officers and jack booted thugs.

I've not been involved with law enforcement so I don't have any solutions.  While I do understand that we hire them to do a tough and dangerous job, I don't feel we can allow them to act outside the "box".

[tombogan03884]

We had a Police officer here shot and killed by the cousin of Olympic skier Bodie Miller. The initial reaction was "What a pity, this upstanding public servant lost his life".
However, when the facts came out, it was a case of a teen pushed to far by a badge heavy prick.
No one condones shooting the A hole, but they don't hold any memorials for him either.
It's one case where ," He worked for what he got" is no compliment.
(A passing motorist who saw what happened took the officers pistol and killed the teen. He is now serving a sentence for criminal threatening, also, it was only the circumstances that kept him from being charged as a felon in possession of a fire arm. )

[Ping]

Hope the officer has gone to anger managament... That was completely uncalled for and unprofessional.

[twyacht]

Hope the officer has gone to anger managament... That was completely uncalled for and unprofessional.

+1

Regardless....A Jack Booted Thug mentality, has no place in professional law enforcement. Allowing that length of time to go by without O2, or back-up, talking to the driver is a failure on LEO's part. Including a search with an occupant still in the vehicle.

Many mistakes by driver and Officer's.

Communication of threats by the Officer, as well as an ER visit for handcuffed in anger mentality, is just wrong.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but they found no contraband, driver was licensed, the other two were shady, but were told to leave after they finally found "something"....

What is the status?

What are the charges? Failure to inform? A good lawyer will have a field day with the dash cam...

What about "take two steps back and put 10 rds. in you",...."my partner will make a great witness"......A good lawyer will have a field day with that also...

Where's the ACLU?

Nevermind,......