Keep Bailing

A PROBLEM WITH AUTHORITY OR IS AUTHORITY THE PROBLEM?

Sometimes an officer’s reaction to a potentially dangerous situation is pretty clear cut.  Wading into fights, stopping domestic violence, and running across wanted suspects often requires a stronger response  than the spoken word. But an officer who is too hasty to jump to conclusions only serves to fan the fires of police-distrust, especially among minorities. 

Reportedly, several hundred times a year, small interactions between  San Jose Police and the public, like jay walking or failing to signal in traffic, turn violent.  Even more surprising: it’s being alleged that it is the police who strike the first blow.  While many continue to debate whether or not the officers’ actions are excessive, detractors say the San Jose Police Department  routinely dismisses complaints and limits real public investigation — strong and reaching allegations.

In 2007, over 117 complaints about the use of excessive force during resisting arrest were filed in San Jose, but the department sustained just two cases.  A Santa Clara County civil grand jury report cited widespread community concern about racial profiling in San Jose.  It concluded that citizens feel too discouraged by the city’s rubber-stamp rejection of their complaints  to continue reporting perceived officer  misconduct.

The San Jose Mercury News recently investigated Read more »

It’s August, 2009. How is it possible these days with our advanced national computer systems and standardized protocols that a 13 year old girl could mistakenly spend 11 days; that’s almost two weeks locked inside of an adult Dallas County Jail?

Well it did happen, and now a serious investigation has been duly launched by the Dallas Police Department  and Dallas County Jail. Seems like the mix-up all began when 2 girls were arrested for shoplifting at a Target store by an officer who mistakenly took them for 2 adult women. Read more »