Keep Bailing

Captain Rikki Goede of Willow Glen has been promoted to assistant chief of the San Jose Police Department.  Goede is 48 years old and has 15 years served with SJPD.  Prior to that she spent 10 years with San Diego Police Department.  Through her years of experience, her assignments have included patrol, community services, narcotics, day detectives, internal affairs, gain investigations and homicide.

Goede spent her last year as captain of the Southern Division and is the highest ranking female on the force.   Not only has she graduated from the LAPD’s Read more »

SAN JOSE, CA — Is if the officer is abusing his right as a police officer, or if he is just acting as a father concerned? That is the underlining question presented by a video acquired by ABC7 affiliate, San Jose Mercury News depicting a San Jose Police officer faking an arrest of a teen. 

The officer’s attorney stated the video showed a very controlled person who was strongly objecting to the underage sexual relations that were taking place. The people responsible for taking the video were the parents of the accused. They stated that the officer came into their home, dressed in uniform, and used his badge and handcuffs, and all without their permission.

ABC7 reviewed the full video and spoke to Terry Bowman, the officer’s attorney.  Bowman stated that it showed Read more »

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 »