SSCC Honorable Mention: Florida Highway Patrol

Roughly two weeks ago, Florida Highway Patrol trooper Charles Swindle was fired for “conduct unbecoming of a public employee” after he offered a state lawmaker, Rep. Charles McBurney (R-Jacksonville), a warning for doing 87 mph in a 70 mph zone. The incident reportedly occurred in November.

Swindle first checked with his sergeant and then told McBurney: “I’m cutting you a break.” The trooper cited the lawmaker for lacking proof of insurance — a $10 ticket opposed to a $280 fine for speeding.

Serious props to the representative for calling attention to it.  It does kind of bug me that the officer was fired over this incident, especially since much more serious incidents seem to walk right on by without a blink.  Don’t get me wrong, getting canned makes sense, it’s the fact that you have incidents like Officer Roid Rage who keep their job.

What is interesting though is why he would extend this type of gratuity toward a lawmaker.  Everyone is bound under the same laws.  That said, yes officers do have some discretion in issuing warnings or tickets.  In this case he seemed to be constantly giving lawmakers a free pass.  I don’t know if it was to garner support for the FHP or if it was an effort to remember names later if need ever arose.

Either way we’re all equal under the law and this officer didn’t feel that was the case.

State Sponsored Criminal Honorable Mention: Charles Swindle

Because by all means let the people who wrote the laws get away with breaking them.

via Bob S. and Archer

SSCC #556: Canton Tx

James Melvin Bradshaw, a narcotics officer for the Canton Police Department, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 27 and charged with six counts of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation. Bradshaw was arrested this morning and went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie this afternoon for an initial appearance.

It’s such a wonderful thing we have this war on nouns right?  Look at all the good it does for society and how it allows officers to expand their horizons.  This one doubly makes the count because he took it from people who had legitimate prescriptions.  In other words he stole from law abiding citizens.

State Sponsored Criminal #556: James Melvin Bradshaw

Because when you’re a narcotics officer, harass whoever you want, even if they’re lying in a hospital bed.  They don’t need those pills now do they.

SSCC #555: Pittsburgh

Remember how I said the following on Friday:

It’s a common thread when a department has problems like this, it’s usually more than just one or two officers but a systemic corruption within the police department.

Well, I must have been clairvoyant because A Girl sent me the following this morning.

Attorneys for former Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper say he will plead guilty to charges that he conspired to steal $32,000 in city police funds and failed to file federal tax returns from 2008 to 2011.

*Blink*

It’s no wonder his shining star of a police department has ended up in my count so often as of late.  The first clues were in 2011.

Thank god he got busted but it was his behavior that created the corruption and problems within the department.  He created a band of criminals under him with protection and silent blessing.

State Sponsored Criminal #555: Nate Harper

Because by all means if you’re in the police cheat on your taxes and steal taxpayer money.  You are one of the king’s men after all.

Quote of the Day: Michael Bane (3/22/2013)

Of course, you’ve got to pay your attorney, and because your car, guns and magazines were “seized for cause,” that is, the property was confiscated because you in fact broke a law, you will probably get your car back, but Denver and surrounding municipalities have a policy that NO guns “seized for cause” will be returned.

That’s the minor “inconvenience” that the Governor says is definitely worth inflicting on law-abiding Colorado citizens for a law that will, according to B-Ho’s own Justice Department says will have NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER on crime.

Michael BaneColorado ClusterF%$k

March 21st, 2013


[If you want a clue at the real intent of these laws, look no further than New York and this recent discovery:

Nearly a year before signing the nation’s most stringent gun control measure into law, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched a hotline that allows state residents to report illegal gun owners in exchange for a $500 reward.

Tell me, if this was really about lowering violent crime rates, why not actually offer that reward for catching people actually doing bad things?  Instead they created this broad bill that criminalizes every gun owner and are encouraging neighbors to stab each other in the back.

Here’s a tip for anyone living in that crap hole, get a 30 round mag from across the border and toss it in your local representatives car and have someone else call it in.  Even better toss it in their spouses car.  Even better if they’re a Fudd and just more than willing to throw you under the bus while they enjoy the rights they would deny you like Gabby Giffords and her husband.

There is no question in the intent of these laws, doubly so as the people supporting them also scream about confiscation. Next time someone tells you they’re not out to confiscate weapons, call bullshit.  There’s enough on the table now that anyone who says that is merely lying or not paying attention.  Frankly if you’re not paying attention, STFU, you have no business talking with regards to this conversation. –B ]

SSCC #552-#554: Pittsburgh

 

The injuries to the victim include a broken rib, chipped teeth, stitches across the face and a chunk of flesh missing from his tongue. The officers came up behind the victim pushed him down, and two of the officers held him down while the third continued to assault the victim.

My personal favorite is this quote from the police department:

Regarding the cell phone video and the body blows, police sources describe them as a compliance technique used by police officers attempting to handcuff suspects.

Umm, no, I’ve been taught compliance techniques and those were not that.  That was nothing more than a physical assault against someone they thought they could get away with.

Even more entertaining is this is a second incident among another one in the Pittsburgh area.  It’s a common thread when a department has problems like this, it’s usually more than just one or two officers but a systemic corruption within the police department.

State Sponsored Criminal #552: John Doe

#553: John Doe

#554: John Doe

Because when a kid is drunk, you basically get a free pass at utterly beating the crap out of him.  They likely wont remember it and you can make up whatever story you want.  Just remember, physically restraining someone and punching them in the face is a “compliance technique”.

SSCC #551 – Washougal

A Clark County District Court judge Wednesday convicted and sentenced a former Washougal police officer for attacking a mentally ill man restrained in the backseat of a police cruiser.

In a bench ruling, Judge Sonya Langsdorf convicted Robert E. Ritchie, 53, of fourth-degree assault for a July incident in which he twice punched 26-year-old Tyler Lampman in the face after taking the man into custody. Fourth-degree assault is a gross misdemeanor.

Initially I was going to make this an honorable mention, he was fired, convicted, although he had a lenient sentence.  Except I got to the end and saw that this man has had a history of not being able to control his monster.

It also wasn’t the first time Ritchie’s actions had come under fire for being too extreme.

He was demoted from sergeant in 2004 for shooting Olga Rybak 27 times with a stun gun for failing to comply with dog regulations.

When it comes to those on the count who do violent acts, I’ve found rarely is there a single incident.  Usually there is a history that the rest of us would refer to as “a clue”.

State Sponsored Criminal #551: Robert E. Ritchie

Because when someone starts acting out while restrained, beat their ass, they’re restrained, not you!

Quote of the Day–Kevin Baker (3/20/2013)

When dealing with the State, the citizen acts at his peril.

Kevin Baker“When dealing with guns, the citizen acts at his peril.”

March 20, 2013


[And as Kevin points out, that’s not how it is supposed to be.  I find this a much more applicable description.

I should not be fearful that someone is calling the state because I took a picture of my child with a firearm.  I should not be afraid that the state is going to come kick down my door because someone provides some false information for the “war on drugs”.  We are living in a police state.

I have an idea for a post but I’m just not sure how to write it or string the thought out completely.  The premise though is the meaning of the law is becoming worthless.  More and more laws are being created, laws the creators admit are unenforceable.  This leaves two different options:

  • The law no longer really matters and is nothing more than an empty symbol.
  • The law now exists as a tool to manipulate, scare, and intimidate those they deem undesirable.

Tell me, what good do these new gun control laws do?  How does that actually benefit society, especially given they admit it will not make a difference and innocents will be caught in the crossfire?  The actual effects will cause people to choose between being safe or committing a felony.

But that’s their goal, scare and intimidate law-abiding people into giving up their rights.  Cause them to have to be unsafe to adhere to the asinine laws.  I’m of the opinion if the law has degenerated to the point that it is criminalizing the free exercise of a right, that it’s sole action is to criminalize the innocent, I might as well just accept the fact they want to treat me as a criminal.  If that’s the case and I’m going to be punished for owning something or doing something that doesn’t affect anyone else, maybe I should actually do something worthy of being called a criminal.  If I’m going to be given a penalty anyway, why not actually do something to earn it?*

The law is loosing its worth and these people are rejoicing at it’s destruction.  They don’t seem to understand it’s perversion is being done in such a way so the state can consume them just the same as it consumes us. –B]

*I am not saying one should currently, but certainly this does factor into the tripwire question.

SSCC #550 – Lloyd

Sean McCutcheon, the resource officer who fired a shot from his service weapon in a hallway at Highland High School, has resigned from the Lloyd Police Department after an investigation concluded the incident, though unintentional, was due to “officer error,” the department said on Friday.

First, that’s what happens when you finger !@#$ your weapon!  Seriously folks, just leave it in the holster, that’s where it belongs until you need it.  If you pull it out to clean it, by all freaking means strictly adhere to the 4 rules and remember the 5th too.

That said, tell me, in the land of the new SAFE Act, why is it these morons, who don’t even know how to use their weapons, be allowed rights that they then deny to their citizens?  Further, if any citizen had a ND in that type of location where it was the fault of the user, I am confident there would be some sort of charges pressed against the individual.

Remember though that these people are highly trained and would never take a weapon into the field they’ve never test fired or zeroed.

State Sponsored Criminal #550: Sean McCutcheon

Because when a cop finger !@#$s a weapon, he needs a slap on the wrist.  When a peon does it, hang him out to dry and use it to trample the rights of others.