spd49
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Post by spd49 on Feb 22, 2007 19:44:11 GMT -5
Watcher,
Why would you assume that I'm gay or a woman? The use of derogatory terms for people who are different from you is simply ignorant. I abhor ignorance and intolerance in all forms. If you used derogatory terms about African-Americans and I objected would you assume that I was African-American? I serve the people of my community regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation. I don't pretend to know you or what is in your heart. I have simply said that your use of slurs makes you sound unintelligent. When you use slurs, people tend to tune out your message. Police misconduct and oversight are serious issues. Your ignorant use of language feeds the misperception that some have that those interested in police misconduct are from the fringes of society. I do not feel that this is true. Oversight of the police is necessary and a good thing. Police officers that are accused of crimes and abuse of their authority should be fairly investigated, fairly tried and if guilty, fairly convicted and incarcerated or fired. The investigation of police should include civilian review boards that are trained to investigate and knowledgeable in police procedures.
It seems to me that you make assumptions about people based on their gender, sexual orientation or occupation. The simple word for that is profiling. I suggest that you might want to take some continuing education classes at a local college. Take some Criminal Justice classes and you might get a different perception of the criminal justice system. At the very least, you might get some tips on police procedures and how to protect your rights if in the future you encounter a police officer who you feel is violating your rights.
I check this site out to broaden my horizons. I have had several interesting conversations with Shuftin. While I certainly don't agree with many of his ideas, I have to say that he has certainly made me think about a few things differently. The discussion has been civilized and educated. Intelligent discussion is a positive thing. Slurs, threats and other derogatory terms breed defensiveness and negativity. Keep posting, I'll see you out there.
spd49
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 22, 2007 19:44:11 GMT -5
Watcher,
Why would you assume that I'm gay or a woman? The use of derogatory terms for people who are different from you is simply ignorant. I abhor ignorance and intolerance in all forms. If you used derogatory terms about African-Americans and I objected would you assume that I was African-American? I serve the people of my community regardless of race, creed or sexual orientation. I don't pretend to know you or what is in your heart. I have simply said that your use of slurs makes you sound unintelligent. When you use slurs, people tend to tune out your message. Police misconduct and oversight are serious issues. Your ignorant use of language feeds the misperception that some have that those interested in police misconduct are from the fringes of society. I do not feel that this is true. Oversight of the police is necessary and a good thing. Police officers that are accused of crimes and abuse of their authority should be fairly investigated, fairly tried and if guilty, fairly convicted and incarcerated or fired. The investigation of police should include civilian review boards that are trained to investigate and knowledgeable in police procedures.
It seems to me that you make assumptions about people based on their gender, sexual orientation or occupation. The simple word for that is profiling. I suggest that you might want to take some continuing education classes at a local college. Take some Criminal Justice classes and you might get a different perception of the criminal justice system. At the very least, you might get some tips on police procedures and how to protect your rights if in the future you encounter a police officer who you feel is violating your rights.
I check this site out to broaden my horizons. I have had several interesting conversations with Shuftin. While I certainly don't agree with many of his ideas, I have to say that he has certainly made me think about a few things differently. The discussion has been civilized and educated. Intelligent discussion is a positive thing. Slurs, threats and other derogatory terms breed defensiveness and negativity. Keep posting, I'll see you out there.
spd49
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 21, 2007 0:42:15 GMT -5
Watcher,
I don't recall becoming upset about any postings on this forum. I also don't recall defending any child molesters, murderers or criminals of any sort with a badge or without. As a matter of fact, I have arrested or been involved in the arrest of rapists, murderers and criminals of all types. My only comments to you have been in regard to your homophobic and misogynistic comments. I read and post on this site to get the opinions of people with different backgrounds and perspectives than my own. Why would you want to silence discussion? Do I not enjoy the right to free speech just like you? I'll continue to post and hope you continue to post. I'll also continue to comment on your posts and hope you comment on mine.
spd49
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 21, 2007 0:42:15 GMT -5
Watcher,
I don't recall becoming upset about any postings on this forum. I also don't recall defending any child molesters, murderers or criminals of any sort with a badge or without. As a matter of fact, I have arrested or been involved in the arrest of rapists, murderers and criminals of all types. My only comments to you have been in regard to your homophobic and misogynistic comments. I read and post on this site to get the opinions of people with different backgrounds and perspectives than my own. Why would you want to silence discussion? Do I not enjoy the right to free speech just like you? I'll continue to post and hope you continue to post. I'll also continue to comment on your posts and hope you comment on mine.
spd49
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 20, 2007 8:51:10 GMT -5
I have a Bachelors degree in Languages and Linguistics, and speak three languages in addition to my Masters in Criminal Justice Administration. It is pretty funny when people make incriminating statements right in front of me because they assume that an Irish kid from Boston can't understand Spanish.
spd49
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 20, 2007 8:51:10 GMT -5
I have a Bachelors degree in Languages and Linguistics, and speak three languages in addition to my Masters in Criminal Justice Administration. It is pretty funny when people make incriminating statements right in front of me because they assume that an Irish kid from Boston can't understand Spanish.
spd49
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 18, 2007 16:54:07 GMT -5
Watcher,
I never said that using racist, ignorant, homophobic terms was illegal. I simply said that it makes you sound less than intelligent. You have the right to post whatever you want. I also have the right to comment on whatever I want. I guess that's the difference between us. I want to hear opinions that are different from my own. You seem to want to throw out comments designed to insult and demean others. That's o.k., but when you become insulting, people tend to tune out your message. In my ten years as a law enforcement officer I've been called much worse than pendejo so I don't take offense. I'll continue posting as I hope you do. See you on the forum.
spd49
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 18, 2007 16:54:07 GMT -5
Watcher,
I never said that using racist, ignorant, homophobic terms was illegal. I simply said that it makes you sound less than intelligent. You have the right to post whatever you want. I also have the right to comment on whatever I want. I guess that's the difference between us. I want to hear opinions that are different from my own. You seem to want to throw out comments designed to insult and demean others. That's o.k., but when you become insulting, people tend to tune out your message. In my ten years as a law enforcement officer I've been called much worse than pendejo so I don't take offense. I'll continue posting as I hope you do. See you on the forum.
spd49
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 17, 2007 8:31:35 GMT -5
Watcher,
You make yourself sound ignorant by using slurs such as "dyke" and "bitch". Why don't you keep the discussion to the issues? Reasonable people can have differences of opinion without resorting to juvenile name calling. If I used those terms to refer to people even off duty (I don't) you'd want me to lose my job.
spd49
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 17, 2007 8:31:35 GMT -5
Watcher,
You make yourself sound ignorant by using slurs such as "dyke" and "bitch". Why don't you keep the discussion to the issues? Reasonable people can have differences of opinion without resorting to juvenile name calling. If I used those terms to refer to people even off duty (I don't) you'd want me to lose my job.
spd49
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 20, 2007 9:13:41 GMT -5
Shuftin,
I was referring to the stories that I see that talk about crimes committed by former police officers who are no longer active in the profession and haven't been cops for years. Just because some guy was a cop in the past and he gets arrested for an Operating under the Influence charge, I don't really see how that is necessarily a "Police Crime" and how it relates to members of my profession.
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 17, 2007 8:20:35 GMT -5
I have been checking out the rest of the site. Interesting stuff. One thing that I seem to notice reasonably frequently is that many stories start out "Former (pick the city) Police Officer charged with crime." It seems that many (quite a few?) of these guys were weeded out by the system because they should not have been cops in the first place. Also check out the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Web site. Go to the Office of Police Complaints. They break down all the cases investigated by their Civilian Review Board. Interesting reading. (Sorry for the absence, more court time. FYI Guilty Verdict on an Operating Under the Influence of Liquor-Jury Trial. Probation Revocation Hearing for Operating Under the Influence of Liquor 5th offense-Held in the County Jail.)
spd49
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 20, 2007 9:13:41 GMT -5
Shuftin,
I was referring to the stories that I see that talk about crimes committed by former police officers who are no longer active in the profession and haven't been cops for years. Just because some guy was a cop in the past and he gets arrested for an Operating under the Influence charge, I don't really see how that is necessarily a "Police Crime" and how it relates to members of my profession.
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 10, 2007 6:32:42 GMT -5
No reply? Discussion over?
spd49
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spd49
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Post by spd49 on Feb 3, 2007 4:37:10 GMT -5
Shuftin,
Say it ain't so, you've degenerated to donut jokes! I have come to expect more from you. I'll put my level of physical fitness up against the vast majority of 37 yo men. Sorry, sore topic because it is so ridiculous. Why do think he pulled you over? Just to mess with you? Do you think you are being targeted because of this site? You say rude and obnoxious. Could you be more specific? Did he yell, swear or act unprofessionally? I ask these questions not to defend or make excuses. I'm truly interested at your perceptions of why he did what he did and said what he said.
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 17, 2007 8:20:35 GMT -5
I have been checking out the rest of the site. Interesting stuff. One thing that I seem to notice reasonably frequently is that many stories start out "Former (pick the city) Police Officer charged with crime." It seems that many (quite a few?) of these guys were weeded out by the system because they should not have been cops in the first place. Also check out the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Web site. Go to the Office of Police Complaints. They break down all the cases investigated by their Civilian Review Board. Interesting reading. (Sorry for the absence, more court time. FYI Guilty Verdict on an Operating Under the Influence of Liquor-Jury Trial. Probation Revocation Hearing for Operating Under the Influence of Liquor 5th offense-Held in the County Jail.)
spd49
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 3, 2007 1:49:54 GMT -5
Shuftin,
Was the officer polite and professional? Did he tell you why he pulled you over? Did this shameless revenue generator give you a ticket to make some money for his bosses "THE GOVERNMENT"? More likely, he was a cop doing his job. He probably saw a minor traffic violation and figured he would check you out. He saw that you were a regular joe out to get a pack of smokes and sent you on your way. I've taken some pretty dangerous people off the street that started as minor traffic violations.(A guy with a rape warrant, a felon with a loaded 9mm with an obliterated serial number to name a couple) If you see the police out there then so do the criminals. Sounds like this would make your neighborhood pretty safe.
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 10, 2007 6:32:42 GMT -5
No reply? Discussion over?
spd49
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spd49
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Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 2, 2007 12:59:36 GMT -5
Shuftin,
I think that you are over emphasizing the importance that local law enforcement places on grant money and the impact that the money received has on police operations. I admit that my perspective is somewhat limited since I don't work for a huge department. We are certainly not getting millions in Homeland Security funds like the NYPD etc. My department has an approximately 3.2 million dollar budget.(rough number I'm not in administration thankfully) I examined the grants we got last year. 50,000 was in Community Policing funds from the state. This was used in a variety of different ways. Some was used for gang enforcement(the city next to us has a terrible gang problem that leaks into our town) Some money was used for overtime to combat a rash of housebreaks we suffered. Some money was used for commercial traffic enforcement (We have a large quarry in our town and the residents were screaming about trucks speeding in their neighborhoods) More of this money was used to provide security at the local high school after a drive by shooting incident involving teenagers. Other funds were used to buy bike helmets and car seats for residents of the town with financial problems. This money was used for the benefit of the people of my community. My Chief had tremendous discretion on how this money was spent and used it wisely.
We got $15,000 in traffic enforcement money, yes the dreaded "Click it or Ticket" funds and also "You Drink, You Drive, You Lose" funds. I can assure you that the town makes no money on this program. I'll use myself as an example. I worked five 4 hour shifts. At my overtime rate this works out to be about $1000 paid by the state. The town gets a percentage of fines issued. I issued 40 written warnings (no fines, no money and perfectly acceptable by the grant criteria) 5 civil motor vehicle infranctions totalling $850. I believe the town gets half of this, so $425. I made 5 Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol arrests. This resulted in 4 convictions and one not guilty verdict. 2 of the arrests were guilty pleas and caused no court time. The other three cases that went to trial caused significant overtime due to court appearances. In the end, the department ended up losing money on this grant even with all the fines incurred by the people convicted of Operating Under the Influence. I'll admit that I made money due to my court appearances. I will equally state that I earned this money while doing my job. I didn't arrest anyone for the court time, I arrested them because they were drunk. (The not guilty had a great lawyer, he was probably the most drunk of all the people I arrested.) In the end the town lost money. The Chief takes this grant money to enhance traffic safety not pad his budget.
The final bit of grant money was $45,000 used for equipment. I believe it was from the Feds. It was used to buy a camera used in building searches and a vehicle. I don't know the criteria for the grants so I can't really comment.
That's all I could find, $110,000 out of 3.2 million. This may not be 100% accurate but I believe it's close. If my math is correct that works out to be 3.4% of the budget. While not chump change, it is certainly is not a huge percentage.
In my state, Mayors, City Councils and Boards of Selectmen(local term for Town Alderman) and elected Town meeting members have tremendous power over the Police. What is this power? The purse strings. This is how it goes in my town. The Chief recommends a budget. This must get approved by the Town Manager. It then goes to the finance committee. They either recommend or don't recommend the budget to Town Meeting. Town Meeting (an elected group of approximately 400 citizens) Town Meeting then votes to accept the budget or not. If they don't accept the budget, it gets trimmed and voted on again. Recently, we were facing the layoffs of 4 police officers. It went to a Town Referendum (a vote by the registered voters of the town). 66% of the people who voted actually voted to raise their own taxes and kept these police officers employed. I don't know about you but this sounds like democracy in action to me. A professional makes a recommendation. It goes through the layers of government. It is then voted on by the people. If we were out abusing people, I don't think they would voluntarily raise their own tax rate to prevent layoffs.
I think (and maybe I'm being naive) that the vast majority of police departments across the country are still answerable to the people. My town is no oasis. Most policing is a function of local government. Local government is made up of the people of the community. The people determine how they are treated by government by involvement in their community i.e. running for office, voting and being vocal in the press.
Police officers have a tremendous amount of oversight.(rightfully so) As a patrolman I answer to Sergeants,Lieutenants,Captains, a Chief, a Town Manager, a Board of Selectman, Town Meeting, DAs, Defense Attorneys, and Judges. We all ultimately answer to the people who have put us in the positions of trust that we occupy.
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spd49
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by spd49 on Feb 3, 2007 4:37:10 GMT -5
Shuftin,
Say it ain't so, you've degenerated to donut jokes! I have come to expect more from you. I'll put my level of physical fitness up against the vast majority of 37 yo men. Sorry, sore topic because it is so ridiculous. Why do think he pulled you over? Just to mess with you? Do you think you are being targeted because of this site? You say rude and obnoxious. Could you be more specific? Did he yell, swear or act unprofessionally? I ask these questions not to defend or make excuses. I'm truly interested at your perceptions of why he did what he did and said what he said.
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