A Big Victory For The Philadelphia Police
By Wyatt Earp | August 6, 2009
A Philadelphia grand jury has just announced that the officers involved in the so-called “violent arrest” used reasonable force and acted within training guidelines during the apprehensions.
No kidding. Most of us said that at the time, but what do we know, we’re only cops. According to the president, we “act stupidly.”
PHILADELPHIA – MyFoxPhilly has learned that a grand jury says Philadelphia police officers who beat three suspects “used reasonable force” in accord with “training guidelines.”
No officers will face criminal charges in the case from May 2008.
Wow, justice for police officers in this town? Someone call Hell and see if they are ice skating down there.
An advance release says the three suspects, because they eluded police, fell under the guidelines that justified the actions of the 20 officers who beat the three men on camera in a 14-minute video shot by Fox 29.
Kind of makes your video footage worthless now, doesn’t it FOX? Now you know why your reporters get no play when you call the division.
“After a careful thorough and exhaustive year long invest we the jurors have independently concluded that criminal action is not warranted against any of the officers. We found that the police on the scene used only the amount of force — and no more than that amount — that they reasonably believed was necessary to bring under control and into custody three suspects in a shooting who had tried to elude capture, who were resisting arrest and who were creating a potentially significant danger to police.”
For all of you who hate the police, you may want to read that paragraph again. I can help you sound out the big words if you’d like.
“We found that the design of the force applied by the police was helpful rather than hurtful; the kicks and blows in other words were aimed not to inflict injury but to facilitate quick and safe arrests. We found that the kind of force administered was completely consistent with police training and guidelines and the laws of the commonwealth.” (H/T – FOX29)
I know and work with (or worked with) everyone that was involved in this arrest. To a man – and woman – they are fine, aggressive officers who do a difficult, dangerous, and thankless job. And what did they get for doing said job? Four officers were fired, a few were transferred, and a sergeant was demoted. Now, maybe Mayor Squidward and Police Commissioner Wiggum can “amend” their swift, harsh discipline of the officers involved, and rehire those that were fired – with back pay, of course.
I am posting the story from the FOX29 website because these a-holes were almost orgasmic that their news copter captured the footage, and did everything in their power to get four police officers fired – without an investigation, interview, or hearing. Posting this grand jury finding is my way of giving FOX29 the finger.
Topics: The Job | 14 Comments »
August 6th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Good to see that the community (as in a jury) backed you guys up. Whats with these SquidWAD and Wiggles dudes? Maybe they are related to the criminals and were setting you guys up for a large civil suit? Its only a theory mind you..LOL
August 6th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I truly hope that all of the officers and restored to their previous positions, with back pay.
August 6th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I am glad the citizens of the jury are intelligent, and if I were a fired police officer over this I might consider working for the good of them and other good citizens, but I really don’t think I would work for the worms that turned out when the rock was picked up. No, I think I would add “Fired for doing my job well, by bad supervisors, management and politicians not on the scene at a good capture and arrest” to my resume and send it to places where great police are in demand. I do hope things work well for the officers, and the superiors wake up and get right with the world.
August 6th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I am glad to see that no charges were filed, and I hope they all get their jobs back ASAP. I just saw the story on Fox (I don’t normally watch, it was on when I came in the room) and the reaction of the talking heads was nauseating. They naturally aired “man on the street” reactions (three toads) calling for lawsuits and federal investigations, and one “head” asked “where is the justice?”
I would much rather have read the reactions on the Dome.
August 6th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Actually, Wyatt, I hope the officers find new labor in a place where the political powers-that-are are more supportive of law enforcement efforts… which means almost anywhere else. I would hope the same for you, if you so wanted.
August 6th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
[...] I posted this at SYLG, but it deserves repeating here. A grand jury has cleared a group of Philadelphia Police officers accused of assaulting three suspects in connection with a May 2009 shooting. [...]
August 6th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
We found that the police on the scene used only the amount of force — and no more than that amount — that they reasonably believed was necessary to bring under control and into custody three suspects in a shooting who had tried to elude capture, who were resisting arrest and who were creating a potentially significant danger to police.”
I wish the anti-LE morons would read this over and over again to let it sink in….that would probably take quite a long time and may be too taxing for their little brains to comprehend.
And I’m sickened to hear officers were fired over this. I, too, hope they get their job back and with significant back pay.
August 7th, 2009 at 1:02 am
Jon – Oh, I’m sure the poor, innocent victims of police brutality will look for a payday. Screw ‘em.
RT – As do I. And this I vow: This post will be the impetus for the next Hate Mail O’ The Week. Bank on it.
Earl – I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to join a nice, suburban department, where they could appreciate good people who show them the same respect they show the public.
Elliot – Except other poor, innocent victims shut that down.
Bob – I like it here, and even though I am treated by crap by 75% of the people deal with now, it’s a great job. Never a dull moment.
Clady – That would be the ultimate justice. You know the “victims” will get a payday. It’s only fair that the officers get their back pay.
August 7th, 2009 at 7:32 am
The people have spoken, are those who over-reacted listening?
Would you be kind enough, Marshall, to keep us in touch with how this pans out for the officers concerned? Thanks.
Some background as to how the Law works in England and Wales (Scottish Law is different) …
The Grand Jury system originates in England under Henry II and was incorporated in the Magna Carta of 1215. It has been replaced by a decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for criminal cases beyond the investigation, which is the job of the police. This involves giving advice to the police on charges to bring, and being responsible for authorising all but a very few simple charges (such as begging), and preparing and presenting cases for court, both in magistrates’ courts and, increasingly, the Crown Court.
The key decision is whether or not to bring a prosecution based on the information obtained by the Police. This is based on positive answers to 2 simple questions:
1 Is there a better than evens chance of a prosecution succeeding?
2 Is the prosecution “in the public interest”?
IANAL but my understanding is that “in the public interest” is deliberately vague but allows prosecutions to be ditched which might be strictly correct in law but where it is felt that the public would consider that, ” …the law is a ass – a idiot”*.
I suspect, sadly, that in my country a prosecution would be brought.
*The phrase “The law is an ass” [is incorrectly cited and] originates in Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, when the character Mr. Bumble is informed that “the law supposes that your wife acts under your direction”. Mr. Bumble replies “If the law supposes that… the law is a [sic] ass—a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is that his eye may be opened by experience—by experience.”
August 7th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I’m thrilled for the Officer’s involved, and sorry it took so long for them to get cleared. I’m praying that the fallout isn’t going to be that bad. Seems like the worst of worst of this City come out of the woodwork when it involves cops aggressively arresting suspects – who let’s face it probably already have an arm-length of charges and convictions on their records, but they’ll all gather down town and protest and stop us working law abiding citizens from getting to and from work. Gotta love it.
August 7th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
The Girl – I fell badly for all of the officers involved, but the sergeant, especially. he was punished twice – demoted and transferred. All before a hearing, interview, and investigation. Thanks Commissioner Ramsey, for sticking up for your troops.
August 7th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Well we all agree one thing….Ramsey is a douche…
August 8th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Sorry. Can’t agree with this decision. I watched the video over and over and saw many blows and kicks delivered after the criminals had surrendered. I understand emotional frustration and adrenaline; after all, I was an Army officer for a very long time.
The video appears to show officers that can’t control themselves and that is unprofessional at the very least. I still believe the officers committed aggravated assault and looked like a bunch of cowards and bullies while doing it. I would have been ashamed of my soldiers for reacting as these officers did.
Respectfully, Robin
August 8th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
The Gril – No argument here.
Robin – Respectfully, you weren’t there and you don’t know the officers. I know them, and this happened where I work, and if you read this blog at all you know when officers deserve a written thrashing, they get it here. You know the suspects surrendered? How do you know that, because they were on the ground? If you were in the army you damn well that video doesn’t always prove anything. And if nothing else, I would think you would give police officers – as I would give soldiers – the benefit of the doubt once in a while.
As far as the cowards and bullies comment, that’s your opinion. And the beautiful thing about America is that everyone can have an opinion, ill-informed or not.