"APD says they will proceed with the citation against the photographer."
May 31, 2008 4:21 PM Subscribe
Albuquerque cop beats up TV news cameraman. Video.
The APD has long been famous for its corruption and brutality.
The APD has long been famous for its corruption and brutality.
This post was deleted for the following reason: this is just not a very good post for metafilter - the links are all over the place and it's hard to figure out what's going on. -- jessamyn
News at 11...
Although there is no reason to assault and arrest a reporter doing his job, the cameraman in the clip was certainly obnoxious. I guess you have to be to work in that business.
posted by KokuRyu at 4:35 PM on May 31, 2008
Although there is no reason to assault and arrest a reporter doing his job, the cameraman in the clip was certainly obnoxious. I guess you have to be to work in that business.
posted by KokuRyu at 4:35 PM on May 31, 2008
And this is a pretty weak post, IMO. The "corruption" link points to a self-published book about a murder that is twenty year old. The "brutality" link points to a wordy, verbose blog. Got anything else?
posted by KokuRyu at 4:37 PM on May 31, 2008
posted by KokuRyu at 4:37 PM on May 31, 2008
Although there is no reason to assault and arrest a reporter doing his job, the cameraman in the clip was certainly obnoxious. I guess you have to be to work in that business.
Details, please? I watched the video, and didn't see anything obnoxious about the cameraman's behavior.
posted by jayder at 4:37 PM on May 31, 2008
Details, please? I watched the video, and didn't see anything obnoxious about the cameraman's behavior.
posted by jayder at 4:37 PM on May 31, 2008
Details, please? I watched the video, and didn't see anything obnoxious about the cameraman's behavior.
It's what the cameraman was saying at the beginning of the clip: "Was that so hard? Was that so hard?" He's basically taunting the police officer. Although the cameraman doesn't deserve to be assaulted, he was certainly behaving unprofessionally. He was being an asshole.
posted by KokuRyu at 4:39 PM on May 31, 2008
It's what the cameraman was saying at the beginning of the clip: "Was that so hard? Was that so hard?" He's basically taunting the police officer. Although the cameraman doesn't deserve to be assaulted, he was certainly behaving unprofessionally. He was being an asshole.
posted by KokuRyu at 4:39 PM on May 31, 2008
Remember the dumb jocks in high school that liked to threaten people to get their way? A lot of those guys are cops now. It's totally in line with that kind of personality.
posted by TrialByMedia at 4:41 PM on May 31, 2008
posted by TrialByMedia at 4:41 PM on May 31, 2008
If all it takes to unhinge you is someone being a bit of an asshole, you shouldn't be a cop.
posted by the bricabrac man at 4:42 PM on May 31, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by the bricabrac man at 4:42 PM on May 31, 2008 [2 favorites]
wouldn't that be infamous?
No. I'd say that the APD is famous for their corruption and brutality, but I wouldn't say that they're more than famous for it.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 4:43 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
No. I'd say that the APD is famous for their corruption and brutality, but I wouldn't say that they're more than famous for it.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 4:43 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
Isn't the APD headed by that Joe Arpaio piece of shit?
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:50 PM on May 31, 2008
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:50 PM on May 31, 2008
damn...do we really need another "cops are bad" post...
this is weak, we have NO idea what the backstory is on this, and, as stated, the other two links really aren't worth crap as concerns this story..
I flag this as just a piss poor fpp with an agenda...
posted by HuronBob at 4:54 PM on May 31, 2008 [2 favorites]
this is weak, we have NO idea what the backstory is on this, and, as stated, the other two links really aren't worth crap as concerns this story..
I flag this as just a piss poor fpp with an agenda...
posted by HuronBob at 4:54 PM on May 31, 2008 [2 favorites]
Details, please? I watched the video, and didn't see anything obnoxious about the cameraman's behavior.
No, please don't give any details whatsoever. This story is not about "how far can you push a cop before he is legally and morally justified in beating the crap out of you".
posted by DU at 4:54 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
No, please don't give any details whatsoever. This story is not about "how far can you push a cop before he is legally and morally justified in beating the crap out of you".
posted by DU at 4:54 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
Isn't the APD headed by that Joe Arpaio piece of shit?
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:50 PM on May 31
No, that's Maricopa County, Arizona, home of the World's Dumbest Old People.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 4:58 PM on May 31, 2008
posted by Pope Guilty at 4:50 PM on May 31
No, that's Maricopa County, Arizona, home of the World's Dumbest Old People.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 4:58 PM on May 31, 2008
It's what the cameraman was saying at the beginning of the clip: "Was that so hard? Was that so hard?"
Yeah, and when the guy is handcuffed, the pig is saying "You don't stick a camera in my face and follow me around like that". Since when is it unlawful for the member of media to film a public "servant" carrying out official duties on public property?
posted by c13 at 4:59 PM on May 31, 2008
Yeah, and when the guy is handcuffed, the pig is saying "You don't stick a camera in my face and follow me around like that". Since when is it unlawful for the member of media to film a public "servant" carrying out official duties on public property?
posted by c13 at 4:59 PM on May 31, 2008
All police forces are famous for their corruption and brutality
Welcome to America, where a huge number of cops are just thugs with badges to go with their guns
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:02 PM on May 31, 2008
Welcome to America, where a huge number of cops are just thugs with badges to go with their guns
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:02 PM on May 31, 2008
This story is not about "how far can you push a cop before he is legally and morally justified in beating the crap out of you".
OK, inform us what you think would make it OK for a police officer to act this way? Searing at him? Mentioning his mother? Perhaps making subtle reference to the officer's low credit rating?
posted by Space Coyote at 5:05 PM on May 31, 2008
OK, inform us what you think would make it OK for a police officer to act this way? Searing at him? Mentioning his mother? Perhaps making subtle reference to the officer's low credit rating?
posted by Space Coyote at 5:05 PM on May 31, 2008
If all it takes to unhinge you is someone being a bit of an asshole, you shouldn't be a cop.
Agreed, but it is indeed amazing the amount of shit cops have to put up with. They never know if they're going to get their head blown off by conducting a routine speeding stop.
posted by KokuRyu at 5:06 PM on May 31, 2008 [2 favorites]
Agreed, but it is indeed amazing the amount of shit cops have to put up with. They never know if they're going to get their head blown off by conducting a routine speeding stop.
posted by KokuRyu at 5:06 PM on May 31, 2008 [2 favorites]
Dude wasn't necessarily a priori "obnoxious" as it sounds like the cop started the obnoxiousness:
The photographer was told that he had to go to a media staging area, but he claims the officer wouldn’t tell him where that was
and the photographer just ended up letting loose a little verbal frustration, always a bad idea around dangerous and unpredictable people.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 5:07 PM on May 31, 2008
The photographer was told that he had to go to a media staging area, but he claims the officer wouldn’t tell him where that was
and the photographer just ended up letting loose a little verbal frustration, always a bad idea around dangerous and unpredictable people.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 5:07 PM on May 31, 2008
Obnoxious???
The cop was rushing him and trying to flank the camera's field of view which he would not have done had his assault against the cameraman been legal or justified. Insisting that what he, the cameraman, is doing isn't illegal (which it isn't) and that the illegal actions of the officer were being recorded is really the only legal way for the cameraman to defend himself.
APD has been struggling to maintain sufficient numbers in its force. Recently, they've offered large sign up bonuses to get more recruits. I believe this is the reason for so many hastily trained and inexperienced rookies. The number of very young officers on patrol here is remarkable.
I've lived in Albuquerque for 5 years and have had to deal with the police numerous times, both reporting incidents that I've been a witness to and those involving myself. A few weeks ago I called and reported a man hitting and restraining a screaming woman in my apartment complex. After 15 minutes we called again because no officer had arrived. I called a third time after another 15 minutes and still no one was sent. I went to bed waiting to hear a doorbell ring (the dispatcher had my address and phone number), but of course, no one came. I thought about intervening myself, but I had been drinking and that would have made a potentially very ugly situation a lot more ugly. I have many more experiences of APD either not showing up or not pursuing any investigations or questioning. I believe that most people who live here would say that APD is sub par, everyone I know here says the same thing.
posted by hellslinger at 5:14 PM on May 31, 2008
The cop was rushing him and trying to flank the camera's field of view which he would not have done had his assault against the cameraman been legal or justified. Insisting that what he, the cameraman, is doing isn't illegal (which it isn't) and that the illegal actions of the officer were being recorded is really the only legal way for the cameraman to defend himself.
APD has been struggling to maintain sufficient numbers in its force. Recently, they've offered large sign up bonuses to get more recruits. I believe this is the reason for so many hastily trained and inexperienced rookies. The number of very young officers on patrol here is remarkable.
I've lived in Albuquerque for 5 years and have had to deal with the police numerous times, both reporting incidents that I've been a witness to and those involving myself. A few weeks ago I called and reported a man hitting and restraining a screaming woman in my apartment complex. After 15 minutes we called again because no officer had arrived. I called a third time after another 15 minutes and still no one was sent. I went to bed waiting to hear a doorbell ring (the dispatcher had my address and phone number), but of course, no one came. I thought about intervening myself, but I had been drinking and that would have made a potentially very ugly situation a lot more ugly. I have many more experiences of APD either not showing up or not pursuing any investigations or questioning. I believe that most people who live here would say that APD is sub par, everyone I know here says the same thing.
posted by hellslinger at 5:14 PM on May 31, 2008
They never know if they're going to get their head blown off by conducting a routine speeding stop.
People cite this excuse all the time, but I'm not sympathetic. I put up with a tremendous amount of shit myself, being that I apparently "radiate homosexuality." Threats, taunting, physical intimidation, etc. And you don't see ME trying to crush skulls anytime someone crosses me.
I guess that's something I have in common with cops, in a way: I never know whether I'm going to get MY head blown off during a routine speeding stop either.
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 5:15 PM on May 31, 2008 [3 favorites]
People cite this excuse all the time, but I'm not sympathetic. I put up with a tremendous amount of shit myself, being that I apparently "radiate homosexuality." Threats, taunting, physical intimidation, etc. And you don't see ME trying to crush skulls anytime someone crosses me.
I guess that's something I have in common with cops, in a way: I never know whether I'm going to get MY head blown off during a routine speeding stop either.
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 5:15 PM on May 31, 2008 [3 favorites]
Agreed, but it is indeed amazing the amount of shit cops have to put up with. They never know if they're going to get their head blown off by conducting a routine speeding stop.
First of all, that's part of their job. They are trained and paid to discriminate between people that are about to blow their heads off, little old grannies, and people carrying out their official job tasks.
Secondly, this guy had to deal with real people for only 7 months. He hasn't had any time to put up with any amount of shit.
posted by c13 at 5:17 PM on May 31, 2008
First of all, that's part of their job. They are trained and paid to discriminate between people that are about to blow their heads off, little old grannies, and people carrying out their official job tasks.
Secondly, this guy had to deal with real people for only 7 months. He hasn't had any time to put up with any amount of shit.
posted by c13 at 5:17 PM on May 31, 2008
First of all, that's part of their job.
Well, with a grateful public like that, I can't imagine why some cops might adopt an us vs. them mentality.
posted by jonmc at 5:20 PM on May 31, 2008
Well, with a grateful public like that, I can't imagine why some cops might adopt an us vs. them mentality.
posted by jonmc at 5:20 PM on May 31, 2008
Come again? Grateful for what? Being assaulted by some hick while doing one's job? That's one thing. Secondly, as I said, the public provides them with a paycheck. In all other jobs, that is deemed to be sufficient, why is this one different? Is it ok for doctors to adapt us vs them mentality? Teachers? Bank clerks?
posted by c13 at 5:25 PM on May 31, 2008
posted by c13 at 5:25 PM on May 31, 2008
Yeah, and when the guy is handcuffed, the pig is saying "You don't stick a camera in my face and follow me around like that"
This speaks well to the objectivity of your comment sir. Still smarting over that speeding ticket?
posted by jonmc at 5:25 PM on May 31, 2008
This speaks well to the objectivity of your comment sir. Still smarting over that speeding ticket?
posted by jonmc at 5:25 PM on May 31, 2008
Looks like someone took a wrong turn.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:26 PM on May 31, 2008
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:26 PM on May 31, 2008
c13, that "we provide you with a paycheck," so be servile to me attitude is a big reason why police get alienated from society at large especially since that paycheck (and here in New York, where being a police officer is an unpleasant and dangerous job, the starting salary is around $30,000/yr) is provided for dealing with human beings at their absolute worst, all day long. Does it excuse brutality? No. But hearing the off-the-pigs mentality from the MeFi demographic is downright hilarious.
posted by jonmc at 5:30 PM on May 31, 2008
posted by jonmc at 5:30 PM on May 31, 2008
It would be great if we could not refer to cops as 'pigs.' Second, I don't think what the trooper did to the cameraman was justified, but only remarked that the cameraman was being obnoxious, too. As well, it's unfortunate that cops like this give other cops a bad name. They're willing to risk getting their head blown off by 'the bad guys' (as is the former hermitosis) for us, for which we should be a little grateful. However, cops are obviously not encouraged to take out occupational stress on the people they're trying to protect.
Then again, I don't live in the US. I live in Canada where the Mounties are getting blown away all too frequently. The RCMP also likes to play kingmaker in provincial and Federal politics.
posted by KokuRyu at 5:30 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
Then again, I don't live in the US. I live in Canada where the Mounties are getting blown away all too frequently. The RCMP also likes to play kingmaker in provincial and Federal politics.
posted by KokuRyu at 5:30 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
I have a difficult time squaring inflammatory anti-cop rhetoric with my experiences working with cops as a social worker in Philly. There are shitty thug cops in all big city departments, sure, but they're not the majority. Every cop I ever worked with was professional and decent. It's easy to talk that anti-cop shit until the first time you're caught in an explosive situation in a dangerous neighborhood where you require police assistance to keep your client's family safe, which the Philly PD did for me more than once.
posted by The Straightener at 5:36 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by The Straightener at 5:36 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
This speaks well to the objectivity of your comment sir.
Yes, I objectively don't have any respect for them. Based on my experiences and what I see on the news.
But hearing the off-the-pigs mentality from the MeFi demographic is downright hilarious.
Especially when that sound is only in your head.
posted by c13 at 5:39 PM on May 31, 2008
Yes, I objectively don't have any respect for them. Based on my experiences and what I see on the news.
But hearing the off-the-pigs mentality from the MeFi demographic is downright hilarious.
Especially when that sound is only in your head.
posted by c13 at 5:39 PM on May 31, 2008
Is it ok for doctors to adapt us vs them mentality? Teachers? Bank clerks?
I'm married to a teacher and I've spent most of my adult life working in 'clerk' type jobs and I can tell you right now, that yeah, there's a definite us vs. them mentality going on, generally in response to attitudes like yours. As a wise man once said 'just because they serve you, dosen't mean they like you.'
posted by jonmc at 5:39 PM on May 31, 2008
I'm married to a teacher and I've spent most of my adult life working in 'clerk' type jobs and I can tell you right now, that yeah, there's a definite us vs. them mentality going on, generally in response to attitudes like yours. As a wise man once said 'just because they serve you, dosen't mean they like you.'
posted by jonmc at 5:39 PM on May 31, 2008
OK, inform us what you think would make it OK for a police officer to act this way?
Ummm...my point is that pretty much nothing would. Instead of making this story about the victim, let's make it about the crime.
posted by DU at 5:39 PM on May 31, 2008
Ummm...my point is that pretty much nothing would. Instead of making this story about the victim, let's make it about the crime.
posted by DU at 5:39 PM on May 31, 2008
Yes, I objectively don't have any respect for them. Based on my experiences and what I see on the news.
One Tin Soldier rides away....
Especially when that sound is only in your head.
Um, you're the one who opened your comment with the 'pigs,' but I bet all the other kids on campus are impressed with how hardcore you are.
posted by jonmc at 5:42 PM on May 31, 2008
One Tin Soldier rides away....
Especially when that sound is only in your head.
Um, you're the one who opened your comment with the 'pigs,' but I bet all the other kids on campus are impressed with how hardcore you are.
posted by jonmc at 5:42 PM on May 31, 2008
Agreed, but it is indeed amazing the amount of shit cops have to put up with. They never know if they're going to get their head blown off by conducting a routine speeding stop.
What is the statistic of police on force versus those getting their heads blown off on random traffic stops.
I bet the odds are better than winning the lottery.
posted by Balisong at 5:48 PM on May 31, 2008
Secondly, as I said, the public provides them with a paycheck. In all other jobs, that is deemed to be sufficient, why is this one different? Is it ok for doctors to adapt us vs them mentality? Teachers? Bank clerks?
Does the fact that you get paid at your job mean your boss is entitled to make you do whatever he wants? Do you willingly slurp up whatever abuse with a grin? Do you really think cops are the only ones with even a little bit of an "us vs. them" mentality? (Like jonmc says?) You don't think cops might have a reason to feel a bit alienated when many people "objectively don't have any respect for them" and think that they either deserve any abuse they get or have no reason to complain about it because they get paid?
posted by Snyder at 5:52 PM on May 31, 2008
Does the fact that you get paid at your job mean your boss is entitled to make you do whatever he wants? Do you willingly slurp up whatever abuse with a grin? Do you really think cops are the only ones with even a little bit of an "us vs. them" mentality? (Like jonmc says?) You don't think cops might have a reason to feel a bit alienated when many people "objectively don't have any respect for them" and think that they either deserve any abuse they get or have no reason to complain about it because they get paid?
posted by Snyder at 5:52 PM on May 31, 2008
What is the statistic of police on force versus those getting their heads blown off on random traffic stops.
I bet the odds are better than winning the lottery.
This guy will find that very comforting.
posted by jonmc at 5:54 PM on May 31, 2008
I bet the odds are better than winning the lottery.
This guy will find that very comforting.
posted by jonmc at 5:54 PM on May 31, 2008
A free press is an important bulwark against the corrupting nature of power.
Law enforcement officers have a great deal of power. We entrust them with the authority to kill if necessary.
A photojournalist that insists on exercising his first amendment rights and not cowing to authority figures should be commended.
posted by spork at 5:58 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
Law enforcement officers have a great deal of power. We entrust them with the authority to kill if necessary.
A photojournalist that insists on exercising his first amendment rights and not cowing to authority figures should be commended.
posted by spork at 5:58 PM on May 31, 2008 [1 favorite]
APD has been struggling to maintain sufficient numbers in its force. Recently, they've offered large sign up bonuses to get more recruits. I believe this is the reason for so many hastily trained and inexperienced rookies. The number of very young officers on patrol here is remarkable.
Your veteran officers and many potential recruits are off making fives times the average salary as security contractors in Iraq.
If the occupation ever winds down, they'll be back on your streets.
Then we'll see some really exciting videos.
posted by jamjam at 5:58 PM on May 31, 2008
Your veteran officers and many potential recruits are off making fives times the average salary as security contractors in Iraq.
If the occupation ever winds down, they'll be back on your streets.
Then we'll see some really exciting videos.
posted by jamjam at 5:58 PM on May 31, 2008
Shoulda bought a lotto ticket that morning.
I'm sure there are people who never thought they would get into a car accident yesterday, too.
Anecdotal evidence is one thing. Even if it would save the life of one cop, wouldn't banning anyone from leaving their house worth it?
posted by Balisong at 5:58 PM on May 31, 2008
I'm sure there are people who never thought they would get into a car accident yesterday, too.
Anecdotal evidence is one thing. Even if it would save the life of one cop, wouldn't banning anyone from leaving their house worth it?
posted by Balisong at 5:58 PM on May 31, 2008
'just because they serve you, dosedoesn't mean they like you.'
Fixed that for you jon; you were obviously typing while enraged by your 'us vs. them mentality'.
And I never ask for a clerk to LIKE me (although it sometimes happens); but I do still want them to serve me, which happens less and less...
I don't know if the PAL sticker on your door would help that much if The War on Drugs comes knocking on your door.
And you responded to a request on police death statistics with ONE example? You're turning into a troll, man.
posted by wendell at 5:59 PM on May 31, 2008
Fixed that for you jon; you were obviously typing while enraged by your 'us vs. them mentality'.
And I never ask for a clerk to LIKE me (although it sometimes happens); but I do still want them to serve me, which happens less and less...
I don't know if the PAL sticker on your door would help that much if The War on Drugs comes knocking on your door.
And you responded to a request on police death statistics with ONE example? You're turning into a troll, man.
posted by wendell at 5:59 PM on May 31, 2008
They never know if they're going to get their head blown off by conducting a routine speeding stop.Likewise, non-cops who are peacefully going about their business in public never know when they're going to get beaten to a pulp, crippled, and thrown in a cell by some cop who's decided that all non-cops are the enemy. Does that mean we're all justified in attacking cops any time we think we can get away with it? It doesn't, does it? Why do you think the converse situation is different?
Honestly, if you can't take some very mild verbal abuse without losing your cool, you don't have what it takes to be a waiter, let alone a cop. Why are you making apologies for a cop who's obviously incompetent?
posted by hattifattener at 6:00 PM on May 31, 2008
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