Internal reports detail 'unwarranted and improper' actions by officers
The Post and Courier
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
COLUMBIA — Angela Scott said the state trooper left her scared and alone on the side of a dark country road. She said she didn't know why the patrolman had handcuffed her to his cruiser, why he had her car towed or why he left, refusing to give her a ride home. And when she called 911, she said two other local police departments refused to help her.
Gerry Melendez/AP
Angela Scott, who says she was handcuffed to a car bumper by a Highway Patrol officer last year, talks about the incident on Tuesday.
"He just left me. I am a woman, standing by myself, he just left me — I can't do this," Scott said during one of several emergency calls she made that night on the roadside. On Tuesday, the vibrant woman broke down as she heard her own voice for the first time, sounding so desperate and confused, playing back on a boombox in her lawyer's Columbia office. The trooper's report doesn't dispute that he handcuffed Scott and later left her at the scene, but he indicates she was argumentative. The incident is one of several brought to light in the last week that cost Department of Public Safety Director James K. Schweitzer and Highway Patrol commander Col. Russell Roark their jobs. The internal investigations of that Highway Patrol traffic stop and another show that supervisors admitted troopers' actions were "unwarranted and improper" and the use of a racial slur "inappropriate" but doled out little punishment. And the troopers are still on the job. The internal reports, made available to the media, surfaced just as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said it is investigating reports of similar incidents, including allegations of police brutality against at least one other black suspect. And state lawmakers say they have been privately contacted by troopers worried about the internal workings of South Carolina's most elite law enforcement agency.
Read the reports
Final internal affairs report involving Lance Cpl. Daniel C. Campbell.
Departmental letter describing the reason for Lance Cpl. J.H. Lane's suspension.
The incident that led black lawmakers to videotapes of improprieties in the Highway Patrol involved Lance Cpl. Daniel C. Campbell. On Dec. 12, 2004, he stopped a car in Greenwood County with three black men inside for not dimming the headlights on an old white Cadillac. According to reports, Campbell said he smelled alcohol and asked the men to step out of the car. When one of the men, Jeremy Travio Saxon, then 18, got out, Campbell saw a .38-caliber revolver on the floorboard. Campbell told the three men to put their hands on the car, but Saxon ran. When he did, the video shows Campbell yelling, "You better run, (n-word), because I'm fixin' to kill you."
Video
Warning: This video contains a racial epithet and may not be suitable for all viewers. Watch »
Campbell said he used pepper spray and his baton to subdue Saxon, who Campbell said tried to strike him and continued to pull away. On the tape, Saxon is heard asking why Campbell is beating him. Campbell says it's because he was resisting arrest. Saxon was not injured during the struggle, according to Highway Patrol's records, but Campbell was treated for exhaustion. Among Saxon's seven-page criminal history in South Carolina are March 2007 charges of murder, armed robbery with a deadly weapon and assault and battery with intent to kill. Campbell reported finding cocaine, marijuana and a second handgun in the Cadillac. All three men were taken to the Greenwood County Detention Center. In the second controversial incident, Angela Scott was stopped by then-Lance Cpl. J.H. Lane in Clarendon County on Oct. 19. According to Lane's statement as part of the internal investigation, he had clocked Scott's car at 91 mph in a 55 mph zone. By the time he turned his cruiser around, he saw a black man walking away from the car. At first the man, identified as Clarence Montgomery, told him he had seen a young black man jump from the vehicle and run into the woods. A few minutes later, though, Montgomery admitted to Lane that he had been driving the car but was scared because his license was suspended.
Video
This video shows officers leaving a woman by the side of the road after they had her car towed. Watch »
When Lane came back to where the car was stopped after searching for and arresting Montgomery, the car was gone. Scott, 48, said Tuesday that she let her boyfriend borrow the car to go to the store, but a short time later she received a breathless call from her boyfriend's cousin — Montgomery — that the car was left nearby on the roadside. Then he hung up. "I'm angry," Scott said, recalling her emotions during the situation. "I don't know what's going on." Scott said she found the car several yards from her boyfriend's house with a door left open, and asked some men standing nearby if they had seen any police. She said those men had told her they had. Next, Scott said she took her car, but when she saw the Highway Patrol cruiser coming up behind her, she waved down the officer and pulled to the side of the road. Lane said he was the one who initiated the stop. "The trooper jumps out — 'Get out the car,' 'Get out the car,' " Scott recalled Lane shouting. "He said, 'I had two people run from me today. You will not be the third.' I had no idea what he was talking about." Lane then handcuffed her to his cruiser, even though the investigation reports noted that Scott was "cooperative." Scott, who worked for about 15 years as a California correctional officer before moving to Manning in 2006, said Lane cuffed her to the cruiser for about 30 minutes. He was the one with an attitude, she said. "He pinned me to the car like a pig, an animal," Scott said. "Here I am a mother, an aunt. I didn't understand." Lane said he had called a tow truck and asked Scott if she had a ride, she said yes, and he told her there was a convenience store about 100 yards down the road where she could wait. Scott's and Lane's versions of the events differ. In the end, Scott said she asked the trooper for a ride, he refused, she tried to call 911 and, ultimately, found herself on the side of the road for more than an hour waiting for her mother, who is now 82 years old, and her niece to find her on a dark roadside. Lane stated Scott "started to get loud, hollering at me, wanting to know why I had to tow her car. At this point, I felt like I could not talk to her anymore without her getting disorderly. The longer I was standing there, the louder she got. At that point, I proceeded back to my vehicle." Scott, who was never charged as a result of the incident, received a check from the tow truck driver covering her expenses that was dated around the time her story was first publicized about a week ago. Details of the stop involving Scott and other incidents caught on tape continue to be brought forward. In the meantime, the Senate is preparing to launch its own investigation with the help of the NAACP and Legislative Black Caucus. For Scott, she said she believes the Senate will find a lot of stories like hers when they start to look. "I'm a city girl. I'm not afraid," said Scott, who was raised in New York. "A lot of Southern people say, 'Don't say nothing. It could have been worse.' I'm not one of them."
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Posted by moonpie on March 12, 2008 at 6:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The trooper's report doesn't dispute that he handcuffed Scott and later left her at the scene, but he indicates she was argumentative."
ARGUMENTAIVE, SO YOU LEFT HER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HANDCUFFED? WHAT KIND OF IDIOTS DO THE SC HWY PATROL HIRE?! WELL A LAW SUIT COMING AND RIGHTFULLY SO.
Posted by proud2bme on March 12, 2008 at 6:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
moonpie,
unfortunately, there are idiots hired in all professions, not just the police department.
Posted by 10216340 on March 12, 2008 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The trooper said he asked her if she had a ride and she indicated yes. In addition, there was a convenience store about "100 yards down the road" That stuff is easy enough to verify. I've seen the tape and you can hear plenty on it.....and should be able to hear if the trooper asked if she had a ride. If the trooper is correct than this woman is an idiot and deserves what she got. If the woman is correct the trooper is an idiot and deserves to be fired and much more.
So, my next thought is.....why does the P & C print this kind of story without giving us all the facts.....that's lazy reporting. Why can't the P & C listen to the tape and include in the story if the trooper checked/asked if she had a ride and if there was a store nearby? Bad reporting!
Posted by grainofsalt on March 12, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Right, ColdBeer. And until I actually watched the video this morning, that's the impression I had from the previous stories. The way it was mentioned in previous stories, I was under the impression she had been handcuffed to something and left on the side of some dirt road!
I'm not saying what the officer did was right. He certainly could have handled that better. But the story and this woman's complaint make it seem worse than it was. There was a convenience store 100 yards down the road? Then why does this woman make it sound like she had to wait in the dark for over an hour on the side of a lonely country road? Walk to the convenience store. It was only around 7:30 p.m., right? And it can't be too lonely. There are multiple cars passing by during the entire video.
Again, not saying what the officer did was right, but I'm not sure how race figures into this as I never hear anything racial like in the other video. And while it was a rude thing to do, it has been portrayed as something far worse than it was.
And this woman is playing right into it. On the one had, she's a "mother" and "an aunt" (I'm not sure of the point there, but I guess it means she's fragile?) but also, she's a former corrections officer, she's a city girl and is "not afraid."
I'm not defending the highway patrol. I've no doubt there are bad officers. But I'm sure there are better examples of what the nay-sayers are trying to prove than this one.
Posted by Paul on March 12, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Typical Newsless Courier reporting ...
Posted by theronce on March 12, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In the Scott case, the vehicle registration or DMV records should have indicated to the patrolman of Scott's ownership. If, for some reason, the patrolman impounded the vechicle, then he should have stayed with it or left a note on it or something. Scott's drivers license should have identified her to the patrolman and her as the owner. I would think that a simple explanation at the outset to the driver/owner would have been in order. "Unafraid" does not have to equal "stupid" by being unreasonable or hysterical or combative with a police officer. Of course, a little more courtesy on his part may have avoided some of this too.
Posted by brutus on March 12, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Someone wants a quick buck.
Posted by jca on March 12, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
not to sound mean but i am getting really tired of black people throwing up the race card this isnt the 1960s any more your treated the same as every one else you arent held back white people are blacks are picked over whites for jobs and other things because of affirmative action. if the gas station was so close why didnt she walk to it. she brought this on her self so she could throw the pity card.
someone mentioned cars going by well why didnt she flag someone down
trying to make money is all this garbage is.
she had a cell phone and was on it at the begininng and was clearly intoxicated. there was nothing racial or rude even from this cop. she stated someone was coming to get her, i would have stayed til they arrived but he did have another person in the back of his cruiser no doubt the driver of her car. get over it woman your a con artist
he was wrong for leaving her he should have carried her into the station too
Posted by ebf1 on March 12, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The officer is wrong for leaving her there.why would she flag down cars after dark when she's alone that just doesn't make any sense,and since when does a officer back down because they feel somebody is going to be disorderly.He was wrong in the situation. And jca evrybody is not treated the same as everyone else.
Posted by highclass on March 12, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I read the whole story in The State. I also listened to the tape. The car was first noticed because the driver was doing 91 in a 55. The driver who had a suspended DL was taken to jail the car was to be towed. The woman found out walk over 100 yards to get the car. The car is Angela Scott's mother's car. The store was 100 yards away. She walked that far to the car in the first place. The officer asked her if she needed a ride and she said her mother was coming to get her. She just want a quick buck. Get over it is not racial. She was rude and should be luckly she is not in jail herself.
Posted by nenna_45 on March 12, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's a pile of hogwash. I'm sure if she had waited by the side of the car for the officers return he would have let her take the car home with a quick phone call to the owner as opposed to towing it. Did anyone notice after lane got back into his car the suspect asked Lane if he was going to write him a citation. Officer Lanes respone was NO Sir!
Posted by CHRISJIII on March 12, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just another example of a rogue cop terrorizing the public. It's because they know that they can get away with treating the people of this state like this trooper did without any form of punishment from their superiors who no doubt share their biases. Would you want an officer of the law to leave a female member of your family standing along side a dark road? Would you want them to be handcuffed to a police cruiser for an half an hour without being charged with a crime?
Posted by RTC on March 12, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jca, she was not intoxicated. If she had been, the officer would have arrested her.
For the sake of all readers, please learn how to use punctuation marks. The run on sentences are not only difficult to read, but it sounds like rambling.
Posted by highclass on March 12, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
allwoman- just because the car was not stolen does not mean she should have been allowed to take it. The car was used by someone with no DL, who was driving recklessly the officer called for it to be towed. The woman wanting to save impound fees walked to get the car before the tow truck driver could get there. She is in the wrong. In the tape moments before the officer leaves he asks her if she needed a ride. I don't know the exact time.
Posted by RTC on March 12, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by raregar67 (anonymous) on March 12, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait, Wait...I got it. It must have been an ignorant transplanted yankee w/ a fake accent. There now don't you crackers feel better already?
You were so nice the other day. Why would you lower yourself to use that term? People in the mid to upper state do have very strong Southern accents, unlike Lowcountry residents. It doesn't mean they are ignorant, they just speak differently.
Posted by ticket3477 on March 12, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats not true...they dont always arrest people that are slightly intoxicated...actually the tow their cars.
I was driving a friend home one night..I had only had a couple of drinks and he was wasted...I got pulled because I went through a yellow that was turning red...parallel parked my car and the cop came up and said "have you been drinking" I didnt lie...I said I had had two drinks...so she said well...you can come with me or you can give me your keys and I can tow your car and you can walk home...
I gave her my keys...let her tow my car...and I walked home and picked it up in the morning.
So...actually...they do tow your car as opposed to arresting.
Posted by Perspective on March 12, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't her account indicate that her boyfriend called her and told her the car was there? How did she magically get there? So the person that brought her there to snatch the car before the officer could get back from chasing her boyfriend must not have been available any longer? Didnt they say something about her asking 3 guys if they had seen the cops? I thought this was a deserted road.
Did I misunderstand? Someone please clarify.
Posted by RTC on March 12, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That lady could, and maybe should, have been charged with letting someone with a suspended license have the use of her vehicle. A parent that lets their child drive their vehicle with no license can get in trouble. There's not much difference in this situation.
As far as leaving her on the side of the road, no. A police officer should have waited with her until she was safely picked up. I don't believe that the police are required to do this, but it would have been the courteous thing to do.
Maybe he was just really angry about the lying that went on and took it out on her. He never sounded angry on the video, so who knows what his thoughts were.
Posted by outrage on March 12, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Check her cell phone records. Numerous people running from police call pick-up vehicles. The run to a certain area, bail out of the car, and are picked up before police can saturate the area.
Cite the owner for allowing an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle. Check and see if this driver had been pulled in this vehicle before. How did she see a cruiser at night, behind her, if his blue lights were not on? Why did she ask those people if they saw the police if she did not know what was going on?
Simple answer to the story! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Posted by Deborah on March 12, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I clearly do not always agree with the behavior of our police officers. I do believe sometimes it is plainly cruel and sometimes the "Napoleon Syndrome" theses officers suffer from. They should definitely be reprimanded and/or fired because of this behavior. However I am sick to death because it always ends up being a racial issue according to the victim. Being a caucasian person I can see many times we could also complain because we are definitely excluded. Lord knows if we had a White College, A white only beautiful pageant, A White Expo we would end up having to go to court to defend our rights. Sorry to get off subject but see my point? What is up with that?
Posted by momfirst on March 12, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wait a minute, when I first read about this story in the P&C, I really felt the officer was wrong and I felt this poor woman had been mistreated. Now that the paper decides to give us all the facts, now that they have everyone in an uproar about a racial issue I see things a little more clearly. First off the woman was wrong to let someone drive her car who doesn't have a valid license, then she was fine to walk to the car and get it, she should be fine to walk back from the car. She just wants to sue and get some money, and make this into some race thing. And guess what? She will get paid, the officer will get in trouble, and once again this is a race thing about how blacks in the south are still treated unfairly. I am so tired of this crap. Lets be honest she was in the wrong and then I'm sure she was a hardass about it. Either way this officer was in a no win situation. IF she had not let someone with no drivers license drive her car,IF the car had not been speeding, and IF someone would not have bailed out of the car. None of this would be going on. How was that officer to know what the people in that car had done that would warrent them to run like that? People need to see this for what it is. Bull#@*&!!!!!!!
Posted by nenna_45 on March 12, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If I were the HP I'd take it to a jury. With all the cards laid out I don't think she'd get a dime.
Posted by forget on March 12, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
On Oct 19th is it dark at 7:30? I can't remember. If she can walk (sneak) and pick up the car, then she can walk to the convenience store. She allowed a criminal to use her car, then tried to cover it up and keep the car from being impounded. No, he should not have left her there. He should have brought her in. She said she had a ride, and a store was right there. Like I said, if she can walk the same distance to pick up the car, she can walk the same distance to the store. Had nothing to do with her being black. Had more to do with her and her family being opportunist. If this bunch looked for more opportunities to better themselves with education and work other than looking for opportunities to take advantage of the system, they'd be much better off. And she should save the overacting for community theater, another opportunity they sure haven't explored.
I guess I'm not feeling very charitable today. Usually I prefer to look at both sides, but this "victim" stuff is getting old. I think she's a victim of herself.
Posted by grannyofsix on March 12, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RTC when did P&C hire you to tell other posters how to write thier post??? This is not a classroom. And, hey! maybe we should start writing them in short form as we do in other places on the internet. Or on our phones as we do texting just to P*$$ you off.
Posted by RTC on March 12, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now granny, you and I have never had harsh words. I simply asked jca to make it easier for people to read her posts. I do not make a habit of correcting people's typing. We all make mistakes. I didn't call her any names, and I did say please. Sorry if I offended you.
Posted by outrage on March 12, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How to succeed in life - Win the lottery or sue people. SCARY!
Posted by nochasgirl on March 12, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And what if someone's mother, aunt, or daughter had been killed in an accident resulting from this person driving 91 mph? Who would be responsible?
Posted by MotherC on March 12, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I viewed the video from the Scott files and never heard the officer ask her for a ride. I picked up a nasty vibe from him. yes, he's a typical southern redneck. you can tell from how he spoke to the women. Who was he talking to while in his crusier? When he said you're in SC, someone please tell me what he meant? I don't want to think the wrong thing. I also viewed the video from 12/12/04 Just make them mad and the true words come out. Some one need to tell those people that don't know what a n***** is, to look it up. N****** come in all colors. How can we expect them to stop calling us n*****, when we call each other that. It's not what they call you, it's what you answer to. I was upset when I heard the officer in the video say come here n*****, he said I'll kill you. We could not see what went on while the officer had him on the groung, but you can hear him beating the young man, it got to the other 2, the officer had in the front of the car, the young man even threw his hat down. A lot was not heard but something like that, the officer shoul have been fired. The boys should have come clean.
Posted by nenna_45 on March 12, 2008 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
then they would have reported the car stolen.........
Posted by forget on March 12, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the P&C expected public opinion to be a bit different than it is. I think they wanted to start a whole "thing" with this story, and it isn't happening. Going through most of the posts, most people think Ms. Scott is a major contributing factor to this situation. I think P&C tried to make a case of the HP being "broken" with this incident. They need to try again.
Posted by forget on March 12, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just don't think that much drama was necessary. I think if it was me, I wouldn't want the entire state to know that I had a LOSER boyfriend that I allowed to commit a crime in my mother's auto. Plus, I wouldn't want the entire state to know what I tried to pull off by trying to take the car back. Nooooooo, I think I would have just left it alone. But, that's just me.
Posted by Test2007 on March 12, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wpc3iop - have to agree there
Posted by jrobinson on March 12, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The officer had a right to be pissed off. He was getting the run around from this woman, and whoever was driving her car. You have to look at the whole picture. If she willingly let her boyfriend, who has no DL drive her car to the store, then more than likely she was trying to get in that car, and leave the scene before the police got back. She is criminal minded. She knew driving without a license is against the law, and I doubt if that's the first time she let him do it. If you commit small crimes, then you probably commit big crimes. The officer probably shouldn't have handcuffed her to the car, but hell, he was tired of chasing people. I am the first to point out racism when I see it, but I don't think this incident was racial. This is an incident about a woman, who shouldn't have let her boyfriend drive her car, and an officer who was pissed off, and made a bad decision. This woman is going to be victimized twice. Her boyfriend has already victimized her, by loaning her car out to his criminal cousin, and the NAACP is about to victimize her, because they she her as the perfect victim to prove their point. Well, at least she'll get paid. And please don't call me a racist, because I'm as black as they come. I'm just "keepin it real".
Posted by outrage on March 12, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jrobinson - Thanks for "keepin it real".
It's about the Benjamins!
Posted by Roger1978 on March 12, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So in the video where the Trooper chased the scumbag criminal and then used the, oh no, "n" word, the scumbag he chased is 18YEARS OLD AND HAS A 7 PAGE RAP SHEET WHICH INCLUDES MURDER!!! Please tell me you people do NOT feel sorry for a MURDERER!!??
This second incident sounds to me like a certain lady has $$$$$ in her eyes. Typical. She didn't look scared, she had plenty of time to call for a ride, a store was just down the street, WHATEVER WHATEVER WHATEVER... SHE'S FULL OF IT AND JUST WANTS MONEY.
Thanks goodness if and when this goes to some type of court of Law a jury will have more info than this USELESS newspaper provides.
Posted by grannyofsix on March 12, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry RTC but, It just sounded as if we were back in school and being graded. yes we do agree a lot of the times and today I kind of agree with you. but how dark was it at 7:30PM and why didnt he let her have the car once he found out she could drive it back home. on the other hand, with how dark was it since she walked there why couldnt she walk back home. something doesnt smell right in the cauldron. right from the beginning either way I see money in someones future.
Posted by nochasgirl on March 12, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
15 years as a corrections officer? She should know law enforcement officers deserve respect. Respect goes both ways: treat someone with respect, and they will return the respect.
Posted by forget on March 12, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I say the same thing. Usually incidents begin with the lack of respect for the person just doing their job. And with a rap sheet as long as his, he seems to have a lack of respect for alot of things. Now, I don't condone the names they said. Not for a minute. But I say, point fingers in both directions on that one.
I say the woman in the other incident is just looking to cash in. Just look at all the dramatic acting. She needs to save it for community theater.
Posted by Smart_Enough_2_Know_Better on March 12, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Having an officer handcuff someone without cause is bad enough. But then to leave someone by the side of the road ANY time- but especially a woman and especially at night- is a travesty. While I will agree with the officer that she was being argumentative, in no way did her actions merit the treatment she received. I think she was scared and lashed out based on the way she initially was treated, but she was not malicious. The mission of law enforcement is to protect and serve- he failed on both counts.
From the video it’s impossible to say WHY he acted the way he did, but the officer clearly has anger management issues and shouldn't be interacting with the public. He could very easily be treating other people similarly, regardless of race or gender, in which case he should be taken off the street and put him behind a desk or working the firing range. But if he did it because he's a racist or misogynist, then firing is exactly what he deserves.
As for the second video, I saw a good ol' boy cop pulling over a carload of scum bags. The first two scum bags seemed respectful enough, but the third clearly was a threat and caused the officer to panic. Was his language appropriate? Absolutely not. But does that mean he's a racist? Maybe. Quite frankly I couldn't tell from the video. Having grown up in an obviously less-than-politically correct time and place, this officer may have developed a tolerance for words that aren't appropriate in society at large. To fall back on some of those words during times of anger or stress is wrong, but normal. It's just hard to say from what I saw here if this man was a racist or just using a racist word. Often where there's smoke there's fire- but not always. Clearly the officer would need sensitivity training, but I would want to have more information before I made the decision to ruin a man's career solely on this video.
Posted by forget on March 12, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
seriously- Huh?
Posted by Hutch on March 12, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The trooper did what he had to do they had been drinking and were arguing with the trooper,one even tried to get away
and refused to be restained. I glad it didn't end in a tragic way.
Posted by orvinc on March 12, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
seriouslyb4real-
Stop drinking the KoolAid!!! you need to get real- those "criminals" protect you in ways you may never know about. I hope that if one day you need law enforcement they will be there- despite your comments.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on March 12, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You won't find a citizen more pro-law enforcement than I am. That said, if that had been my mother treated like that WHEN HE KNEW THE CAR WASN'T STOLEN, then left in the grass on the shoulder of the road, I would own that officer's badge and every asset he had. There are some things you do not do.
Posted by blackwoman on March 12, 2008 at 8:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am all for law respecting police officers. I am grateful for the job they do. Listen closely to what he says . . . "I am the wrong person to get nasty with." That is a threat, period.
Posted by grannyofsix on March 12, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I did not here her get Nasty. I cant get audio at my office so had to wait to get home. I respect and admire what our law inforcement try to do. but, she didnt get nasty he did . as far as leaving her there like it was stated, she only had 100 yards to get to the store and she did have a cell phone to get a ride. I still feel someone is coming into money real soon
Posted by rollo on March 12, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"She found her car several yards from her boyfriends' house"
So why didn't she walk "several yards" back to her boyfriends' house instead of standing by the road and calling her 82 yr old mother?
She loaned her car to a boyfriend whose license had been suspended, she finds her car and never thinks that the police may be watching the car to see who comes by to pick it up? It is illegal to loan a car to an unlicensed driver.
She may be a "city girl", but she don't sound real savvy.
Posted by jolena01 on March 12, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I must say that the police officer who said.... i am gonna kill you needs to be in jail for just the threat "he is gonna kill him". What gives any officer the right to call someone out their name. I believe that they should set an example. There are good police officer but some walk around like they can say and do what they feel. I feel that both need to lose their job.
Posted by pelicanwoman on March 12, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
While many police officers are dedicated and capable, there are some lemons in every profession. Problem is, in this profession they have lots of power.
A few years ago, in a nearby state, my husband witnessed an accident and went to assist. The man paniced when his insurance was going to be cancelled, so he accused my husband of causing the accident (he was found not responsible in court). The state trooper investigating was unprofessional, threated my husband with a felony charge and harrassed him for months. And race was not a factor or cause of this bad behavior-they are both white.
Posted by BPFROM843 on March 13, 2008 at 1:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this pig should be fired and brought up on charges of obstruction why were they not fired along with his superiors where is internal affairs
Posted by jca on March 13, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
why does race even need to be mentioned. ever. its insane.
the lady was rude look at her body language. he did offer her a ride she was rude and rolled her eyes at him. he was rude right back.
and to those who keep correcting or gripping about how i type. its not an essay its a message board. who cares if i can spell or remember to put in a period. its not a report of some kind. rtc get over it. im not the only one stop correcting every one. i type fast and have small kids pardon me.
this woman is out to make money and get a frustrated cop fired
Posted by outrage on March 13, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BPFROM843 - "pig" That is so 1960's.