Hunt for botched paramilitary raids in your town!
polycounter lvl 19
http://www.cato.org/raidmap/
This infuriates me. No-Knock raids are out of control. There is no reason for 44,000 uses of Swat teams in the past 20 years. Maybe in Kosovo, but not in the US.
Here's from my hometown, Richmond, VA.
Christie Green.
In December 1998, police in Richmond, Virginia conduct a paramilitary drug raid on an apartment suspected of drug activity. During the raid, Sgt. George Ingram fires a "breaching round" shotgun shell -- intended to blow the locks off of doors -- into the door leading to the apartment's kitchen. Ingram fires five rounds, one of which goes through the door and strikes 18-year-old Christie Green in the chest. Green later dies from her injuries.
Green didn't live at the apartment, and police concede they had no reason to believe she was involved in any drug activity, nor that she knew any was going on in the apartment. Green's family sued both the city of Richmond and the manufacturer of the round, which is designed to dissolve on impact. In 2002, a circuit court jury found that the manufacturer of the round wasn't liable for Green's death. Then, in 2004, a judge in Richmond found that the officer who fired the round wasn't liable, either. Meaning that an innocent woman was killed in a botched raid, and no one was assigned responsibility.
In March 2005, the Virginia State Supreme Court reinstated the case against the city and the officer, ruling that a jury, not a judge, should make the determination of liability. In January 2006, a jury found Officer Ingram grossly negligent in the raid, and awarded the Green family $1.5 million in damages.
Post ridiculous uses of Swat teams in your hometown!
This infuriates me. No-Knock raids are out of control. There is no reason for 44,000 uses of Swat teams in the past 20 years. Maybe in Kosovo, but not in the US.
Here's from my hometown, Richmond, VA.
Christie Green.
In December 1998, police in Richmond, Virginia conduct a paramilitary drug raid on an apartment suspected of drug activity. During the raid, Sgt. George Ingram fires a "breaching round" shotgun shell -- intended to blow the locks off of doors -- into the door leading to the apartment's kitchen. Ingram fires five rounds, one of which goes through the door and strikes 18-year-old Christie Green in the chest. Green later dies from her injuries.
Green didn't live at the apartment, and police concede they had no reason to believe she was involved in any drug activity, nor that she knew any was going on in the apartment. Green's family sued both the city of Richmond and the manufacturer of the round, which is designed to dissolve on impact. In 2002, a circuit court jury found that the manufacturer of the round wasn't liable for Green's death. Then, in 2004, a judge in Richmond found that the officer who fired the round wasn't liable, either. Meaning that an innocent woman was killed in a botched raid, and no one was assigned responsibility.
In March 2005, the Virginia State Supreme Court reinstated the case against the city and the officer, ruling that a jury, not a judge, should make the determination of liability. In January 2006, a jury found Officer Ingram grossly negligent in the raid, and awarded the Green family $1.5 million in damages.
Post ridiculous uses of Swat teams in your hometown!
Replies
Richard Brown.
After a tip from an informant stating that he was selling drugs from his home, a Miami SWAT team bursts into the home of 73-year-old retired salesman Richard Brown, and immediately begins firing.
By the end of the raid, they'd pumped 123 rounds into Brown and his apartment, killing him at the scene. Brown's 14-year-old great-granddaughter was also home at the time of the raid, and cowered in the bathroom during the gunfire.
Police found no drugs in Brown's home.
The city of Miami would later pay a $2.5 million settlement to Brown's estate after officers on the raiding SWAT team were indicted for lying about the details of the raid.
Former Miami Internal Affairs supervisor and 25-year police veteran John Dalton, now retired, told the Miami Herald that the Internal Affairs supervisor at the time of the raid, William O'Brien, discouraged a thorough investigation of the Brown case. "They were very defensive about this shooting from the beginning," Dalton said, adding that he'd been "chewed out" by O'Brien for asking difficult questions.
In March 1992, police in Everett, Washington storm the home of Robin Pratt on a no-knock warrant. They are looking for her husband, who would later be released when the allegations in the warrant turned out to be false.
Though police had a key to the apartment, they instead choose to throw a 50-pound battering ram through the apartment's sliding-glass door. Glass shards land inches away from the couple's six-year-old daughter and five-year-old niece. One officer encounters Robin Pratt on the way to her bedroom. Hearing other SWAT team members yell "Get down!" Pratt falls to her knees. She then raises her head briefly to say, "Please don't hurt my children." At that point, Deputy Anthony Aston fires his weapon, putting a bullet in her neck, killing her.
Officers next entered the bedroom, where Dep. Aston then put the tip of his MP-5 assault submachine gun against Larry Pratt's head. When Pratt asked if he could move, another officer said that if he did, he'd have his head blown off.
Though a subsequent investigation by a civilian inquest jury found the shooting "unjustified," the officer who shot and killed Pratt was never charged.
I remeber hearing about this one... Only she didn't die instantly she bled to death when it was possible to save her life IF police had reacted as quickly as they shot her.
Robin Pratt.
In March 1992, police in Everett, Washington storm the home of Robin Pratt on a no-knock warrant. They are looking for her husband, who would later be released when the allegations in the warrant turned out to be false.
Though police had a key to the apartment, they instead choose to throw a 50-pound battering ram through the apartment's sliding-glass door. Glass shards land inches away from the couple's six-year-old daughter and five-year-old niece. One officer encounters Robin Pratt on the way to her bedroom. Hearing other SWAT team members yell "Get down!" Pratt falls to her knees. She then raises her head briefly to say, "Please don't hurt my children." At that point, Deputy Anthony Aston fires his weapon, putting a bullet in her neck, killing her.
Officers next entered the bedroom, where Dep. Aston then put the tip of his MP-5 assault submachine gun against Larry Pratt's head. When Pratt asked if he could move, another officer said that if he did, he'd have his head blown off.
Though a subsequent investigation by a civilian inquest jury found the shooting "unjustified," the officer who shot and killed Pratt was never charged.
Sources:
Jolayne Houtz, "Suit filed against city, county in SWAT death -- Officers also named in Everett shooting," Seattle Times, October 16, 1992.
Rick Anderson, "License to Kill," Seattle Weekly, November 3, 1999.
March 24, 1992
i'll keep looking. but i would like to point out, that being at the opposite end of the gun offers a completely different perspective, and while im not trying to justify any actions that have led to innocent casualties. in a lot of cases, you are trained to deal with any resistance firmly, so that they will not offer any threat later, unfortunately, a lot of people are under the impression, that this means "shoot them, and worry about them if they are alive later".
that kind of thing shouldnt happen, there are so many ways to disarm/immobilise someone, without shooting them, and definately without shooting them somewhere lethal.
but this is one thats sparked a lot of interest over here (England).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4711619.stm
Law enforcement has to put up with a lot of hostile activity so it isnt surprising for them to be very wary of any individual, regardless child, woman or man..
They are not supposed to be your friendly neighbourhood postmen, they enforce the law with deadly force and can exercize that right under suitable circumstances.
Cops dont individually perform raids at leizure, they are relying on intel and following orders. If they are given the task of raiding a place, do you expect them to ask questions and try to reason with possible criminals ? No, they have already settled with the fact that there is a chance of a hostile resistance and criminal activity.
When the shit hits the fan, i think i'd rather have the policeman who is armed and is not hesitant to use force in hostile environments.
They are making a forced entry for god;s sakes of course there is a high chance of physical confrontation amist all the confusion and noise .. How easy do you think it is to evaluate who is an enemy and who is an innocent in less than a nanosecond?
Dont put the blame on the cops, put the blame on incompetent intel..
Lastly, i find that people exercise too much of their freedom when coming in contact with law enforcement, thinking that living in a free country allows you to do what you please. If a police officeer pulled you over, or stopped you, or is questioning you there is no reason not to cooperate, he's the man in the uniform for gods sakes. You cooperate or else.
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The king county area of Washington has a LOT of raids for Marijuana. Some of which were flawed because the state permits the medical use of marijuana. Now I understand if you're taking down a cocaine dealer, but why are they ramming in with SWAT teams to arrest a marijuana user?!
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You crazy pothead, haven't you ever heard of Reefer Madness, we must protect the children!
Why don't they storm someone's house and shoot up some people because they allegedly J-walked on the afternoon of the third?!
Cheryl Lynn Noel.
January 21, 2005MD
Baltimore County, Maryland police descend on a home in the Dundalk neighborhood at around 5 a.m. on a narcotics warrant. They deploy a flashbang grenade, then quickly subdue the first-floor occupants -- a man and two young adults.
When officers enter the second-floor bedroom of Cheryl Llynn Noel, they break open the door to find the middle-aged woman in her bed, frightened, and pointing a handgun at them. One officer fires three times. Noel dies at the scene.
Friends and acquaintances described Noel as "a wonderful person," who ran a Bible study group on her lunch breaks. One man collected 200 signatures from friends, neighbors, and coworkers vouching for her character.
Officers conducted the raid after finding marijuana seeds in the Noels' garbage can.
But in all seriousness, it was very depressing reading through that site. In the area I live I actually have much, much more fear of the police than a burglar or any other criminal. I understand it's a very stressful job and at times they're putting their lives on the line. But this is a bit much.
On one side, the cops don't want to give "subjects" the chance to arm themselves, put up a fight or flee.
On the otherside what the hell do you expect people to do when you bust thier down in unanouced. Of course a gun owner is going to roll out of bed reaching for thier piece. They are breaking into someones house and not anoucing who or what they are doing.
I guess it really falls back on the cops, once they are in they should very vocal about who they are and what people should do if they don't wish to be killed. I wonder how many of these killing are accidental as in the cops go in with fingers on triggers (as they should be trained NOT to) and get startled?
Why go after pot heads instead of harder ciminals? If you where a cop which place would you like to bust into? A pot heads home where they might not realize what is going on until after they placed thier one phone call, or some place with real danger?
Seeing all the red markers (meaning inoccents killed) it just goes to renforce my fear that cops shoot first and ask questions later.
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Keep in mind, the map represents a 20-year span.
Kenneth Jamar
On the morning of June 27, 2006, a SWAT team forcibly enters the home Kenneth Jamar, a man in his 50's suffering from gout. Police say Jamar confronted them with a weapon, causing them to open fire. Jamar would be hospitalized in critical condition with multiple gunshot wounds. Family members dispute the officers' account of the raid, noting Jamar's infirm status, and that the man "couldn't get up to make himself a ham sandwich."
Police were looking Jerome Wallace, wanted on drug conspiracy chargers. Jamar is the Wallace's uncle, but Wallace does not live with Jamar, and never has.
The police later picked up Jerome Wallace at the scene as he watched his uncle being taken to the hospital.
Kenneth Baulch.
On February 14, 1991, police storm the mobile home of 26-year-old Kenneth Baulch. Baulch is asleep with his 17-month-old son when police wearing all black clothes and ski masks break into the trailer.
Police first confront Baulch's brother, Michael Baulch, Jr. They were acting on an informant's tip that there were drugs in the apartment. According to a lawsuit later filed by the family, Michael Baulch tried to warn police that his brother and nephew were asleep, but was told, "Shut your fucking mouth, or I'll blow your fucking brains out."
The same officer then kicked down the bedroom door and immediately fired three shots, hitting Kenneth Baulch in the back, killing him. Baulch was holding an ashtray in his left hand. Police say he used it to attack the officer, though Baulch's family says he's right-handed, a smoker, and that subsequent investigations show Baulch was walking away from the door when he was shot.
Michael Baulch was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession, the only charge to result from the raid. A subsequent internal affairs and grand jury investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of the officer who shot Kenneth Baulch.
It makes me sick. Even IF he did assault the officer with an ash tray why would they need to shoot him? It's fucking ridiculous. How hard is it to take down a guy armed with a fucking ash tray??? How is a cop not found guilty of any wrong-doing when he's probably wearing a bullet-proof vest and other protective gear and he's only faced by a guy holding an ash tray and he shoots him??? Insane.
Erdman Bascomb.
In February 1988, police in Seattle, Washington conduct a late-night drug raid on the home of 41-year old Erdman Bascomb after an informant tells them there's cocaine inside.
Police knock on Bascomb's door, wait just a few seconds, then force the door open with a battering ram. Officer Bob Lisoski confronts Bascomb in the darkened apartment, mistakenly believes Bascomb to be holding a gun, and shoots him dead. Bascomb was holding only the remote control for his television.
Police found no drugs or weapons in Bascomb's home. In 1995, a federal jury found no wrongdoing on the part of Seattle police, and awarded Bascomb's family no damages.
Salvador Hernandez.
On August 2, 1996, police storm the home of 62-year-old Salvator Hernandez on a drug raid. The raid is part of a broader raid that morning involving 47 police officers and federal agents.
Hernandez, who is nearly deaf, is making breakfast for himself and his friend, 54-year old Bortolo Pineda.
According to police, as they entered the home, Hernandez took the knife he was using to make breakfast and "lunged" at them with a "menacing" look on his face. According to Pineda, Hernandez didn't hear the police shouts, and had turned to get some sausage from the refrigerator. Police opened fire, and hit Hernandez in the chest five times, killing him.
Hernandez was a farmworker described by friends and his employer as a "good man," and a "good worker." He had no criminal record, and in fact had been a police officer in Mexico before coming to America. He was a grandfather of 21 and a great-grandfather of one. There were no drugs on his person or in his system.
Just days later, a grand jury would clear the raiding officers of all charges, ruling that they had reason to believe their lives were in danger.
Salem police pointedly refused to apologize for Hernandez's death.
cops may wear protective gear,, but they ar not in tanks, and they are only people.. some are people that are cruel heartless bastards,, and others are people who may get scared for their lives. its hard to judge without knowing. also as far as i know anytime the police break in they do it yelling POLICE and then directions,, its not really like a sneak attack,
http://theagitator.com/
I found some more articles linked from that site with more detailed info on some of the raids listed on the map.
ok just to shed some light, there is no question that drugs and armed criminals are interconnected.
Marijuana growers or any other drug distributors arent light hearted peace loving people trying to make a buck, they are criminals and they make big bucks so naturally they are armed and dangerous ..
There's a somber beginning to all these articles "according to a tip from an informant"
Put yourself in the position of an armed operative. You're to perform a drug raid and expect armed resistance, you see a person pointing something at you and not listening to your orders... Are you going to sit down and comtemplate? At times like these, it's either you or them ....
They already got a certain mindset according to the intel from the start, little blame should be put on the officers and total blame on the idiocy that this police intelligence is ..
in the Uk some geezer was shot and killed by armed police for carrying a table-fucking-leg home in a plastic bag. (armed police are deployed in the UK, normal cops don't carry guns)
In Japan it gets weirder, especially the stories of cops shooting THEMSELVES by accident! Face it, guns are for killing, cops shouldn't have them.
And here you go, a site chronicling cops killed in the line of duty:
http://www.nleomf.com/TheMemorial/lineofduty.htm
Google turns up loads of sites for that. Now a site chronicling lives saved by cops is a lot harder to find. Seems even the cops themselves don't care to tell those stories.
you lot have it easy.
in the Uk some geezer was shot and killed by armed police for carrying a table-fucking-leg home in a plastic bag. (armed police are deployed in the UK, normal cops don't carry guns)
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yep not to mention Jean Charles de Menezes, being gunned down for being a bit dodgy.
but i think were lucky in the UK the main police dont carry arms, guns are kinda illegal, and we dont get as much problems as across the water, but its going to get worse here, i live in Mossside manchester, and gun crimes getting worse, the bookies across from my old house was robbed by blokes with guns 3 times in one and a half years. got quite a regular experience having a cop knock on the door toi see if we knew/saw anything.
i agree that cops shouldnt have guns, nor should the general public, but i see an arms race happening as the crims arm themselves better, the cops will need to etc etc
Cops have saved lives? That's well and good, but frankly that's their job. They don't get a carte blanche to shoot innocent civilians one day, because the previous seven they were doing good.
Face it, guns are for killing, cops shouldn't have them.
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Lol, that wouldn't quite work in the United States. You have to understand, we have an armed populous. This isn't Japan, where it's harder to get a shotgun than an original Picasso.
Whenever i see a movie where cops poullover cars because they were speeding or something, makes me laugh because in here, that sure as hell wont happen. I mean. whenever i see a cop car on the road, i try to pass it over. lol soo cool. altho. you are all saying bad about them shoting people and not get charged, in here, being a cop is a really bad job, cause you have to pay for everything that you wreck, for example, if you dent your cop car you have to pay for it, if you ruin your cop suit you also have to pay for it. the other day on tv i saw that every cop only get a year like 40bullets of ammo to train, exceding that number they have to pay for it. If they shoot someone in here, they open an investigation right away to see if they had to shoot and stuff like that. its true, but sucks to be a cop in portugal. fortunate for me, im not a cop. so horray!
glad to know a stick up the ass is what you get for looking like your about to do something. makes me feel really safe to know my sodas are free from people that look like they might be doing something to them. he went to cort the cop got nothing, my cousin got a ruptured colon, a broken collar bone, 47 stitches in his face, head and leg.
he will not even drink soda to this day.
Ebagg this is a thread about how shitty some cops are . I mean ive had good run-ins with cops . I had a cop let me and my friend go after my friend was driving with No License , No Insurence , Expired tags and he had a bench warrect for speeding tickets . The cop just said he better " get that all taken care of " . Now he was a cool cop but I have 10 horrible cop experiences for every decent cop run-in.
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I would argue that if the cop let your friend go with all that against him, the cop isn't a good cop.
At least most of these incidents were accidental or at least bad judgement. Where I come from the policy is shoot first, questions invole too much paperwork. I was at a frinds house one night and we had a burglar, so, my friend got out his 9mm and went to the livingroom and shot the guy in the leg. The burglar promptly fell to the ground and put his hands over his head. He couln't have been more than 14 or 15. We called the cops and after about 2 hours they finaly pitched. The officer in charge walked up to the kid, drew his gun and shot him in the head. He then LAUGHED and joked that it was less paperwork. The kid turned out to be my friends gardeners son, still a thief but come on.
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And the cop didn't get jailed for murder? Man, that fucker should've been executed on the spot.
Xaltar : i dont believe your story.
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Xaltar : i dont believe your story.
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haha my redonkulous reply was ment as a retort to his off the wall the story, mine is totally fake, i was hoping obiously fake and someone would get the joke, and people would just start posting utter nonsense. but i guess butt raping cops isnt too far fetched. i will try harder next time!
But of all the cops that I know, (most of whom have been through a lot of shit) not one of them says "All of the stupid civilians are just out to abuse us cops and mess with people!"
And I can guarantee you that each of those cops has had to deal with more shithead civilians than any of you have had to deal with shithead cops.
Seriously, there are probably less bad cops out there than you think. It's just those inglorious few who stand out, and spawn websites like the one that started this whole thing. Damn straight that these few should face repurcussions. But don't blame them all, because a lot of them do their job well and are decent people.