Exhausted on the Nations Mall

Not one more step!

Great Job Policing in small town America.

Well, we've been discussing issues regarding the police. In little ol' Austin last winter the police addressed an issue regarding a possibly armed suspect by rolling out the military hardware. Troop Transport, helmets, soldier outfits. The whole militarized deal I've been harping on. The suspect got away. Well after a shooting the other day, neighbors gave the police a description of the suspect vehicle. Instead of a 'Police State Military Response' the police opted for a civilian police response i.e. 'Community Based Policing'. It worked. They arrested a suspect. Nice job. No stand off. No needless overtime or frightened neighborhoods.

I discussed investigative procedures a couple of posts ago. Apparently baseball bats were used in an assault. You may recall a couple weeks ago that I discussed a convenience store being robbed with bats. Is there something to this modus operandi fitting with the robbery? Lets hope the Chief knows what this word means and how to look into the matter.

I received this message from a reader and chuckled. This was an action detailed in Brand of Justice! I'm tellin' ya I was a cop too long to not have these experiences impact my stories! . . . Officers found Price getting into his silver jaguar in front of his home at the 800 block of Fifth Street Northeast, according to the complaint. Police saw a .357 caliber bullet sitting on top of insulation in an unfinished wall inside Price’s garage, where they later found several more bullets and a Ruger LCR .357 magnum revolver.

Against All Odds . . .

Looks to me like the Chief (detailed in yesterdays post) can handle a press conference! He wrote himself up a script and read it without flubbing it up this time. I'm impressed. Now I guess it's onward to infinity and beyond.

Oh, this just in. Positive changes in the offing?

Sept 17 (Reuters) - Los Angeles schools' police said on Tuesday it would give up three grenade launchers it acquired for free through a federal program now facing mounting scrutiny for supplying local agencies with military-grade equipment, the L.A Times newspaper reported.

Shooting in Austin. Can the Chief handle a Press Conference? Don't bet on it!

Yesterday I mentioned a Chief and his inability to perform his duties. He is very inexperienced and refuses to educated himself on matters regarding public service. Oh sure, he studied manuals and came up five star bars to pin on his uniform so he looks the part. But it's the same ol' story when push comes to shove. I'm thinking the Press Conference will be handled by someone other than the Chief.

Yesterday I pointed out that this Chief was referencing DNA to solve crimes where DNA would never be used. I mentioned how his fella botched a Press Conference regarding a robbery. He should have refrained from using police lingo and described the suspects and asked for input from the community instead of concentrating on putting all kinds of yellow tape around the crime scene.

A reporter told me that the Chief acts like a deer in headlights. An officer told me when the Captain takes off and the Chief is left to run the department that he comes up with all kinds of goofy stuff. The officers bid their time with the knowledge that the Captain will straighten things out upon his return.

On the good side, this Chief is morally sound and conducts his personal life beyond reproach. He's just naive and has no idea how to be a Chief. I'll let y'all know how this plays out. 

Back in Minnesota-What's Next?

Good god it's chilly back in the Midwest or perhaps I'm not used to it. Here's the deal. Readers of this blog certainly must be getting the feeling that we are digging into issues long before they come to a head. What's next? What do we need to dig into? Email me if that's where your comfort zone is. You can also post directly to this blog and I will not know who in the hell ya are. Promise.

In the land where I hail out of it seems the alleged law violators are winning. First, several are shot at the Lansing Corners Eatery. The Sheriff is in the media collecting DNA but no arrests have ever occurred. Next, the militarized police move in on a house where they thought a car jacking suspect was hiding out. After a day long stand-off it was discovered the suspect had scooted. Then, the police attempt to stop a car but it drives off as the cop is walking up to the drivers side door. The squad speeds off to apprehended the naughty driver only to find it's been abandoned. But wait. A stocking cap was found in a yard. The Chief of Police puts his ignorance on public display by claiming the hat was going to be DNA tested to determine the identity of the suspect. Then finally, several individuals walked into a Convenience Store and struck employees with bats and robbed the place. The Chief jumps in front of cameras and uses words like perpetrator, female, male, suspects and more and more cop lingo. Oh, tons of yellow tape was strung around the store, but yet, nobody has been taken into custody.

On the positive side, the cops seem rather adapt at nailing traffic violations. I don't know. I suppose another positive would be the public, that is served and protected, has a short memory. Everyone seems focused on what's gonna happen as opposed to what has happened and just what could be done to improve things. Yeap . . . my friend Moose seemed to sum it up best. If ya wanna get away with crime move to . . .

So big guy, what do you think of Kenneth Green being found innocent?

Great question. Kenneth Green is involved in a shoot out with the police and is dumped in jail for 25 months facing something like 48 counts of this and that. He's offered plea deals and the media has a hay day with this case. Then in no time flat a jury finds Kenneth innocent. I suppose there are some out there who still maintain this could never happen to them. I wrote a book my friends, called Brand of Justice. Hell, I could have called it Kenneth's story.

The Citizens Side.

The Cops Side.

So what do I think? I believe the jury got this right. I believe the system owes Kenneth big time. The crack about pallbearers. Really? I believe the Chief Investigative Reporter at ABC 7 News, Chuck Goudie sounds like he's been sucking up to cops for too long. Remember Chuck, it happened to Kenneth . . . and it could happen to you!

Finally, isn't it high time we learn from our mistakes? Isn't it high time we strive for improvements? 

The 911 Memorial

Staring up at the exact point of impact begs the question . . . How can a gulf separate humanity to the point where so much death and destruction must deliberately occur?

A Reviewers Reaction to a Reviewers Reaction involving Brand of Justice

I agree with this reaction from a previously posted comment . . . regarding 'maybe'. In these times of Mike Brown, Militarized Police, Misconduct of Prosecutors, False Arrests and Wrongful Convictions do we have to struggle with this issue???

I absolutely love the plot line of this novel. With a really good edit, this novel would be terrific. However, because the word maybe is "may be" and the wrong form of "there" is used several times, I could not give it more stars.

What the fuck is this person smoking? I have read books with errrrors far worse than this and never gave it a thought. I have seen things like BGF which could mean just about anything and the book still got great reviews.

I think this person is just trying to get attention and hoping to get a sharp reply and then attack again defening their position.

I hope you iked all of the miss use of words my friend, cus I am laughing my ass off right now.

LAKs

You Old Rodeo Clown

What do Ray Rice and the unidentified police officer in LA have in common?

   

Just who is my demographic?

Brand of Justice was thoroughly edited by Sween Services. This outfit represents many years of editing by retired English specialists. So I'm scratching my head regarding concerns representing the editing of this book, but, must say I'm glad ya loved the plot line. My primary concern with this review is that the reviewer did not get the thrust of this story. Issues concerning a frustration with the criminal justice system. Innocent folks being put to death because of a faulty system. The belief that 'it'll never happen to me'. Apathy. What about Ferguson and on and on?

I absolutely love the plot line of this novel. With a really good edit, this novel would be terrific. However, because the word maybe is "may be" and the wrong form of "there" is used several times, I could not give it more stars.

Is it possible for us to learn a thing or two?

What side am I on anyways? I'm on the side of good law enforcement. The kind that learns from it's mistakes. Does not embellish. Who are of the mindset of 'serving and protecting' with skill and determination. Think about this once. Where would we be without without law&order?

Consider   Listen to the angst in the voice of the poster. This incident left me wondering. Oh . . . by the way, the officer was exonerated and given his job back with pay. How does this happen?

2nd Item for Consideration   This issue throws some light on what's been termed Prosecutor Misconduct on this blog. I mean really? Felony charges? It happens. Tinkey said it best in Brand of Justice.
“You see . . . I’m only here tonight cause I’m righting wrongs. That’s a notion new to you I expect. You a big time lawyer. If you were even half as good as you think you are we wouldn’t be here tonight. You see, you’re the lawyer. Oh excuse me, I mean pro-see-cute-her. So you don’t ask the right questions, you don’t do nothing but get innocent folks found guilty is all. So whaa-laa, heeeere’s” Tinkey screamed “JOHNNY” causing Toppan to scream and her dogs to bay loudly.

Brand of Justice is a featured book on Amazon today. Not sure what that means but oh what the hell.

                                    Wow . . . some of you folks are certainly worked up over your beloved police. I'll respond to you thoughts today. Promise. Well, if ya were a little more brave or whatever and posted directly on my blog I'd do it for sure. Just saying. Be brave. Be proud. Sit in front of your computer and bang away and ask me questions and I'll tell ya no lies. Just kidding. But, seriously, be heard. 

Kajieme Powell

Click&Consider

Kajieme is acting strange. Police are called and shoot him to death. The police were told the man was armed with a knife. They have been trained to know a man armed with a knife can kill quickly. A training video comes to mind . . . 'Edged Weapons'. They document the man was holding the knife in an overhanded manner. When he was within 3 or 4 feet of them they fired and killed the man. The Chief backs up the officers in the media big time.

Then a pesky video shows up. We've already been discussing the changing times and what all these cameras mean to law enforcement. I can not see any knife but certainly don't observe any knife being brandished in a overhanded manner. His hands are low at his sides. I'd have to think Kajieme pulled a knife out of his pocket and was approaching the officers. The officers claimed to have fired only after the man was 3-4 feet from them. It looked farther than that to me, but then again, I wasn't being approached. Why no warning shot? That's confusing Hollywood with real world policing. Cops aren't suppose to fire 'warning shots'. I have to conclude that some . . . 'Creative Report Writing 101' . . . was used by the officers to protect their interests however. They're just justifying their actions I'm thinking. I'm not sure why they went to the lengths they did to make it appear like the perfect scenario for lethal force.

I've asked for thoughts about this incident from officers who are Facebook Friends. I've gotten no response. They're the very officers who are all over social media regarding being heroes, honor guards and whatnot. One officer did tell me he thought the officers could be in the soup when I bumped into him yesterday.

Consider this from my first book, JusThis . . .
Corruption is and always has been, imbedded into the very fabric of governmental systems. When a simple truth is brought forth that can be construed as even a little threatening, actions are taken. The voices of truth are silenced. The status qua must be maintained. The Good Old Boys Club. Words and thoughts are used to confuse and impede. The system takes care of those who serve it. Taxes have to be collected, money has to be spent and the decision makers must maintain airs of perfection. The reins of power reside in the hands of few. What a shame the politically accomplished are human and not perfect.

Rest assured, it's going to be more difficult for those who hold the reins of power to have to explain why seeing isn't believing. Good things in terms of accountability are on the horizon. But . . . how many more have to be beaten and killed before we see some of these improvements?  

Time to SIMMER down . . . SUMMER is ending. DAMN. Thanks to all of you for making it so grand.

It all started sailing the North Atlantic. Man the whales, seals, lobster and book signings. 

Found out I was missed back in the Midwest. I love you too Captain Flap. I'll sign a book for you Jayne. Many thanks for such kind words about my stories. I appreciate it. Ron's been calling and how is Bob? Glad to hear ya kicked cancer in the ass my friend. Gotta leave for one more presentation with another University and then time for some time off. Oh, I promise to make that phone call and make a certain fellows day. Peace. How about an Ice Bucket challenge Carolyn? I need a good excuse to head to Wisconsin. We could come up with something I'm sure . . . 

Nothing but Nothing

Use of Force Issues . . . Citizen Complaints . . . Militarized Police. The list goes on and on. But look. There's hope. Check this info out from Rialto, California. After cameras were introduced in February 2012, public complaints against officers plunged 88 percent compared with the previous 12 months. Officers' use of force fell by 60 percent.

Now I suppose we should consider the camo outfits from yesterdays post. Them things don't work in the snow anyways. Perhaps attire to go along with the Captains expressed desire to appear more nonmilitary. Something like . . . I got it . . . civilian police uniforms. That'd work . . . right?

Oh. Many thanks Jayne for these comments regarding Brand of Justice This book is very good if you like a mystery and a book about cops and who done it type books.

Now I'm long gone to Moorhead-Fargo & Mayville. While in New York City, I was accused of loving the promotional aspects of writing vs the actual writing of the stories. Okay . . . I admit it . . . it's always about my readers and I have to take time out for them!

Yes . . .Yes . . . there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Where is Andy Griffith when ya need him?

This just in. On the one hand you have Chuck Samuelson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union pointing out the following . . .  “We’re beginning to see that there are certain tactics that police use, certain equipment that police use, that treats a community more like an occupying force,” Samuelson said. He backs up this statement with facts and figures.

On the other hand you have Police Captain McKichan saying “It’s unfortunate in this day and age, but gun violence is pretty prevalent. We recover several guns per month.” Then in attempting to justify his stance he mentions that the police hope to repaint the Humvee and make it a little less militaristic-looking as soon as funding becomes available.

So what do you, my dear readers, think? Is the Captain implying that the police are running around in their armored vehicle recovering two weapons a month? Or perhaps he's admitting that the police are plenty nervous because of the perception of more guns in our society. I wonder if the media requested any proof regarding all the weapons being recovered. I discussed the problem Noam Chomsky first pointed out in my published story JusThis. Reporters just bobble head and report the way the police dish it up. Let me quote Noam . . . "Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media." Read that quote twice, it's important.

What about the mentioned paint job? Perhaps a fine coat of pink would do. Or, how about dressing it up to look like an ice cream truck, complete with music and that sort of thing. That way fleeing felons would end up tripping over kids who are dashing to the truck. How about giving out free ice cream for every weapon presented to the officers hiding behind the armor?

First round goes to the ACLU. The police state has landed in the middle of paranoid America and the cops are promising to paint military equipment so it isn't military looking anymore. I'm not buying it. Where has the notion of community based policing went? If you're wondering how the incident in the photo ended up it went like this. The suspect who was thought to be armed scooted before the militarized police showed up. He was taken into custody later in a more conventional manner. 

Ice Bucket Challenge gone so terribly wrong, dead chickens, and comments from my journey across America.

I had to support Curt Albright, after he demanded that a prosecutor do his job. So far, the prosecutor won't return calls from Albright or the media.  Check it out if ya have a minute.

Just plain horrible. What did ALS have to do with this?  The worst thing going.  Emily shared her thoughts as follows . . . Why? Because he said the truth? Different standards for whites and blacks. Not ALL, but for a large number of cops are racist and ignorant. Somehow they manage to become cops with a GED degree and then feel like they are all mighty powerful especially these small town cops. Disgusting.

When cops goof up there certainly doesn't appear to be much empathy. I heard thoughts and concerns while on the road this summer. One young man was stopped in Craig, Colorado for speeding and he swore up and down that he wasn't. A young lady in North Platte, Nebraska thanked me for my thoughts in Brand of Justice. She told the officer he couldn't search her vehicle and felt 'empowered' when she said no. I tossed in the word 'empowered' by the way to shorten this post up. Oh, yes, the young lady in North Carolina who had been stopped by a trooper on three separate occasions after leaving her place of employment, a Tavern. She complained. Her side and the officers were heard in a meeting. It looked like it was her word against his. The officer evidently forgot some of the vulgar words and name calling that had been going on. Just before the meeting ended the young ladies attorney mentioned that the incident had been recorded. The end result was a month off without pay for the trooper. I wrote my first two books in an effort to shed some light on the dark side of law enforcement. To improve an understanding between authority and those who live under it.

Finally . . . an 87 year old man, Joseph, mentioned that he thought it was just plain wrong for that policeman to have been beating that woman with his fists on that LA freeway. Why in my day, you just didn't touch a woman let alone punch her frecken' lights out.

One things for sure . . . the law enforcement community is being seen in a different light. Here's to positive change my friends. Oh, if ya didn't have time to read about Curt's complaint . . . don't eat chicken from Prince Poultry. That outfit just plain don't get it. Period. See ya tomorrow on this blog, keep the thoughts and concerns coming my way.

  Why?  Because he said the truth? Different standards for whites and blacks. Not ALL, but a large number of cops are racists and ignorant. Somehow they managed to become cops with a GED degree and then feel like they are all mighty powerful especially these small town cops.  Disgusting! Why?  Because he said the truth? Different standards for whites and blacks. Not ALL, but a large number of cops are racists and ignorant. Somehow they managed to become cops with a GED degree and then feel like they are all mighty powerful especially these small town cops.  Disgusting!  Why?  Because he said the truth? Different standards for whites and blacks. Not ALL, but a large number of cops are racists and ignorant. Somehow they managed to become cops with a GED degree and then feel like they are all mighty powerful especially these small town cops.  Disgusting!

Wow, Brand of Justice on the Time Square Screen with Tyra Banks.

Tera Banks reads Brand of Justice?

Good Thing 'bout Ferguson

Okay, lets get this straight. We've been discussing the need to demilitarize the police in this land of liberty for what . . . like 6 or 7 months. Right? Now the President is recognizing the fact of the matter due to the Ferguson incident. President Obama could learn a lot from this blog. It all starts with education. Reading, listening to other points of view and on and on. Pick up a copy of Brand of Justice Mr. President and read away.

My thoughts on Officer Darren Wilson of the Ferguson Missouri PD

Granted . . . I'm dealing with dished up info from the media. We saw in my story . . . JusThis how things are spun. So that being said, consider this. Micheal Brown is in a store and pushes someone into a display and punches the gal who was working at the counter. Brown is an enormous 18 year old, unarmed man, in a nasty mood. He's walking down the street and is told by Officer Wilson to get to the sidewalk. Wilson doesn't know he's just encountered someone who walked out of a store with cigars. Micheal Brown knows full well and must be wondering what's going to go down 'as in is he going to get busted? A struggle ensures in the car. Initially it was reported that the cop was trying to pull Brown into the car but I know, no cop is going to do that. There is a struggle over the Officers' weapon and shots ring out. Brown starts leaving the area but then spins on the officer and charges according to one account. He was 6' 4' and is shot in the top of the head. Sounds to me like he could have been leaning towards the officer. The witness who was in the store with Brown failed to mention the robbery. I'm inclined to believe from what I've heard so far that this was a justified use of deadly force. Browns actions put Officer Wilson in a horrible spot. Brown was unarmed but I get the feeling he could've been interested in arming himself at the Officers expense. One last thought. Why would a racist officer shoot someone, because they're black, in broad daylight?

My thoughts go out to Officer Wilson. One witness said he had a dazed and confused look on his face. That is the proper response, in my humble opinion, to having just taken a human life. Policing is a difficult profession.

As the readers of my stories know, I take opportunities to call out the bad cops for their actions. This time around, I'm getting the feeling that once the dust settles, there will be no arrest. This appears to be a justified use of deadly force.