You have thirty minutes to move your cube.

To be fair, that new car smell is indistinguishable from "raw marijuana".

If you support the American war on drugs, you are a coward and a fool. Fark you and I hope you get ass cancer you ignorant, clueless biatch.

Honestly, the story got bad in the middle, but ended up on a decent note: The cops are going to pay for the damage (that, admittedly, they shouldn't have caused in the first place), the guy isn't getting charged with anything that he himself admits to having done, and I bet the cops in question get a good ruler-smack from the supervisor.

Compared to most of the "abuse of authority" articles that we see around here, this one is positively heart-warming.

bronyaur1: Just more cop thuggery. Nothing new.

I wonder why the framers of the US Constitution so clearly and directly intended to provide police with a very, very short leash. What ever happened to that idea.....?

After over 200 years of career politicians passing laws to justify their existence and creating problems out of thin air to also pass more laws.

WorldCitizen: And the passenger was charged with making "terroristic threats against police". That passenger is lucky not to be swooped away by the US military in the middle of the night and disappeared.

I love that we now define terrorism as anything we want it to mean and that one can be hauled away forever based on that "definition". I doubt the passenger was threatening to kill civilians in order to get the state to conform to his or her wishes through creating fear in the populace.

"Terroristic threatening" is not a new crime invented after 9/11. It's been on the books in many states for practically forever. All it means is that you threaten to commit a crime that is likely to result in death or serious bodily harm, or destruction of property. Telling someone "I'm gonna farking kill you" or "I'll beat your skull in" is terroristic threatening, and has been since long before you were born.

Save your disdain for the police for a real threat to the civil rights--like destroying someone's car because they got pissed off at him.

WorldCitizen: And the passenger was charged with making "terroristic threats against police". That passenger is lucky not to be swooped away by the US military in the middle of the night and disappeared.

I love that we now define terrorism as anything we want it to mean and that one can be hauled away forever based on that "definition". I doubt the passenger was threatening to kill civilians in order to get the state to conform to his or her wishes through creating fear in the populace.

Meh. If you didn't expect this the day 9-11 happened, you're pretty dim. It was the perfect excuse to create an evil bugabo.

Our "victim" here isn't a snowflake.

According tfa, he nearly caused an accident, knew he antagonized the police, and had served time on drug charges. The cops had two dog "hits." I'm not saying he deserved this, but he probably could have avoided the entire incident by apologizing for the near accident instead of going full douche. The cops had probably cause and a warrant. Was it worthwhile? - No, and it will cost them, but it wasn't illegal.

Chris Rock Link (new window)

My question is why, through out the entire article, is the damage listed as $12,600. When at the begining it states, "Geico, Richardson's insurance company estimated the damage at $12,636.42 - more than he paid for the car "

So, assuming he didn't pay $0.00 it would have been quite a bit more than 12,600 worth of damage if the car was totaled.

Some good reporting there James.

probable, not probably

/facepalm

Is it too early in the thread to expect the typical "cops are only doing their job" post or do all those apologists recognize that this is yet another legitimate beef with the jackboots?

socquitor: Our "victim" here isn't a snowflake.

According tfa, he nearly caused an accident, knew he antagonized the police, and had served time on drug charges. The cops had two dog "hits." I'm not saying he deserved this, but he probably could have avoided the entire incident by apologizing for the near accident instead of going full douche. The cops had probably cause and a warrant. Was it worthwhile? - No, and it will cost them, but it wasn't illegal.

Chris Rock Link (new window)

Yup. If I get pulled over, it's all "Yes, sir" and "No, sir." Nothing like farking with a cop to get them to pile on the charges.

That'll teach them not to make the police suspicious

Internal investigation? That should go well.

/Hope he remembers to add his deductible to the claim against the police dept.

Remember kids, this is Jersey. You keep talking about that freedom stuff and you might have an accident.

/and once saw them peeling the siding off of a camper based on a "loose panel"

Mr. Tracie: My question is why, through out the entire article, is the damage listed as $12,600. When at the begining it states, "Geico, Richardson's insurance company estimated the damage at $12,636.42 - more than he paid for the car "

So, assuming he didn't pay $0.00 it would have been quite a bit more than 12,600 worth of damage if the car was totaled.

Some good reporting there James.

That's funny - i hope you were being funny...

socquitor: Our "victim" here isn't a snowflake.

According tfa, he nearly caused an accident, knew he antagonized the police, and had served time on drug charges. The cops had two dog "hits." I'm not saying he deserved this, but he probably could have avoided the entire incident by apologizing for the near accident instead of going full douche. The cops had probably cause and a warrant. Was it worthwhile? - No, and it will cost them, but it wasn't illegal.

Chris Rock Link (new window)

So being a dick changes probable cause?

BSABSVR: socquitor: Our "victim" here isn't a snowflake.

According tfa, he nearly caused an accident, knew he antagonized the police, and had served time on drug charges. The cops had two dog "hits." I'm not saying he deserved this, but he probably could have avoided the entire incident by apologizing for the near accident instead of going full douche. The cops had probably cause and a warrant. Was it worthwhile? - No, and it will cost them, but it wasn't illegal.

Chris Rock Link (new window)

So being a dick changes probable cause?

It is called failing there attitude tests.

Remember you are dealing with government employees

Drugs could have been previously transported in the vehicle and removed.

Just goes to show the inaccuracy of drug dogs. Train the dog to scratch on command to "alert" when you want...probable cause and constitutional loophole around unreasonable search and seizure....

Benevolent Misanthrope: basemetal: He should be thankful they didn't just plant something in the car just to cover their ass. Around here, I'd be really worried of such actions.

THIS. I'm far more surprised that they didn't "find" evidence after tearing that car apart. Say, in a compartment behind the dash mount that only removing the dash would have turned up. Or inside the spare tire. Between the layers of foam in the seats. Lots of places they could plant stuff that would have justified completely destroying the car.

probably because, in general the police, are too stupid to think of that

basemetal: He should be thankful they didn't just plant something in the car just to cover their ass. Around here, I'd be really worried of such actions.


THIS.

And this is (one reason) why I am always as cooperative and polite as possible with "Officer Friendly".

Piss 'em off enough, and they'll "find" something - even if they have to bring it from home.

At least the state will recoup the sales tax on a replacement instead of paying out a big repair bill -- so they will "find" NJ's 6% or so tax on a car purchase. That about $700-800. The town's lawyer will be able to buy a new tie with that kind of money.

CasperImproved: Internal investigation? That should go well.

/Hope he remembers to add his deductible to the claim against the police dept.

Geico does that automatically.

I repeat:
If you see a police officer, kill it.
It is not human, and only wants to harm humans.
Kill it.

I try not to do anything that would make an officer remember me if I later decide to fight the ticket. I respond "yes sir- no sir" to him so he won't take notes. Ticket fight time, maybe he won't remember me and not show up.

Happy Hours: It's not going to get you out of a ticket and it's not going to make a jail cell feel any better and it certainly isn't going to make you look sympathetic if you end up in court.

That's right, be sure you are in FEAR, citizen, or PAY THE CONSEQUENCES.

Benevolent Misanthrope: basemetal: He should be thankful they didn't just plant something in the car just to cover their ass. Around here, I'd be really worried of such actions.

THIS. I'm far more surprised that they didn't "find" evidence after tearing that car apart. Say, in a compartment behind the dash mount that only removing the dash would have turned up. Or inside the spare tire. Between the layers of foam in the seats. Lots of places they could plant stuff that would have justified completely destroying the car.

They brought in too many people to assist with the search to plant anything. They would all have to go for it and believe it or not, there are cops with ethics just like there are cops who wouldn't hesitate to plant evidence.

Happy Hours: Mega Steve: Yup. If I get pulled over, it's all "Yes, sir" and "No, sir." Nothing like farking with a cop to get them to pile on the charges.

This. It's not just piling on charges. It's a minor inconvenience if you get pulled over and the cop doesn't write a ticket. It's a relief if you know the cop could have probably arrested you but only wrote a ticket. I've had both happen more than once.

There's no point in giving a cop attitude. It's not going to get you out of a ticket and it's not going to make a jail cell feel any better and it certainly isn't going to make you look sympathetic if you end up in court.


Totally agreed. And yet.... this is still farked up and wrong, what they did here.

I mean, a citizen having a bad attitude is an explanation for why they might lie about a "strong smell of marijuana" and toss him in jail and destroy his car, but it's not an excuse for doing it.

What a waste of a nice car. When will people realize this whole war on drugs is a futile effort and a waste of time, money and everything else? The guy is a dumbass for antagonizing the cops but that doesn't excuse what happened.

Was Richardson DWB?

FTFA: "The (department) agreed to pay the damages," Detective Sgt. William Jernstedt said. "Richardson said he was going to deal with his insurance company, so when the insurance company totaled it, it became an internal investigation."

So, if Richardson had taken the payment from the police instead of dealing with his insurance, there wouldn't have been an internal investigation, and this story would probably never have made it into the public view?

hasty ambush: BSABSVR: socquitor: Our "victim" here isn't a snowflake.

According tfa, he nearly caused an accident, knew he antagonized the police, and had served time on drug charges. The cops had two dog "hits." I'm not saying he deserved this, but he probably could have avoided the entire incident by apologizing for the near accident instead of going full douche. The cops had probably cause and a warrant. Was it worthwhile? - No, and it will cost them, but it wasn't illegal.

Chris Rock Link (new window)

So being a dick changes probable cause?

It is called failing there attitude tests.

Remember you are dealing with government employees


As a government employee (in a very different area) I am offended by the comparison of cops to other kinds of government employees. My goal is to serve the citizens that pay my salary, to make their lives a little bit better. Your friendly neighbourhood cop is having a good day if he ruins your life.

Phish with Phive: That's funny - i hope you were being funny...

I think he's being dead on serious. That's what happens to your brain if you smoke a bowl every day for a few years.

Benevolent Misanthrope: basemetal: He should be thankful they didn't just plant something in the car just to cover their ass. Around here, I'd be really worried of such actions.

THIS. I'm far more surprised that they didn't "find" evidence after tearing that car apart. Say, in a compartment behind the dash mount that only removing the dash would have turned up. Or inside the spare tire. Between the layers of foam in the seats. Lots of places they could plant stuff that would have justified completely destroying the car.

They're kicking themselves now for not doing that. He should sue their asses.
Those dogs work on the cue of the handler and want to please.
They've done all this damage over weed?
F*ckin' ridiculous!

basemetal: He should be thankful they didn't just plant something in the car just to cover their ass. Around here, I'd be really worried of such actions.

THIS.


\begin{csb}

I dated a trust fund kid for a few years. He was a photographer and loved to travel to take pictures (since he didn't have a job, he did a lot of traveling). He never touched drugs EVER, and very rarely drank. He also drove a new Lexus.

So, one time (2003 maybe?) he and I were crossing the border into the U.S. from Mexico. The border agents must have thought a young, twenty-something guy driving a new Lexus across the border was suspicious, 'cause they did the same thing as the cops did to the guy in TFA: they take apart his car looking for drugs. They had a drug-sniffing dog going through it, too. And the entire time, we're stuck in this little room waiting. The search took several hours.

Did they find anything? Nope. Clean as a whistle.

\end{csb}

Hmm... Seems that once they found out their mistake they didn't just plant some drugs in the car.

I'm putting these guys in the "stupid, incompentant power tripping douche cop" category rather than being corrupt.

Amos Quito: basemetal: He should be thankful they didn't just plant something in the car just to cover their ass. Around here, I'd be really worried of such actions.


THIS.

And this is (one reason) why I am always as cooperative and polite as possible with "Officer Friendly".

Piss 'em off enough, and they'll "find" something - even if they have to bring it from home.


It's sad to admit, but this is one of those instances where I'm happy to be an ordinary-looking white chick. I have no tats, only one set of piercings in my ears, never been arrested, clean driving record, an ordinary vehicle that's always properly insured, registered, and well-maintained. Frankly, I'm as un-suspicious as you can get. I never get pulled over, let alone harassed.