Police Officers Taser Man In Diabetic Shock

Cops Use Taser on Grieving Son

Shocking police brutality on war hero Mark Aspinall (United Kingdom)

Despite Torture Investigation, Cops Still At Work

The SAPS police officer allegedly caught on CCTV assaulting Monde Rumbu are  still on the job – as are several other off-duty cops who allegedly witnessed the attack.

Gauteng provincial SAPS spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman said on Monday that investigations were under way and that no action would be taken against the officers “at this moment”.

“We are busy with the investigation. We need to make sure of each and every fact involved in this case, and then take the appropriate actions only once the investigation has been completed.”

He said there were “discrepancies” in the case and these would have to be ironed out before police could decide on how to deal with the matter.

On October 14, Rumbu and Mdu Ntshalintshali were allegedly beaten up and tortured by 10 armed police officers from the Vosloorus Tracing Unit – four uniformed and six plainclothes officers.

The two were suspected of being involved in the theft of five bottles of whisky and a CD player at Phezulu Lounge in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, last week.

Police allegedly began their attack on Ntshalintshali at his home just after midnight last Monday.

He said they handcuffed him, beat him, choked him, and shocked him “all over my body and genitals” using a stun gun while questioning him about the missing alcohol.

When he told them he did not know anything, he was arrested and taken to the Vosloorus police station, where further torture allegedly took place.

Ntshalintshali said the police officers placed a refuse bag over his head and filled it with water in a bid to drown him. The assault lasted for about 45 minutes before the officers drove to Afrosquare pub in Tsakane, where they are said to have similarly attacked pub assistant manager Rumbu.

The officers demanded that Rumbu open the storeroom so that they could check it out.

In the storeroom a uniformed police officer allegedly assaulted Rumbu while other uniformed and plainclothes officers looked on.

Back at Vosloorus police station, the men were allegedly subjected to four more hours of torture, including beatings, shocks with a stungun and having a plastic bag filled with water placed over their heads.

The men were released without being charged.

Phezulu Lounge and Afrosquare are both owned by Sipho Ntshalintshali, Mdu’s brother.

Peter Jordi of the Wits Law Clinic said that under the circumstances reported, the use of a stungun was “utterly unlawful”. Police were allowed to use the device only in self-defence or when trying to “overcome someone’s resistance to arrest”.

“If the police will do this (torture) for five bottles of whisky, imagine what they’re capable of doing in more serious circumstances,” he said.

The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) – a body mandated to investigate complaints of misconduct and offences committed by SAPS and metro police members – confirmed on Monday that a file had been opened.

ICD spokesperson Dikeledi Phiri said the case was “classified as a criminal case because it involves assault”.

“We are going to investigate and take the docket to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to decide whether to take the case to court.”

More here

The Bahama’s Does Its Part To End Police Brutality

Response to the Letter to the Editor by Forrester Carroll published on Saturday, December 6, 2008 in The Freeport News under the caption “Some Detainees used as Punching Bags.”

Crime in our country has escalated to the maximum level and when we consider the amount of young men picked up and charged by the police and subsequently convicted by the courts and sent to prison, we might want to believe that the police have a handle on crime. The truth of the matter is that many of these young men are beaten, battered and terrorized into making a confession as they fear for their lives. The barbaric actions of the police officers will more than likely stir up anger and rage in the innocent young men and cause them to retaliate and become uncaring about the law and disrespectful to the police. After all, the law enforcement officers can blatantly disobey the law with no recourse or actions taken against them.

Whatever happened to the days when a police officer would properly investigate a matter before he goes out and drags somebody’s innocent child into a cell and if he calls someone in for questioning release the suspect for lack of evidence? Gone are the days when police officers take the time to do a proper investigation. Their only desire is to wrap up the case quickly so that they can get a promotion and/or a medal for solving crime.

It is simple – if you do not have adequate evidence, release the suspect and keep working on the case. You will get the break you need because you will find a more cooperative and friendly public that will provide you with the ‘information’ that you need for solving crimes. Our country is so small that it is rare that someone does not know what someone else is doing.

Coincidentally, on Saturday, the same day that Carroll’s letter was published in your newspaper, a young man was brought to The Rand Memorial Hospital after he was allegedly beaten about the body by members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Criminal Investigation Dep-artment. The young man further alleged that he was choked until he foamed and that his legs were pulled apart, so that the Officers could beat him in the groin area, specifically on his penis and scrotum until they bled. He walked into the emergency room of The Rand Memorial Hospital with his legs about four feet apart as he groaned and screamed from the severe pain. It is highly likely that his kidneys are damaged. He was brought into the hospital by police officers after allegedly sustaining injuries while in their custody.

While the scenarios play out with persons in custody and the officers go one step too far, there is a greater injustice here on Grand Bahama and I dare say the entire Bahamas. That is the deafening silence from the Assistant Commis-sioner of Police in Grand Bahama, who I am sure is aware of the many complaints piled up on the desk of the Internal Complaints Unit regarding police brutality.

If the powers that be were serious about reprimanding and dealing with the criminal elements within the Royal Bahamas Police Force, something would have been done. But then again, perhaps it is no wonder that crime is spiralling out of control in The Bahamas today. Perhaps the men in khaki do not have a clue about what to do or perhaps they lack the courage and have decided to let the rogue cops take over the Police Force.

Is there anyone out there with the courage to help stop the members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force from killing the spirit and goodwill of our young men? I am not suggesting that if they did the crime they must go free, because I believe that if they commit the crime, they must pay according to the laws on the books not the vigilante stance that our police officers have taken. We know of many incidents that were taken to the extreme and irreversible damage done due to error in judgment. I cry shame and disgrace on those members of the Police Force. They are no different or better than the criminals on the street; they are just better dressed in pretty uniforms with a badge.

I call on the Prime Minister, parliamentarians, senators, the acting commissioner of police, the minister of national security, the attorney general, human rights activists, civic leaders, and members of the clergy to address these alleged horrific criminal acts of violence by police officers before we have an explosion between our young men and the police.

Acting Commissioner Fer-guson, how much more must die in your care before you put the brakes on? You are supposed to care about all members of our society, persons in police custody and persons in the community. You should have a zero tolerance policy on police brutality. Granted there are some honourable police officers and I know this problem didn’t start on your watch. But, Sir, could you or will you find the courage to stomp it out?

Yours sincerely,

Naomi Clarke

Source

Police officer smashes handcuffed teenager’s head into wall (Kalamazoo, Michigan)

Kalamazoo police officer Derek Nugent slammed a 16 yr. old suspect’s face into a wall at a police station, resulting in 3 of the boy’s teeth breaking. The suspect’s hands were handcuffed behind him, so he was not a physical threat to the officer. The officer received a whooping 10-day suspension. The suspect, an african-american 16 yr. old boy, has a history of criminal problems. Apparently, those 2 factors are enough to let the officer off with a simple 10 day suspension. Below, a following “explanation” that continues to enable police abuse like this.

No one is justifying what Officer Nugent did, but the Kalamazoo County prosecutor confirms the teen has a long list of run ins with the law, including assault and battery and arson.

City to pay $400,000 in death of fleeing suspect

The family of the 18-year-old man who was struck and killed on Interstate 95 in 2002 while fleeing police has reached a settlement with the city of West Haven, putting to rest a lawsuit alleging police brutality.
The city has agreed to pay nearly $400,000, according to the terms of the settlement finalized last week.
Gary “Chris” Tyson’s family filed a civil lawsuit alleging officers employed excessive force in using a police dog to track and bite Tyson after he was allegedly involved in a fistfight that could have resulted in misdemeanor charges. After the dog was unleashed on him, Tyson allegedly fled a hiding place in bushes along I-95 and ran across the highway into the path of a pickup truck.
Tyson’s Sept. 23, 2002, death sparked an outcry from black community leaders and Tyson’s family, who blamed police for his death. The high-profile case created a wide divide between those who believed police should have handled the situation differently, and those who argued police were just doing their job in chasing Tyson when he fled.
West Haven Deputy Corporation Counsel Lee Tiernan said if the lawsuit went to trial the dog bite detail of the case would have been hard for the city to defend.
“I don’t know what a jury would do with a kid in the brush getting bit by a dog,” he said.
Tyson’s autopsy revealed 24 puncture wounds on his thigh and buttocks from multiple dog bites.
Tiernan said the decision to settle was made by the insurance company with some input from the city. The city could have decided to go on its own and not settle, but would have had to cover the cost of any amount awarded to the family by a jury.
The city’s insurance company has agreed to pay $392,500. However, under Connecticut law, attorneys are allowed to charge $100,000 on the first $300,000 of a settlement. Including fees and costs, Tiernan estimated that the family will get at least $250,000. The city will have to pay a $100,000 deductible before the insurance kicks in.

Reached Friday by phone, Police Chief Ronald M. Quagliani said he had just learned about the details of the settlement.

“Regardless of what the outcome would have been if this case went to trial, we all realize and understand that the Tysons lost a loved one that day,” Quagliani said. “Since the police department had already been cleared of wrongdoing, it would serve no useful purpose to relive what happened that day.”

More here

Young Man Dies Fleeing Police (Toronto, CA)

Stanley Badu (pictured), only 15 years old plunged 14 stories to his death this past Monday. Police believe he may have been involved in a break and enter, after receiving calls from a tenant in the building.

Police were responding to a break-and-enter call at 44 Willowridge Rd., near Martin Grove Rd. and Eglinton Ave. W., around 11 p.m. when they found the body of the teen at the front entrance of the building.

This building has seen a lot of violence in the past year alone. Last year the same situation happened where a 16 year old fell 26 stories to his death after a robbery attempt.

Source

Citizens in Toronto, CA Write Letter to Superintendent

Residents of the oft-troubled Jane and Finch area have been trying to alter its reputation for years and on Wednesday night some were trying to do so by firing accusations of police brutality at Toronto officers inside 31 Division.

“This is our reality, stop police brutality!” dozens chanted as they marched in the dark and cold in front of division headquarters.

A community worker named Greg explained the immediacy of the problem.

“There’s been this rise in levels of incidences and in terms of the alleged brutality,” he said.

They’re bold accusations, but there were plenty of them made nonetheless.

“Some people get their face put on hot police cars, my friend just got dragged by the handcuffs,” charges a protestor named Wondas.

Along with evening march a letter was presented to officers at 31 Division (read it below). But the passionate pleas were in no way intended as an ambush. Participants even brought a peace offering in the form of a present.

“We have to make sure we’re fostering good relations between the police and the population,” explains NDP candidate Curtis Bailey.

Officers who greeted the crowd say they treat each and every incident according to protocol.

“The complaints are investigated, they’re investigated thoroughly,” insists Staff Sgt. Ken Boyle.

“At times we do have to use force in effecting an arrest, but again it’s as much force as necessary. We’re trying to make it a safe community for them we have got extra officers out on the street.”

Wednesday’s group has promised further protest action with organizers adding they hope to increase future numbers.

Source

transcription of the letter

Dear Superintendent

Christopher White

In the interests of creating a safer Jane and Finch we feel compelled to request an immediate end to the ‘tough policing’ strategies currently being employed by 31 Division.  These tactics are isolating and alienating our youth which is breeding a culture of disempowerment, violence and division.

We are committed to working with Toronto Police in order to create a safe Jane and Finch community, however the actions of the police over the past few months have created deep wounds and built a culture of fear amongst our residents.

The attitude and actions of officers including TAVIS towards our community have strained the relationship.  Mothers are now scared to let their children out of the house for fear of violence and harassment.

Our youth are currently more scared of the police violence than they are of ’street’ related issues.  The over policing of this community has led to increased levels of targeting, harassment, racial profiling and created a fear of persecution amongst residents.  The ’serve and protect’ credo of the police is not felt in our community.

Alarming is the brazen approach of individual officers.  Witnesses have accounted for what they felt was questionable conduct and or tactics.

Citizens have described seeing or hearing abusive language, threatening behaviour, the excessive use of physical force, unfounded allegations, coercion and torture.

We believe that the policies and practices of the police over the past few years have led people to feel captive in their places of residence. In order for the community and the police to work together, we need to resolve this on going issue in a fair and expeditious manner.

The community expresses a strong desire to work with the police, however, the police being in a position of power to the community, must take the lead. We advocate for a police service, not a police force.

Understand that we write this, in order to highlight the actions of individuals employed by Toronto Police, who we believe are working outside of the law.  We are concerned for the welfare of our residents and hope that we can work together to strengthen police-community relations.

We advocate for policing that is respectful, professional, just and compassionate towards our community.

We believe a relationship built on trust and mutual respect will be a strong and lasting one. We look forward to working together in order to provide a peaceful future for all who live and work here.

We look forward to your response and the building of a new chapter in terms of Community-Police Relations in Jane and Finch.

Yours truly

Jane and Finch

Police Kill Teenager (Melbourne, Austrailia)

Tyler Cassidy, 15, was shot and killed when three officers opened fire on him in a Melbourne skate park last night after he allegedly threatened to kill them with two knives.

The shooting is being investigated a More..mid revelations that Tyler was a member of a nationalist white supremacist group, and was prone to violent outbursts.

Both Victoria Police and the police union have defended the officers involved, saying they did everything they could to subdue the teenager.

“Died alone”

Tyler’s mother, Shani, said in a written statement that she would “fight” for Tyler, describing him as a “scared little boy”.

“He died alone without his family at his side, gasping his last breath,” the statement said.

“The entire family and friends of Tyler Cassidy are appalled at the actions by Victoria Police last night.

“Their heavy handedness and lack of negotiating skills at the scene of the shooting contributed to the untimely death of our beautiful 15-year-old.”

Warning shot

But Assistant Commissioner Tim Cartwright said the officers acted in accordance with their training and fired when they felt Tyler was threatening their lives at the Northcote park.

Mr Cartwright said a warning shot was fired before three of four officers involved in the standoff opened fire.

“He was saying ‘Kill me, I am going to kill you’. He had been saying that through the confrontation,” Mr Cartwright said.

“I don’t think police were trigger happy but that’s why we’ve got a coroner and the homicide squad to do a full investigation on (the coroner’s) behalf.

“There was a young man with knives moving about, clearly intent on doing some damage or being damaged. There’s certainly phone calls to suggest he was threatening members of the public.

Source