US Justice Dept sues Baltimore police, siding with man who taped police misconduct

[Stinky The Clown]

At the Pimlico race (2nd jewel in the Triple Crown), a woman was being arrested. In the process, police busted her up enough to make a very bloody scene. A bystander taped it on his cell phone. A cop took the phone, called it evidence. As he took it, he told the guy "this is what you get for taping us."

The guy sued the cops. The ACLU got involved and sided with the guy. Now the Justice Dept has also weighed in and they, too, are siding with the guy.

Good.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2012/01/12/doj-weighs-in-on-md-police-recording-suit/

[NathanTheGreat]

1. Fantastic!

I hate the idea that police don't want their actions documented. I want them to be made to wear cameras on their person at all times, because if they know their actions will someday come under scrutiny, they might not have the invincible arrogance that is too often found with our friends in blue.

It would save a whole lot of court time also...and as a taxpayer, I'm the boss, so I say my employee's actions are documented.

[duhneece]

6. I agree. ALL the time

Every confession and arrest should be documented.

[Logical]

2. Wow!!! Thank you DOJ! Cops need to be taped!

[AnotherMcIntosh]

3. From the ACLU, “It’s the first time that we’re aware that they’ve spoken out about this issue."

Good for the DOJ.

But what's taken them so long? Is this the first time that they've become aware that the police across the country are doing this?

We need a federal statute with the risk of some serious prison time for anyone engaged in this activity.

[saras]

4. No honest cop ever wants their actions UNdocumented. It's that simple.

Recording the whole process solves SO MANY PROBLEMS for honest police. It makes their job much easier, to the point where we might actually want to rethink how police work.

But those who want the police to serve as a private army of thugs aren't served by this approach, nor are the marginal crazies who go into police work in order to brutalize people legally.

[hootinholler]

5. I don't think they are sueing

Only filing an amicus in the case?

It is good to see their support of the constitution and it is important this is happening in Md with one of the strongest wiretap laws in the nation.