Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Tomorrows Headlines Today!

Here's one of the lead stories from tomorrow's Tribune, the gist being a "code of conduct" for officers and civilians during traffic stops. No mention of any rules governing when you can and can't have your service weapon out, so that's good.

Notice this sentence though: " A second car containing members of Meeks' group was behind his vehicle while the sergeant was dealing with the driver of the Meeks vehicle. They also got out of their car, according to police sources." THIS is what ought to be investigated. The sergeant was definitely at a tactical disadvantage and was alone. The off (or on) duty CPD security ought to be questioned thoroughly about this. Police know better than civilians the dangers of a traffic stop. No way they should have been out of the car, period. Wave the badge out the window or display it through your windshield. Let the sergeant KNOW that you are a friendly and wait for him to approach you. This is his stop, let him run it. Then he can (a) handle it as a simple warning, (b) ticket the driver, (c) flush his own career down the toilet if he treats Meeks badly, instead of being tried in the media because he didn't know if the 3 guys confronting him while he was alone were good or bad.

And if you harbor any thoughts of where this incident is going, read this: " Investigators from the Police Department's Office of Professional Standards are conducting an "expedited" probe of the traffic stop and the officer at the heart of the investigation could face disciplinary action and additional training, officials said." (emphasis added)

7 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sounds like Sarge was facing a good 'ol Mississippi lynch mob~~~ Go figure .............

7/21/2005 12:33:00 AM  
Blogger Bushcheney08 said...

nice blog!

bushisnotantichrist.blogspot.com

7/21/2005 12:36:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Someone called me and said they saw a news report that Meeks set the whole thing up. Anyone hear that?

7/21/2005 12:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

7/21/2005 04:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just heard that there's a proposal afoot sponsored by Beavers & Burke that calls for $100 penalties to any driver who doesn't keep his hands on the wheel or who gets out of the car during a traffic stop. It also call for a $100.00 fine to P.O.'s who don't talk "nice" to drivers while making the stop. Other more stupid ideas to come. . .

7/21/2005 09:51:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Read the linked article. Burke said the fine will probably be handled as a disciplinary matter by existing channels. But if they start suspending you for a day, that's a bit more than one hundred bucks

7/22/2005 11:27:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Its a joke! Driving a car is a priveledge not a right, therefore when one steps into a car they forfeit certain rights. For instance if your windshield is cracked you will be detained or stopped,if your teeth are missing and your walking you will not be detained. The point is if a traffic code is violated then you will be stopped, does not matter the race of the driver.
People have to understand that when they drive they are subject to be stopped, for the way they drive, not the skin color. Where is the sergeants union is this? The seargeant can't say his side he is already guilty by the Daley, great cr investigation......I know the serageant he is a calm and nice guy. This is bullshit! This only hurts african americans who we all stop for violations and have no license or insurance or seatbelts and we let them slide, no more now I guess.

7/23/2005 10:50:00 AM  

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