Comments on: Atlanta Police Corruption: Tip of Iceberg? http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/ General interest observations and true web-log. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:34:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Criminal Hater http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-1137353 Criminal Hater Thu, 15 May 2008 19:22:24 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-1137353 Pennington has probably seen it all in dealing with the corrupt thuggery in the New Orleans police department. The question is whether he has the firepower to fight big Atlanta politics . . . and is HE really committed to honesty, ethics, and seeing justice prevail. The ongoing concern for me is that it is almost a certainty that the cops see a lot of questionable, probably illegal, things going on within their ranks and have the "blue line" crap used to keep their dirty secrets unknown. Pennington has probably seen it all in dealing with the corrupt thuggery in the New Orleans police department. The question is whether he has the firepower to fight big Atlanta politics . . . and is HE really committed to honesty, ethics, and seeing justice prevail.

The ongoing concern for me is that it is almost a certainty that the cops see a lot of questionable, probably illegal, things going on within their ranks and have the “blue line” crap used to keep their dirty secrets unknown.

]]> By: Mr. Fusion http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-612026 Mr. Fusion Mon, 30 Apr 2007 03:08:31 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-612026 #23, Dian It wasn't because of charging cops with murder that this happened. When cops have reached the level of planting drugs to gain a conviction, they deserve to spend time with all the bad boys they put away. Planting drugs is the easiest way to make a bad bust stick. But that doesn't take a criminal off of the streets, it only adds another body into the prison system that doesn't belong there. Like it or not, there are many innocent people in jail that can't prove their innocence because there isn't any DNA. Lying to make a conviction is an injustice and a criminal act in itself. I don't want criminals patrolling our streets, I want professional cops. I want a criminal justice system where guilty men will go free before we convict an innocent person. We deserve nothing less. Accidents will happen. But it isn't an accident when you swear that you KNOW a fact. It isn't an accident when you have drugs ready to plant. That was premeditated. #23, Dian

It wasn’t because of charging cops with murder that this happened. When cops have reached the level of planting drugs to gain a conviction, they deserve to spend time with all the bad boys they put away. Planting drugs is the easiest way to make a bad bust stick. But that doesn’t take a criminal off of the streets, it only adds another body into the prison system that doesn’t belong there.

Like it or not, there are many innocent people in jail that can’t prove their innocence because there isn’t any DNA. Lying to make a conviction is an injustice and a criminal act in itself. I don’t want criminals patrolling our streets, I want professional cops. I want a criminal justice system where guilty men will go free before we convict an innocent person. We deserve nothing less.

Accidents will happen. But it isn’t an accident when you swear that you KNOW a fact. It isn’t an accident when you have drugs ready to plant. That was premeditated.

]]> By: dian http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-610180 dian Sat, 28 Apr 2007 17:42:31 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-610180 # 19, I think we must agree to disagree on the general integrity of the police department and the legalization of drugs.I do not assume the entire department is rotten just because a few officers might be. #20 I disagree. At some point as citizens, potential jurors, etc. the validity of snitches are indeed our responsibilty. I do not know how many of you are aware of the hiring process for Atlanta police. I do, only because I was interested in becoming a 911 operator at one time. Between background checks, psychiatric evaluations, and other tests, it takes nearly a year to be hired to the police department. ( This applies to new hires, I do not know about transfers). By the time the process is finished, if you are just looking for a job, you probably already have one. So those who become cops really want to be cops. I really do not know what else the powers that be can do to recruit better help. They can pay them more, but it will still be the same people able to pass the criteria who are hired. In my opinion, the cover up was all about the recent trends to charge cops with murder every time something goes down wrong. Accidents do occur and sometimes they are just accidents, but that excuse isn't good enough in this society any more. When I'm in trouble, I'll still call a cop. Who will you call? # 19, I think we must agree to disagree on the general integrity of the police department and the legalization of drugs.I do not assume the entire department is rotten just because a few officers might be.

#20 I disagree. At some point as citizens, potential jurors, etc. the validity of snitches are indeed our responsibilty.

I do not know how many of you are aware of the hiring process for Atlanta police. I do, only because I was interested in becoming a 911 operator at one time. Between background checks, psychiatric evaluations, and other tests, it takes nearly a year to be hired to the police department. ( This applies to new hires, I do not know about transfers). By the time the process is finished, if you are just looking for a job, you probably already have one. So those who become cops really want to be cops. I really do not know what else the powers that be can do to recruit better help. They can pay them more, but it will still be the same people able to pass the criteria who are hired.

In my opinion, the cover up was all about the recent trends to charge cops with murder every time something goes down wrong. Accidents do occur and sometimes they are just accidents, but that excuse isn’t good enough in this society any more.

When I’m in trouble, I’ll still call a cop. Who will you call?

]]> By: William Wise http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-609442 William Wise Sat, 28 Apr 2007 10:14:27 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-609442 I'm most disturbed by the fact they had drugs ready and on hand to plant at the scene. Were these for personal use or do they generally just carry drugs to plant at crime scenes with them at all times? Sheesh. How do these people live with themselves? I’m most disturbed by the fact they had drugs ready and on hand to plant at the scene. Were these for personal use or do they generally just carry drugs to plant at crime scenes with them at all times? Sheesh. How do these people live with themselves?

]]> By: Mr. Fusion http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608990 Mr. Fusion Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:59:43 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608990 To Serve and Protect their own asses. To Serve and Protect their own asses.

]]> By: doug http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608963 doug Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:31:58 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608963 #18. Snitches aren't our responsibility. The people we have entrusted with the power of the State are. #18. Snitches aren’t our responsibility. The people we have entrusted with the power of the State are.

]]> By: TJGeezer http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608958 TJGeezer Sat, 28 Apr 2007 02:28:04 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608958 18 - Dian - The problem with defending the Atlanta cops on those grounds (which do make sense, given certain assumptions about departmental integrity) is their recent history of commiting one abuse after another against their own citizens and against visitors, too. In one case a visiting professor from the U.K. got rousted and arrested for assault after asking a plainclothes cop to show proof of authority. When you get systemic rot like that in an agency whose members carry guns, the problem is bad recruiting, training or leadership. And when the drug war is involved, you also have to deal with the automatic corruption that Prohibition creates through state-enforced black markets. The real question, ultimately, is: What the hell business is it of the government if an adult who is not hurting anyone has drugs in the house? Second question: When corruption becomes endemic, why don't politicians end black markets by regulating, not prohibiting, drugs? (Hint: Follow the money.) You're right - a lot of "wrong questions" are being asked. But the right questions have nothing to do with a scared or paid snitch making up information. If s/he did know a 92-year-old lady lived there, s/he probably figured that fact alone would protect her. Not in Atlanta, it didn't. 18 – Dian – The problem with defending the Atlanta cops on those grounds (which do make sense, given certain assumptions about departmental integrity) is their recent history of commiting one abuse after another against their own citizens and against visitors, too. In one case a visiting professor from the U.K. got rousted and arrested for assault after asking a plainclothes cop to show proof of authority.

When you get systemic rot like that in an agency whose members carry guns, the problem is bad recruiting, training or leadership. And when the drug war is involved, you also have to deal with the automatic corruption that Prohibition creates through state-enforced black markets.

The real question, ultimately, is: What the hell business is it of the government if an adult who is not hurting anyone has drugs in the house? Second question: When corruption becomes endemic, why don’t politicians end black markets by regulating, not prohibiting, drugs? (Hint: Follow the money.)

You’re right – a lot of “wrong questions” are being asked. But the right questions have nothing to do with a scared or paid snitch making up information. If s/he did know a 92-year-old lady lived there, s/he probably figured that fact alone would protect her. Not in Atlanta, it didn’t.

]]> By: Dian http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608924 Dian Sat, 28 Apr 2007 01:46:22 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608924 How come no one wants to know what happened to the 'snitch' that told them drugs were bought in this house? The reason the no knock warrant was issued to start with? Was he pressured by police to produce something? No doubt. But the lying litte weasle is getting away with being the one to target that house while all the other hoopla is going on. You can not convince me their informant did not know who was dealing what in the hood. Corrupt or not, I doubt seriously those cops were intent on busting into the home of a 92 year old woman. That would hardly advance their 'bust rate' for promotion now would it? The cover up? Just wrong and yes they should be punished for that, but a lot of people are asking the WRONG questions about the whole incident. How come no one wants to know what happened to the ’snitch’ that told them drugs were bought in this house? The reason the no knock warrant was issued to start with? Was he pressured by police to produce something? No doubt. But the lying litte weasle is getting away with being the one to target that house while all the other hoopla is going on. You can not convince me their informant did not know who was dealing what in the hood.

Corrupt or not, I doubt seriously those cops were intent on busting into the home of a 92 year old woman. That would hardly advance their ‘bust rate’ for promotion now would it?

The cover up? Just wrong and yes they should be punished for that, but a lot of people are asking the WRONG questions about the whole incident.

]]> By: John Henri Allyn http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608794 John Henri Allyn Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:04:10 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608794 Go Ms. Johnson, defended yourself and hit 2 or 3 of the police who busted in your house for no reason R.I.P Go Ms. Johnson, defended yourself and hit 2 or 3 of the police who busted in your house for no reason

R.I.P

]]> By: mark http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608723 mark Fri, 27 Apr 2007 22:47:14 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608723 15. Or "Big Pussy", man thats a good name. 15. Or “Big Pussy”, man thats a good name.

]]> By: tallwookie http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608700 tallwookie Fri, 27 Apr 2007 22:14:45 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608700 #9 - At least his name isnt Gweedo #9 – At least his name isnt Gweedo

]]> By: Fred Flint http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608519 Fred Flint Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:36:51 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608519 #7 moss, I believe we are in perfect agreement on this issue. As clarification however, perhaps I should have made clearer my thesis that some "mistakes" can instantly lead to "corruption" among otherwise honest cops as the one and only means of self-preservation. If they're just corrupt, hang 'em. #7 moss,

I believe we are in perfect agreement on this issue. As clarification however, perhaps I should have made clearer my thesis that some “mistakes” can instantly lead to “corruption” among otherwise honest cops as the one and only means of self-preservation.

If they’re just corrupt, hang ‘em.

]]> By: RonD http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608421 RonD Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:19:47 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608421 The officers could have received life sentences. But the plea deal reduces them to 12 years and 10 years. They haven't been sentenced yet and prosecuters say the sentences may be reduced even further depending on how much the dirty cops cooperate in the investigation of corruption in the APD. Disgusting! The officers could have received life sentences. But the plea deal reduces them to 12 years and 10 years. They haven’t been sentenced yet and prosecuters say the sentences may be reduced even further depending on how much the dirty cops cooperate in the investigation of corruption in the APD. Disgusting!

]]> By: jz http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608377 jz Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:52:23 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608377 Maybe some of you saw the story on 60 minutes about how African American rappers have been promoting the line, "stop snitchin" in their videos and songs. Black person after person repeated the line that they would not call the police even if they saw a murder or had a serial killer living next to them. One was left to wonder: are these people excessively paranoid or wise based on experience? Then I read in this report, "But the police have already made sweeping changes to make it harder for renegade cops. Remarkably, two years ago, the penalty for a police officer caught lying on a report was a verbal reprimand." After the fiascoes with Nifong, Gonzales, and now this, isn't it obvious that we need better oversight with regards to law enforcement? I agree with #7. The honest cop is becoming a rarer and rarer commodity these days. Maybe some of you saw the story on 60 minutes about how African American rappers have been promoting the line, “stop snitchin” in their videos and songs. Black person after person repeated the line that they would not call the police even if they saw a murder or had a serial killer living next to them. One was left to wonder: are these people excessively paranoid or wise based on experience?

Then I read in this report, “But the police have already made sweeping changes to make it harder for renegade cops. Remarkably, two years ago, the penalty for a police officer caught lying on a report was a verbal reprimand.”

After the fiascoes with Nifong, Gonzales, and now this, isn’t it obvious that we need better oversight with regards to law enforcement? I agree with #7. The honest cop is becoming a rarer and rarer commodity these days.

]]> By: DaveW http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2007/04/27/corruption-in-atl-pd-tip-of-iceberg/comment-page-1/#comment-608363 DaveW Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:44:41 +0000 http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=11099#comment-608363 It is about time that SOMEONE realized that you simply won't get very many honest, intelligent people to take jobs enforcing the War on Drugs. At least not without a lot more pay. It is about time that SOMEONE realized that you simply won’t get very many honest, intelligent people to take jobs enforcing the War on Drugs.

At least not without a lot more pay.

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