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by D. Lee Oliver
Use of Force Continuum is a standard that provides law enforcement officials with guidelines
as to how much force maybe be used against a resisting subject in a given situation.
- physical presence
- soft hands
- pepper spray (also includes 9AK-9 unit)
- hard hands
- police baton
- threat of deadly force
- deadly force (kill)
The APBnow alternative, as suggested
below, is fairly passive, and would not be effective in some situations. However, we have to seriously
consider this alternative when circumstances warrant it.
APBnow Alternative
- commanding/physical presence
- communication/dialogue (vital components to de-escalating any given situation)
- empathy
- non-lethal force
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How it is...
Years ago, I made a complaint to an internal investigations de-partment about a few officers.
The investigation went on for some time, and I felt convinced that the officers would be found irresponsible,
to say the least, for their actions toward me.
I received the report findings and was astounded at the level of intended bias toward the officers.
I admit, I was rather naive. I thought that perhaps some wrongdoing would be attributed to both myself, and the
police, but it went far beyond this.
The investigator in question blatantly lied, and was condescending in his manner towards
me. This quas-investigator, I believe, was atleast partially responsible for the fabrications and
innuedos in the report.
The officers who were involved refuted everything I said in my complaint, and did their very best
in covering up and lying. An unbelievable yet hilarious collection of ignorant pride-filled insinuations.
I wonder about how these people go about their lives. How do they live with themselves, knowing full
well that the lying and the deception upsets so many victims who really only seek the truth. As individuals,
they lack conscience, impede the complaint process, and in a rather pathetic and abhorrent manner, are criminally negligent.
(One personal incident sticks out in my mind of which I regret, due in part to my intoxicated
behavior. A long time ago, in a bar, I was refused service and I made a commotion. The bartender decided to
call the cops. The cops pulled up, one got out and came toward me. He shouted at me, wondering
aloud as to what I was doing. Out of nowhere, with no agression on my part, he pushed me with such force that I
was thrown back quite far. I felt it was best to simply turn around and walk home, which was the smart
thing to do.
I wonder what would have happened if I had pushed him back. I would have been thrown in jail
and then charged with assault on a cop. Cop would have denied pushing me. I would have had to to spend time in the
pen, and lose everything in my life. And for what? The repercussions for pushing back the cop who pushes you are too great a price, and they know this. I wonder about a goon such as him. A sure loser, and the goons
get away with it all the time.)
 Police Impunity Freedom from punishment.
We hear about it all the time. The judicial body has always held the police to a very high level of Integrity
and duty. Even when the judicial body has concluded a verdict of quilt, there is a profound and indeed disturbing
need to declare aquittal or innocence.
The "Blue Code of Silence".
The cops lie and they know it. They will all support each other, unconditionally, to no end. Cops
know the rules; stick by no matter what or suffer harassment and intimidation. It is absolutely pathetic and horrendous;
and we all pay for it somehow. Corruption indeed!
"Struggle" Cops use this term
often in internal investigations. "During a struggle" or "kneed during a struggle, the complainant was injured." By fabricating an event such as this, however insignificant, conveniently creates a circumstance in which the cops
are deemed to be guilty of atleast something. It is all made to look so good!
"Who are you
to question us?" This is the response you will receive when you ask
Internal Investigations a question, or submit a complaint. And my answer to them is... "Because I have a moral obligation to do so, and contrary to what you may think, our lives are worth
something."
Police investigating Police
There has to be change in the existing system. Internal Investigations is
a great public relations gimmick. Untouchable arrogance and a consistant pattern of deception permeates from this agency. These
obstacles to accountability have gone on far too long.
Complaints to Internal Investigations should be scrutinized by a civilian
body, made up of people from all walks of life. Existing and retired police and law enforcement officials would be prohibited
from working for this body of justice.
Until the current system of "police investigating police" is a thing of the past, i
would suggest that if you have a complaint and would like it re-viewed by Internal Investigations, not to submit
it. It will only be ignored, dismissed or subjected to a biased and fraudulent review. The very fact that
you feel the need to submit a legitimate complaint, is stressful enough. But even more so is the investigative
incompetency, which will only cause you more grief, frustration and humiliation than you would have ever thought possible.
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