Posted on Aug 13, 2015
Florida police officer investigated after challenging US veteran over use of disabled parking space
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Cop Harasses Disabled Veteran for No Reason!
Officer Wilson is going to have some explaining to do.
[Warning: Video has explicit language!]
From: Fox News
A Florida police officer is under investigation after he allegedly ordered an Army veteran to remove his car from a handicapped-accessible parking spot despite the veteran’s vehicle displaying a disabled placard.
According to WPBF-TV, Riviera Beach Police Sgt. Gary Wilson is now on paid administrative leave while he is being investigated by internal affairs following an incident Sunday involving Isiah James, a U.S. Army combat veteran who served nearly 10 years.
The incident, caught on James’ cellphone video, shows an angry exchange between James and Wilson after the officer allegedly asked the veteran to move his Dodge Magnum out of the disabled parking spot outside a Walgreens because he did not look disabled.
Wilson is seen on the video challenging James, 29, saying the veteran is “in the wrong” because he “can walk.”
“What I’m saying is there are people in wheelchairs who can’t get out and you just get out of the car and float right into the store,” Wilson says to James.
“You are not the arbitrator of my disability; you don’t get to decide if I’m disabled or not,” says James, who reveals during the exchange that he served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. James also explains that he has screws in his leg and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Wilson, who asks for James’ license and calls in the plate number to check for outstanding warrants, also appears to knock James’ cellphone out of his hand as the veteran records the exchange.
“Move the camera out of my face,” Wilson says.
“You can’t do that, officer,” James says. “You broke my phone.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VkkOMMmQIg
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/08/12/florida-cop-investigated-after-challenging-veteran-over-use-disabled-parking/
From: Fox News
A Florida police officer is under investigation after he allegedly ordered an Army veteran to remove his car from a handicapped-accessible parking spot despite the veteran’s vehicle displaying a disabled placard.
According to WPBF-TV, Riviera Beach Police Sgt. Gary Wilson is now on paid administrative leave while he is being investigated by internal affairs following an incident Sunday involving Isiah James, a U.S. Army combat veteran who served nearly 10 years.
The incident, caught on James’ cellphone video, shows an angry exchange between James and Wilson after the officer allegedly asked the veteran to move his Dodge Magnum out of the disabled parking spot outside a Walgreens because he did not look disabled.
Wilson is seen on the video challenging James, 29, saying the veteran is “in the wrong” because he “can walk.”
“What I’m saying is there are people in wheelchairs who can’t get out and you just get out of the car and float right into the store,” Wilson says to James.
“You are not the arbitrator of my disability; you don’t get to decide if I’m disabled or not,” says James, who reveals during the exchange that he served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. James also explains that he has screws in his leg and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Wilson, who asks for James’ license and calls in the plate number to check for outstanding warrants, also appears to knock James’ cellphone out of his hand as the veteran records the exchange.
“Move the camera out of my face,” Wilson says.
“You can’t do that, officer,” James says. “You broke my phone.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VkkOMMmQIg
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/08/12/florida-cop-investigated-after-challenging-veteran-over-use-disabled-parking/
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Posted >1 y ago
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Boils down to Officer Wilson let his personal bias interfere with his duties as a Police Officer and crossed the line of professionalism with a Disabled Veteran that was legally parked.
And.....................This Veteran is incredibly lucky having survived BEING BLOWN UP EIGHT TIMES, and still has all finger and toes......he is extremely lucky, many do not survive the first explosion. I can't help but feel he was looking for an opportunity to play the victim here.
And.....................This Veteran is incredibly lucky having survived BEING BLOWN UP EIGHT TIMES, and still has all finger and toes......he is extremely lucky, many do not survive the first explosion. I can't help but feel he was looking for an opportunity to play the victim here.
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PFC Mike Jones
SPC Bryan Kovar - I did go to the sandbox. I'm not saying that the DV was wrong, I'm just saying that he could have handled it a bit more tactfully.
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CPL Timothy Lane
TSgt (Join to see) - he was standing up for his rights. He had enough of authority figure pushing him. I saw life experience and higher education kick in. Kudos
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SGT Roger Childs
It's a good thing he played it up and got attention. Incident could have easily been forgotten LE shouldn't judge. If the paperwork and or sticker is in place then it meets the requirement. Should be a photo ID that matches. If there's a doubt simply check the ID and move out!
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SSG Glendale Williams
This is a rebuttal to what the CSM said about him trying to play the victim. what in the hell are you talking about? This veteran survived explosions after explosions by the grace of God and you have the audacity to say that he was playing the victim. It is obvious that you need to get out of the service and get into another line of work. It is a shame that you attain the rank of CSM and would say something like that.
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Cops don't decide who's disabled. Period. In order to get that placard, this vet (and anyone else in the country wanting one) had to get his doctor to sign off on a DMV form. If his doctor did, and the placard is legit, this cop has ZERO standing.
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SPC DV Gio Lozano
SN Greg Wright - at least in the state of Texas that is the case. I'm not exactly sure what the disability rating has to be but I believe it's 60% or more
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CPL Earl Kochis
One you don’t need a doctors form just the rating letter from the VA to get a disability plate! My Opinion is they should do away with the placards and issue plates only! That would end the question of legality. The cop wouldn’t even need to approach to check the plate.SN Greg Wright
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I see a lot of people saying that the vet could have handled himself differently.
Firstly, we don't know if he was having a bad day to begin with, and Officer Dough Boy made it worse by harassing and assaulting him.
Secondly, wouldn't you get upset if a cop who is obviously out of shape tells you that "you don't look handicapped enough" and possibly lose your cool?
The cop had absolutely no authority to make that determination, and was completely unprofessional and also ASSAULTED the veteran. He should not be suspended or retrained, he should be FIRED.
Firstly, we don't know if he was having a bad day to begin with, and Officer Dough Boy made it worse by harassing and assaulting him.
Secondly, wouldn't you get upset if a cop who is obviously out of shape tells you that "you don't look handicapped enough" and possibly lose your cool?
The cop had absolutely no authority to make that determination, and was completely unprofessional and also ASSAULTED the veteran. He should not be suspended or retrained, he should be FIRED.
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SSG (Join to see)
Once you been diagnosed with PTSD are TBI the little things could set you off and you really do not know daytoday how you're going to react that's one reason then add other injuries he sustained it in the military that's why he was approved for having a disability tags. Once confronted in that situation could have started his reaction but really once he showed his disability tags the officer should have just left.
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CW4 John Karl T.
I wish I had been there. I would have invited to officer to get back in his cruser and do something useful or call his shift supervisor to the scene.
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CW4 John Karl T.
Now if he wants to take off that badge, gun and uniform and join me in a boxing ring, I've got money that says this 74 year old retiree can take him. I have no worry because bullies won't show up for a real fight.
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Suspended Profile
I carry an ID card in my wallet certifying that I am entitled to Handicap parking privileges. I keep it with my Driver's license. All the cop had to do was ask. I don't "look disabled" either, but I sure am, as are myriad veterans with spinal injuries, joint injuries, heart problems, neurological problems, etc...
Suspended Profile
PO2 Joseph Denton we can always look at others who are worse off than we are. That being said, no-one knows your personal suffering more than you do. I have seen quad amputees who don't lament their injuries, and people with minor injuries who cease to function.
It is always best to honor and accept our limitations, and not get hung up on comparing them to others'. When talking to others, of course, honor their issues, and downplay your own, but never downplay your own limitations to yourself...
It is always best to honor and accept our limitations, and not get hung up on comparing them to others'. When talking to others, of course, honor their issues, and downplay your own, but never downplay your own limitations to yourself...
Capt Judith Meek
Another bully cop. I'm glad he's on leave, but it should not be paid. Personally, I think he should be terminated. I am sick to death of bully cops. Maybe he needs to enlist and go to the Middle East for a year. It might straighten out his thinking. That police department owes this guy an apology
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Suspended Profile
Capt Judith Meek an even better setting for him would be as a Corrections officer for a couple years. He would learn to use his brain very quickly as a CO...
SGT Glenn E Moody
Capt Judith Meek - and a new phone to the police officer was wrong no if and or butt's about it he was wrong. but it is not the falt of the police department just the officer involved
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They both could have handled this situation better. With that said, the LEO had no reason to give Mr. James a hard time because he didn't feel that James was disabled enough to park in a disabled parking spot. I have a placard myself and I'll be damned if I would put up with someone trying to tell me I am not disabled enough to use.
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SFC (Join to see)
SGM.....i would like for you to justify the "both" perception. I belive this tactic relative to this issue is absolutely non existent and does not apply. The police officer was waaaayyyy out of order and he knows it. The police officer is responsible for his initial decision. He absolutely does not get to decide who and who is not handicapped. If someone violated your rights SGM you cannot tell me that you would have handled this situation differently because when you are out of the military, police dont care about veterans. The veteran handled this situation flawlessly and he knew his rights. Just because a police officer ask to see your ID does not mean you give it to them. You ONLY give it to them IF you are being charged with a crime. Individuals dont have to surrender their ID to even run it against the system to see if you have any outstanding warrants. The veterans rights were violated and you're stating that "both" of them could've handled this situation better??? ....Aight then.....stick to your statement
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SP6 Linda Wilson-Sterling
I totally agree with your response. No one knows what happened before the camera started rolling.
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Cpl David Smith
I agree I'm wheelchair bound vet. and what gets me though is I can't get a spot because they give them to obese people should be different spots based on needs
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Cop is 100% in the wrong. The cop has the right to verify his disability status/placard, but not the right to his personal opinion on who is or isn't disabled. Once everything was verified, the cop should have moved on. Once the cop tried to enforce his own personal opinion about what makes a person disabled is when the vet started to get upset. It would have made me upset too. Not to mention the cop knocked the vets phone out from his hand for no reason and cracked the screen. The vet wasn't breaking any laws by recording the incident. This is just an example of a unprofessional police officer over stepping his authority.
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SFC (Join to see)
The department should replace the Veterans phone and the LEO should be fired for lack of professionalism. Obviously the department has 0 physical standards. To maintain a good standard and example you first have to set a standard and example. And that LEO doesn't. I'm a veteran as well. How ever swating my phone, touching me, or being disrespectful will never be tolerated on any level. You are to protect and serve, not bully out of your own fear. There are consequences when people don't act right towards other people. You should never think your invincible, it tends to go badly when you least expect it. I a cop cannot use common sense and accept responsibility for his actions then fire his ass and find one that will. And if you have cops on the force like this guy then there is a lack of over site and the supervisor should be fired as well.
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PO1 David Hofseth
GySgt Andrews I totally agree with you. All the officer had to do was verify the handicapped placard, which is his job, and that's all. He overstepped his boundaries when he stated his opinion that the veteran should not be handicapped because he can walk. One of the many dangers of any person's job description is when subjectivity interferes with the law.
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I have several friends that I feel abuse their disability plates. But then again, I am not there to police them - I can only offer them my opinion. The police in questions clearly feels that he has the right to question another authority's judgement - which he clearly have not. His job is to enforce the law, and since no law has been broken his job is not to harass or judge.
Neither of them handled it well, but the police should have done his job - and not whatever he was doing?!!
Neither of them handled it well, but the police should have done his job - and not whatever he was doing?!!
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MSG Franklin Mclelland
You know SGT, all this fuss you are making about it and the fact that you are calling people out, who voted against you. Makes me believe that you might be just jealous of your friends and their DAV placards. I mean, you seem to be making a really big stink about this and this occurred a long time ago. Civilians abuse their placards and yea you going to have soldiers who are going to abuse the system. Anybody that has been in the military longer than 30 days. Knows this. That is why we have to police our own, not just complain about it. I think as a NCO you need to concentrate on yourself and not your what your friends are doing. If your friends are in the wrong, tell them. If they don't won't to listen, then you have done your part. Now you just need to CYA. You said one of your friends has a hearing problem. Well, as we age, those problem get worse. I would say that problem gets worse when that person is sick as well. So, if the VA or the state says he is entitled to a placard. They may know more than you.
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SGT (Join to see)
MSG Franklin Mclelland - I will deal with this in an orderly fashion.
Regarding me calling someone out that downvote me. I have no problem with that at all, but as the RP guide recommends that it is common courtesy to leave a comment or else the act of a downvote is mute, unless it is to enforce other people with opposite opinion, which in this case clearly is not the case. Downvote me all you want, could not give a crap - but to do it and not say why, now that shows a lack of skill of expression.. and that I do not condone.
Me jealous of DAV placard? This is some true Ricky Lake psychology. Just because I confirm the fact that there is people that abuse the system, does not suggest that I would want to do the same. And there is literally nothing more I can say about that.
>I think as a NCO you need to concentrate on yourself and not your what your friends are doing.
- I believe that as an NCO I need to set an example and police the people that set the wrong standard, regardless of rank and active status. That goes more in line with the Army Values and common sense.
Then you complain that I bring something up that happened a long time ago. Well aren't we here to share stories and opinions? I will chalk this up as you having too much time on your hands, and somehow got stuck on my slice of the thread. You clearly didn't read the thread all that thorough, and that is clearly not my problem.
Regarding me calling someone out that downvote me. I have no problem with that at all, but as the RP guide recommends that it is common courtesy to leave a comment or else the act of a downvote is mute, unless it is to enforce other people with opposite opinion, which in this case clearly is not the case. Downvote me all you want, could not give a crap - but to do it and not say why, now that shows a lack of skill of expression.. and that I do not condone.
Me jealous of DAV placard? This is some true Ricky Lake psychology. Just because I confirm the fact that there is people that abuse the system, does not suggest that I would want to do the same. And there is literally nothing more I can say about that.
>I think as a NCO you need to concentrate on yourself and not your what your friends are doing.
- I believe that as an NCO I need to set an example and police the people that set the wrong standard, regardless of rank and active status. That goes more in line with the Army Values and common sense.
Then you complain that I bring something up that happened a long time ago. Well aren't we here to share stories and opinions? I will chalk this up as you having too much time on your hands, and somehow got stuck on my slice of the thread. You clearly didn't read the thread all that thorough, and that is clearly not my problem.
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MSG Franklin Mclelland
SGT I have plenty of time on my side, seeing as I am retired. Smh. You still called them out for what?? To shame them? Was that your end goal?? How pityful are you. I am sure he will be so shamed that he will want to end his life now. NOT!! Grow up. This is not the cub scouts. Yes, you are complaining, complaining about your friends and others, who use a DAV placard. I wonder if you have even deployed yet, the way you act. I don't remember complaining being one of the army values. Then again when I was an instructor, you would have been told to shut up, suck it up, and drive on. I knew the army has changed, but I did not know the army had changed so much that complaining was now one of the army values. Can you tell me which one it replaced. Did I tell you in my original post to your so called friends that they are in the wrong and if they don't change. Then you have done your job. Maybe, you forgot to read that part. That selective reading comprehension, must be kicking in.
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SGT (Join to see)
Oh it is clear that you have a lot of time on your hands MSG. But it seems to be me that have to regurgitate since the retention of my initial post seems to have disappeared.
I called out SSG Tellfer - indeed I did, not to shame. How could I, do you think anyone gets shamed on this site, of course you don't. But I did call him out in his negativity without constructivity. See, he clearly had an issue with my initial post, but refused to let me know what. That is deconstructive.
You tell me that you wonder if I even deployed.. now who is trying to shame? (Even if we both know that deployment is something that we as soldiers are not in control of, and if I never deployed my opinions now should be less valued?) But of course you know that I have, since that info is merely a click away.
Then you create a strawman out of ridiculousness.. where you imply that I have stated that complaining is part of the army values. Strawman indeed, and absolutely ridiculous. But when you have nothing to support your thesis, you can always create some. It wouldn't even fly in a high school debate team, but I don't think you have that training either. Instead you issue me the burden that I need to report to you what I have or have not done, because if I do not - I simply did not understand you. I am kinda way ahead of you here MSG. I have always have had uneducated supervisors in the Army.
I called out SSG Tellfer - indeed I did, not to shame. How could I, do you think anyone gets shamed on this site, of course you don't. But I did call him out in his negativity without constructivity. See, he clearly had an issue with my initial post, but refused to let me know what. That is deconstructive.
You tell me that you wonder if I even deployed.. now who is trying to shame? (Even if we both know that deployment is something that we as soldiers are not in control of, and if I never deployed my opinions now should be less valued?) But of course you know that I have, since that info is merely a click away.
Then you create a strawman out of ridiculousness.. where you imply that I have stated that complaining is part of the army values. Strawman indeed, and absolutely ridiculous. But when you have nothing to support your thesis, you can always create some. It wouldn't even fly in a high school debate team, but I don't think you have that training either. Instead you issue me the burden that I need to report to you what I have or have not done, because if I do not - I simply did not understand you. I am kinda way ahead of you here MSG. I have always have had uneducated supervisors in the Army.
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I am an active reservist (36 years in the service, both active and reserve), I am disabled from multiple combat related injuries, I am rated 100% by the VA and am disabled per the Social Security Administration. I've had three major surgeries and have both temporary and permanent profiles. Regardless, I still meet the minimum requirements for retention in the Army. I am also a medically retired state trooper from AZ (21 years). Given this brief history, I feel I strongly compelled to respond to this topic.
Like Mr. James, I too can walk. I have a disabled placard issued to me by the State of AZ after I submitted the legal proof to obtain the placard (I'm sure Florida has similar requirements). I use the placard when I need to, just like Mr. James. Based upon what I saw in this video, OFC Wilson is wrong, wrong, wrong. First, his opinion of whether Mr James is disabled is immaterial. The ONLY issues involving OFC Wilson is whether the placard is valid, who it is issued to and whether the occupant of the vehicle is Mr James. He can also check Mr James' driver's license and insurance information. Once OFC Wilson verified this information,THAT'S IT! He has no reason to detain Mr James any further. But OFC Wilson decided to escalate the situation by knocking Mr James' cellphone out of his hand several times. Not only was this exceptionally UNPROFESSIONAL, in AZ it would constitute an ASSAULT on Mr James - a crime! BTW, Mr James has every right to video OFC Wilson, provided it does not directly interfere with OFC Wilson's detainment, which it did not. OFC Wilson, like many cops, simply did not want to be videoed and he let his personal feelings again overwhelm his required professional behavior.
So, at a minimum, OFC Wilson has behaved in an exceptionally unprofessional manner and probably committed the crime of assault (in my professional opinion). Bottom line: He allowed his personal feelings to take over and he lost control of the situation. Dependent upon his history of sustained complaints, I believe OFC Wilson should be suspended without pay for the maximum period allowed in Florida. If he is charged and found guilty of committing assault, he will be fired and should be. I simply can't believe anyone would lay blame on Mr James for anything and I laud him for not backing down, for capturing this incident on video and especially for not doing anything foolish. You see, I too have had encounters with both the public and the police because I can walk - fortunately nothing to this extent, but it has happened. It's both embarrassing and hurtful to be "eye judged" simply because I can walk. To be honest, it also really pisses me off but I suck it up because I am a professional. It also disturbs me that some of the "leaders" commenting on this lay any blame on Mr James. Unreal.
Like Mr. James, I too can walk. I have a disabled placard issued to me by the State of AZ after I submitted the legal proof to obtain the placard (I'm sure Florida has similar requirements). I use the placard when I need to, just like Mr. James. Based upon what I saw in this video, OFC Wilson is wrong, wrong, wrong. First, his opinion of whether Mr James is disabled is immaterial. The ONLY issues involving OFC Wilson is whether the placard is valid, who it is issued to and whether the occupant of the vehicle is Mr James. He can also check Mr James' driver's license and insurance information. Once OFC Wilson verified this information,THAT'S IT! He has no reason to detain Mr James any further. But OFC Wilson decided to escalate the situation by knocking Mr James' cellphone out of his hand several times. Not only was this exceptionally UNPROFESSIONAL, in AZ it would constitute an ASSAULT on Mr James - a crime! BTW, Mr James has every right to video OFC Wilson, provided it does not directly interfere with OFC Wilson's detainment, which it did not. OFC Wilson, like many cops, simply did not want to be videoed and he let his personal feelings again overwhelm his required professional behavior.
So, at a minimum, OFC Wilson has behaved in an exceptionally unprofessional manner and probably committed the crime of assault (in my professional opinion). Bottom line: He allowed his personal feelings to take over and he lost control of the situation. Dependent upon his history of sustained complaints, I believe OFC Wilson should be suspended without pay for the maximum period allowed in Florida. If he is charged and found guilty of committing assault, he will be fired and should be. I simply can't believe anyone would lay blame on Mr James for anything and I laud him for not backing down, for capturing this incident on video and especially for not doing anything foolish. You see, I too have had encounters with both the public and the police because I can walk - fortunately nothing to this extent, but it has happened. It's both embarrassing and hurtful to be "eye judged" simply because I can walk. To be honest, it also really pisses me off but I suck it up because I am a professional. It also disturbs me that some of the "leaders" commenting on this lay any blame on Mr James. Unreal.
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Classic example of how not to treat a police officer. This should have been handled differently on both sides.
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PO2 Corey Ferretti
Okay so if this was not a Veteran would yo u still be saying he had led it fine and if we side with the police officer we are morons? Because activity like that would not ever go over well in general. Yes the officer was wrong in a way but so was the Veteran. People keep saying the officer has a duty to treat everyone with respect. Respect is a Two way street.
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LCpl Albert Davis
SGT Karl Hofle - I am an officer of 21 years of service, prior to that I served Honorably with the Marines. This is Not typical of our support oof our Veterans, I and every officer I know think that the police sgt. Way overstepped. He was extremely unprofessional and a disgrace to law enforcement everywhere. He does not represent the masses of us out there everyday and every night doing it the right way. Respectfully Albert Davis Veteran/Officer
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SFC Brandon Pechette
1stSgt (Join to see) -
Are you kidding? The freedom of speech that we enjoy is amazing. There are not many places in the world that are like the US, in that regard.
Because of freedoms we enjoy, so long as I don't threaten the police officer, I can say whatever I want to them, without repercussion--otherwise, we would be living Nazi Germany or Communist China.
Are you kidding? The freedom of speech that we enjoy is amazing. There are not many places in the world that are like the US, in that regard.
Because of freedoms we enjoy, so long as I don't threaten the police officer, I can say whatever I want to them, without repercussion--otherwise, we would be living Nazi Germany or Communist China.
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Kudos to the vet for standing up for himself. And booooo to that officer for harassing a disabled veteran. They should use this video in police academies for how NOT to deal with disabled veterans.
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
I agree...but not how to deal with just veterans...how to deal with anyone. This cop has some issues with dealing with people. If he was a trained medical person, I can assure you he would not be wearing a police uniform...therefore he cannot diagnose an injury. Somewhere a medical person stated he was handicapped enough to get the placard. NOT ALL WOUNDS OR INJURIES ARE VISIBLE. It could have been handled very differently. The cop could have run the plates and license to verify and then stated that is a routine check (whether or not it is) for all handicapped stickers he comes across then said thanks for your service to our nation, have a good day and moved on. He should have kept his "opinions" to himself and stuck with the facts of the sticker being legal whether or not he believed it should have been given. The veteran should not have stated his injuries and deployments to play it up...that only fuels the fire in this case. All he needed to state was that he was a veteran and was properly diagnosed from the VA with a verifiable handicap and then cooperated with verification procedures. Once that was done, if the cop started lecturing him, all he had to do was to stand back and film versus adding the commentary and requested another cop to assist on 911. However, with PTSD, you never know how someone will react...all cases are different.
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