What are your views on Police Accountability organizations?

2014-12-14T18:24:49-05:00

There are several police accountability organizations in the United States that intend to curb instances of police abuse. These organizations focus on changing legislation, promoting awareness & encouraging people to document incidents of police abuse. For example Cop Block is one of those organizations & I'm curious to hear your views on it and similar organizations.

Cop Block 101

Join us: http://copblock.org - http://twitter.com/copblock - http://facebook.com/copblock - http://youtube.com/thecopblock If you think this video a good res...

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Jan 4 at 2015 9:18 PM

2015-01-04T21:18:22-05:00

Government activities are accountable to the citizenry. However, law cannot be violated in the collection of information. Potentially a dangerous endeavor.

Response by SFC Aaron G. made Jan 4 at 2015 11:56 PM

2015-01-04T23:56:27-05:00

Groups like Cop Block and others really do not bother me. There is a chapter of cop block where I live and work. As a police officer, both in the military and as a civilian, I know that I am accountable for my actions. I was hired to represent the city and to uphold the laws of our state and city ordinances. If some guy/gal wants to video tape me and accuse me of not doing my job properly, go right ahead. I have personally experienced such actions. Generally, though most are well educated and researched on local, stated, and federal laws, they do not have all of the facts for the particular situation they are filming.

As an example, I had an individual show up on a scene where I had responded to a call for a suicidal subject trying to walk in front of vehicles on a busy section of highway in my city. Myself and another officer responded with medical personnel to assist the subject. While suicide is not a crime, we responded to ensure his safety and wellbeing. The individual recording the call showed up after the subject was placed into the back of the ambulance and voluntarily went to the hospital for an evaluation by a doctor. What he was recording was in fact me speaking with the gas station attendant - a friend of the subject - getting background on the subject that would provided pertinent information to the doctors. It was discovered that the subject was diagnosed with PTSD from his time in the military. His friend was also military and a combat medic for a local PSYOPS unit.

Later that night I observed the subject recording the incident following me around town. I noticed that his vehicle's left brake light was not working and decided to conduct a traffic stop to inform him of the infraction. Immediately upon my approach to the vehicle, the driver was confrontational. I introduced myself and informed him of the reason for the stop. The driver immediately denied the infraction stating he knew for a fact that all of his lights on the vehicle were working properly; making my stop illegal. Furthermore, he refused to identify himself or provided me with his driver's license, proof of insurance, or proof of vehicle registration; all, of which, violates state law. This entire traffic stop was being audio and video recorded from my patrol vehicle's camera and by him using his smart phone. Due to his demeanor, I requested additional officers to back me on the stop. By state law, his refusal to identify himself or provide any time of identification could result him in going to jail for obstruction of governmental operations, failure to provide proof of insurance, and failure to provide proof of vehicle ownership. Eventually, after he had threatened me that he was going to "have my job" and that I was violating his fourth amendment rights, we were able to get him to agree to us using his phone to record his break light not working properly. Once he realized that he was infact wrong in his assumptions, he cooperated with my requests for his information. He was given a warning for the infraction and sent on his way.

I was later asked by another officer who had responded why I did not cite him for the infraction after he had given me so much grief. I explained that on any other stop, I would have done the same thing by giving a warning and instructing the driver to fix the infraction.

Long story short, as long as I am conducting myself the way I am supposed to, anyone can video record me all they want. It comes with the territory of being a civil servant.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 5 at 2015 1:03 AM

2015-01-05T01:03:39-05:00

Cop blocked!

Response by MSgt Rob Weston made Jan 5 at 2015 1:24 AM

2015-01-05T01:24:15-05:00

I understand their intent, however I think these groups need to be accountable if their actions result in interference with police duties or cause undue harm to police or the citizens as a whole. I also have to wonder how they would feel if some person started showing up at their job filming them and interfering with their work. Sadly the name like Cop Block sounds more like a hinderance group versus a public service.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Jan 5 at 2015 9:03 PM

2015-01-05T21:03:06-05:00

I'm not all that familiar with these groups, but I am for accountability, particularly in government, and even more particularly when the particular arm of government applies force. I've seen interviews where some police were totally against having dash cams, but now they are common practice, and police like them because they lead to more convictions. More currently, I've seen stories debating body-cameras on police officers. Some are against the practice, while others see them like the dash cam, a means to prove their actions on video. Accountability is good, particularly in government where it is often the hens watching the hen house.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2015 9:13 PM

2015-01-05T21:13:18-05:00

Here's my thoughts: I don't think any of these groups have any nationally accepted standards / certifications that will stand up in court re: legitimacy. I think I understand what they're attempting - but antagonizing the cops and interfering with police actions is not the way to do this.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2015 10:40 PM

2015-01-05T22:40:59-05:00

Let me get this right! Organizatons to hold the Police Accountability!

Why are we not holding those who comit the crimes accountable for their actions as well? Why are we not holding the Media, Press, Politicians, Race Baiters, and even the President, all, who on more than one ocassion totally showed disregard for the criminal actions of individuals in order to redirect the focus instead of their actions that caused police involvment to that of the Police. One or two highly covered events will over shadow all the other actions of Law Enforcement Officers across the country.

Why are those I just mentioned not being held accountable for their actions, which have caused riots, destruction to businesses, assinations of policemen sitting in their cars? Where is the outrage over the actions of these supposedly responsible leaders, media, press and government officials .

The "National Problem" is NOT the Police; the problem is as a nation that has allowed it values and morals to be replaced with, "I'm not responsible for my actions and someone else has to be accountable for my actions", to include the political system that exploits this process. The number of bad people in this country outnumber the "bad cops" 100 fold in this country. Yes every COP (good and bad) should be held accountable for their actions....however with the rise in lawlessness of our entitled and not accoutable society; we have arrived at a time where a Police Officer goes to work daily fearing for his own reputation/ life/safety, especially when local/city/state/federal officials have failed to support and defend them from those who openly and willingly break the law.

Our trumped up Police Problem is not the problem! Thougih as a nation, it's easier to blame it on the police then it is on those that we have elected and put into office and then time and time again, those elected officials toss law enforcement officers to the alligators in their desire to suck up more votes for the next election. And as a nation we go along with it, election after election!

The 3-4 highly publized unfortunate events in the recent past have over shadowed the every day right and good things our law enforcement officers do. And unfortunately WE have allowed color of ones skin to be a determining factor of what actions are considered to right, good or bad instead of the legal system. Now that's one giant step backwards in race relations! More often reverse racism. Cops fault....not hardly! They don't create the situations, they respond to them!

Actually and unfortunately our law enforcement officers are surrounded by crooks and criminals on one corner; a biased press/media on another; idiots for government officials on another; and a nation of sleeping citizens on the other! And we expect them to proudly go out there every day and protect us! Who is holding everyone besides the police accountable..............damn if I know!

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 12:49 PM

2015-01-07T12:49:27-05:00

Absolutely vital in the modern day and age. I have very little trust for law enforcement modernly, especially when I'm living in a society with people who seem to like to tell me "If you have nothing to fear, you shouldn't be worried about a little surveillance" but when the citizenry films the State... well now, that's an invasion of privacy!

Response by SPC Curt Dennis made Jul 9 at 2017 10:53 PM

2017-07-09T22:53:21-04:00

IN MY OPINION: Cop Block and BLM are noer'dowells who have fought the law at one time and the law won. Given human nature to do what one WANTS to do they naturally think they have been wronged and want to turn the tables.

Are there bad cops that need exposing? Yes
But if you stand there, with your cell phone in your hand while an officer is attempted to subdue a suspect, just so you can have your 5 minutes of fame on YouTube, well asshole your just as bad as the punk on the ground with the cop.