Review clears cops who protected fellow officer's son after beating a homeless man

[Hugabear]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-sanford-police-internal-justin-col20110304,0,1963860.story

This is enough to make you want to puke...

<snip>
An internal investigation into how Sanford police handled the case of an officer's son — who was captured on videotape sucker-punching a homeless man — has cleared every officer on the scene that night.

The investigation began after a bar patron put the video on YouTube. It shows Justin Collison walking up behind a homeless man and punching him in the back of the head. The blow knocked the man out and sent him to the hospital.

Several Sanford officers went to the scene but did not arrest 22-year-old Collison. That led to complaints from the local branch of the NAACP and others, who said Collison was given preferential treatment.
<snip>

But wait, it gets even better...

<snip>
The internal affairs report, released Friday, found no wrongdoing by any officer, except by Capt. Coolidge "Jerry" Hargrett. The report criticizes him because, as acting police chief, he answered reporters' questions, saying officers that night clearly violated department policies.
<snip>

So the ONLY officer being singled out by the review board is the ONLY officer who tried to stand up and say that what happened was wrong.

[Dawson Leery]

1. And coppers can murder civilians too and get away with it.

They are above the law. Those cops who complain about the "difficulties" of their jobs are cowards. There is nothing "tough" about people who constantly go crying about how hard their jobs/lives are.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dawson Leery]

7. These things are why coppers are not trusted.

[The Doctor.]

8. It is sad that the overriding point here is entirely lost on you.

Answer this question or run like a coward;

You want to see what happens when the son of a cop beats a member of your family into the hospital and gets away with it?
Is that OK with you?

Run from this question. I have no tolerance for those that support tyranny.

Buh-bye.

[Cid_B]

9. Gosh let's see...

From the article...

"Three weeks later, prosecutors formally charged him with felony battery and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor. He is free on $4,000 bail." Looks like he didn't get away with much.

I'll wait for your apology in my PM box.

I also support LE discretion. You have a lovely morning.

edit: missed an H

[The Doctor.]

10. That wasn't in the question. No apology necessary.

I'm very glad that the non-posted portion of the article reveals that this kid MIGHT face a conviction. That's not the point of the question.

The point is that people see cops and their kids getting away with all kinds of horrible acts all the time. In your initial response, you didn't seem to give a damn. Thus the question.

Unfortunately, your post was deleted so answering the question will neither prove nor disprove your hypocrisy. The question has become moot, but feel free to answer if you wish.

[speltwon]

3. Under my state's law, the review would be correct

in that there is no mandatory arrest clause for a NON DV assault of that nature. In cases where the arrest is not witnessed by an officer, an arrest frequently will not be made. And frequently will be. Depends on the totality of the circumstances.

If they did a bona fide investigation (iow did not try to cover up the incident), and made sure the victim was given medical care if requested - they did their job under the law

I have no idea IF they violated dept. policies, and their policies SHOULD be public record, so if anybody has info what those alleged policy violations were- print em up here!

[flvegan]

4. It would be a horrible, horrible shame if someone clocked young Mr. Collison

in the back of the head from behind, knocking him out and sending him to the hospital. I think they call that type of person an anti-hero, and I sincerely hope that wouldn't happen.

[Liberal_in_LA]

5. There is a quote in one of the articles on this. Cop says "I'm not interested in arresting kids of

cops."

[Angry Dragon]

6. And the truth will set you free

Oh wait.......or is that sent to jail??

It is time for police to be investigated by civilians

[A Simple Game]

11. Exactly, we need civilian review boards for police complaints.

They don't seem to do a very good job of policing themselves.