This is a blog. On it are fannish squees, liberal politics, and the occasional personal post.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
NYPD Officer Charged After Helping Police Gang Commit Over 100 Robberies
A 17-year veteran of the New York City Police Department pled not guilty Thursday to charges that he supplied police paraphernalia and weapons to a stickup crew, which then used the equipment to rob drug dealers.
Officer Jose Tejada is accused of involvement in a string of 2006 and 2007 robberies in which he is alleged to have provided NYPD badges, uniforms and even police vehicles to a group of thieves. Tejada, 45, who had been assigned to police Harlem, was in uniform and on duty at the time of at least one of his alleged crimes.
He’s been connected to three of the more than one hundred robberies the crew is supposedly behind, with some dating back to 2001. Tejada is charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to distribute drugs including heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana, as well as an unlawful use of a firearm charge, according to local NY1 news.
Prosecutors say Tejada was caught in an “ongoing Internal Affairs Bureau investigation” and has been suspended from the department after holding a family of three at gunpoint while his colleagues searched their home.
He also is accused of checking the legal status of other robbers in the gang and letting them know when it was safe to flee then reenter the United States.
“Obviously it is sad and disappointing anytime a police officer is arrested,” said NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly.
Tejada is the second officer to be charged as part of the robbery crew, which began in 2001 and has “netted more than 250 kilograms of cocaine and $1 million in narcotics proceeds,” prosecutors told the Times.
Emmanuel Tavarez, an eight-year veteran of the force, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in May 2012 after being convicted for aiding the gang. Twenty other members have been implicated in the years-long investigation.
"Where Is the Right to Privacy? It Doesn't Exist If You're a Muslim"
Meet the New Jersey Muslims taking on the New York Police Department over its sweeping surveillance program.
So much symbolism here…
That’s just a fascinating effort because the changing of names – the Americanization of names – is such a part of the immigrant story of America. To see it now being scanned for potential red flags for terrorism just shows how much has changed in New York since 9/11, not just on the ground, but the way we view things in New York.
New York City police officers keep track of every person in the city who changes his or her name. When that person’s name sounds Arabic, the police run an extensive background check that is then put in a database for future reference. (via nprfreshair)
High Ranking NYPD Officials Used N-Word, Told Officers To ‘Treat Black People Like Animals’
“Capt. Coan would tell the field team … ‘They are f—–g animals. You make sure if you have to shoot, you shoot them in the head. That way there’s one story,’ ” said the retired detective.
The ex-cop, identified only as Undercover 7988, said Coan’s racist rant came before every search warrant executed in Brooklyn’s Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant and East New York from 2008 to 2010.
One guy in there just pissed me off and will be taken to SKOOL.
(Source: dreaminginspanish)
St Vincent & Grenadines Ambassador Assaulted by NYPD
excerpt from the letter his office released today regarding the details of what’s happened:
“I replied to the NYPD officer’s demand with a simple question: ‘Why? Am I under arrest?’ The question was based on the fact that (1) the officer had already grabbed me and spun me around, impeding my entry into my office; and (2) the NYPD officers stationed outside the building, to my knowledge, have never previously requested identification from any individual. The decision to check identification and to grant access to the elevators is made by the building personnel in the lobby, not the NYPD.
“As soon as I asked the NYPD officer why I was being asked to produce identification, and whether I was under arrest, he said ‘You are now!’
“The NYPD officer, whose surname is Parker, and whose badge number is 21289, then produced his handcuffs and demanded that I place my hands behind my back. Aware of my rights under the relevant sections of the Vienna Convention, and aware of the fact that I had committed no criminal offence, I informed Officer Parker that I would not place my hands behind my back. Officer Parker proceeded to place his handcuff on my left wrist. I clasped my hands in front of me and stood perfectly still and rigid, as if at attention.
“Officer Parker then began to squeeze the handcuff tightly on my left wrist, in an attempt to yank my hands behind my back. He was unsuccessful in this effort. Officer Parker called for backup, and another one or two NYPD officers arrived in the lobby and began to manhandle me in an effort to handcuff me. I remained uncooperative, but peaceful. At some point I was struck or somehow bruised behind my right ear. There are minor abrasions in this area.
“The officers, collectively, managed to force my hands behind my back and to handcuff me. I was pulled to the side of the lobby, where Officer Parker informed me that he was getting a Squad Car to take me to the ’17th Precinct.’
…“Other officers on the scene began questioning me about what took place, and also asked me whether I worked in the building and in what capacity. I responded to them calmly and truthfully, despite the fact that I was under arrest and being questioned without having been informed of my ‘Miranda Rights’ as mandated by U.S. Law. Similarly, I had not been informed of the supposed ‘crime’ for which I was under arrest.
…“Officer Parker said quietly to his fellow officers, but within my earshot: ‘I couldn’t let him just walk into the building. Look at him: he could be a terrorist.’
…“The U.S. State Department Personnel later joined me in my office to express their personal regret that the incident had taken place. They also said that the NYPD was considering issuing me a summons for disorderly conduct, which would require me to pay a fine. I informed them that I considered myself the victim of a police assault, and may pursue my own redress to that assault. Shortly thereafter, the State Department Personnel informed me that the NYPD had decided not to issue any summons.
“Later that day, I was contacted by the U.S. State Department and reminded that, if I decide to pursue legal action for my assault, I would be waiving whatever jurisdictional immunities I possess as a diplomatic agent. I was informed that, if I contemplated legal action, I may become subject to a counter suit by the New York District Attorney.
folks, they’ve been acting out on black un diplomats in nyc since black countries *started* sending diplomats to the un in nyc…
holy shit
(Source: emeraldtriangleprincess)
More reports of police brutality at #M17 in NYC:
- Cecily McMillan tackled by NYPD, possibly has some broken ribs & had a seizure while handcuffed with officers standing by not offering assistance or an ambulance. She is currently at the hospital & reportedly not allowed to see friends or family or call a lawyer.
- Shawn Carrie arrested tonight & tweeted - “Police broke my left thumb and possibly my jaw. My right ear is bleeding and theres a bootprint on my face.”
- NYPD bash protester named Jose head against a glass door window, cracking the glass. Video here.
- More stories will be updated as they are released.
Horrifying.
(Source: thepeoplesrecord)
Is NYPD Running Wild? Patterns of Brutality Raise Questions About Mayor's Control of Police
A series of incidents last year, in some cases where police broke the law, has sullied the reputation of the NYPD. From the department’s handling of Occupy protesters and journalists, to officers’ participation in illegal gun sales and a ticket-fixing scandal, to rape charges and reports that allege the targeting of Muslims, the NYPD’s pattern of abuse, law-breaking, and poor judgment is raising questions about whether some of New York’s finest are operating as rogue units. A disturbing series of events, including beatings and the shooting death of an unarmed teenager in the Bronx, are causing some to wonder whether Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Mayor Michael Bloomberg are condoning the behavior or are unable to impose discipline on the department.
Wow. This is troubling, to say the least.
