Police Linebacker

[ferigor]

I think a lot of people aren't reading the article.

The biker, Christopher Long, of Hoboken, N.J., was arrested because he was obstructing traffic in the heart of Times Square, a criminal complaint said. He was charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Critical Mass (or if the Critical Mass here operated in the same fashion as ones across the nation), but its not exactly a peaceful protest. Here the cyclists gather downtown, and then at rush hour bike down the main down town drag to another main road, then they stop at a major intersection and bike around in the middle of it for awhile. They have caused damage to vehicles, as well as provoked multiple fights during their protests. I have nothing against cyclists, and in fact I appreciate those who are able ride bikes and promote cycling, but this is a very abrasive way to try and prove your point, and I don't think it works.

I'm not saying that the officer was justified, the "attack" looked pretty malicious, but its not as though the guy on the bike was just some random peaceful protester. Had the guy not been a protester on a bike, the story would have read "New Jersey man charged with attempted assault and disorderly conduct tackled by Officer" and thats hardly a newsworthy event.

(I will note that there is no distinction on the assault as to whether he was assaulting the officer or a motorist, which would change the situation a little, but I'm sure if he tried to assault the officer they would have made note of it.)

[Atlasion]

I assumed "stripped of badge" meant fired and that he had been put on desk duty untill they came to that decision. I've never heard that term used here.

[Quixotic]

I lol'd. CM cyclists do more harm than good in trying to promote awareness for cyclists.

[fren.]

The guy with the Indian accent yelling to his wife (?) to get back was fucking lol.

[Beckwin]

I think a lot of people aren't reading the article.



I don't know how many of you are familiar with Critical Mass (or if the Critical Mass here operated in the same fashion as ones across the nation), but its not exactly a peaceful protest. Here the cyclists gather downtown, and then at rush hour bike down the main down town drag to another main road, then they stop at a major intersection and bike around in the middle of it for awhile. They have caused damage to vehicles, as well as provoked multiple fights during their protests. I have nothing against cyclists, and in fact I appreciate those who are able ride bikes and promote cycling, but this is a very abrasive way to try and prove your point, and I don't think it works.

I'm not saying that the officer was justified, the "attack" looked pretty malicious, but its not as though the guy on the bike was just some random peaceful protester. Had the guy not been a protester on a bike, the story would have read "New Jersey man charged with attempted assault and disorderly conduct tackled by Officer" and thats hardly a newsworthy event.

(I will note that there is no distinction on the assault as to whether he was assaulting the officer or a motorist, which would change the situation a little, but I'm sure if he tried to assault the officer they would have made note of it.)

uh, the cyclist in the video wasn't being violent toward anyone at the time, so he was a "random peaceful protestor", and if he hadn't been a protestor, the cop wouldn't have fucked with him like that OR the headline would've read "NY Cop assaults man while on duty."

hope the ACLU has a field day with this.

oh and the charges against the cyclist sound like a fabrication of the event to cover the cop's actions, too bad there was a camera.

[Kuya]

After reading what the cyclist told the cop, he deserved to get tackled.

[Correction]

After the whole 'don't taze me bro' incident I'm honestly more willing to give the cop the benefit of the doubt on this one. The cycling group sound like a bunch of disruptive thugs, more soccer hooligans than demonstrators.

[ferigor]

uh, the cyclist in the video wasn't being violent toward anyone at the time, so he was a "random peaceful protestor", and if he hadn't been a protestor, the cop wouldn't have fucked with him like that OR the headline would've read "NY Cop assaults man while on duty."

hope the ACLU has a field day with this.

oh and the charges against the cyclist sound like a fabrication of the event to cover the cop's actions, too bad there was a camera.

I'm glad you are aware of the entire situation thanks to a 30 second video clip. Did you read the news article? Specifically the part that I quoted?

uh, the cyclist in the video wasn't being violent toward anyone at the time.

At the time being the best part of the whole thing. Going to run on some assumptions here, but I'm guessing the cyclist was harassing motorists and then biked off. The motorists were like "Hey this cyclist in a white shirt was harassing us." So the cops there phoned down to the cops down the road and were like "Hey, stop this guy in a white shirt." So the cop down the road had to stop this cyclist. How do you stop a cyclist that doesn't stop when you say stop?

Now granted, I don't know the whole situation either, all I did was watch a video and read an article. But I think my theory seems a little more probable than he just chose some random guy to tackle off a bike, I mean, considering that the guy is being pressed on charges that have nothing to do with the video of him getting taken down. It seems to me like the officer was just doing his job, and used excessive force when he shouldn't have.

[Shuemue]

wait, NYC cops get $30k/year?

wow, that's fucking insulting,

[Kuya]

Speaking of excessive force, i'm getting the feeling that some cops think that "non-lethal" means use it 19 times on a single person.

Anybody here a cop? What are the protocols on the use of tasers?

[Correction]

You should see how much we pay teachers over here...

[Mizango]

Speaking of excessive force, i'm getting the feeling that some cops think that "non-lethal" means use it 19 times on a single person.

Anybody here a cop? What are the protocols on the use of tasers?

Shoot first and ask questions later has always been Protocol here in the US. Speaking of which Charlotte has had 2 Taser deaths in one week, in both cases the suspect(s) were handcuffed.

Yeah Shu, cops don't make shit here lol. Correction is right, you should see teachers....

[Dayson]

Starting salary for a cop isn't great, thats for sure. I was looking into starting salary for my local precinct, and the pay rate was dismal at best.

I figured It would be best not to become an officer after I determined my temper would probably cause me to tase someone repeatedly for something minor like littering.

I can see how easy it is for a cop to lose their temper, especially if you got a bunch of cyclists parading down the center of your city streets with the intent of making your day miserable.

[ferigor]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Mass

just a little additional info on CM for anyone who's curious but too lazy to google.

[jmc]

wait, NYC cops get $30k/year?

wow, that's fucking insulting,

I was wrong, they got a new contract.

Start receiving full pay and benefits from your first day of recruit training ($35,881 per annum). Salaries will continue to increase every year and upon completion of 5½ years of service, base salary will increase to $65,382. In addition to these base salaries, there is overtime earning, holiday pay, night differential and uniform allowance.

The salary schedule for Police Officers newly hired on or after 1/1/2006 will be:

* After 5.5 years $65,382
* After 4.5 years $48,389
* After 3.5 years $45,536
* After 2.5 years $41,696
* After 1.5 years $37,307
* 1st day of Academy $35,881

These salaries do not include overtime earnings, night-shift differential, holiday pay and uniform allowance. When including base salary, average overtime and night shift differential, holiday pay, and uniform allowance, a new Police Officer will earn over $40,000, on average, in the first year; and $82,000, on average, after 5 1/2 years of service.

[SephYuyX]

Thats really not that bad, though id be interested what happens after the 5.5 year mark.

[jmc]

Speaking of excessive force, i'm getting the feeling that some cops think that "non-lethal" means use it 19 times on a single person.

Anybody here a cop? What are the protocols on the use of tasers?

*raises hand*

Can't tell you on the regulations for use of tasers, because they are banned in MA and no police agency can use them in this state.

[jmc]

Thats really not that bad, though id be interested what happens after the 5.5 year mark.

Hopefully become a superior officer (sergeant/lieutenant/captain/etc...), with a even higher pay grade?

[SephYuyX]

Here the top salary is 55k, and you start at 31k. Sucks if you dont get a promotion.

[jmc]

Here the top salary is 55k, and you start at 31k. Sucks if you dont get a promotion.

Start at 40k, cap is 55k as well...... yet there is so many overtime opportunities, officers have no problems getting 120k+ a year.