The beating of a tasered man in Beardsley Park three years ago has cost taxpayers $200,000 to settle a civil suit and so far has cost two police officers their careers, including one who had several similar complaints leveled against him. CT Post scribes Mike Mayko and Dan Tepfer provide this report on community reaction.
Newton and Baker–who are seeking the same state representative seat–said Bridgeport needs to hire more minorities and city residents for the Police Department.
“We need more people who know Bridgeport,” Baker said, “police officers who know the people who live in Bridgeport. Officers who, when they see a kid doing something wrong, already know the father, the mother, the uncle, the aunt or the cousin and can go to their house to address the problem.”
Newton agreed, adding that the city needs a return to community policing on a wider scale to build up relationships.
Newton said he was on Stratford Avenue on Wednesday, watching new police recruits learn how to direct traffic and safely pull over vehicles.
“What they should be taught is how to walk the beat, meet store owners and talk to people,” he said.
Full story.
Funny how the CT Post seeks out convicted felons for quotes. Newton is the last person who should be passing judgement on anyone.
Perhaps we could alleviate some of this by showing educational videos on TV or in schools.
www .youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8
From the CT Post:
Gary Mastronardi, a former FBI agent-turned-lawyer, said he’s brought four other federal civil lawsuits charging Lawlor and Morales with civil rights violations.
“They were virtually the same allegations, all gratuitous violence by these officers,” said Mastronardi. “They were running rampant, and (Police Chief Joseph) Gaudett and the police commission failed to adequately supervise them.”
I though they were the Dazzling Dovells.
www .youtube.com/watch?v=XCOB5-E4P6Y
Civil Rights Laws and Police Misconduct
A statute known as Section 1983 is the primary civil rights law victims of police misconduct rely upon. This law was originally passed as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, which was intended to curb oppressive conduct by government and private individuals participating in vigilante groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan. It is now called Section 1983 because that is where the law has been published, within Title 42, of the United States Code. Section 1983 makes it unlawful for anyone acting under the authority of state law to deprive another person of his or her rights under the Constitution or federal law. The most common claims brought against police officers are false arrest (or false imprisonment), malicious prosecution, and use of excessive or unreasonable force.
–See more at: civilrights.findlaw.com/civil-rights-overview/police-misconduct-and-civil-rights.html
Newton and Baker are both living in a dream world. Two out of the three cops involved in this episode are minorities. I will agree we need to hire more city residents for all city jobs but especially police and fire.
There needs to be a stronger police commission, the people sitting on that commission have done very little to watch over the PD. Ask any of them how many officers are on long-term sick leave or long-term injury leave.
The police department needs a working evaluation system that will weed out the malcontents and the unfit (mentally and physically). The idea once you’re on the job you are there for life has got to be changed and a culture of follow the rules or lose your job.
There are 105 supervisors in the police department. You would think with this much management overview officers would understand the ramifications of their actions. Were they so arrogant to think they would not be punished for their actions? Is tuning up a suspect the accepted procedure overlooked by the supervisors?
I believe an outside expert or experts should be brought in to look at this PD from top to bottom.
*** THE CITY GOT OFF CHEAP; AND SO DID THE OFFICERS WHO ASSAULTED THE MAN WHO WAS CUFFED AND OUT COLD ON THE GROUND AFTER BEING TASERED AND BEATEN BY THOSE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO “SERVE AND PROTECT!” ***