More police misconduct?? Officers caught on camera fabricating police report

In the aftermath of the Henry Louis Gates incident, not only has dialogue opened up nationwide regarding race relations, but police conduct has also been thrown into the spotlight.

A few days ago, another situation involving "questionable" police behavior was uncovered. Back in February, police officers in Hollywood, Florida charged 23 year-old Alexandra Torrensvillas with DUI and a traffic violation following a fender-bender where the officers ran into the back of her car.

Upon questioning Torrensvillas admitted that she had been drinking. The officers were caught on the dashboard camera devising a plot to spin the story to make it appear as if the accident was a result of Torrensvillas driving under the influence and not the fault of the officers who were following too closely.

Check out the news story:

Now in the Gates situation, there is some fuzziness surrounding the details and who is most at fault, but here the facts are clear cut and officers are clearly in the wrong.

Sgt. Dewey Pressley, a 21-year veteran on the force is can be heard on the tape saying "well, I don't lie and makes things up ever because it's wrong, but if I need to bend it a little to protect a cop, I'm gonna."

To make matters worse, Pressley then goes on to direct another officer on how to write the report.

"I will write the narrative out for you. I will tell you exactly how to word it so it can get him off the hook. You see the angle of her car? You see the way it's like this? As far as I'm concerned, I am going to word it she is in the left hand lane. We will do a little Walt Disney to protect the cop, because it wouldn't matter because she was drunk anyway.."

Wow..Talk about abusing the law. The officers have since been placed on desk duty and the charges against Torrensvillas have been dropped.

Now I know the Gates incident and this have little in common other than the fact that police behavior in both situations have come under scrutiny. If anything, police behavior and the officers' commitment to enforcing not abusing the law should be the common thread these incidents share. Unfortunately that's not the case.

In another incident, an openly gay attonery from D.C. was arrested and ticketed after police officers overheard him telling his friends that he hates the police. Apparently, officers handcuffed him without giving their reason and then told him to "just shut up fa**@!"

Henry Gates is a prominent scholar, and because of that he was able to draw attention to his plight, even gaining sympathy/support from the President of the United States. Alexandra Torrensvillas had the good fortune of a dashboard camera to capture her arresting officers transgressions. The prominent lawyer in D.C. has his reputation and legal knowledge to aid him in his battle. Not everyone is that lucky, and the fact that these incidents happened in different parts of the country under different circumstances tells me that this is not a racial/class struggle between police and civilians, but rather a culture of superiority over the law within police departments nationwide. These cops are setting a dangerous precedent, and the issue needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

In the mean time, I'll just make sure to be on my P's & Q's when I see Johnny Law approaching and let N.W.A comment on my feelings about coppers...

Car chase for new Nicholas Cage film goes wrong

More bad news for Nicholas Cage as if he needed it. A car chase that was being filmed for his new movie 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' injured two bystanders when a Ferrari that his stunt double was driving through Times Square skidded off the road and into the window of a pizza restaurant. One woman was struck by the car, and a telephone pole fell on another man. Both injuries are said to not be life threatening. 

I'm certain this is not the kind of press Cage was hoping for from this film. With the exception of 'Lord of War' and 'Grindhouse,' none of Cages films since 2003 have been given more than 7 stars by viewers on imdb.com. Ouch. Crappy movies of late, and then an accident on the set of another crappy movie. That's tough. When it rains, it pours huh? Look at it this way Nick, at least people now know that you're doing another movie... I'm still not inclined to see it, but now I'm aware of it at least. I'd rather watch the Disney movie 'Fantasia' personally.

 

Cleveland Browns WR Stallworth to be charged with DUI manslaughter

Donte Stallworth will be charged with DUI manslaughter following the March 14 accident in Miami, where he struck a pedestrian with his Bentley.  

Stallworth claimed he was heading to the beach, and flashed his lights prior to striking 57 year-old Mario Reyes around 7:15 am. 

The legal intoxication limit in the state of Florida is .08. Police reports state that Stallworth's BAC was .12. Stallworth will be charged with DUI, and if convicted could face many as 15 years in prison. 

Here is footage of officers administering a filed sobriety test to Stallworth...he looks a little shaky to me. What do you think?

Prior to signing a 7 year, $35 million contract last season, Donte Stallworth spent time playing in New England, Philadelphia, and New Orleans.