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Posted on 04/07/2006 12:28:35 PM PDT by JTN
Sometime this spring, the Supreme Court will hand down its decision in the case of Hudson v. Michigan. At issue is whether or not police who used an illegal "no-knock" raid to enter a defendant's home can use the drugs they seized inside against the defendant at trial. To understand the importance of this case, some background is in order.
As the name indicates, a "no-knock" raid occurs when police forcibly enter a private residence without first knocking and announcing that they're the police. The tactic is appropriate in a few limited situations, such as when hostages or fugitives are involved, or where the suspect poses an immediate threat to community safety. But increasingly, this highly confrontational tactic is being used in less volatile situations, most commonly to serve routine search warrants for illegal drugs.
These raids are often launched on tips from notoriously unreliable confidential informants. Rubber-stamp judges, dicey informants, and aggressive policing have thus given rise to the countless examples of "wrong door" raids we read about in the news. In fact, there's a disturbingly long list of completely innocent people who've been killed in "wrong door" raids, including New York City worker Alberta Spruill, Boston minister Accelyne Williams, and a Mexican immigrant in Denver named Ismael Mena.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
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Some tragic stories there but in IMHO it would mean more if it wasn't on salon.
I agree though that SWAT is a militarization of civilian police and the siezure laws are a violation of the Consitution.
SWAT is used more than it should because the police forces have to use them in order to maintain funding.
Anyone wanna bet that the SC sides with the LEO's on this?
Well, actually, it is the SCOTUS and I hope they do the right thing.
"it is the SCOTUS and I hope they do the right thing."
I was referring to the link.
It's Slate.
I thought he was referring to the article. At any rate:
A. The blog isn't run by Salon; they just provide the space for a fee.
B. Nearly all of those stories are backed up by links to news articles about the events.
Thank you for posting that. I wasn't clear regarding which link I was referring to.
Some of the stories are tragic, and swat teams are over used, Our police forces have become militarized. The drug "war" is an incredible travesty. I don't have the answer to the drug problem but what we are doing isnt working.
The general twist that the salon link has is that police should knock nicely and the perps will give up their drugs. That doesn't happen and probably never will. IMO Salon is a liberal rag but then I am biased.
Stupidest post that I ever read here.
LEO's are regular people, fathers, mothers, etc. The truth is that a very small percentage of LEO's today are former military.
SWAT is usually a volunteer group of motivated officers with extra training.
Idiots who bash all cops as trigger-happy, gung-ho, power-trippers obviously do not really know any cops.
Join a ride-along program, many police departments have them.
I guess I'm biased too, because I agree.
There is a SWAT show on TV that shows them using SWAT to bust guys in cars after an undercover sells them something for $10. That is going too far.
Beg to differ. Many, many police are dedicated hard working individuals who believe in what they are doing and risk life and limb daily. However, too many are a hop, skip and jump from being jack booted thugs.
I have sat on juries where the "skin headed" cop was obviously lying and it took all had to convince the other jurors who were ready to convict because the cop said the guy did it.
One SWAT incident I've read about. The SWAT team went in to rescue a man who was emotionally unstable. There were weapons in the house but no people except this man.
They entered the house with their automatic weapons and were soon yelling for more ammo. Short time later one cop was dead, one was injured and the man was shot twice. He was immediately charged with murder.
Later they confirmed that all guns in the house were locked up and the man was unarmed. The police had fired 369 rounds and had shot each other.
Yes most cops are good people but it only takes a few to give them all a bad name. I believe police forces are becoming too militarized and their recruiting practices attract those who want the power. Getting to play with special weapons and gear has been emphasized in recruitment around the nation. Police no longer protect and serve, they patrol and monitor the human garbage.
The idea that we should just trust cops to protect our rights and we can relax the legal restrictions is silly.
In America our government works for the citizens and derives its power from the same. At least it used to be that way.
All police departments have them. Some of us just don't like the involuntary nature and the handcuffs.
If the rights of the people are upheld, the police will simply ignore the ruling.
Then it will still be up to the individuals who have suffered harm to find an attorney and sue the police.
Same thing as we have now.
Street! Take the rear!
I'm on it, Hondo!
TJ! Take the roof!
Yes, Sir!
Deac! Sweep the van!
Say whut?!
It all boils down to one simple question:
Are they Peace Officers, or Law Enforcement Officers?
The difference between the two is the Attitude . . .
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