Posted on 08/11/2015 4:13:36 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
[WARNING: The video below contains profanity. Viewer discretion advised.]
(VIDEO-AT-LINK)
RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (WPEC) — A Riviera Beach police officer was videotaped confronting a disabled veteran for not looking "handicap" for parking in a disabled parking space.
U.S. Army combat veteran Isiah James, who has served nearly 10 years for our country, was absolutely shocked when a trip to a popular Riviera Beach drug store turned confrontational with the law.
James says he was issued a disabled person parking permit, and it was properly displayed in his vehicle the entire time.
During his deployment, James took fire and was hit with a blast from an IED, which left him medically discharged and permanently disabled, he told WPEC.
The cop in question was identified as Riviera Beach Sergeant Gary Wilson. Wilson is now being investigated by Internal Affairs following the heated confrontation with James.
The Riviera Beach Police Department issued this statement after seeing the video:
“Many of you have expressed your concerns, passion, and support for Veterans as it relates to an incident involving one of our Police Officers and a Veteran. We, as an organization, share the same gratitude and respect for Veterans. We support Veterans and appreciate their commitment to serve our country. Although the department has not yet received an official statement regarding the incident in question, an Internal Affairs Investigation is already in effect. As a Department, we ask that you allow opportunity to complete the investigation. You can remain certain that the investigation will be thorough and transparent. The Office of the Chief of Police is always open, and takes seriously all customer service issues. However, we cannot support the use of profanity of any type on any of our social media sites. Use of such language will cause your comment(s) to be removed immediately.”
We could charge admission for this.
What would even prompt the cop to confront a guy with a disabled sticker? Unreal!
Another cop to be fired. What an idiot.
In my town, it was usually the bullies that grew up to be cops.
Proud of you buddy.
Welcome home.
Sue the Bastids. When I was in college the Riviera Beach cops were Azzholes. Some things never change.
I suspect that the city has put out the word that it needs more revenue. Often, fines for parking in handicap spots are very lucrative for the city. Further, they are easy summons to defend. If the driver does not have the placard and letter, then the summons is a slam dunk.
So I suspect that this cop thought he saw an easy ticket because he didn’t see a limp it attracted his attention. However, he should have simply asked for the drivers license, and the letter from the doctor. Once all the paperwork was presented, he should have thanked him for his cooperation and his service and walked away.
What this cop did that was wrong was to open his mouth and put out his opinion. He should have stuck to the law.
This cop was out of line - but there is a problem with handicap parking abuse. Stand by the handicap parking area for a while and see who gets out of the cars. You’ll be amazed.
The problem is the parking spots get filled and then people who really need the spaces have no where to go. My mother uses a walker and can barely walk 100 feet without a rest. More than once the handicap spaces are all full and then we are out of luck.
A close friend had this experience several times. Her response was to take off her wig and say something to the effect of:
“I’m terminal with metastatic pancreatic cancer, and half the time when I go out in public, some ____ like you yells at me because it’s not obvious why I can’t walk from the far end of the parking lot. I have barely enough energy to buy a wedding gift for my daughter and only a few weeks left to live, so your rudeness won’t bother me for long. You get to spend forever thinking about why you were wrong today. Learn from it.”
There are people who abuse handicapped parking, but strangers should be very careful before they assume that is what they are seeing.
Welcome home.
Claan up your language.
I have a Disabled Parking Permit and a DMV-issued Disabled identity Card.
Any cop who can’t ask for those two items shouldn’t be allowed to carry a waterpistol, and then should be fired for sheer stupidity. He’s a threat to all people.
PS: my son is both a combat veteran of Iraq and a former federal police officer. I know how a real cop/soldier acts. This police clown is dangerous.
Riviera Beach cops were bad news when I was in the area and apparently still bad news. If you have a disable sticker from the state of Fla that’s it. End of story.
Vet Ping.
I know a man who has had a prosthetic leg from childhood.
He drives very nice looking vehicles, since he is a successful businessman and has worked hard all his life.
And yeah, he has a handicapped parking tag, and parks in the those slots.
A casual busybody wouldn't even guess that he is a one legged man, seeing him get quickly in and out of his very expensive vehicle.
People need to mind their own business in such matters.
If it bothers one, just consider them “mentally handicapped” and continue to enjoy your ill informed self-righteousness in private.
As to this cop, I couldn't see the video.
But if that cop was rudely harassing anyone with a “special tag”, he needs to get schooled the hard way.
When I got my DAV car tag they offered me handicap, I declined as I am physically able walk from anywhere in the parking lot to the store.
Leave those parking spots for those that need it.
That being said it often seems like handicap spaces are empty a lot, unless you are at the commissary.
I got stopped by a Border Patrol once, he was an azz, I Pulled out my phone and told him I was calling 911...he backed right off, apologized and went on his way. That wasn’t the end of it and I’ve never been stopped again.
Yes, I understand that also...I have ran into the same myself...
If they find a faker, they call the police to come and issue a ticket.
Thank you...Same appreciation to you, my friend...
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