Advocacy & Safety - Blue wall of silence?

I quick scanned, but didn't see this anywhere, so sorry if it's a re-post.

Cop kills teen, no breathalyzer done (http://www.courant.com/search/dispatcher.front?Query=henry+dang&target=article&sortby=display_time++descending)

More from google news (http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=ca&hl=en&q=henry+dang)

I quick scanned, but didn't see this anywhere, so sorry if it's a re-post.

Cop kills teen, no breathalyzer done (http://www.courant.com/search/dispatcher.front?Query=henry+dang&target=article&sortby=display_time++descending)

More from google news (http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=ca&hl=en&q=henry+dang)

Thank you for posting this. It is surprising how many officers will not cross the 'thin blue line', when one of their own is the cause of the problem.

Note that one of the responding officers was the officer-in-question's father.

Don't expect much.

Will the state police investigate like they should or will they do a token investigation before closing it out? A public official needs to take up the cause and call for a public inquiry of the police's handling of the investigation. You can't be objective when you're investigating yourself.

He said that Koistinen never saw Dang because the bicycle had no reflectors or lights on it.

Riding after midnight with no lights or reflectors is essentially a death sentence. Not smart.

"He said that Koistinen never saw Dang because the bicycle had no reflectors or lights on it."

Even if the officer wasn't drunk, how was he supposed to see the guy? Even on my bike I only see light-less folks about 100 or so feet away, maybe. Not enough time to do much when in a car. The officer should definitely be tested, but the cyclist definitely takes some of the blame.

"He said that Koistinen never saw Dang because the bicycle had no reflectors or lights on it."

Even if the officer wasn't drunk, how was he supposed to see the guy? Even on my bike I only see light-less folks about 100 or so feet away, maybe. Not enough time to do much when in a car. The officer should definitely be tested, but the cyclist definitely takes some of the blame.

Unless, of course there were lights and reflectors on the bike. Don't be surprised to learn that not all statements by cops about cops are fully truthful or that evidence against cops isn't sometimes 'altered' to cover up cop misbehavior. Yes, I don't trust cops.

Riding after midnight with no lights or reflectors is essentially a death sentence. Not smart.

Yes, not smart. Unless that is a total lie being told by the cops to cover up their fault in the accident.

Unless, of course there were lights and reflectors on the bike. Don't be surprised to learn that not all statements by cops about cops are fully truthful or that evidence against cops isn't sometimes 'altered' to cover up cop misbehavior. Yes, I don't trust cops.

Chances are the cop was telling the truth. Unless you can show evidence to the contrary, his word out weighs your suspicions.

Chances are the cop was telling the truth. Unless you can show evidence to the contrary, his word out weighs your suspicions.

The whole point of this controversy is that people suspect the cop might not be telling the truth and that other cops might be covering for him. If you suspect that already, is it really that much of a stretch to speculate that the cops might also be "bending" other evidence, as well? If it's true that the cop wasn't drunk, and it's true that the bicyclist wasn't riding with reflectors or lights, then he should have welcomed the breathalyzer test as he'd be very unlikely to face any charges. The fact that he wasn't tested is suspicious.

As for the value of the cop's "word", it's not worth any more to me than the "word" of any other suspect in a fatal collision. He's got a lot of motivation to lie, and so his word alone shouldn't be given much weight.

The whole point of this controversy is that people suspect the cop might not be telling the truth and that other cops might be covering for him. If you suspect that already, is it really that much of a stretch to speculate that the cops might also be "bending" other evidence, as well? If it's true that the cop wasn't drunk, and it's true that the bicyclist wasn't riding with reflectors or lights, then he should have welcomed the breathalyzer test as he'd be very unlikely to face any charges. The fact that he wasn't tested is suspicious.

As for the value of the cop's "word", it's not worth any more to me than the "word" of any other suspect in a fatal collision. He's got a lot of motivation to lie, and so his word alone shouldn't be given much weight.


Riding without lights or reflectors in the dark is pretty damn common.

"He said that Koistinen never saw Dang because the bicycle had no reflectors or lights on it."

Now you know why every police officer carries a Leatherman tool (with both straight and phillips screwdrives in it).

For many of the reasons shown in previous posts in many (most?) jurisdictions there's a practice of bringing in another agency in situations like this.

I've driven by many ninja cyclists at night.
But haven't run any over.........maybe my headlights are that much better?

I've driven by many ninja cyclists at night.
But haven't run any over.........maybe my headlights are that much better?
I don't understand your point. Are you saying that ninja cyclists are not at greater risk of being hit?

I think he is saying cops rarely patch two words of truth together.

My apologies to those that do.

I don't understand your point. Are you saying that ninja cyclists are not at greater risk of being hit?

I think 'lubes' just might be saying that while riding at night without reflectors or lights is a bad idea, that it is still sometimes possible to see and avoid ninjas.

The subtext is that it's probably harder when drunk.

Ninja cyclists are pretty stupid to take the risk, but... isn't it astonishing how many comments are made in the media about how many ninjas people have seen?

Which, by the way, is not to say that the deaths of some ninjas are avoidable. I suspect that such people also ride in other ways which are unwise/illegal, leaping on/off sidewalks, salmoning, shcnign position without looking, etc.

Chances are the cop was telling the truth. Unless you can show evidence to the contrary, his word out weighs your suspicions.

like ex-officer Pogan?

I would not believe the word of a cop investigating a cop.

A Honolulu cop driving DUI way over the limit ran a red light doing around 60 in a 30 mph zone and killed a young woman driving home from work. The first thing the cops did arriving on scene was to call the cop union lawyer to come to the scene. The killer cop was allowed to roam the scene uncuffed. The cops originally claimed the young woman ran a red light and the collision was her fault (luckily 3 witnesses refused to back down about seeing the cop running his red). No field sobriety test. No (official) breath test until 10 hours after the collision. Cops even tried to hide the fact that the official breath test was 10 hours after the collision.

PS - Honolulu just threw out over 200 DUI cases headed to trial because cops falsified official reports in an overtime pay scam.

A defense lawyer heard a rumor of the scam and requested the investigation records. Senior cops got the DA to drop the one case to hide the scam. Took a Judge to force cops to release the records to the defense lawyer. Sh*t then hit the fan big time.

Thugs in Blue.

Currently in Seattle, we have an investigation into the death of John T. Williams, a Native-American wood carver who was walking across an intersection with a piece of wood and a folding knife.

An officer in a patrol car saw this man, stopped his car and got out. He ordered the man to drop his knife. When he did not, he shot him 5 times in the side killing him.

According to the link below, 4 seconds after issuing 3 rapid commands, the officer opened fire. Not only that, but evidence shows that the knife was folded when it hit the pavement.

Many in Seattle are outraged over this senseless killing. If this shooting is judged to be justifiable, there will be a huge outcry in our city.


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013443640_policeshooting16m.html

Portland cops kill unarmed black, homeless and mentally handicapped people all the time, and there are rarely any consequences to the officers.

Portland cops kill unarmed black, homeless and mentally handicapped people all the time, and there are rarely any consequences to the officers.

Unfortunately, when these events occur, it's an unfair fight. Police unions and lawyers pile on the oppressed victims who have no resources to adequately wage a court battle.

"Justice for all" is a slogan without meaning,without context in a society where money will generally win a verdict in your favor.

Portland cops kill unarmed black, homeless and mentally handicapped people all the time, and there are rarely any consequences to the officers.

Here in Philly our commissioner has taken upon himself to throw out the trash. Yes, there is corruption but in some locations it isn't tolerated and they do clean up the bad apples. It starts with the Mayor and Police Commissioner. It seems that not more than a few weeks don't go by without some report of an officer being dismissed and/or arrested.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/20100731_Ramsey_vows_to_weed_out_bad_officers_from_Philadelphia_police.html

"Since Ramsey became police chief in January 2008, 51 cops have been fired. Twenty-seven were dismissed on criminal charges, while 24 others were dismissed for noncriminal matters, according to police statistics."

I read all the stories on the Hartford Courant on this police cover-up. These cops are true pieces of $hit all of them.
Ninja cycling aside this cop was drunk off his ass (drinking for six straight hours and threw a beer glass away at the scene) and going 78 mph in a 35 mph zone. Not to mention he didn't try to aid the poor kid.

Do any of you nannies really think it would have mattered if he had a blinky? And if he did some of you would be tisking that he didn't have a more expensive one or more of them.

Police as a rule are corrupt bullies who think they above the law. Police from multiple departments were removed from the investigation.
I suggest you read more it's pretty disgusting. :notamused:

I read all the stories on the Hartford Courant on this police cover-up. These cops are true pieces of $hit all of them.
Ninja cycling aside this cop was drunk off his ass (drinking for six straight hours and threw a beer glass away at the scene) and going 78 mph in a 35 mph zone. Not to mention he didn't try to aid the poor kid.

Do any of you nannies really think it would have mattered if he had a blinky? And if he did some of you would be tisking that he didn't have a more expensive one or more of them.

Police as a rule are corrupt bullies who think they above the law. Police from multiple departments were removed from the investigation.
I suggest you read more it's pretty disgusting. :notamused:

Does thou have a source for thy post?

I doth clicketh on the OP's link and the bounty unfolded, try the Courant's search feature. There are stories from Oct. 30 until today.
http://www.courant.com/search/dispatcher.front?page=2&Query=henry%20dang&target=article&sortby=display_time%20%20descending
I hope the link works.

Seems like cops get a pass when they "make a mistake" because they have a tough job fighting crime and putting "real" criminals behind bars. Drunk drivers still aren't really considered criminals despite decades of work to increase the penalties for drunk driving.

cops make mistakes just like any intelligent being...
It still sucks when someone dies who shouldnt have. But while anyone else gets a stick shoved up their ass by the judicial system, cops are "priveledged" for being the scum that they are. They are treated specially which might be fair because of they make up for it when they save a life. But in my opinion cops arent that cool and they shouldnt be getting special treatment when they act stupidly.

I've driven by many ninja cyclists at night.
But haven't run any over.........maybe my headlights are that much better?

Ninjas are silent, even when squashed. Odds are you've hit dozens without knowing.

Chances are the cop was telling the truth. Unless you can show evidence to the contrary, his word out weighs your suspicions.

There was a news article just recently where the police report said that a cyclist (very experienced cyclist training for a race) was riding without lights and reflective material.

Journalists on the scene said there were pieces of bicycle reflectors strewn all over the ground, and the cyclist's clothes had reflective materials.

I saw one report some time ago in a local paper that claimed a cyclist involved in an accident had no lights... but you could SEE the headlight on the bike in the article's photograph!

There is a HUGE bias against cyclists in this country, and there's not really much in the way of inaccuracies and downright lies in media coverage and police reports that would surprise me anymore.

I doth clicketh on the OP's link and the bounty unfolded, try the Courant's search feature. There are stories from Oct. 30 until today.
http://www.courant.com/search/dispatcher.front?page=2&Query=henry%20dang&target=article&sortby=display_time%20%20descending
I hope the link works.

Ah, too many! I'll take your word for it.


There was a news article just recently where the police report said that a (cyclist very experienced cyclist training for a race) was riding without lights and reflective material.

Journalists on the scene said there were pieces of bicycle reflectors strewn all over the ground, and the cyclist's clothes had reflective materials.

I saw one report some time ago in a local paper that claimed a cyclist involved in an accident had no lights... but you could SEE the headlight on the bike in the article's photograph!

There is a HUGE bias against cyclists in this country, and there's not really much in the way of inaccuracies and downright lies in media coverage and police reports that would surprise me anymore.

There is definitely a bias, which really sucks. Part of me just hopes that cops wouldn't be so corrupt as to hit a cyclist, then hide evidence and lie about the whole thing.

Some cops are really bad borderline psychopaths, ALL cops protect the bad ones, therefore ALL cops are accomplices and themselves bad.
In general the criminal law holds accomplices to be just as guilty as the primary actor and imposes the same sentence.

Cops skate because they are ALL in on the crime.

Some cops are borderline, or truly, psychopaths, but you need to lay off the "grouping people together" juice. Not all cops are bad, not all are "in on the crime".

Some cops are borderline, or truly, psychopaths, but you need to lay off the "grouping people together" juice. Not all cops are bad, not all are "in on the crime".

No. If they saw YOU doing what they often see other cops doing, they would arrest YOU.

When someone else in Blue does it they look the other way. Looking the other way is participating in the cover up of the crime. For that THEY are each personally responsible.

All of them know because they have personally witnessed the criminal conduct of other cops. Every one who keeps silent is an accomplice. So, indeed, they are ALL "in on the crime." [Excepting rookies for their first month on the job and those officers who really are blind, deaf, and dumb.] I'm not grouping them, by their CONDUCT they choose to join the group. I'm just calling a spade, a spade.

Heavens, what things I read here! Cops are corrupt, bullying thugs? Cops lie under oath? Cops protect their own?


Effin' pigs. One day people are gonna wake up and realize that tyranny wears blue, and I want to be there when it happens.

Gotta love the court of public opinion...

Yes, there should be an investigation by another agency. No, we should not just take the cop's word for it. No, we should not assume guilt or lying on the cop's part because we have a bias against officers. He may be perfectly innocent, he may totally guilty.

Some cops are borderline, or truly, psychopaths, but you need to lay off the "grouping people together" juice. Not all cops are bad, not all are "in on the crime".

Sorry to say, but I've known plenty of cops, and every single one was the human equivalent of what you wipe off the bottom of your shoe after walking through the doggy playground. I've been assaulted twice, nearly killed once, and the dog plops that call themselves policemen couldn't have given a crap.

Yeah, I've got no respect for them.

He may be perfectly innocent, he may totally guilty.

Of this particular crime, yes. Of being a knowing part (and supporter) of a corrupt Gang of Thugs in Blue, no. Every day, ALL of them participate in the Blue Wall of Silence. Of that crime, they are guilty.

The fact that some or even many do not cheat on their taxes, do not beat their wives or children, and coach Little League is all irrelevant to their intentional participation in police corruption.

Sorry to say, but I've known plenty of cops, and every single one was the human equivalent of what you wipe off the bottom of your shoe after walking through the doggy playground. I've been assaulted twice, nearly killed once, and the dog plops that call themselves policemen couldn't have given a crap.

Yeah, I've got no respect for them.
:O I am NOT going to Minneapolis!


Of this particular crime, yes. Of being a knowing part (and supporter) of a corrupt Gang of Thugs in Blue, no. Every day, ALL of them participate in the Blue Wall of Silence. Of that crime, they are guilty.

The fact that some or even many do not cheat on their taxes, do not beat their wives or children, and coach Little League is all irrelevant to their intentional participation in police corruption.

ALL of them? Reheeeely? I don't think so Tim. Not all of them have witnessed corruption in other officers, and I'm positive that there are those that have reported their fellows.

I find it revealing that the posters here who claim to have evidence of police corruption do not mention providing this evidence to either prosecutors or the media.

A few years back, the union rep for the NJ State Police left a bar and crashed his department issued Chevy Suburban into a disabled tractor trailer. No breathalyzer was administered to the cop, and he was driven away from the scene by another state trooper. The trucker driver was forced to submit to a breathalyzer test, and then issued summons for blocking traffic.

Keep this in mind: Cops will never admit to an error of any kind. EVER. If a cop has a choice of manning up, and admitting even a minor error, or blaming a civilian, even if it ruins that civilian's life, the cop will ALWAYS choose to ruin an innocent person's life. ALWAYS.

Do not trust the police. Do not believe anything the police have to say, unless there are credible witnesses that will back up the cop's story. America is now no different than any other banana republic where cops/courts are concerned. If you believe otherwise, you will come to grief.

I find it revealing that the posters here who claim to have evidence of police corruption do not mention providing this evidence to either prosecutors or the media.

Because doing so will result in harassment, at the very least. There is also a large percentage of cops who wouldn't hesitate to murder someone who exposed their misdeeds.

Because doing so will result in harassment, at the very least. There is also a large percentage of cops who wouldn't hesitate to murder someone who exposed their misdeeds.

Haven't you seen Sercipo [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070666/] ? The corruption is worse, maybe, in NYC or Chicago but it exists everywhere there are police officers. Sometimes the cover up hides murder, sometimes it covers theft of services from a prostitute. But it is always there.

How do I know? 40 years of law practice including time as a prosecutor.

http://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by gcottay http://www.bikeforums.net/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=11820617#post11820617)
I find it revealing that the posters here who claim to have evidence of police corruption do not mention providing this evidence to either prosecutors or the media.



Because doing so will result in harassment, at the very least. There is also a large percentage of cops who wouldn't hesitate to murder someone who exposed their misdeeds.

I am suffering through this now. I did a small deck repair job for a cop's father and months later the cop tried to shake me down. After the old man replaced the deck the cop tried to make me pay the old guy his money back, later he said he gave his father the money and now I owed him, this is felony extortion. I went to Internal affairs (who was friends with cop) nothing happened. Internal Affairs seems to be protecting the pensions of crooked cops.
Unless you call the cop threatening my life and personal safety nothing.:innocent:
This cop also left a bar blind drunk drove off and hit a bus and US Navy police car then fled the scene, nothing happened, not even a ticket his fellow cops waited 24 hours until he sobered up to question him.
Felony most commited every day is police perjury in court.

http://www.bikeforums.net/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by gcottay http://www.bikeforums.net/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=11820617#post11820617)
I find it revealing that the posters here who claim to have evidence of police corruption do not mention providing this evidence to either prosecutors or the media.




I am suffering through this now. I did a small deck repair job for a cop's father and months later the cop tried to shake me down. After the old man replaced the deck the cop tried to make me pay the old guy his money back, later he said he gave his father the money and now I owed him, this is felony extortion. I went to Internal affairs (who was friends with cop) nothing happened. Internal Affairs seems to be protecting the pensions of crooked cops.
Unless you call the cop threatening my life and personal safety nothing.:innocent:
This cop also left a bar blind drunk drove off and hit a bus and US Navy police car then fled the scene, nothing happened, not even a ticket his fellow cops waited 24 hours until he sobered up to question him.
Felony most commited every day is police perjury in court.

Never ever go to the police station to file a complaint against a cop. You'll be laughed at, or worse. If you have evidence of a cop committing a crime against you or another person, HIRE A LAWYER THAT SPECIALIZES IN DEALING WITH CRIMINAL COPS. More than likely, the lawyer will take the complaint straight to the county DA's office.

The FBI has a Public Corruption Unit in every large field office. If you give them all the evidence they need tied up with a big red bow, they'll run with it.

Thugs in Blue.

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