Police Abuse, Corruption and Civil Liberties Roundup

Stories listed below hit the news in the last week and are not meant to defame the reputation of almost one million law enforcement and corrections officers.

They do however show that corrupt, brutal, criminal and stupid police conduct is not that uncommon. This is no surprise, since cops, like most humans are far from perfect. Putting on a badge should not automatically make one above reproach or the normal rule of law.

Official corruption and law enforcement conduct is a fundamental aspect of a livable- or unlivable city.

I spent several hours compiling this list which lists a large number of very, very serious reports, - in only a week! There is no official database of people killed or injured by police.

Cleveland

Cleveland cop involved in Tanisha Anderson death lied about past use-of-force case (Cleveland.com)

Cleveland police officer charged, accused of staggering, urinating in public while wearing loaded gun

Suburban Cleveland Police chief and former social media sensation resigns after charges of sexual harassment (

Disturbing picture of abuse and harassment by former Brimfield, Ohio Police Chief  (WKYC News)

Brimfield officer who stood up to chief Oliver, recounts bullying, vulgarities and retaliation (Akron Beacon Journal)

Pittsburgh

Mentally Ill, 62 year old man arrested for cursing dies in jail, 10 days later (Opposing Views) (January 12)

Two inmate deaths prompt county to review privatized prison infirmary

Pennsylvania

Lawmakers, advocacy groups push for civil asset forfeiture reform (Pennsylvania Independent)

West Virginia

Moundsville, West Virginia police officer charged with having sex with 15 year old girl

Other police abuse, corruption and civil liberties news

Video shows man shot and killed by Bridgeton, New Jersey police was raising his hands (The Salt Lake Tribune)

West Monroe, Louisiana police officer charged with negligent homicide in fatal shooting of homeless man (The News Star)

Video shows Penellas County Florida detention deputy pushing wheelchair bound inmate down, beating him and breaking his dentures (Officer fired) (St Petersburg Tribune)

Columbia, South Carolina police officer accused of beating a man outside a nightclub (Herald Online)

Brooklyn DA to probe allegations of NYPD cops planting guns (New York Daily News)

Ex-NYPD cop sentenced for insurance fraud, ticket fixing, selling fake DVDs and plotting to kill witnesses (New York Daily News)

NYPD detective, lieutenant accused of sexually assaulting and harassing a rape victim (New York Daily News)

Dallas, Texas cop arrested on 2nd domestic violence charge (Dallas Observer)

St Louis County police officer apologizes for arresting and (severely) beating wrong man (Chicago Defender)

Jacksonville, Florida corrections officer charged with food stamp fraud (Jacksonville.com)

Hillsborough, Florida judge charged with domestic violence (The Tampa Tribune)

Shelby County, Tennessee sheriff's deputy accused of assaulting two year old toddler for a dirty diaper (MyFox Memphis)

Former Buffalo, NY cop sentenced for operating a large Marijuana grow operation (FBI.gov)

Prescott Valley, Arizona police commander after video shows him stealing drugs from police storage unit

Indiana correctional officer charged with trafficking cell phones and drugs  (Michigan City News Dispatch)

New Castle County, Delaware cop accidentally shoots himself on the job (ABC News- Philly)

Orange County, Florida corrections officer charged with rape (Click Orlando)

DeLand, Florida police officer resigns after being stopped with gang member, marijuana in his vehicle (The Daytona Beach News-Journal)

Connecticut corrections officer arrested in fatal hit and run accident (Connecticut Post)

St. Francis, Minnesota cop investigated for snooping into private data (Watertown Public Opinion)

Winter Haven, Florida community service officer accused of stalking (CBS 10 News)

California probation officer arrested for insurance fraud (My News LA)

Ocala, Florida police officer suspected of having sex with a 16 year old prostitute is fired (Ocala.com)

Off-Duty New Jersey cop charged with DUI after gun goes off and wounds friend (Newsday)

Del Rio, Texas high school security guard arrested for sexting underage female students (Fox News San Antonio)

Former NYPD cop who had sex with hooker inside Manhattan DA's office arrested for DWI (New York Daily News)

Ex-Chicago cop who tortured 118 black men over 30 years ago released from prison after 31/2 years- with full pension (Parhlo)

Related in-depth stories and opinion

Over 50 police agencies deploy radars that can see into homes without search warrants or much oversight (USA Today)

Report shows 1/3 of NYC hired corrections officers had criminal histories, gang ties or psychological issues (RT News) 

US government aided Mexico's Sinaloa Drug Cartel with secret deal (Time Magazine)

Florida Senate panel to review Department of Corrections abuse allegations  (Tampa Bay Times)

West Valley City, Utah brings back drug unit disbanded after systemic corruption and abuse

FBI files tell how addicted agent was able to get the drugs (Washington Post)

The downside of hospital-based police (Healthcare Dive)