SFist: A Cop's Perspective On Use of Force At AT&T Park

accidentalist

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:46:12 -0800

*Shrug* Getting comments from cops is ultimately pointless, because they must always hold the party line. If a cop saw a fellow officer eat a live baby, and a Chron reporter later asked him for a comment, he would be obligated to explain that the baby had reached for a weapon, and then he would have to blame the reporter for the unfairness of the coverage. Esprit de corps, fish gotta swim, etc. I've met Chief Fong, and she is a stern woman. She will kick your ass, seriously.

suckafree

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:04:15 -0800

we've all been to a ballgame where some fans indulge in just a few too many. i'd still like to hear some facts. the bleachers tend to cultivate this type of daily behavior. folks drink and fight and generally act the fool. i have no problem with the law smacking someone upside the head that deserved it and as of yet, i have not heard from any witnesses that say otherwise.

guest

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 17:30:37 -0800

Most of us who grew up with guys who became cops, know cops, have had run-ins with cops know that a small but significant percentage of them are real bullies who abuse their power. The fact that this guy has had other problems tells me he likely falls into this category.

Belgand

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:24:42 -0800

Personally I think that we need to hold police accountable to a much higher degree of conduct and decision-making because they have been entrusted with greater authority. Yes, it's a hard, thankless job so is teaching. Furthermore if there is a public outcry over one incident it does not matter whether it happens all the time, the people clearly do not want it to happen even once if at all possible. Ultimately the police are responsible to the citizens they are protecting. If we disagree with the way they're doing their job and it is not something that is completely necessary for our safety they need to stop doing it and find another way. It ultimately boils down to a social contract. They are given greater power and authority, but this is contingent on them being functionally subservient to everyone else. That power should be a burden. If you can't handle that, we don't want you to be on the force.

guest

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:46:02 -0800

Would love to see some video of the reactions of her colleagues when Fong shows up at law enforcement conferences and introduces herself as Chief of SF. She couldn't detain a tortoise at the end of a cul-de-sac at high noon with the storm drain covered by beanbags abandoned by foot patrol. Harry Callahan would be ashamed. No, image isn't everything...but it certainly helps in some fields.

RinconHillSF

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:15:53 -0800

That's projecting a bit much ...

guest

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:09:36 -0800

"This is what being a cop is about: Dealing with the knuckleheads that nobody else wants to; necessary but not glamorous." Does anybody else find it disturbing that he refers to people in such incidents as "knuckleheads"? In a way, this statement shows that he's made up his mind in advance, that he believes that all people involved in altercations are idiots who deserve the rough treatment.

masterdave

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:56:35 -0800

I can see both sides here, but I only agree with one of them. Yeah the news makes too much of a big deal when this happens, but... Why is it right that a badge gives someone a justifiable reason to hit another person because they "feel threatened"? What if the officer had a taser and felt like zapping the person? What if the guy reached for something in his jacket, would it be okay to shoot him? When is it right to use force? The story seems to be that the guy was being an asshole. Okay, fine. Can't most people find a different way to deal with assholes than physical violence? I'm not sure why cops get such leeway anyway. If I make bad decisions (or one big enough one) at my job, I'm going to be looking for a new one on craigslist that afternoon. This guy made a bad decision at his job, so he should expect to suffer some consequences. The fact that he just gets resassigned rather than sent off to work private security (where he can get arrested for hitting someone without provocation!) should be good enough. We don't need overly aggressive violent cops in an educated society.

RinconHillSF

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:58:21 -0800

I hate to say it, but reading this and Ken Garcia's editorial today in the Examiner is providing more reason to replace Chief Heather Fong sooner rather than later. We're already understaffed in the SFPD, and the morale just seems to be declining more and more. Detroit would have fired this police chief a long time ago if the City saw she was not sticking up for her force and trying to boost morale. A police officers job is pretty thankless to start with ...

jwb

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:37:52 -0800

This Cohen guy is a real piece of work. His argument boils down to this: any time a cop uses force, he must have been justified, because he's a cop. Furthermore, nobody should investigate a cop's use of force, because they are always justified. Does anyone remember Watergate? Remember Nixon saying "When the president does it that means that it is not illegal." This is the same argument.

suckafree

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:02:37 -0800

does anyone know anybody that was there? we need facts!