What can we do to eliminate police brutality when a grievance doesn't work under the "code of silence"?

Question

Recently, a Meriden, Connecticut police officer (Ouellette) arrested my child at his school, Thomas Edison. I filed a grievance after finding out that this individual taunted my child, and rather than give him a consequence for a prank, told him that he wanted to "wring his neck," accused him of lying and at the end, called him "useless." My child responded by telling him "you are!", and at that moment this gorila jumped on his back, and handcuffed him, taking him to the poilce station in an obvious show of force and abuse of authority. A violation of his civil rights, as my son was not disrupting a class or an event when he returned the insult to the cop. By the way, he is a 13 yr old Puerto Rican boy. I filed a grievance, and, even though the assistant principal witnessed the abuse, Internal Affairs's investigation determined there was no proof to substantiate my complaint. What can be done to stop police abuse and brutality? What can be done to fight the code of silence among them?

No, my child did not "ask for it" in replying to the cop when he instigated him. We are protected by the first ammendment right in our freedom of speech, and getting mouthy with a provoking cop who is not acting his age or level of professionalism does not give him power, or authority to arrest ANYONE

In reply to some attacking comments, it is a proven fact that on the job, some officers are often seeking adrenalin on "slow days." The issue is not whether a child should bite his tongue when provoked by a low-life, bad officer who is seeking some action. The issue and question is, once a violation of civil rights and police procedures has occured, what can be done to prevent the "code of silence" from covering cops behaving badly? How can we improve the resources available to citizens when the police must be "policed?", but to avoid lawsuits, they cover for themselves? Please don't try to water it down blaming the child. Regardless of the prank, the cop was there to bring on justice and consequences, but not covered by law to abuse his power in a show of force, and violation of civil rights.

Answer 1

That is what cameras are for, to provide evidence. That is why scads of parents do homeschooling. Sorry, but your son's talking back at the police officer is what cooked his goose. Police are very restrained and reserved if the person they are dealing with is calm and respectful. The allegations of lying belong in a courtroom, not a confrontation site.

In the future, you son had better learn to shut up when the police arrive--whether he is right or whether he is wrong. It would have allowed cooler heads to sort out the matter and punish the correct person. It doesn't matter where he is from, the policemen are not his parents, if they detect a problem they will end it.

Answer 2

This is typical police behavior. Cops think that they are god. Thank God that the cops didn't kill your poor son. Police have killed many children in the past.

And They will probably kill many more children in the future.

I'm surprised the cops didn't give your son a rectal check like they do everyone else.

Police even handcuff and arrest 5 year olds.

Most police are cowards and bullies. They are like a pack of wild coyotes ganging up on weaker individuals.

There might be a few good cops out there but I'd have to say that most honest good intelligent people seek other fields than law enforcement.

Law enforcement has achieved a bad reputation due to bad acts by cops. Police are basically organized crime. They commit robbery, rape, murder, assault, and a myriad of violations such as torture, etc.

You need to become an activist and expose these scum for what they are. Most people are too brainwashed by the media and just don't care what cops do.

They think all police are superheroes. But you have seen the ugly truth.

You can either turn the other cheek and let a multitude of other children suffer these same abuses or you can become an activist and make the world a better place.

You need to expose these blue shielded criminals in the media, newspapers, internet.

Make this your own personal crusade against overzealous police brutality. Please don't let these crooked cops hurt more innocent people.

File a lawsuit in Federal Court s/s 1983 civil rights action.

I'm sure that there are many lawyers in the yellow pages that would love to take on your case on a contingency fee. Name the police and the school as defendants and expose them to the media.

The police and school will probably settle out of court but will never admit guilt or wrongdoing.

Then once you get the money you can use part of it for your campaign to expose crooked police misconduct.

Good Luck and never give up. Please feel free to email me on my 360 page if you need further help in your endeavour.

Have your child even help you get retribution in a positive fashion through the law and blowing the whistle on these cops.

Don't get mad get even. Don't let your son get angry and put himselves in a position for more police abuse.

Teach him how to punish the cops through lawsuits and exposure of the scum that they are.

Answer 3

I'm curious, how do you know what happened ? Were you there ? Has your child ever back talked or gotten physical with you ? Has your child ever gotten into trouble before ?

I am well aware that occasionally there is a bad officer. We try to cull them during the probationary period, but some do get through. These officers should be prosecuted if they commit a crime or violate civil rights.
However, in this case, you have not yet shown any type of violation. Your child acted up, the officer corrected the situation, your child then challenged his authority and found out that (unlike you) the officer did not back down. From your own description, the officer made the arrest in textbook manner using the minimal force necessary to effect the arrest.
To prevent the subject from fighting back, and thus really getting hurt, the officer took him down quickly and effectively.

Unless there was a need, most officers do not arrest juveniles because it is too big a hassle. Juvenile court does not dispense justice because, hey, they are juveniles. So the need for the arrest must out way the hassle of dealing with juvenile court before the officer makes an arrest.

Answer 4

Hey I don't know what state your in, but if you can afford it (sucks to have to tell you that) hire a private lawyer and shake things up a little, schools don't like law suits, niether do police departments, I've been dealing with both for about 5 years now. In missouri, they aren't supposed to question or search your kids without a parent being there but they do it and get away with it, and it sucks, this is why kids grow up to dislike cops, I saw it in my two brothers. It also makes parents not like cops, it also gives the school the right to tag your boy a problem child and it could effect him the rest of his school years, best of luck to you, keep us posted.

Answer 5

Nothing. As long the good cops, who are the majority, keep backing up the few bad cops, it'll remain the same. I can't understand how very intelligent and capable people can't see how bad " the blue code of silence " is for the perception the public has about the police.

Answer 6

Start throwing crooked cops in jail with the element they help create and perpetuate. That'll get results. Somebody's gonna talk. And eventually, somebody way up there, is going to swing.

Answer 7

Cops don't "mess" with random people for no reason. No cop is going to use excessive force in a school on a kid with witnesses around. Even the cops that abuse their authority focus on people who get their attention, and usually by being an jackass. This is a classic case of everyone one is out to get my poor little angel (unless you are just looking for a pay out). Try this book and teach your kid not to be a punk, otherwise he is going to be in a world of hurt.

http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Smart-Dummies-Marlene-Brill/dp/0764517651/ref=pd_sim_dbs_b_3/102-3728607-7447328?ie=UTF8

Answer 8

contact internal affairs

http://www.cityofmeriden.org/CMS/default.asp?CMS_PageID=206

and the fbi.

and your congress mebers.
http://www.cityofmeriden.org/CMS/default.asp?CMS_PageID=206