Just witnessed serious discrimination by police at mall in St. Louis. Who should I tell about this?

Question

I was at a mall today in St. Louis and witnessed blatant discrimination by the police. First, a cop who was patrolling the mall walked right past my friend and I and asked three black teenagers behind us to open up their bags to check for shoplifting. Two of the guys had no bag, and one guy had a tiny slip bag on his back. This was obviously racially motivated; I could have fit a person into the purse I was carrying, and the cop didn't look at me for a second. Then as we were leaving, three black women were trying to enter the mall, and another police officer made them leave because he said they were underage and they refused to show ID (17+ age limit). The women were clearly 25+ years of age, and obviously furious, and when they tried to argue, the cop threatened to arrest them! My friend and I were in sweats, and looked about 13 years old at the time, and were never asked for ID. Who do I tell? The police are clearly not the answer in this case, and the mall doesn't seem to care...

Thanks to the people who gave real answers.

For everyone else, I'm not bashing cops at all. I never generalized once about the police, and all I stated where acts that I saw with my own eyes. I have made no claims about the corruption of law enforcement, so do not patronize me to get your resentment out. The race card? Ug, why did you bother to answer?

Answer 1

The Bureau of Professional Standards, SLMPD
314-444-5758
http://www.slmpd.org/directory/index.htm
They can stop anyone they like.

Answer 2

Tell anyone you care to. Be sure you have all the facts though. If not, you could be the one on the receiving end of a lawsuit. The boys may have been stopped due to shop manager asking them to check the kids. If an ID is asked for, it must be produced or risk be turned away. While I am sure you think you are doing the right thing, be positive before being a whistle blower.

Answer 3

Citizen complaint number for police, Mayor's office, NAACP. But on the point of ID in most states laws concerning ID have been on the books for 25 years or more. Failure to produce Identification in some states carries 30 days or more in jail and/or fine of $125.00 or more, I think.

Answer 4

I grew up in St. Louis and moved away for a reason. I doubt there is anyone you can tell unless the people who were discriminated submitted complaints. You might contact the mall office and try to talk to a manager about their rude security guards, but don't hold your breath. That city hasn't changed in ages.

Answer 5

I see.

Thank God you were there to absolutely and infallablly understand everything.

Which complaint were the police investigating? (You know, you know everything)

Refusing to show ID when asked is a misdemeanor. The cops could have arrested them. They could have just showed ID, bu NOOOOOO. Gotta play the race card.

Solution:

8:00 AM - go to the police station.

Go to the Desk Sergeant.

Tell him you want to swear charges against the cops.

Believe me, he'll accomodate you.

And ask the same questions.

Better solution:

Stop bashing cops.

Stop sympathising with people that want to create problems.

Get a life.

Answer 6

the newspaper