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Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

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Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#51

Post by coldtea »

CPLX wrote: post #21

Though I agree that this behavior is reprehensible and probably criminal, the comments here seem to miss at least some of the human dynamic here. I can't hardly imagine that most people posting here would ever consider a job where literally every word or sound that came out of their mouth during their entire working life was recorded, and likely subject to public disclosure. Saying that this is what cops signed up fo…

>I can't hardly imagine that most people posting here would ever consider a job where literally every word or sound that came out of their mouth during their entire working life was recorded, and likely subject to public disclosure.

Well, if by "entire working life" you mean "every time they go in patrol or are on a call" then yes. Nobody is interested in their water cooler talks.

>Saying that this is what cops signed up for is not a compelling counter argument either, as this is new and most of the cops in question didn't sign up to work in an environment like that at all.

Then maybe they should not let the door hit them on their way out?

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#52

Post by bdisraeli »

themartorana wrote: post #31
bdisraeli wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is no national body that oversees police, but Chicago has the Independent Police Review Authority. However IPRA rarely upholds complaints against police (it's staffed by ex-cops and other people connected to the police), and recently an investigator was fired after finding a shooting unjustified[1]. [1] http://www.wbez.org/news/city-fires-investigator-who-found-c...

"Since its 2007 creation, IPRA has investigated nearly 400 civilian shootings by police and found one to be unjustified." Alrighty, then...

If you're interested in other things IPRA 'investigates', some people have FOIA'ed Chicago police misconduct complaints and created visualizations based on the data[1].

[1] http://invisible.institute/police-data/

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#53

Post by coldtea »

CPLX wrote: post #24
s_q_b wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're not intelligent enough to know that law enforcement interactions with the public are recorded on dashcams, maybe you shouldn't go into police work...

But that's part of my point. When most cops became cops that wasn't the case at all.

Sucks to be them. How is that different to any other profession where things changed with new technology or market trends?

Most people working in most offices in 1980 didn't have to use PCs either. In 1990 most of them suddenly did.

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#54

Post by CPLX »

moron4hire wrote: post #32
CPLX wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But that's part of my point. When most cops became cops that wasn't the case at all.

When did most cops become cops? Shortly after discharging from the military. Amped up on PTSD and adrenaline addiction. Yeah, I want a camera on them every second of the day, whether they are on duty or off duty. The mentally ill should not have guns. We've had a steady drum beat that "common sense gun control" should include a psychological test. I don't think most cops coming into the job straight out of the milita…

Most big city cops are not ex-military. In smaller and rural departments it's more common, but the demographic for Chicago area cops is almost certainly working class families from the greater Chicago area, and most probably already started thinking about starting the process soon after graduating high school.

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#55

Post by jbob2000 »

CPLX wrote: post #21

Though I agree that this behavior is reprehensible and probably criminal, the comments here seem to miss at least some of the human dynamic here. I can't hardly imagine that most people posting here would ever consider a job where literally every word or sound that came out of their mouth during their entire working life was recorded, and likely subject to public disclosure. Saying that this is what cops signed up fo…

The dash cams are for their benefit. There was a county in another state that implemented dash cams for their police force and found an 80% drop in complaints against officers.

Why do officers feel like they are being watched? The dash cams are to protect them. If they fear being watched, perhaps they know they aren't doing their job?

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#56

Post by yrro »

CPLX wrote: post #24
s_q_b wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're not intelligent enough to know that law enforcement interactions with the public are recorded on dashcams, maybe you shouldn't go into police work...

But that's part of my point. When most cops became cops that wasn't the case at all.

Tough shit. They either abused their power or stood by while their colleagues abused their powers.

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#57

Post by [deleted] »

rmxt wrote: post #44
ams6110 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

a concerted and coordinated criminal conspiracy Yes. It's Chicago. You've just described city government in six words.

Chicago might be notorious for high murder rates, crime, and corrupt government, but I would be shocked if this weren't happening in other areas across the country.

[deleted]

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#58

Post by CoachRufus87 »

CPLX wrote: post #21

Though I agree that this behavior is reprehensible and probably criminal, the comments here seem to miss at least some of the human dynamic here. I can't hardly imagine that most people posting here would ever consider a job where literally every word or sound that came out of their mouth during their entire working life was recorded, and likely subject to public disclosure. Saying that this is what cops signed up fo…

There are many folks who would love to become commercial pilots.

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#59

Post by maxerickson »

themartorana wrote: post #25
moomin wrote: post #12

Just to be clear: what we are looking at is a concerted and coordinated criminal conspiracy to cover up a range of activities including murder.

Yes, this, as simple as this. This isn't a rogue "bad cop" - it's systemic, criminal abuse of power, and the very reason we have separation of powers - so this kind of activity can be checked all the way back to its origins. Which is pretty much the origin of my disillusionment, since it isn't happening at all, in the face of red-handed evidence.

What's the bar for 'at all'? People seem to speak (at least relatively) favorably of the new policing situation in Camden, the old department was disbanded:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camden_Police_Department_%28Ne...

That's a large municipality discarding their entire police organization and creating a new one.

Re: Chicago Police Hid Mics, Destroyed Dashcams to Block Audio, Records Show

#60

Post by bdisraeli »

elthran wrote: post #16
bdisraeli wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is no national body that oversees police, but Chicago has the Independent Police Review Authority. However IPRA rarely upholds complaints against police (it's staffed by ex-cops and other people connected to the police), and recently an investigator was fired after finding a shooting unjustified[1]. [1] http://www.wbez.org/news/city-fires-investigator-who-found-c...

Has this been proposed at all? Is there anything weird about american policing/law that would mean a national, federal agency wouldn't be able to take on this role?

It would be difficult (maybe impossible?) to do given the US's Federal system of dividing powers between State governments and the National government. The Federal Department of Justice investigates, but the only power they have is to sue local police departments in court and make them agree to stop their unlawful behaviour.
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