Gangsters in Blue

By DAVY VARA

Why is it that people always refer to the New York City Police Department as the best police department in the country?

The N.Y.P.D. is actually one of the most corrupt police forces in the U.S. The department has a long history of committing some of the most heinous crimes
against innocent citizens. Take, for instance, the 1999 execution of Amadou Diallo, a 23 year old Guinean immigrant who was shot at 41 times by N.Y.P.D. cops Sean Carroll, Richard Murphy, Edward McMellon, and Kenneth Boss. Diallo, who was unarmed and simply had his wallet in his hand, was hit 19 times. Just over one year later, a jury acquitted all of the cops.

Also, Abner Louima, a 30 year old Haitian immigrant, who suffered severe internal damage when N.Y.P.D. officer Justin Volpe sodomized him with a broomstick in Brooklyn’s 70th precint. Afterwards, Volpe proudly displayed the excrement and blood stained broomstick to his fellow officers as he bragged that he had just “broke a man”. Volpe then threatened to kill Louima and his family members if Louima told anyone. Justin Volpe was later convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Sean Bell, executed by N.Y.P.D. undercover cops on the morning of his wedding day, in Queens. Bell had just left a club with friends when he was confronted by a plain clothes N.Y.P.D. cop who didn’t identify himself. When Bell sped off, the cop fired 50 rounds at Bell’s vehicle, killing Bell and severely injuring his friends. And, even though neither Bell or any of his friends had a gun, the N.Y.P.D. smeared Bell’s character after the incident, and his friends were under investigation instead of the cops!

During last year’s annual West Indian American Day Parade, N.Y.P.D. officers used facebook to post extremely disturbing comments, violating the department’s policy barring officers from making “discourteous or disrespectful remarks” about race or ethnicity. The facebook group, which totalled 1,200 members, posted comments from N.Y.P.D. officers such as Dan Rodney who stated “I say have the parade one more year, and when they all gather, drop a bomb and wipe them all out.”

Other comments from N.Y.P.D. officers included calling people “animals’ and “savages”. The comments on facebook, included references to West Indian and
African-American neighborhoods, and were so offensive that some N.Y.P.D. officers themselves posted warnings to other officers advising them to be careful that Internal Affairs “rats” don’t take notice of the comments. However, many didn’t seem to care, and went on posting comments such as “Let them kill each other”.

In a recent New York Times editorial piece, a strong point is made of the need for a “strong, independent agency to investigate serious complaints about New York City’s police force.” After several corruption cases involving the N.Y.P.D., including seven narcotics officers convicted of planting drugs on people, three officers convicted of robbing a perfume warehouse, eight current N.Y.P.D. officers charged with smuggling guns into the state, and a federal lawsuit accusing the N.Y.P.D. of engaging in racially biased “stop and frisk” incidents, there is serious doubt that the department can do an effective job addressing misconduct and corruption without outside help.

The N.Y.P.D.’s Internal Affairs Bureau, which is responsible for investigating complaints of police misconduct, failed to uncover any of these problems. In fact, they were brought to light by a local district attorney, the F.B.I. and, in one case, a New Jersey police department.

Recently, N.Y.P.D. officers, gathered outside State Supreme Court in the Bronx, for the unsealing of indictments against 16 of their fellow officers, who were arraigned on charges of corruption, after a three-year investigation into the N.Y.P.D.’s fixing of traffic and parking tickets, which in all cost the City of New York, close to $ 2 Million dollars. Officer Jose Ramos, a member of the N.Y.P.D.’s 40th precint, and whose suspicious behavior led to the ticket fixing investigation in the first place, was accused of two dozen crimes, including attempted robbery, attempted grand larceny, transporting what he thought was heroin for drug dealers and revealing the identity of a confidential informant. Ramos is facing up to 50 years in prison.

The officers yelled “Down with the D.A.” and “N.Y.P.D. Commisioner Ray Kelly, is a hypocrite.” Inside, more than 100 off-duty N.Y.P.D. officers lined the courthouse hallways and stood outside the courtroom. The officers prevented members of the news media from filming their colleagues by blocking cameras, grabbing lenses and shoving television camera crews into walls.

The outpouring of angry officers and their behavior was in violation of N.Y.P.D. policy which states “Conduct which brings discredit to the department or conduct in violation of law is unacceptable and will result in disciplinary measures.” Perhaps the best of example of the N.Y.P.D.’s disgusting, unprofessional conduct, despite always being lauded as the best police department in the country, is how at one point, the crowd of at least 350 officers outside the courthouse began chanting “E.B.T.” at people lined up at a benefits center across the street, referring to electronic benefit transfer, the way welfare recipients receive their food stamps and/or cash benefits. A court official who came outside to attempt to calm down the crowd of officers, was insulted with profanities by the N.Y.P.D. cops. The indicted N.Y.P.D. officers came out of the courthouse pumping their fists, as the crowd of their fellow officers burst into cheers. Once the rowdy crowd of N.Y.P.D. cops had cleared, the street was littered with refuse.

Eugene J. O’Donnell, a professor of police studies at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice makes a very powerful and telling point, in referring to the N.Y.P.D. when he said “The Police Department is a very angry work force, and that is something that should concern people, because it translates into hostile interactions with people.”

I don’t know about you, but I find it disgusting and downright deplorable whenever I hear the N.Y.P.D. being referred to as “The best police force in the country”. Are you kidding me?

Davy V.

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Editors note – check out this video created after the actions of some NYPD employees at the 2011 West Indian Day Parade:

NYPD: Badges of Dishonor, Corruption and Murder! is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

I don’t have enough fingers or hands to count the number of times a police officer has told me “We’re just doing our jobs.” And if you don’t like the LAW you need to lobby (or run for office) to change it. My response to that has always been, “the words lawmakers write on paper mean nothing to me. My problem isn’t with the one who claims to have authority over me but with those who attempt to enforce such arbitrary authority over me.” I hope one day police officers will realize that CopBlock.org isn’t a bunch of Cop Haters. In fact, we’re the opposite, we want police to realize it’s not them we dislike, it’s their job (their bosses – the lawmakers), and the institution (government) that we despise. The truth is police officers also suffer from the government’s oppression and most of them don’t even realize how they’re being used by old Uncle Sam. The police are the fall guy(s) for a bunch of power hungry, rich folks who wouldn’t dare (nor would most of the population) go out and do the things they (again, lawmakers and lobbyist) ask those in uniform (or a costume) to do.  This story is for them because it backs what I’ve said all along and provides a real word look at what I (and several others) advocate here at CopBlock.org.

Over the weekend New York Governor Andrew Cuomo urged Albany’s Mayor to press police to enforce the park curfew – a current law on the books – and arrest a group of folks Occupying Albany. Located across from City Hall, the park is divided into two areas – the state half and city half. State police activated a response team but before the curfew was reached a spokesperson for the police talked the protestors into moving onto “City” property instead of “State” property. Instead of arresting the peaceful protestors the city police decided to do nothing. Stating, “At this time I have no intention of assigning officers to monitor, watch, videotape or influence any behavior that is conducted by our citizens peacefully demonstrating in Academy Park. … In the event we are required to respond to a crime in progress or a reported crime, we will do so in the same manner that we do on a daily basis.“ The State police backed the city police stating, “concern it could incite a riot or draw thousands of protesters in a backlash that could endanger police and the public.”

Though I don’t expect other law enforcement agencies to follow suit, it does seem the higher ups within the NY State police and Albany police realized their actions would not be viewed favorably by the community – you know, the actual people that pay their salaries. They recognized that using force against peaceful people was wrong and that there were better things for them to be doing. They defied enforcing the trespassing law dispite the Governor’s order and the Mayor’s push to do so. The decision to stand down actually protected the people and their rights.

All we need now is for the Albany Police to refuse to arrest anyone charged with a victimless crime or any other offense that claims the “state” as the victim. To have officers realize they’re being used by people in power, whether political or otherwise, to control the actions of several millions. That their service (or job) can be conducted without having to force people to pay for it via taxation. If an active LEO realized this then they would also realize how the private market would better serve them and their clients. All in good time I guess, for now, good job Albany Police for acting human, if only for a moment. (Read more about this story here)

For more on privatizing the police see the interview below with Bruce Benson.

New York State and Albany Police Refuse Orders to Arrest Occupy Protesters is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

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A mistaken address in the Town of Erin last week ended up with a dog being Tasered three times by a Chemung County sheriff’s deputy who believed he was going to be attacked.

Paige, a 6-year-old spayed white mixed terrier, disappeared after the incident that occurred shortly after noon Sept. 28, said Sue Nowlan, who owns the dog with her husband, Barry. Paige returned on her own about 10 p.m. Sept. 29, Sue Nowlan said earlier this week. The dog was traumatized and is now very skittish.

“She won’t go out the doggie door after dark. She won’t even go outdoors after dark unless my husband or I coax her out,” she said. “In fact, the vet gave us a special collar that emits something to help calm her, and also a canine-calming anxiety control medication to try on her.”

The day after it was first given, the anxiety medication seemed to be helping, she said.

Paige also was being treated for deep burns where the Taser probes had penetrated, she said, noting the sheriff’s office is paying for the veterinarian.

As long as the leads are still connected after the initial shot with the Taser, each press of the trigger gives another jolt for up to three seconds, Nowlan said. Paige was hit with 50,000 volts three times, she said.
How it happened

When the Nowlans were not home, a deputy went there looking for an individual he had a warrant for, but he went to the wrong address. He was trying to find someone on Jones Road. However, the Nowlans’ driveway is a town road called Jones Drive that leads only to their home.

“It was an unfortunate incident,” Sheriff Christopher Moss said. “The dog came through a dog door up on a deck, and the officer said the animal came after him in an aggressive nature and he utilized his Taser.”

Paige went out the doggie door and started barking at the deputy, Sue Nowlan said.

“His claim is that she had him pinned and he felt threatened, and so he Tasered her and then Tasered her again on the deck and then as he was going toward his patrol car, he Tasered her a third time,” she said, citing a copy of the unofficial sheriff’s office report. “I don’t understand why she was Tasered three times.”

Use of the Taser is at the deputy’s discretion, Moss said.

“If he feels that he’s going to be attacked by the canine, then he needs to use whatever means he can,” he said. “At one standpoint, you can look at it and say, ‘Thank goodness this officer was equipped with a Taser and didn’t have to use his firearm to dispatch the animal.”

Nowlan said there has never been an issue with Paige in the six years that they have had her, even with United Parcel Service, Federal Express and U.S. Postal Service deliveries and daily visits by a natural gas well tender.

“She’s not a vicious dog. She’s not an aggressive dog or anything else,” she said, adding that she takes offense at the deputy referring to Paige, who weighs 54 pounds, as a large, vicious pit bull.

“That breed of dog that they want to refer to has a very bad reputation. There are drug people and such out there that raise dogs for the wrong purpose,” Nowlan said.

Suspects sometimes use dogs as a diversion before firing on law enforcement, Moss said.

“There have been times when firearms have been discharged when an officer’s been attacked by an animal,” he said.

Nowlan said if anybody fears for their life, she can understand why a dog would be Tasered, but she maintains that Paige is a family dog.

“She rides on our tractor with us in our buggy. She rides in our boat. She goes swimming in our pool,” she said. “I have a 6-month-old grandson. If I had a vicious dog, I certainly wouldn’t be allowing her around my grandson. My daughter certainly wouldn’t allow the dog around him if she were vicious.”
Investigation

Moss said the use of the Taser on the canine isn’t being questioned by his administration, but there is an internal investigation of the circumstances that followed the Tasering.

“There are some things that happened that I’m not pleased with on our officer’s behalf,” Moss said. “This should have been expedited a little better. Some further follow-up should have been conducted. So we have an internal investigation going, so I can’t comment at this time.”

According to the sheriff’s office report, the incident occurred at 12:10 p.m. Sept. 28, but the Nowlans did not find out about it until 6 p.m., Sue Nowlan said. A call to the sheriff’s office was returned at 7:45 p.m., she said.

“For 36 hours straight, that’s what we did. We looked for her. She’s not a dog that stays out. She’s not a dog that wanders,” she said. “My husband and I want assurance that this isn’t going to happen again. We lost valuable hours that we could’ve been out there trying to look for her, had we been notified.”

Nowlan said she met Monday with Moss, Undersheriff William Schrom and Capt. Thomas Argetsinger.

“The three people I spoke with down there do seem concerned,” she said. “They do tell me that there is an internal investigation going on within.”
Road name change?

She also planned to meet with code enforcement to file an application for a change of the road’s name.

When she talked with town officials earlier, they assured her that was not necessary. But if something terrible happens because of confusion over the road names and it is disclosed as an ongoing problem, there is an opportunity for someone to file a lawsuit, she said.

“We’ve had at least five incidences where they’ve reported here. At one point, our house was completely surrounded by state troopers. They were getting ready to do a drug bust, but they were supposed to be on Jones Road, and they had us surrounded,” she said.

“We have to do something at this point to prevent this from happening because we don’t plan on moving.”

Meanwhile, they have put up signs that are white with red reflective letters that read “For dog’s safety, toot horn!! Do not exit vehicle.”

“I don’t feel that I need to protect people from my dog,” Nowlan said. “But I do feel that I need to protect my dog from people.”

Derek Tomsa

Family’s dog Tasered 3 times Deputy served warrant at wrong house is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

Like many other people, I will never forget what I was doing on the morning of September 11, 2001.  I was returning home after visiting my brother and his new roommate (unbeknownst to me at the time, my future husband) at college.  I listened to the events unfold on the car radio.  The initial reports were chaotic and confusing, and I wanted to get home to see the images for myself.  I got to my apartment just in time to see the first tower fall.  I was in an utter state of shock, completely numb.  This numbness would last for two weeks, and then I finally sat down and cried.

The memories of that day are so vivid that it is hard to believe that 10 years have passed. Personally, I have experienced great joy in the decade since that day.  Shortly after 9/11, I fell in love with an amazing man.  I have had career success, traveled to and worked in one of the most remote places on earth, and I have welcomed two beautiful children into the world.  It has been the best decade of my life, but there are many things that have happened in the last decade that bring me sadness and many times, outrage.

The death toll on that day was staggering.  But the death toll and the steady erosion of individual rights since that day is beyond comprehension.  In the quest for vengeance, there has been more than 25,000 innocent Afghans killed, at least 100,000 innocent Iraqis killed, hundreds of innocent men, women, and children killed by drone attacks in Pakistan, 6,026 U.S. soldiers killed, and millions of people injured or displaced.  In the quest for security, we have been given The Patriot Act, warrantless wiretapping, torture and the suspension of Habeas Corpus, The Department of Homeland Security, The Transportation Security Administration with their naked scanners and “gate rape”, and the undeniable militarization of the police.

For the last decade the American people have been force fed a big dose of fear and the overwhelming majority has eaten it up.  In the wake of the immense vulnerability most of us felt on 9/11, Americans seemed willing to let the government do anything in the name of security.  Most have turned a blind eye to the death and destruction abroad and welcomed the intrusive nature of the War on Terror at home.  Few have batted an eye at invasive pat downs at the airport or border checkpoints nowhere near the border.  Few have shown concern with the fact that police departments across the country are procuring armored vehicles, military grade assault rifles, grenade launchers and unmanned drones that are far more likely to be used against Americans than terrorists. Few have protested the inevitable and rapid increase in paramilitary raids for nonviolent offenses that has occurred as the police have become more militarized.  Even fewer have called for the one thing that is most likely to bring us both security and prosperity; the pursuit of peace.

If we learned anything from the bloody history of the 20^th century it should be that war will not bring peace; it will only bring more violence and more war.  World War I, the war to end all wars, led to the rise of Hitler and World War II.  World War II led to the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and half a century of a meddling foreign policy that culminated in the events of 9/11.  Even the domestic War on Drugs has led to nothing but more dangerous drugs and more violence, committed by street gangs and gangs wearing badges.  If history really does repeat itself, the War on Terror will not be our salvation, but our downfall.

Individuals in the government have not learned the lessons history has taught.  We should not make the same mistakes.  From time to time, comments on this site, call for reacting to the violence of the police with more violence.  It is easy to see the aggression and the atrocities committed by individuals in the government who purport to protect us both at home and abroad and want to lash out and return violence with violence, but we should be careful not to become what we despise.  Violence is the refuge of thugs and tyrants.  Violence is the tool of religious zealots who fly planes into buildings, murdering 3000 people.  It is the tool of generals who order bombs dropped on civilians.  It is the tool of presidents who order drone attacks on houses full of children.  It is the tool of thugs in blue who cage peaceful people.  Let it not be our tool.

This is not a call for pacifism.  You have every right, perhaps even a moral obligation, to proportionally defend yourself from aggression.  But wholesale aggression against an entire group of people, whether it is a group defined by their borders, their uniforms, or a shiny piece of metal on their chest, in response to the actions of individuals who belong to the same group cannot withstand any moral reasoning. You have every right to seek justice when you have been harmed.  The victims of 9/11 had every right to seek those responsible for the death and destruction of that day and hold them accountable for their actions.  You do not need to be a pacifist to live in peace with your neighbors, any more than the U.S. government needs to be isolationist or pacifist to live in peace with theirs.

On the tenth anniversary of September 11^th, we will no doubt once again face the images of that terrible day.  We will hear the names of the dead and we will be reminded to never forget. We should also take the time to reflect on the images of 10 years of war.  We should reflect on not just the names of those who died in those towers that terrible Tuesday morning, but of the unknown, nameless people who have been killed by our bombs and bullets abroad.  We should take time reflect on how we can be the peace that we seek.  We should take time today and everyday to remember that “There is no way to peace, peace is the way.”

Peace is the Way: Remembering 9/11 and the Decade Since is a post from Cop Block - Badges Don't Grant Extra Rights

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I don’t have any description to go with what happened between the NYPD and the people they were going after. If you have any information please email me and I will update this post.

NYPD vs the Citizens of NY is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

A sheriff whose alleged theft from the evidence room might be excused, a prison guard who also heads a violent biker gang, another prison guard with dope and an eye for the ladies, a pill peddling suburban cop, and a bribe-taking small town cop all make the rogues’ gallery this week. Let’s get to it:

In Ashford, Georgia, the Turner County sheriff is under a criminal investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation over allegations he removed a large amount of marijuana from his department evidence room and gave it to a friend who is a cancer patient. Sheriff Roy Wiley has been keeping a low profile since the investigation began July 8. Wiley allegedly instructed one of his officers to take the pot so he could give it to the friend with cancer. The GBI won’t confirm that, but they did acknowledge they are investigating Wiley.

In Louisville, Kentucky, a state prison guard was arrested was arrested July 12 on federal murder and racketeering charges, and he allegedly heads the Louisville chapter of a violent, drug-funded motorcycle gang, too. Carlos Wesley “Pit Bull” Rose, 48, was arrested on evidence that he conspired in gang activities and acquired materials for a pipe bomb to kill members of a rival motorcycle club in Chicago. His arrest was one of 18 arrests of Wheels of Soul members in a two-year investigation charging them with various acts of violence, robbery, drug trafficking and extortion in four cities across the Midwest. The Wheels are a biker gang operating in at least 20 states. Rose worked as a guard at the Kentucky State Reformatory in La Grange beginning in 2006.

In Hempstead, New York, a Hempstead police officer was arrested July 20 on charges he was peddling pain pills. Brian Jones, 38, a nine-year veteran of the force, allegedly sold oxycodone and oxymorphone tablets to a confidential informant on two separate occasions in May, and had more than a half-ounce of oxycodone tablets in his vehicle when he was arrested. He is charged with second degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, four counts of third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, fifth degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He has been suspended without pay and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

In Frankfort, Kentucky, a guard at a women’s prison was arrested last Friday on dozens of charges he sexually abused prisoners and supplied drugs to them. Sgt. James Johnson, serving at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women in Peewee Valley, went down after a brief investigation occasioned by a complaint filed against him. He was arrested at the Frankfort state police quarters, and faces 25 counts of second-degree sexual abuse, 50 counts of official misconduct, one count of second-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and one count of first-degree promoting contraband. At last report, he was being held at the Shelby County Detention Center Friday night.

In St. Louis, a former Bridgeton police officer was sentenced July 21 to two years in prison for taking a $5,000 bribe and obstructing a federal law enforcement investigation. Scott Haenel went down in an FBI sting in which he agreed to cooperate in a money laundering scheme involving drug money, and was paid for his help. That money came from the FBI. He also used his official position to tell his co-conspirators that DEA agents and local police were going to search his residence and tell them to get the cash out of there before the officers arrived. He pleaded guilty in April to one felony count each of accepting a bribe and obstruction of justice.

This Week’s Corrupt Cops Stories is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Two NYPD officers going at it with each other because one officer is roughing up a handcuffed man. This is something you don’t see everyday. We still do not have any details on this video yet. We will post an update once we have more information.

Join the forum discussion on this post

NYPD Cops going at it after one assaults a handcuffed man is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

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Welcome to the police state of NY. The amount of random stop and frisks in the video is disgusting. What is even more disturbing is that no one questions it and they just allow the officers to violate them. Also at around the 4:00 mark you can see an undercover officer smack a photographers camera and give him lawful unlawful order not to record him.

Recently NY was ranked 50 as the least free state in the union.  Although I don’t agree when they say drug laws and victemless crimes are better than average as I see the complete opposite. You can see how your state ranks here

The Mercatus Center found

Analysis

New York is by far the least free state in the Union. It has also experienced the most interstate emigration of any state over the last decade. New York has by far the highest taxes in the country. Property, selective sales, individual income, and corporate-income taxes are particularly high. Spending on public welfare, hospitals, electric power, transit, employee retirement, and “other and unallocable” expenses are well above national norms. Only Alaska has more government debt as a percentage of the economy. On personal freedoms, gun laws are extremely restrictive, but marijuana laws are better than average, while tobacco laws are extremely strict, and cigarette taxes are the highest in the country. Motorists are highly regulated, and homeschool regulations are excessive, but nondrug victimless-crimes arrests are low. New York has the strictest health-insurance community-rating regulations in the country, which have wiped out the individual market. Mandated coverages are worse than average but were actually cut back substantially in 2007–2008. Eminent domain abuse is rampant and unchecked. Perversely (in our view), the state has stricter contribution limits for grassroots PACs than for corporate and union PACs. On the positive side, occupational licensing is somewhat better than average.

Policy Recommendations

1. The most liberal state in the country can surely find the political will to legalize same-sex partnerships of some kind.
2. Cut spending in all the areas mentioned above, privatize (and rate-regulate) transit systems, and cut taxes across the board.
3. Reduce the burdensome testing, notification, and recordkeeping requirements on homeschoolers.

 

Join the forum discussion on this post

NYPD Harassing Puerto Rican Day Parade Goers 2011 is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Drug-related police corruption comes in many varieties. We’ve got several this week. Let’s get to it:

In Piscataway, New Jersey, a Piscataway police officer was arrested April 25 on charges he stole cocaine while working as the department’s evidence officer. Albert Annuzzi, 47, is charged with one count each of official misconduct-theft by unlawful taking and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors said he took the cocaine for personal use. They did not announce his arrest until last week.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, one Wake County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested and another is under investigation for the theft of drugs and cash from the department. Deputy Balinda Manley, 34, was fired after her arrest last month when she was charged with two counts of embezzlement and one count of possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana. She went down after a routine audit showed that she signed out drugs and $6,435 in cash last June, but didn’t return it. When prosecuted requested the evidence for trial, she returned drugs, and then, five days later, what she said was the cash. But when investigators opened the package, they found a pile of blank paper sandwiched between two $100 bills. Investigators found a deposit slip for $1,800 in Manley’s care and one for $940 in the car of a second deputy, Chad Hines. He is now under investigation.

In Duanesburg, New York, a University at Albany police investigator was arrested May 16 along with her husband after a search of their property turned up 100 marijuana plants growing in a pole barn. Wendy Knoebel, 48, and her husband face a federal charge of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana. The pair has been released on bail.

In San Leandro, California, a San Leandro Police narcotics officer was arrested last Friday on charges he furnished marijuana to a confidential informant for sale. Detective Jason Fredriksson, 38, allegedly provided more than a pound of pot to the snitch, who planned to sell it, police said. He is also the subject of an internal investigation for having an “improper relationship” with the snitch. He has been on the San Leandro force for nine years, and most recently has been a detective in the vice/narcotics unit and a member of the 14-person SWAT team.

In Phoenix, a Maricopa County sheriff’s deputy and two detention officers were arrested Tuesday on drug and human trafficking charges. Deputy Ruben Navarette and detention officers Marcella Hernandez and Sylvia Najera face felony charges. Seven other sheriff’s employees were being investigated for their possible involvement. The three arrested are accused of being part of a Phoenix-based international drug smuggling ring. Hernandez told authorities she is eight months pregnant with the child of the ring’s leader, a member of the Sinaloa Cartel. Navarette admitted to passing information about the sheriff’s crime-prevention operations to the group. The deputy also was accused of being part of a separate human trafficking ring that smuggled illegal immigrants from Arizona to California. Deputies found two illegal immigrants when they searched his home. He is also alleged to be an active member of the drug smuggling ring that brought loads of heroin from Mexico to Phoenix. Ten pounds of heroin and nearly $200,000 in cash, weapons, vehicles and stolen property were seized during searches. Hernandez, 28, was found with $16,000 cash when she was arrested Tuesday after arriving for work. She is being held on charges that include transporting drugs and money laundering. Najera is charged with money laundering and controlling a criminal enterprise.

In San Antonio, a former Bexar County sheriff’s deputy was sentenced May 19 to six years in prison for trying to smuggle heroin to inmates using barbacoa tacos. Robert Falcon, 48, went down after another deputy found a note in a jail cell with Falcon’s address on it that spelled out a smuggling strategy. A sting was set up in which $50 in marked bills, the taco ingredients and 4 grams of fake heroin were left on his doorstep. The fake drugs were recovered from his lunch bag when he arrived at work, according to court documents. He pleaded guilty in November to bringing drugs into a correctional facility, a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Falcon is on suicide watch after he vowed to kill himself if not granted probation.

This Week’s Corrupt Cops Stories is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Q. Without government cops, and government courts, and government prisons, who will stop unscrupulous criminals from robbing honest people blind?

A. We will.

(Via Jesse Walker 2011-05-13.)