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News & ArtsSaturday, February 28, 2009
News / Housekeeping Gone Fisting
Posted by Dan Savage on Sat, Feb 28, 2009 at 5:54 PM
The entire editorial staff is away on some sort of retreat—save me. But I'm—surprise—out of freakin' town. Which is why no one has posted anything about this news story to Slog yet, despite the dozens of emails insisting that this story is Slog worthy. And it is. Sorry no one was around to respond.
5
Jesus fucking christ!!! She's 15 and didn't do ANYTHING except toss her shoes off! I sure hope she has the wherewithal to sue the shit out of the city. That kind of yank of the hair and throw down could cause permanent damage to her spine. Fucking pigs.
6
While the violence is sickening, realize that the staff waited for Dan to go out of town to plot their coup.
7
The cameras clearly show what happened, that officer needs to be fired without pay. There's obviously something wrong with a grown man thinking that it's okay for him to use so much force on a 15 year old female.
10
Clearly, this cop needs to be fired.
But...
I always tell my kids to be exceedingly polite to police officers and never give them an excuse to exercise their authority. Because unless there's a camera around, it's your word against the cop's, and we all know how that plays out.
But...
I always tell my kids to be exceedingly polite to police officers and never give them an excuse to exercise their authority. Because unless there's a camera around, it's your word against the cop's, and we all know how that plays out.
12
if the cop didn't attack her, he could actually have had a better chance of charging her with "assault"...
but cops cannot lose their cool like that. i'm glad they are charging him.
i think being a police office is a stressful job, and when someone flips like this they need a little time off. i honestly don't believe that he should never be a cop again, but i would honestly only be okay if he had one of those head cameras on him at all times.
but cops cannot lose their cool like that. i'm glad they are charging him.
i think being a police office is a stressful job, and when someone flips like this they need a little time off. i honestly don't believe that he should never be a cop again, but i would honestly only be okay if he had one of those head cameras on him at all times.
13
Hahah. She probably had it coming. You can mouth off to whoever you want and pull whatever shit you want on somebody because they are obligated not to do the same to you...but you never know when they decide otherwise. Obviously he's a damn fool for doing what he did, with grossly excessive brutality, but...remember, cops are just as fucked up as the rest of society. Usually a bit more in my experience.
Don't poke the bear, kids.
Don't poke the bear, kids.
15
@12: Are you serious? You want someone like that in charge of enforcing the law?
Stressful? Who the fuck cares. Flipping out like that will get you fired in any other job, and an assault conviction will make it difficult to find meaningful work afterward. Why should the bar be *lower* for people who carry deadly weapons around as part of their job?
Answer: it shouldn't.
We do not need assholes like this "protecting" us.
Stressful? Who the fuck cares. Flipping out like that will get you fired in any other job, and an assault conviction will make it difficult to find meaningful work afterward. Why should the bar be *lower* for people who carry deadly weapons around as part of their job?
Answer: it shouldn't.
We do not need assholes like this "protecting" us.
16
@5 -- KC Sheriff, not SPD -- read the article, dumbass. You are right though that "she didn't do anything except kick her shoe".....oh, unless you count stealing a car.
Anyone else catch the name of the attorney who is defending the Deputy?? Yes, Anne Bremner, of the 2-paper coalition or whatever they are called. She is claiming that without the audio, the video is "overly prejudicial" against her client.
Rahr needs to take the bullet and resign -- her organization is fucked up beyond belief. This is the 3rd officer in 3 months from that precinct alone to be in some sort of trouble. Almost worse than the act itself is the fact that it is 3 months later and they are just now doing something about it. This is (I believe) the 3rd controversial incident for this deputy in his 8 years with the County.
With the cast of characters we have lined up for this one, sit back and enjoy the show.
Satterburg has some explaining to do as well -- assault 4 is BS.
http://www.annebremner.com/
Anyone else catch the name of the attorney who is defending the Deputy?? Yes, Anne Bremner, of the 2-paper coalition or whatever they are called. She is claiming that without the audio, the video is "overly prejudicial" against her client.
Rahr needs to take the bullet and resign -- her organization is fucked up beyond belief. This is the 3rd officer in 3 months from that precinct alone to be in some sort of trouble. Almost worse than the act itself is the fact that it is 3 months later and they are just now doing something about it. This is (I believe) the 3rd controversial incident for this deputy in his 8 years with the County.
With the cast of characters we have lined up for this one, sit back and enjoy the show.
Satterburg has some explaining to do as well -- assault 4 is BS.
http://www.annebremner.com/
17
if that were my daughter that cop would not have to worry about any trial or consequences. if he was assaulted like he claims he should have closed the cell door and walked to his desk and written another ticket.
18
lee @15
you seem to like to jump on people's comments here.. the condition i gave for allowing him to be a cop does not exist. therefore, he could not continue to be cop according to my suggestion.
i believe that cops should be recorded, audio and video, all the time. i think there are bad cops... and i also think there are good cops and just okay cops. some of these make mistakes, or commit a crime (as above), and sometimes they bend the law because they think it is the right thing to do.
i don't like the current system.
but i am afraid if we viddied all cops all the time, we'd soon run out of cops! seriously.
so, no, i don't want an asshole "protecting" us. but if that guy knew he was being taped 100% of the time, maybe that would provide a little more motivation for him to keep his temper in check.
in turn, we'd probably have to address the fact that cops flip out more often then we'd like to admit.
you seem to like to jump on people's comments here.. the condition i gave for allowing him to be a cop does not exist. therefore, he could not continue to be cop according to my suggestion.
i believe that cops should be recorded, audio and video, all the time. i think there are bad cops... and i also think there are good cops and just okay cops. some of these make mistakes, or commit a crime (as above), and sometimes they bend the law because they think it is the right thing to do.
i don't like the current system.
but i am afraid if we viddied all cops all the time, we'd soon run out of cops! seriously.
so, no, i don't want an asshole "protecting" us. but if that guy knew he was being taped 100% of the time, maybe that would provide a little more motivation for him to keep his temper in check.
in turn, we'd probably have to address the fact that cops flip out more often then we'd like to admit.
19
having read a little more about his background, he sounds to me like he's got untreated PTSD -- also known as TTB: ticking time bomb. that girl's lucky he didn't shoot her.
20
@16- although you correct a previous poster, you can't seem to get it right either. First of all, what level of assault would you charge since the girl was treated by medics and found to have no injuries requiring further medical care? Would you charge Assault 3, which requires the assault to cause "injury sufficient to cause considerable suffering for a period of time" when she had no injuries? Would you charge Assault 2 which requires substantial bodily injury (or put another way broken bones?) Or how about Assault 1 which requires great bodily harm (which is permanent or long lasting injury). You see Satterberg (and yes its with an e, not a u) doesn't write the legal requirements for the different levels of assault, the State Legislature does that, so why don't you talk to them. Although right now they are actually busy cutting jail sentences to even less than 1/2 off for good time to save money, so this deputy will benefit from their fine work in Olympia to save a buck.
You see, when criminal charges are filed, prosecutors actually have to prove the elements of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt to 12 jurors, not a bunch of arm chair lawyers on Slog.
You see, when criminal charges are filed, prosecutors actually have to prove the elements of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt to 12 jurors, not a bunch of arm chair lawyers on Slog.
21
@16--there are plenty of assaults where Assualt 4 feels like it's not a significant enough charge, but they don't fall within Assault 1-3 or Custodial Assault. This is definitely one of those cases. But trust me that there's no greater degree of assault that this would fit into. It sucks, but it is what it is.
22
@20, 21 - y'all must be in the trade. thanks. but yeah, Assault IV feels low. here is hoping for the swift vindication of her rights in a civil suit.
24
18: I'm pretty sure the cop knew they had a camera in that holding cell. He flipped out and either temporarily forgot about the camera or didn't realize what he was doing. Without video evidence he would probably swear that he merely pulled her to the ground to subdue her, no excessive force at all, and he'd probably believe it. That's freaky. I wouldn't trust him as a cop even if they could put a camera on him 100% of the time while on duty.
26
I seriously love Paul Schene. Little bitch shouldn't fuck with the law if she doesn't want a beating.
27
Yikes. He's only 31 years old and he's gone through all this? It might have been justified those times, but that's quite a coincidence. Here's info on the other shootings:
2006 - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/3020… - shot an unarmed person 11 times!
2002 - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/2731… - he also crashed a police car in 2005 (it burst into flames!)
Schene was investigated previously for shooting two people - killing one - in the line of duty in 2002 and 2006. Both times his actions were found to be justified, Goodhew said.
Yikes. He's only 31 years old and he's gone through all this? It might have been justified those times, but that's quite a coincidence. Here's info on the other shootings:
2006 - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/3020… - shot an unarmed person 11 times!
2002 - http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/2731… - he also crashed a police car in 2005 (it burst into flames!)
28
I'd also like to point out that the article says that Deputy Schene is 31, and that he shot people in 2002 and 2006. (One died.)
Which means that he was, ummm, 24 and 28. So if he became a cop when he was 22, then he had two shoots in just his first six years as a cop. Most cops don't shoot two people in a career, right?
Perhaps he was just unlucky. But this latest video suggests that perhaps Deputy Schene might want to consider a less stressful career, such as cosmetology or dental hygiene.
Which means that he was, ummm, 24 and 28. So if he became a cop when he was 22, then he had two shoots in just his first six years as a cop. Most cops don't shoot two people in a career, right?
Perhaps he was just unlucky. But this latest video suggests that perhaps Deputy Schene might want to consider a less stressful career, such as cosmetology or dental hygiene.
29
The Republican Party platform in a nutshell:
* When a stupid kid does something stupid, and gets the shit beat out of her by a much bigger and stronger authority figure, she deserves it.
* When bankers and stockbrokers fundamentally fuck up at what they're supposed to be experts at (making good investments, spending wisely), it's a horrible hate crime to even suggest that we increase their taxes or cap their bonuses.
I know, I know, feeding the trolls. But, still.
* When a stupid kid does something stupid, and gets the shit beat out of her by a much bigger and stronger authority figure, she deserves it.
* When bankers and stockbrokers fundamentally fuck up at what they're supposed to be experts at (making good investments, spending wisely), it's a horrible hate crime to even suggest that we increase their taxes or cap their bonuses.
I know, I know, feeding the trolls. But, still.
31
@30: Yes, I believe I already acknowledged that. All the same, the attitude I described is a real one, and it boggles my mind.
34
That was a pathetic display. I am sure they will defend this sorry bastard.
She clearly was not a threat to him yet he attacked her like a lunatic. He kicked her, slammed her head first into the wall, threw her to the floor and then finished it off by punching her in the head a few times. The ease at which he did it without concern for the camera is distrubing.
If he weren't in uniform he'd be in jail.
If the owner of the stolen car had a "Beeotch!-get out of my damn car!" moment and then a beat down of said "Beeotch!" ensued, the owner/ass-kicker would be charged with assault no matter how righteous it seemed at the time.
He did it because he knew he could get away with it. This guy is nothing more than a violent thug in uniform. Who protects us from him?
She clearly was not a threat to him yet he attacked her like a lunatic. He kicked her, slammed her head first into the wall, threw her to the floor and then finished it off by punching her in the head a few times. The ease at which he did it without concern for the camera is distrubing.
If he weren't in uniform he'd be in jail.
If the owner of the stolen car had a "Beeotch!-get out of my damn car!" moment and then a beat down of said "Beeotch!" ensued, the owner/ass-kicker would be charged with assault no matter how righteous it seemed at the time.
He did it because he knew he could get away with it. This guy is nothing more than a violent thug in uniform. Who protects us from him?
35
@13 "Don't poke the bear-kids". That is good advice. It should have been the lead tag line for this SLOG story. It made me crack up laughing!
36
A situation where an officer is suddenly hit by a projectile from a perp is very volatile. Officers are on guard for guns, knives, shivs. How often do you take your shoes off and one "accidentally" flies across the room?
C'mon...even a Lib can have a clear thought once a day.
C'mon...even a Lib can have a clear thought once a day.
37
That cop OBVIOUSLY used excessive force! Ims ick of the fucking power-tripping police officers who think they are higher than fucking god!
38
@36
It was a shoe... Kicked by a little brat.
It's not like she picked it up and threw it at the President.
It was a shoe... Kicked by a little brat.
It's not like she picked it up and threw it at the President.
39
@37 ... I'm sick of fucking know-it-all Stranger readers who ARE higher than god.
I want to see videos of you at work and read the comments about how you should be fired for missing a part of the floor with the mop or because you served an 18oz Coke instead of a 24oz Dr. Pepper.
I bet almost every one of us could be legitimately fired if we were videotaped 24/7. I'm not saying this Deputy was legit but CHRIST!
I want to see videos of you at work and read the comments about how you should be fired for missing a part of the floor with the mop or because you served an 18oz Coke instead of a 24oz Dr. Pepper.
I bet almost every one of us could be legitimately fired if we were videotaped 24/7. I'm not saying this Deputy was legit but CHRIST!
41
reading the comments from the demising P-I "big MONICA blog" and the "911 CASEY blog," I'm pleasantly surprised by the mostly-civil level of discourse here.
Or maybe all of the really nasty comments are just being censored in the background... ;)
Anyway, I'll say here the same thing that I said (and was unheard) on the PI soundoffs and blogs: you can speculate all you want, but realize that it's only for your own emotional ranting and release, as you're 99.98% unlikely to be chosen for the jury trial and effective justice.
Or maybe all of the really nasty comments are just being censored in the background... ;)
Anyway, I'll say here the same thing that I said (and was unheard) on the PI soundoffs and blogs: you can speculate all you want, but realize that it's only for your own emotional ranting and release, as you're 99.98% unlikely to be chosen for the jury trial and effective justice.
42
Yeah, the deputy was out of line. And should probably be fired. But what if it is PTSD? We're sure not doing anything to correct that in our little liberal/conservative pissing match.
And we'd better grow up and start taking that seriously. The fucked up Viet Nam vets are almost all dead, but now - thanks to dickwad Bush - we have a whole new batch of fucked up Iraq/Afghanistan vets entering society. And a lot of them are gravitating towards law enforcement.
And we'd better grow up and start taking that seriously. The fucked up Viet Nam vets are almost all dead, but now - thanks to dickwad Bush - we have a whole new batch of fucked up Iraq/Afghanistan vets entering society. And a lot of them are gravitating towards law enforcement.
43
In case nobody's noticed, the owners of the "stolen" car were... her parents!
And in other observations, Assault IV is the same charge that was (wrongly) brought against urban golfer David Hulton for allegedly hitting a bystander with a…
When a non-cop is accused of hitting a bystander with a nerf ball: Assault IV.
When an actual cop puts the smack on a 15-year-old kid who was caught joyriding in her parents' car and then neglects to mention it in the incident report: Assault IV.
Funny how that works.
And in other observations, Assault IV is the same charge that was (wrongly) brought against urban golfer David Hulton for allegedly hitting a bystander with a…
When a non-cop is accused of hitting a bystander with a nerf ball: Assault IV.
When an actual cop puts the smack on a 15-year-old kid who was caught joyriding in her parents' car and then neglects to mention it in the incident report: Assault IV.
Funny how that works.
46
This made the front page of the guardian online. Proud day for Seattle.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar…
47
Big Sven is the rightest one. Cops are nuts, a lot of them, with hair-trigger tempers. Which is not good, since their jobs require them to deal with a lot of people who test one's patience. Also, power + hair-trigger temper = bad bad bad.
And if the cop has PTSD, it doesn't have to be because he's a returning Iraq vet. Being a cop can give you that by itself.
He should not be a cop. And she should not have mouthed off to him. And she did not deserve a beat down. All of this is true.
And yeah, Assault 4 is a very broad category and this does fall into it. It IS worse because a cop is doing it, though. You know how generic crimes get upgraded to worse crimes when a cop is the victim, by statute? When a cop is the perp, there should be extra consequences, too. And automatic firing + forever gun loss is good enough for me. He should not be a security guard either.
And if the cop has PTSD, it doesn't have to be because he's a returning Iraq vet. Being a cop can give you that by itself.
He should not be a cop. And she should not have mouthed off to him. And she did not deserve a beat down. All of this is true.
And yeah, Assault 4 is a very broad category and this does fall into it. It IS worse because a cop is doing it, though. You know how generic crimes get upgraded to worse crimes when a cop is the victim, by statute? When a cop is the perp, there should be extra consequences, too. And automatic firing + forever gun loss is good enough for me. He should not be a security guard either.
48
FINALLY. Jesus Christ.
And you assholes dare all yourself a news site when the 'comic book guy' article was more post-worthy the day that this article came out.
This is just getting sick.
And you assholes dare all yourself a news site when the 'comic book guy' article was more post-worthy the day that this article came out.
This is just getting sick.
52
Kelly O and Ari Spool give Dan Savage can of Rize, Dan Savage drink Rize, freak out, Hulk out, DAN SAVAGE BECOME HULK!
HULK WILL LEAVE GIANT GREEN TURD IN PUNY GARDEN!
And no, I don't feel like letting it go.
HULK WILL LEAVE GIANT GREEN TURD IN PUNY GARDEN!
And no, I don't feel like letting it go.
53
What I find so amazing is that this is the behavior of this cop while he KNEW he was being video taped. Heaven help anyone who is unfortunate to be in his cross hairs outside the station where there are no cameras rolling.
He is a menace.
He is a menace.
54
In real first world nations this would result in the police officer being kicked off the force.
Period.
Period.
55
@48: They don't call themselves a "new site," you moron; they call themselves "an alt weekly." As in, "if you want DAILY NEWS, get it from a DAILY NEWSPAPER."
56
He's been accused of brutality before. I hope he gets jail time and gets anally raped on a regular basis.
57
Yes shes a petulant 15 y/o brat. Yes I've been known to want to beat down a lippy priss a time or two in my past but amazingly enough without going thru police academy training I was able to stop my self....hmmmm
Going thru PTSD doesnt absolve you or forgive you anything. It should be a clear indication of just exactly WHAT you should or shouldnt be doing and walking around with a gun, being an authority figure over impatient and crazed individuals, and a job title as a PEACE officer means your disqualified for the job. Hazards of the job, your fired, tried and convicted.
Going thru PTSD doesnt absolve you or forgive you anything. It should be a clear indication of just exactly WHAT you should or shouldnt be doing and walking around with a gun, being an authority figure over impatient and crazed individuals, and a job title as a PEACE officer means your disqualified for the job. Hazards of the job, your fired, tried and convicted.
58
There's something very wrong in the KC Sheriffs' Department. Every single solitary time I read an article involving excessive force that doesn't sound like total trumped-up bullshit, it's one of these roid rage cases in KCSD. Remember when the KC Deputies went berserk on the Critical Mass guys? Remember the girl who got punched for holding an anti-war sign on a freeway overpass? All the similar cases? ALL KCSD. What in the hell is going on there?
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