Police Use Violent Threats, Legalized Bribery To Dodge Oversight
Cops Use Thuggery to Intimidate Elected Officials
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Several years ago, I watched a documentary on the portrayal of police in film on HBO. A police officer interviewed in the movie said that he was so disgusted by “Training Day” that he walked out of the theater. However, director Antoine Fuqua said the movie was based on his experiences growing up in South Central where he had encountered many cops like “Alonzo,” played in the movie by Denzel Washington.
“Training Day” was a clear case of art imitating life. And as in most cases with movies, the real-life version is much worse. Alonzo might have robbed drug dealers and sold drugs, criminal acts that real police officers have done, but he never threatened city council members who are supposed to oversee the police force. But this has happened.
Gangster Cops
Last week, during an interview on “Background Briefing,” independent journalist Spencer Sunshine stated that a friend who served on a city council was afraid to reign in the police because of a potential backlash. The unnamed councilor said he feared that if he tried to cut the police budget, cops would refuse to respond to calls to his house.
Raw Story detailed how local police had threatened to use strongarm tactics on Shelby County (Tenn.) Commissioner Tami Sawyer after she attempted to cut the sheriff’s department budget and invest in the community.
“Since I called for #defunding on the Co Sheriff Budget yesterday, the flood gates have opened with threats and attempted insults,” said Sawyer in a tweet. “No shock. I was 1st threatened with death 5 years ago & they haven’t found me floating in the bottom of the Mississippi…
