The family of Sonya Massey, a Black woman killed by an Illinois police officer, will receive a $10 million settlement. This outcome, while providing some financial relief, highlights a deeply troubling pattern: taxpayers are, in effect, perpetually bailing out police departments for the wrongful actions of their officers. The sheer volume of similar cases underscores a systemic issue that demands far more comprehensive reform than simply writing checks.
It’s easy to focus on the financial aspect—$10 million is a significant sum—but for the Massey family, no amount of money can replace their loss. The settlement doesn’t erase the trauma of Sonya’s death, nor does it bring her back.… Continue reading
A New Jersey jury awarded Cheryl Rhines $11.5 million after a state trooper, Jennifer Albuja, mistakenly attributed her stroke symptoms to intoxication, delaying crucial medical treatment. This delay, caused by Albuja’s misjudgment and subsequent actions, resulted in Rhines suffering permanent disability, including global aphasia. The jury found the delayed treatment responsible for 60% of Rhines’s disabilities, leading to the reduced award from an initial $19.1 million. The case highlights concerns about law enforcement’s response to medical emergencies and the potentially devastating consequences of misinterpreting symptoms.
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The notion that police have no constitutional duty to protect individuals is a chilling realization that should reverberate through any discussion about public safety and law enforcement. I find myself grappling with the implications of this principle, especially when lives are on the line, as evidenced in cases like that of the murder victim in question. The fact that police actions—or lack thereof—can be influenced by personal relationships, like providing free services, underscores a disturbing reality: the public’s welfare can sometimes take a backseat to informal ties and benefits.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in cases such as DeShaney v. Winnebago County and Town of Castle Rock v.… Continue reading
As I read about the tragic incident where a bystander was shot in the head as New York police tackled a fare-evader, my heart sank. The thought of someone being caught in the crossfire of a situation that escalated over something as trivial as fare evasion is deeply troubling. It is incomprehensible to me how a situation involving a $3 subway fare could result in such a violent and life-threatening outcome.
The fact that two bystanders and one of the officers were also shot in the incident is a stark reminder of the dangers of trigger-happy policing. The idea that law enforcement officers, who are supposed to protect and serve the community, could shoot into a crowded space without regard for the safety of innocent bystanders is appalling.… Continue reading
I am struggling to wrap my head around the tragic events that unfolded in Macomb, Illinois, where a 4-year-old boy lost his life at the hands of the very people who were meant to protect and serve. The bodycam footage of the fatal police shooting of this young child and the man holding him hostage is nothing short of heart-wrenching. It is incomprehensible to think that in a situation where a man with a knife was holding a child, the immediate response was to shoot, ultimately resulting in the death of both the hostage taker and the innocent child he was holding.… Continue reading
He flipped off a trooper and got charged. Now Vermont is on the hook for $175,000.
This incident of a man flipping off a Vermont state trooper, resulting in charges against him and a subsequent payout by the state of $175,000, raises some critical questions about authority and accountability. The fact that the state had to pay out such a significant amount for a first amendment violation is as concerning as it is outrageous. The trooper, identified as Jay Riggen, initiated this whole debacle over a simple gesture that should have been disregarded or, at most, reciprocated in jest.
Cases like these highlight the fine line between exercising one’s rights and facing repercussions from those in positions of authority.… Continue reading
I wish people were showing more outrage on base. It’s disheartening to see how muted the response has been in the aftermath of the tragic death of the airman at the hands of a Florida deputy. The fact that the officer was only fired, and not immediately prosecuted for murder, is appalling. As a civilian, if I were to take a life, I would undoubtedly face serious consequences. Why should law enforcement officers be held to a lower standard?
When reading the internal affairs report and seeing the justification provided by the former deputy for his actions, it becomes clear that something is fundamentally wrong with the system.… Continue reading
The news of a Florida sheriff’s office firing a deputy who fatally shot a Black airman at his home brings a mix of relief and frustration. The fact that the deputy’s actions were deemed unjustified is a step in the right direction, but it also highlights the systemic issues within law enforcement that allow such tragedies to occur in the first place.
The internal affairs investigation concluded that the airman, Mr. Fortson, did not make any hostile movements, and therefore, the deputy’s use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable. This statement alone should send shockwaves through the entire law enforcement community.… Continue reading
The recent case in Fontana, California, where police officers resorted to extreme measures, including psychological torture, to extract a false confession from a man is truly horrifying. The victim in this case, Perez, was subjected to unimaginable cruelty and manipulation by law enforcement officers who went to great lengths to fabricate a crime that never even occurred. The level of deception and callousness displayed by these officers is beyond comprehension.
What is even more distressing is the fact that after the truth came to light and Perez’s innocence was proven, the officers involved faced little to no repercussions. Three of the officers remain employed with the department, while another has retired.… Continue reading
As a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, the recent news of a Florida deputy fatally shooting Senior Airman Roger Fortson in his own apartment hits close to home. The deputy allegedly entered Fortson’s apartment, failed to announce themselves, and shot the young airman, all because he believed he was in the wrong apartment. It is a horrifying realization that a law enforcement officer can enter your home, unannounced and itchy on the trigger, and take your life without facing immediate consequences.
The lack of accountability in situations like these is deeply troubling. The deputy in question has been placed on paid administrative leave, which seems more like a reward than a punishment.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker