Police Accountability Report: Episode 99 – LRN.fm

This week, a couple stories that should cause anyone critically thinking to see that those wearing badges aren’t always operating with the best intentions.

Story #1
Berks County Police Officer Arrested for Shoplifting
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9167776

A Berks County Pennsylvania Police officer has been accused of taking his children along for a shoplifting spree.
‘Father of the Year’, Officer Glen Oesterling is a member of a group calling themselves the Amity Township Police.
Investigators say the officer stole hundreds of dollars worth of groceries from the Giant Food Store in West Pottsgrove Township in Montgomery County.
Security at the store said when they tried to stop Oesterling, he told them he was a cop, like that made stealing from the store justified.
Oesterling has been suspended without pay.

But, the corruption doesn’t end there….

Story #2
Slaton Police Arrest Woman After Request to See Warrant
http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/news/local/story/slaton-police-lubbock-wrongful-arrest-warrant/0vJ1Rr-6OkqWHtfsUtvqGg.cspx

Slaton police came to a woman’s house, who wishes to remain anonymous, to arrest her son.
By asking one simple question, she found herself behind bars instead.
“I told him, ‘I will release my son to you upon viewing those orders.’ Those were exactly my words,” The complainant said. “He said, ‘This is how you want to play?’ He took two steps back, turned around to the other officer and said, ‘Take her.’ They turned me around, handcuffed me, and took me in.”
The complainant said she was aware police would be coming to apprehend her 11-year-old son based on a criminal complaint, and that she just wanted to see the warrant. As it turns out, that warrant didn’t exist. She spent the night in jail while her son was left at home.
“He told me it was their duty to come pick up my son,” She said. “Yet, I had someone stay the night at my house. They never came back that evening, they never came to pick up my son, or do what they told me they were there to do in the beginning.”
“This occurred on May 29 when they went out to apprehend this young man,” Dwight McDonald, the family’s attorney, said. “The directive to apprehend was not signed until May 30, which is another indication that they didn’t have the authority to go out and arrest him or apprehend the young man.”
The Slaton Police Department is willing to issue an apology, but McDonald said that’s not enough.
“If she moves out of Slaton and tries to find a job elsewhere, you can Google her name, and at that point, the arrest, my guess is, is going to show up,” McDonald said.
“I will accept an apology, but what is that going to do?” The complainant said. “It’s not going to take my picture off the internet sites that have been posted, from being published in the newspaper, from where I work. I’ve never been in trouble, in 32 years of my life, from anything, and to get thrown in jail because I asked a question is not right.”
McDonald said the Slaton Police Department will issue an apology as long as the mother agrees not to file a lawsuit. He said unless she is compensated for her expenses and the trauma she’s been through, a lawsuit won’t be out of the question.

And finally, write an open letter to Fusion Center employees for a chance to win 100FRNs!

I hope you’ll take a moment to consider just what it is that you are paying for via taxation – and speak out against the corruption.
Until next week, stay safe and remember that badges don’t grant extra rights.