Comments on: Miami Beach Police harrass gay witness to their brutality

By: rick

rick — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:45:00 +0000

I need a BULLDOG attorney in Miami to help us in a recent police brutality that took place 04/08/2011. My business partner was beat on conscious at his home by the MBPD. Anyone out there please that knows on please advise

By: Nevada Blue

Nevada Blue — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:29:10 +0000

Mike, the sad thing is that the increased evidence has not changed anything with the possible exception that the victimized individual comes out of it financially better off. The cops still get away with it scot free, often with paid time off, and because most cities are self insured, the people end up paying for the civil suit.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:44:53 +0000

“Either there’s just more reporting of bad cops beating up innocent people or using excessive force on non-violent law breakers or there’s something else going on here.”

I think it’s the growing use of cell phones and camera phones that’s driving it. Cops used to be able to lie and cover up much more effectively before they became so prevalent, which is why you see a push from law enforcement (such as in Massachusetts)to criminalize recording them.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:27:40 +0000

“I’m convinced bullies are attracted to having power over others and I shudder to think how the people most ill-suited to being cops are the very ones attracted to the job.”

Good point, Priya. Makes me wonder how many politicians and evangelists were bullies as children.

By: Priya Lynn

Priya Lynn — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:10:16 +0000

Pete, I think this sort of police behavior is common throughout the U.S. I think Eddie89 had it right, a lot of these cops were schoolyard bullies. I recall a friend of mines son coming home from school and bragging about how he and his buddies were picking on another student. When we scolded him for it he got all indignant and claimed the strong bullying the weak was the way of the world and that’s the way things should be. He later went on to become a cop. I’m convinced bullies are attracted to having power over others and I shudder to think how the people most ill-suited to being cops are the very ones attracted to the job.

By: Pete H

Pete H — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:35:40 +0000

Another symptom of Miami’s inexorable slide toward “worst city in America” status.

By: werdna

werdna — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:06:23 +0000

Don’t know why Timothy didn’t make it more explicit but if you click on the final link in his post you’ll see that the ACLU of Florida is pursuing a civil suit on behalf of Harold Strickland. They also provide a link to a recording of the 911 call.

By: TruthSeeker

TruthSeeker — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:18:42 +0000

Call the Miami Beach Mayor’s office (Matti Herrera Bower) and demand (1) the police officers involved in this incident be placed on administrative leave (suspended from active duty) until an investigation is complete; (2) an independent review by the Miami Beach (MB) Commissioners is conducted in addition to an internal review by the MB police department; (3) sensitivity training be implemented across the MB police force.

The number is 305-673-7035

By: customartist

customartist — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:12:43 +0000

This happened last March? So the New Mattew Sheperd legislation may not apply, though it should. However, the lack of investigation is a story that the mainstream news media needs to share witht the public at large.

Media coverage or lack thereof is an issue that continues because it is unpopular.

Call or email the major news companies of your choice today.

By: DN

DN — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:10:08 +0000

And this is exactly why I think hate crimes laws are necessary. I would not trust these officers’ colleagues to investigate the issue fairly. By bringing in outside investigators, the probability of them receiving a fair trial (rather than one skewed in their favor) are increased.