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Keokuk police to be armed with tasers
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| Keokuk Police Chief Tom Crew displays a taser unit loaded with a cartridge. Keokuk police will begin carrying tasers at the end of this month. |
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
Twin barbs wired to a taser unit hit Keokuk Police Chief Tom Crew at the shoulder and upper hip. Electric pulses arced from their position in his clothing to the surface of his skin.
“You can feel the electrical pulse immobilizing you but your auditory and visual senses are as clear as can be,” Crew said. “You can hear the pulsing. I tried to put one foot forward but I couldn't move. My head went back and I just growled.”
Keokuk police officers will be armed with tasers by the end of August when the taser training program is complete. Each officer will have had four hours of taser training followed by a test.
Crew took his turn at a laser training session Monday and opted to experience a five-second taser burst, the duration of the zap delivered when the unit is used on a person. The training burst lasts for only two seconds, but not all officers elect to go through the experience.
“I decided to take the full five-second burst so as I sit behind this desk I know exactly what everyone it is deployed on goes through,” Crew said. “I could not fight this. This was a total disruption of my muscular system.”
Tasers will be used only in situations that have become dangerous for officers. If an officer responds to a call about a fight in progress, asks one of the fighters to “turn around, put their hands on a table, or a vehicle or behind their back and they spin around and get in a fighting stance, ignoring the verbal commands, the officer will call for back up,” Crew said. “If the aggression gets to a point where it's evident they have chosen to be noncompliant and the officer will end up in an all-out fight with the individual, the officer will take out the taser and notify them he will use it if they don't comply. At that time he would be justified to use it.”
Most people elect to comply when they see the taser, which leads Crew to believe that the tasers will not have to be used often.
He related an incident in Keokuk that did require a taser when a man cut his arm severely and had his knife to his throat. He had firearms in another room that officers did not want him to reach.
Keokuk police officers called the Hamilton Police Department for mutual aid. A Hamilton officer came over with a taser and the man was subdued without further incident, Crew said. Hamilton police have had tasers since the fall of 2006.
Tasers are not designed to be lethal but to temporarily incapacitate a target. The hope is to keep officers from having to wrestle people and become injured and incur medical expenses.
“We will not become taser dependent,” he said.
As for the target, the taser barbs generally don't enter a person's flesh, just hook into their clothing and keep fast the connection from the unit to the target. In the event of the barb penetrating the skin, the wound looks like a bee sting. Sometimes the person who has been tasered sustains a heat abrasion or a blister from the arcing. If people are injured, the injury generally occurs when they fall after being stunned.
Each taser - the KPD has eight X26 Taser International units - costs $850 plus an additional expense for safety holsters and equipment. Taser cartridges are $25 a piece. The department plans to buy more, but in the meantime, the tasers will be passed along from shift to shift. The shifts will document which officer has which taser.
To prevent officers from mistakenly drawing their firearms instead of the taser, the taser holsters are situated on the officers' belts on the opposite side of their weapon. Officers “cross draw” the taser, which also is much shorter than the firearm.
Tasers are equipped with a laser sight that puts a red dot on the target and have a built-in flashlight that can be turned on or off.
Before the taser unit is fired, officers are instructed to verbalize their intention to use the taser to anyone in the area, including the target.
“We will let the public know,” Crew said. “If you hear an officer say, ‘taser, taser, taser,' you know you're seconds away from someone being tasered. And we do not tase an individual who is already restrained.”
Standards applied to each use of a taser include: Was it reasonable? Was it necessary?
When the unit is deployed, it records the time and date internally. The cartridge discharges small pieces of paper that contain identifiers and must be picked up for the officer's report. Each trigger pull is documented.
“This is a tool to be used if other avenues already have been tried,” Crew said. “I am thoroughly convinced this is a great tool to be used in law enforcement.”
“You can feel the electrical pulse immobilizing you but your auditory and visual senses are as clear as can be,” Crew said. “You can hear the pulsing. I tried to put one foot forward but I couldn't move. My head went back and I just growled.”
Keokuk police officers will be armed with tasers by the end of August when the taser training program is complete. Each officer will have had four hours of taser training followed by a test.
Crew took his turn at a laser training session Monday and opted to experience a five-second taser burst, the duration of the zap delivered when the unit is used on a person. The training burst lasts for only two seconds, but not all officers elect to go through the experience.
“I decided to take the full five-second burst so as I sit behind this desk I know exactly what everyone it is deployed on goes through,” Crew said. “I could not fight this. This was a total disruption of my muscular system.”
Tasers will be used only in situations that have become dangerous for officers. If an officer responds to a call about a fight in progress, asks one of the fighters to “turn around, put their hands on a table, or a vehicle or behind their back and they spin around and get in a fighting stance, ignoring the verbal commands, the officer will call for back up,” Crew said. “If the aggression gets to a point where it's evident they have chosen to be noncompliant and the officer will end up in an all-out fight with the individual, the officer will take out the taser and notify them he will use it if they don't comply. At that time he would be justified to use it.”
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He related an incident in Keokuk that did require a taser when a man cut his arm severely and had his knife to his throat. He had firearms in another room that officers did not want him to reach.
Keokuk police officers called the Hamilton Police Department for mutual aid. A Hamilton officer came over with a taser and the man was subdued without further incident, Crew said. Hamilton police have had tasers since the fall of 2006.
Tasers are not designed to be lethal but to temporarily incapacitate a target. The hope is to keep officers from having to wrestle people and become injured and incur medical expenses.
“We will not become taser dependent,” he said.
As for the target, the taser barbs generally don't enter a person's flesh, just hook into their clothing and keep fast the connection from the unit to the target. In the event of the barb penetrating the skin, the wound looks like a bee sting. Sometimes the person who has been tasered sustains a heat abrasion or a blister from the arcing. If people are injured, the injury generally occurs when they fall after being stunned.
Each taser - the KPD has eight X26 Taser International units - costs $850 plus an additional expense for safety holsters and equipment. Taser cartridges are $25 a piece. The department plans to buy more, but in the meantime, the tasers will be passed along from shift to shift. The shifts will document which officer has which taser.
To prevent officers from mistakenly drawing their firearms instead of the taser, the taser holsters are situated on the officers' belts on the opposite side of their weapon. Officers “cross draw” the taser, which also is much shorter than the firearm.
Tasers are equipped with a laser sight that puts a red dot on the target and have a built-in flashlight that can be turned on or off.
Before the taser unit is fired, officers are instructed to verbalize their intention to use the taser to anyone in the area, including the target.
“We will let the public know,” Crew said. “If you hear an officer say, ‘taser, taser, taser,' you know you're seconds away from someone being tasered. And we do not tase an individual who is already restrained.”
Standards applied to each use of a taser include: Was it reasonable? Was it necessary?
When the unit is deployed, it records the time and date internally. The cartridge discharges small pieces of paper that contain identifiers and must be picked up for the officer's report. Each trigger pull is documented.
“This is a tool to be used if other avenues already have been tried,” Crew said. “I am thoroughly convinced this is a great tool to be used in law enforcement.”
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of dailygate.com.
VBrown wrote on Sep 8, 2008 4:15 PM:
" ZG: Whoa, you really misread me! No threats were intended. On the contrary, I was fearfully anticipating what might happen to *me* if I got involved in taking on the city. There are so many people on here saying "well, why don't you do something about it instead of just complaining?" Well, this is why. If you've seen my other comments, you'll know that I am not a fan of the power-hungry in this town. But I have too much at risk to take on a corrupt machine. "
ZG wrote on Sep 7, 2008 4:05 AM:
" To VBrown and other anonymous person that replied to my comment.
If you have computer to do this then you can check the court records the same as I have. Or you can go to a thing called, "the courthouse" and check the records.
CASE #: FECR007157
I was at the courthouse and saw with my own eyes the actual paper case file. I saw it the very week it was begun and I made copies of it recently.....just in case they want to try and hide more evidence. In the first week, the case file clearly stated that Gooley was to "be fingerprinted at a later date". Now, they have a "yes" bubbled in where it asks if the fingerprints were done. But if they WERE DONE, then why does that same page still NOT show any tracking number for fingerprints and mugshot? Why does the DCI (Department of Criminal Investigations) still NOT have any record of fingerprints?? If the DCI doesn't have a copy then that means that the FBI never got a copy, which means that no national check was ever done to verify his true identity or fingerprints.
But, since you obviously made your reply to me without even bothering to check the facts for yourself then.....that must indicate that you are one of those who would rather believe the EASIEST answer instead of the TRUTH!
I guess I can understand this way of thinking to a point. Because, if we acknowledge that there is a problem then we should have to do something to correct it, right? But if we DENY, then we can live in our simple, comfortable, little world of escapism and not have to get off our butts to correct the matter or, god forbid, admit fault.
Yes, I do have video tape. Maybe you have the right idea there about posting them on a web site. I will have to consider that and discuss it with persons who have been helping on this matter.
VBrown....there are some that would be inclined to think your reply is more of a subtle threat. Then they would question if you are a part of the organizations or persons that were listed in my comments. I didn't think you, or your comments were anything to be concerned about, but my attorney, who has a copy of what you wrote finds it threatening and asked me to notify him immediately if any of those things start happening again. He said that it is not so hard to trace back to the computer that wrote them. Personally, I don't worry because I have experienced in the past cowards who have made such threats. My personal experience is that they never have the guts to face you or do the dirty deed themselves. They usually send someone to do the dirty work for them. And that person is often, well, laughable, to say the least.
I had heard that Keokuk was once nicknamed "LITTLE CHICAGO". You words definitely make it seem as that has not changed. It's no wonder our police were featured on HARD COPY for that dirty little incident back in the day.
Here's one final thought for you.......if my comments were purely fabricated, then why did they evoke such defensiveness and hostility? Usually, only the truth will evoke such an emotional reaction!!! "
If you have computer to do this then you can check the court records the same as I have. Or you can go to a thing called, "the courthouse" and check the records.
CASE #: FECR007157
I was at the courthouse and saw with my own eyes the actual paper case file. I saw it the very week it was begun and I made copies of it recently.....just in case they want to try and hide more evidence. In the first week, the case file clearly stated that Gooley was to "be fingerprinted at a later date". Now, they have a "yes" bubbled in where it asks if the fingerprints were done. But if they WERE DONE, then why does that same page still NOT show any tracking number for fingerprints and mugshot? Why does the DCI (Department of Criminal Investigations) still NOT have any record of fingerprints?? If the DCI doesn't have a copy then that means that the FBI never got a copy, which means that no national check was ever done to verify his true identity or fingerprints.
But, since you obviously made your reply to me without even bothering to check the facts for yourself then.....that must indicate that you are one of those who would rather believe the EASIEST answer instead of the TRUTH!
I guess I can understand this way of thinking to a point. Because, if we acknowledge that there is a problem then we should have to do something to correct it, right? But if we DENY, then we can live in our simple, comfortable, little world of escapism and not have to get off our butts to correct the matter or, god forbid, admit fault.
Yes, I do have video tape. Maybe you have the right idea there about posting them on a web site. I will have to consider that and discuss it with persons who have been helping on this matter.
VBrown....there are some that would be inclined to think your reply is more of a subtle threat. Then they would question if you are a part of the organizations or persons that were listed in my comments. I didn't think you, or your comments were anything to be concerned about, but my attorney, who has a copy of what you wrote finds it threatening and asked me to notify him immediately if any of those things start happening again. He said that it is not so hard to trace back to the computer that wrote them. Personally, I don't worry because I have experienced in the past cowards who have made such threats. My personal experience is that they never have the guts to face you or do the dirty deed themselves. They usually send someone to do the dirty work for them. And that person is often, well, laughable, to say the least.
I had heard that Keokuk was once nicknamed "LITTLE CHICAGO". You words definitely make it seem as that has not changed. It's no wonder our police were featured on HARD COPY for that dirty little incident back in the day.
Here's one final thought for you.......if my comments were purely fabricated, then why did they evoke such defensiveness and hostility? Usually, only the truth will evoke such an emotional reaction!!! "
VBrown wrote on Sep 6, 2008 8:40 PM:
" To "To ZG": Can you imagine what would happen if someone actually tried to organize a means of holding the police in this town accountable? Oh, I agree we need it. But anyone associated with it would mysteriously start being followed by police cars every time they pulled out of their driveway. They would be fined or even arrested on trumped up or piddlingly minor charges (say, going one mile over the speed limit). The city would get involved and strange complaints about these peoples' homes or yards would begin to surface. Odd things, perhaps seemingly minor and unconnected, would begin to happen to them and their family members.
When corrupt people are in power, they will not play by the rules when their power is threatened. Towns, cities, counties, states and countries all over the world have discovered this to be true throughout history.
Anyone who wants to pull such an organization together in this town had better make sure that they and all their family members are so clean they squeak, and that they have a good lawyer (and plenty of money to pay that lawyer) when the false complaints start rolling in. More power to them if they can manage it. But who is that brave? Not me. Fine, call me a coward. But I have my kids and my health to think about, and I'm not rich enough to take on the city. Sadly, it's easier and safer to keep your head down. But we do all have one safe way to fight back: the ballot box. Frankly, I can't wait until the next city election. "
When corrupt people are in power, they will not play by the rules when their power is threatened. Towns, cities, counties, states and countries all over the world have discovered this to be true throughout history.
Anyone who wants to pull such an organization together in this town had better make sure that they and all their family members are so clean they squeak, and that they have a good lawyer (and plenty of money to pay that lawyer) when the false complaints start rolling in. More power to them if they can manage it. But who is that brave? Not me. Fine, call me a coward. But I have my kids and my health to think about, and I'm not rich enough to take on the city. Sadly, it's easier and safer to keep your head down. But we do all have one safe way to fight back: the ballot box. Frankly, I can't wait until the next city election. "
To ZG wrote on Sep 6, 2008 9:53 AM:
" I typically do not read the comments left on here that are as long as a book because they are rather irritating, but I did read yours. I would like to ask you if you have a website (or a link to websites that show criminal history of those mentioned) that have posted videos, pictures and proof of all this? I am not doubting you, I have just NEVER heard of any of this before and I was born and raised in Keokuk! I don't recognize any names you have mentioned other than Johnson and McDonald. I would be interested in seeing your proof and maybe I would have a different opinion of the police department carrying tasers, but as of right now, I am all for it. I believe others in our town would love to know about all the injustices of the department, but without seeing proof with our own eyes, it's hard to believe. You know the old saying, "BELIEVE NOTHING YOU HEAR AND ONLY HALF OF WHAT YOU SEE", it's kind of like that...unfortuneately. You might make this all more public and start a support group or organization to get the problems solved and the crooked people out of their jobs, but until then you just have to remember that what comes around goes around in everyone's life, no one gets out of that and the ones that need to pay, will. "
ZG wrote on Sep 6, 2008 6:45 AM:
" HEY....Before we even talk about tasers......lets talk about police procedure.
In October 2005, Gordon Gooley was arrested for "FELON POSSESSION OF FIREARM". He was keeping an illegal shotgun in the UNLOCKED closet of his daughter's bedroom. He has been previously convicted of a FELONY in the state of Arkansas for "CRIMINAL SOLICITATION OF AMPHETAMINES". That means METH for those of you who don't know. He was NOT allowed to have a firearm and did not have the proper paperwork for the shotgun, obviously.
Officer Symmonds obtained a warrant and arrested him. But, upon arrest, Gordon REFUSED to be fingerprinted. Gordon's gun was supposedly seized but he was let go in less than one hour after arrest WITHOUT ANY FINGERPRINTS!!! How do I know this? Gordon called me immediately after leaving the Keokuk police station and told me that he did NOT HAVE TO give fingerprints if he didn't want to. I called the Keokuk police station to verify this and the officer taking the call validated the fact that Gordon REFUSED to be fingerprinted, gun was seized, he was let go to be "fingerprinted at a later date."
I interviewed several officers from major metro cities throughout the US, asking them about standard police procedures. I described to them this scenario that took place in 2005. I asked each of them how they would, and do, handle this type of arrest. Everyone of them stated that they did not believe that any officer would ever let a previously convicted felon go without fingerprints. They stated that even if the person had a clean record, they still would have checked them out for having a shotgun. But they certainly verified that a felon would NEVER be allowed to leave the station or jail until they surrendered fingerprints which would be run through a national check.
The last officer I interviewed stated that the only time that he had ever known of a felon being let go under these type of circumstances was if the person was a "well known bad guy that had been working WITH the police as an INFORMANT!"
The court records, as of August 2008, now show that there still is NO RECORD of fingerprints ever been done on Gordon Gooley. That means no tracking number for the fingerprints, no national check, no running it through the Department of Criminal Investigations, no running it through the FBI, no mugshot number, NOTHING! How do I know this? I contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations. They ran Gordon's record. They do show a record of Gordon being convicted of misdemeanor "carrying weapon". BUT, they sent me a letter with a SEALED STAMP on it which stated that they do NOT have any fingerprints on file. If you still don't get it.....that means that the fingerprints have NEVER BEEN DONE. It has been almost 3 years and the Keokuk police have still not fingerprinted Gordon and run a national check through the normal chain. No, it doesn't matter that he left the court with a misdemeanor. What matters is that he was arrested on FELONY charges.
I find it interesting that on the day of court for this matter, Lee County Asst. Attorney, Bruce McDonald, was present in the court. For those of you who don't know, McDonald is supposed to be on the PROSECUTING side. But he has been Gooley's attorney in other matters since 2004.
I was there at the exact time that Gooley was scheduled to appear in the magistrates court, since I was the only states witness. But this states witness was not called or even notified of the court date. But I was still there. And what did I see? I saw Asst. County Attorney, Bruce McDonald, coming out of the magistrates court at the very moment that Gordon Gooley was scheduled to go in. He was laughing and smiling and heading towards Gooley to speak to him....until he saw me. Then his face just dropped! He didn't look so happy then!
I also find it interesting that, although several others in Lee County have served prison time for this same offense, Gordon was OFFERED a plea bargain to a lesser charge of misdemeanor. County Attorney, Mike Short was made well aware of the extent of Gordon's past criminal history. I sat in Short's office, per request of the arresting officer, and watched as Mr. Short looked up all the vital information on his computer. He even asked me specific questions about each charge he found. But when the judgment came down, Mr. Short DENIED that he knew about Gordon's criminal history except for the felony in Arkansas. When I questioned Mr. Short further, he HUNG UP ON ME and would not take any more of my calls.
Another noteworthy fact is that the court records show that Gooley purposefully, in handwriting, gave an INCORRECT social security number.
This is not the first time Gooley has given false identification. Which leads me to another question about police procedure. In December 2002, Gooley was pulled over and questioned about his sobriety AND...why did he have 2 identification cards in his wallet with different names??? Gooley immediately started yelling, "I know the chief of police. Call the chief now!" Officer Johnson went back to his cruiser and apparently made a call by CELL PHONE so it would not be traced. When he came back to Gooley's blue, Ford truck, Johnson had a completely different attitude towards Gooley. It no longer seemed to matter that Gooley admitted to drinking, or NO LICENSE, or no insurance. No field sobriety test was done of any sort. Gooley was issued a ticket for no license and instructed on how he could take care of it on the very next business day, then he was asked to walk.
That one I could kind of understand. But considering that it had already happened once, you wouldn't think that they would let him go for the same thing again, would you? Oh, but they did. October 2003 they pulled him over as he was pulling out of his home parking space, just before the sun set. But this time they didn't even give him a warning ticket. Once again, Gooley barked orders to the officers to "call the chief". Instead, they threatened his passenger that the passenger had to drive for Gooley or the child in the car would be taken from the passenger. It didn't matter to the officer that the passenger was unaware that Gooley had been drinking until he admitted it to the officer. But Gooley was still, once again, let go without even a field sobriety test.
There have also been at least 2 times that I have videotaped the Keokuk police disregarding my complaints of being threatened. One of these persons, Jason St.Clair, was allowed to drive away even though the officers were made aware that he is not a licensed driver. The other person, Daryl Palmer, turned out to be a convicted sex abuser from the state of Florida. He was babysitting my daughter in the stead of the DHS approved childcare provider, Lindsay Palmer, while she left her home, left my daughter, and left sex abuser to care for my daughter. The Keokuk police completely disregarded my concerns for my daughter, and disregarded the threats, and told me to leave the premises. They never even bothered to check Mr. Palmer's record.
I have not even begun to list all of my concerns about the Keokuk police. Although it may not seem so, this has just been the short, abbreviated description.
But with all this in mind, my questions and thoughts are thus.....
Am I misunderstanding what is normal, honorable, and correct?
Are these things normal police procedure?
Would Chicago, St.Louis, Dallas, New York, Kansas City, San Francisco, or any other police department do it this way?
I didn't think so according to what their officers told me but, did I just misunderstand the correct policies and procedures?
I have seen for myself how quick some Keokuk officers are to become hostile towards a citizen who questions or even spends to much time trying to talk to them.
Can we trust these officers to carry TASERS? Can we trust them, as taser rookies, to follow proper taser procedure???
Can we even trust our local government to protect the innocent citizens and possible victims when if, and when, a taser situation goes BAD??? "
In October 2005, Gordon Gooley was arrested for "FELON POSSESSION OF FIREARM". He was keeping an illegal shotgun in the UNLOCKED closet of his daughter's bedroom. He has been previously convicted of a FELONY in the state of Arkansas for "CRIMINAL SOLICITATION OF AMPHETAMINES". That means METH for those of you who don't know. He was NOT allowed to have a firearm and did not have the proper paperwork for the shotgun, obviously.
Officer Symmonds obtained a warrant and arrested him. But, upon arrest, Gordon REFUSED to be fingerprinted. Gordon's gun was supposedly seized but he was let go in less than one hour after arrest WITHOUT ANY FINGERPRINTS!!! How do I know this? Gordon called me immediately after leaving the Keokuk police station and told me that he did NOT HAVE TO give fingerprints if he didn't want to. I called the Keokuk police station to verify this and the officer taking the call validated the fact that Gordon REFUSED to be fingerprinted, gun was seized, he was let go to be "fingerprinted at a later date."
I interviewed several officers from major metro cities throughout the US, asking them about standard police procedures. I described to them this scenario that took place in 2005. I asked each of them how they would, and do, handle this type of arrest. Everyone of them stated that they did not believe that any officer would ever let a previously convicted felon go without fingerprints. They stated that even if the person had a clean record, they still would have checked them out for having a shotgun. But they certainly verified that a felon would NEVER be allowed to leave the station or jail until they surrendered fingerprints which would be run through a national check.
The last officer I interviewed stated that the only time that he had ever known of a felon being let go under these type of circumstances was if the person was a "well known bad guy that had been working WITH the police as an INFORMANT!"
The court records, as of August 2008, now show that there still is NO RECORD of fingerprints ever been done on Gordon Gooley. That means no tracking number for the fingerprints, no national check, no running it through the Department of Criminal Investigations, no running it through the FBI, no mugshot number, NOTHING! How do I know this? I contacted the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations. They ran Gordon's record. They do show a record of Gordon being convicted of misdemeanor "carrying weapon". BUT, they sent me a letter with a SEALED STAMP on it which stated that they do NOT have any fingerprints on file. If you still don't get it.....that means that the fingerprints have NEVER BEEN DONE. It has been almost 3 years and the Keokuk police have still not fingerprinted Gordon and run a national check through the normal chain. No, it doesn't matter that he left the court with a misdemeanor. What matters is that he was arrested on FELONY charges.
I find it interesting that on the day of court for this matter, Lee County Asst. Attorney, Bruce McDonald, was present in the court. For those of you who don't know, McDonald is supposed to be on the PROSECUTING side. But he has been Gooley's attorney in other matters since 2004.
I was there at the exact time that Gooley was scheduled to appear in the magistrates court, since I was the only states witness. But this states witness was not called or even notified of the court date. But I was still there. And what did I see? I saw Asst. County Attorney, Bruce McDonald, coming out of the magistrates court at the very moment that Gordon Gooley was scheduled to go in. He was laughing and smiling and heading towards Gooley to speak to him....until he saw me. Then his face just dropped! He didn't look so happy then!
I also find it interesting that, although several others in Lee County have served prison time for this same offense, Gordon was OFFERED a plea bargain to a lesser charge of misdemeanor. County Attorney, Mike Short was made well aware of the extent of Gordon's past criminal history. I sat in Short's office, per request of the arresting officer, and watched as Mr. Short looked up all the vital information on his computer. He even asked me specific questions about each charge he found. But when the judgment came down, Mr. Short DENIED that he knew about Gordon's criminal history except for the felony in Arkansas. When I questioned Mr. Short further, he HUNG UP ON ME and would not take any more of my calls.
Another noteworthy fact is that the court records show that Gooley purposefully, in handwriting, gave an INCORRECT social security number.
This is not the first time Gooley has given false identification. Which leads me to another question about police procedure. In December 2002, Gooley was pulled over and questioned about his sobriety AND...why did he have 2 identification cards in his wallet with different names??? Gooley immediately started yelling, "I know the chief of police. Call the chief now!" Officer Johnson went back to his cruiser and apparently made a call by CELL PHONE so it would not be traced. When he came back to Gooley's blue, Ford truck, Johnson had a completely different attitude towards Gooley. It no longer seemed to matter that Gooley admitted to drinking, or NO LICENSE, or no insurance. No field sobriety test was done of any sort. Gooley was issued a ticket for no license and instructed on how he could take care of it on the very next business day, then he was asked to walk.
That one I could kind of understand. But considering that it had already happened once, you wouldn't think that they would let him go for the same thing again, would you? Oh, but they did. October 2003 they pulled him over as he was pulling out of his home parking space, just before the sun set. But this time they didn't even give him a warning ticket. Once again, Gooley barked orders to the officers to "call the chief". Instead, they threatened his passenger that the passenger had to drive for Gooley or the child in the car would be taken from the passenger. It didn't matter to the officer that the passenger was unaware that Gooley had been drinking until he admitted it to the officer. But Gooley was still, once again, let go without even a field sobriety test.
There have also been at least 2 times that I have videotaped the Keokuk police disregarding my complaints of being threatened. One of these persons, Jason St.Clair, was allowed to drive away even though the officers were made aware that he is not a licensed driver. The other person, Daryl Palmer, turned out to be a convicted sex abuser from the state of Florida. He was babysitting my daughter in the stead of the DHS approved childcare provider, Lindsay Palmer, while she left her home, left my daughter, and left sex abuser to care for my daughter. The Keokuk police completely disregarded my concerns for my daughter, and disregarded the threats, and told me to leave the premises. They never even bothered to check Mr. Palmer's record.
I have not even begun to list all of my concerns about the Keokuk police. Although it may not seem so, this has just been the short, abbreviated description.
But with all this in mind, my questions and thoughts are thus.....
Am I misunderstanding what is normal, honorable, and correct?
Are these things normal police procedure?
Would Chicago, St.Louis, Dallas, New York, Kansas City, San Francisco, or any other police department do it this way?
I didn't think so according to what their officers told me but, did I just misunderstand the correct policies and procedures?
I have seen for myself how quick some Keokuk officers are to become hostile towards a citizen who questions or even spends to much time trying to talk to them.
Can we trust these officers to carry TASERS? Can we trust them, as taser rookies, to follow proper taser procedure???
Can we even trust our local government to protect the innocent citizens and possible victims when if, and when, a taser situation goes BAD??? "
Tasered in a small town wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:33 PM:
" First to "wondering" There is NO need for tasers in Keokuk at all. This town is ruled by overly wealthy power hungry citizens who keep getting wealthier and overpopulated by lower class citizen who keep getting poorer and don't have enough power to do anything about it. There is a lot more crime than you would think a small town would have but we have more police per capital than most small towns due to the power hungry rulers. We do not live in a scary palce unless you are scared of cops. I personally have walked in the "scary alleys of Keokuk" all alone at night even on the 1300th block of Main at 2:00. The police station is a block away. Your more likely to get arrested (and now tasered) for no apparent reason other then being seen in that block then get injured by a violent criminal.
I've never stoped to think that maybe it's the close proximity of the police station to the bars and the number of police officers that increases the crime rate. Maybe we could have a discussion about that bloggers. I'm undecided.
To everyone out there talking about our good cops and our bad cops or police officer or whatever. I'm just going to call them cops and hope too many people aren't offended. Anyways the fact is that we pretty much all agree that there are some bad cops in this town. That at least one cop has abused his power at one point in time. Right? Well then our whole police force is too blame because the "good" cop that looks away when a "bad" cop beats the crap out of some "violent" speeder is just as bad. Or when a "good" cop covers up that his fellow officer is abusing his wife..... Really??? Is he a GOOD cop?
I could go on and on with examples but i think we get the point. It's up to these good cops to stop the bad ones and obviously if there are still bad ones we have no good ones.
Someone mentioned i hope the police and the city don't get sued when they taser a meth addict and it kills them. I don't wish anyone to get hurt with these things but if someone has to i hope the city does get sued and i hope the meth addict is one of our overly wealthy outstanding citizens. Then when someone important dies maybe the government would realize these things are dangerous and that the meth problem is not only a problem with the poor.
Someone else said something about if we could send people to better rehabs everything would be better. How about this for Keokuk Rehab. Lets start with employment opportunities for everyone, college graduates, high school grads and the drop outs because in this town you run into all problems when looking for a job. The educated can only find jobs they are over qualified for, if they do actually get them they don't pay much. The high school graduates and drop outs can't get the jobs because why hire them when college grads are taking the jobs for less money. Well anyways after we work on employment which would give everyone hope that they might have a chance in life. Lets get some affordable fun places to go in this town for the youth and the adults. Maybe we could have live music here sometimes at our bars and parks without breaking any ordinances or having an over abundent police patrol. If people have money and other things to do besides drugs it might help with the crime. Crime happens because people are bored. Also i think an affordable transit system would be nice. I say this because when someone has been in a financial rut it's hard to dig out. One of the things i hear the most is I need to get a job so I can buy a car but I can't get to work because I can't afford a ride.
To leave on a whole different topic then tasers. And with a joke.
To Ugh: The solution to the sleepy cops working 12 hour shifts: We give them a dose of aderol or ritilin like we give the kids and they should either perk right up and have the equal mindset of a meth head or they will die of a heart attack. "
I've never stoped to think that maybe it's the close proximity of the police station to the bars and the number of police officers that increases the crime rate. Maybe we could have a discussion about that bloggers. I'm undecided.
To everyone out there talking about our good cops and our bad cops or police officer or whatever. I'm just going to call them cops and hope too many people aren't offended. Anyways the fact is that we pretty much all agree that there are some bad cops in this town. That at least one cop has abused his power at one point in time. Right? Well then our whole police force is too blame because the "good" cop that looks away when a "bad" cop beats the crap out of some "violent" speeder is just as bad. Or when a "good" cop covers up that his fellow officer is abusing his wife..... Really??? Is he a GOOD cop?
I could go on and on with examples but i think we get the point. It's up to these good cops to stop the bad ones and obviously if there are still bad ones we have no good ones.
Someone mentioned i hope the police and the city don't get sued when they taser a meth addict and it kills them. I don't wish anyone to get hurt with these things but if someone has to i hope the city does get sued and i hope the meth addict is one of our overly wealthy outstanding citizens. Then when someone important dies maybe the government would realize these things are dangerous and that the meth problem is not only a problem with the poor.
Someone else said something about if we could send people to better rehabs everything would be better. How about this for Keokuk Rehab. Lets start with employment opportunities for everyone, college graduates, high school grads and the drop outs because in this town you run into all problems when looking for a job. The educated can only find jobs they are over qualified for, if they do actually get them they don't pay much. The high school graduates and drop outs can't get the jobs because why hire them when college grads are taking the jobs for less money. Well anyways after we work on employment which would give everyone hope that they might have a chance in life. Lets get some affordable fun places to go in this town for the youth and the adults. Maybe we could have live music here sometimes at our bars and parks without breaking any ordinances or having an over abundent police patrol. If people have money and other things to do besides drugs it might help with the crime. Crime happens because people are bored. Also i think an affordable transit system would be nice. I say this because when someone has been in a financial rut it's hard to dig out. One of the things i hear the most is I need to get a job so I can buy a car but I can't get to work because I can't afford a ride.
To leave on a whole different topic then tasers. And with a joke.
To Ugh: The solution to the sleepy cops working 12 hour shifts: We give them a dose of aderol or ritilin like we give the kids and they should either perk right up and have the equal mindset of a meth head or they will die of a heart attack. "
wondering wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:59 PM:
" Geez, this Keokuk must be a really tough place to live. I've heard it referred to as 'River Rats' and I know buying a house there is probably one of the cheapest places to buy in the country. Look at your MLS Realty for Keokuk. Even your taxes are very low. I guess sidewalks and streets probably suffer because of it. Pictures of downtown look a bit dirty and there are many bars. Since now they need tasers, I would guess there is a great deal of crime, and...how big is this town? 9,000 or 10,000? That's not a whole lot of people and to have so much crime in such a small town that is called a 'City' is really unreal so I guess maybe tasers are necessary. Isn't there a curfew in this place too? So, there must be a tough, tough, problem with children and teens. "
OMG wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:56 AM:
" Ha, you guys crack me up. If only you had a clue. It's about time KPD got them. I prefer the expandable baton myself. Why? You’ll remember what happened 5 weeks later while your arm or leg is still in a cast. Taser’s only stuns for 5 seconds, you catch your breath and then get dusted off. Allows officers enough time to gain controll of the individual. No, Taser’s do not Kill!
If you prefer to be shot, well, that’s your prerogative because once the shooting stops, you will not be breathing. Why? You aim center mass and eliminate the threat.
12-hour shifts are great. 6 to 6 would be better than 8 to 8 in my opinion. It will boost officer moral and allow officers to spend a greater amount of quality time with friends and family. It’s the officers responsibility to make sure they get a good 7 – 8 hours of sleep prior to shift. After all, you’re usually up 16 – 17 hours per day anyway.
Officers have to walk into situations blind; they have to take control of the situation at the onset if you don’t like it, to bad. After all is said and done, the officers’ number one job is to go home at the end of their shift. You may go to jail but the officer is going home. The officers at KPD are a great group of guys. I know most of them.
Keep up the great, thankless work. BE SAFE out there. "
If you prefer to be shot, well, that’s your prerogative because once the shooting stops, you will not be breathing. Why? You aim center mass and eliminate the threat.
12-hour shifts are great. 6 to 6 would be better than 8 to 8 in my opinion. It will boost officer moral and allow officers to spend a greater amount of quality time with friends and family. It’s the officers responsibility to make sure they get a good 7 – 8 hours of sleep prior to shift. After all, you’re usually up 16 – 17 hours per day anyway.
Officers have to walk into situations blind; they have to take control of the situation at the onset if you don’t like it, to bad. After all is said and done, the officers’ number one job is to go home at the end of their shift. You may go to jail but the officer is going home. The officers at KPD are a great group of guys. I know most of them.
Keep up the great, thankless work. BE SAFE out there. "
abusive government wrote on Sep 3, 2008 7:05 PM:
" People better get used to being abused .You want to know whats in store for our future type (American concentration camps) in your search . People who refuse to see what's happening better open their eyes for your children's sake. Look at the Indiana camps "
Ha Ha wrote on Sep 3, 2008 12:46 PM:
" Well that sure didnt take long . The police tasered some one this week end . No they wont abuse them . It wont get dark when the sun goes down either "
Ugh wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:32 AM:
" Wonderful! And now I hear the Keokuk Police Department will be going to 12 hour shifts soon. The day shift will be working 8am to 8pm and the night shift will work 8pm to 8am. Do you seriously want an officer who has been up all night responding to a call on the eleventh hour of their shift when they are too tired to make a critical decision? A tired officer is less responsive and I have a feeling the officers who are working the 8pm to 8am shift are going to be the ones who are going to be using the tasers more often. Heck, they will be so tired they won't even remember using the tasers. Might want to just stay home from 8pm to 8am to avoid having to deal with the sleepy or sleeping police officer on duty. Statistics already show that the LAST 4 hours of a police officers shift are usually the most dangerous and when an officer most often use their gun. And now they are going to add 4 more hours on top of this? Here is an interesting article on sleep deprivation http://www.officer.com/web/online/On-the-Street/The-Most-Underestimated-Hazard-of-Police-Work/21$34943 "
Id rather be shot wrote on Sep 3, 2008 10:30 AM:
" To Shy: Do you think the police are going to stop and ask someone if they have a medical condition before they tase them? Very doubtful! Personally, I think I would rather the police shoot me in the leg or arm over being tased. My plan is to never be in that kind of situation to begin with but I'm just saying I'd rather be shot. I would just hate to see someone get killed because they are upset and can't control their emotions very well. Doesn't matter if they have done something wrong or not, death is hard on everyone involved. Can you imagine if you're the cause of an unnecessary death? "
shy wrote on Sep 3, 2008 4:33 AM:
" I live in a community where the police dept carries tasers already. I work at the hospital where the tasered people are evaluated post the shock. The typical harm done by tasing is a red mark where the prongs make contact. I have also witness a tasing. I would not want it done to me. However I would respect and cooperate with the police. Keokuk has always been a rough town. My grandfather was an officer. The police dept has a hard job! They are responding to a emotionally charge situation trying to control the scene and keep themselve and bystanders safe. The taser just give them another tool. They won't have to risk harm to themselve or the person they are trying to control. People that are injuried while being tased typically have underlying medical issues already. Heart conditions, drug abuse etc. This is a less lethal way to control people that are out of control. Remember people, they are here to help protect and serve us. Show a little respect!!! You don't know when you will need them. "
To Yougottabekiddingme.... wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:24 PM:
" Although it was long. I agree with 99% of everything you said. You do have to earn respect to get it. We don't have to respect and office just because he shows up in his uniform with his chest pushed out as far as he can get it (it actually looks really silly). But regardless, most of the young ones excluding Wade and Brad who couldn't be any more professional speek down to you and act like you are not as smart as they. It's really to bad it has to be that way.l "
someone you dont know wrote on Sep 2, 2008 5:37 PM:
" gee this is all we need this dept is incompetent enough now as it is next thing you know they will tase people just cause they wear that badge just like speeding and running traffic lights (and yes with out sirens or lights) and sleeping in the back of parking lots on a slow night when they should be patroling. oh and its kinda like the trash can ord,smoking ban and several other things the city did....who all voted on this i know i surly didnt get too... did you get to vote on the tasers? did you ok it? i think its a waste of money this town aint big enought for them to carry those lil lone guns. hell i wouldnt trust them with clubs and mace..... "
Ms. Concern wrote on Sep 2, 2008 2:17 PM:
" To whoever left me the little note about my message. So if you laugh about your family member being a police officer, he must of did something right to become one. Maybe you need to get off your duff, and try to apply and make a difference. And as far as getting better rehabs. SOme of these people can go to rehab after rehab, but they have to want to stay clean for themselves. No rehab is gonna fix that. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. We have more then police officers in this town that are crooked, we have business men and women who are just as bad. It only takes a few people with the name and money and they can run a small town the way that they want too. Oh yeah I know about the innocent until proven guilty. It's hogwash. ALl you have to do around here is get into trouble for drugs or something hard, and if you get on the state payroll you can erase your record. I know many many people who are in prison now because of the jacked up system. And I'm not judging you or anyone else. But stand in the KPD shoes and see if you can make a difference. Instead of being against try to make a change. Back At You! "
to Ms. Concern wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:18 PM:
" Nobody made any of the KPD become police officers. They all chose that career. The reason they continue to arrest the same people is because they throw them in jail for a little while and then let them go. If the government had a better rehab program you wouldn't continue to see the same people get arrested time and time again. Just because you get arrested doesn't mean you broke any laws. Have you ever heard of innocent until proved guilty? Probably not because now days you are guilty until proven innocent.
I also have family and friends that are police officers. The difference is I realize that not all police officers are good people. In fact, one of my cousins works for the KPD and everytime I see him in his uniform I laugh at the fact they gave this guy a job. I also have an uncle that is a police officer upstate, yet he is an excellent officer.
Funny how you harp about being judgmental as you sit and judge the rest of us for having an opinion. This is America lady and we all have the right to our own opinions, no matter how wrong you might think that is. God Bless. "
I also have family and friends that are police officers. The difference is I realize that not all police officers are good people. In fact, one of my cousins works for the KPD and everytime I see him in his uniform I laugh at the fact they gave this guy a job. I also have an uncle that is a police officer upstate, yet he is an excellent officer.
Funny how you harp about being judgmental as you sit and judge the rest of us for having an opinion. This is America lady and we all have the right to our own opinions, no matter how wrong you might think that is. God Bless. "
DONT TASE ME DUDE wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:21 AM:
" If they have it, they are gonna use it. I think the KPD should be required to publicly report each month how many time they fire these things to make sure that they don't make them a routine action every time someone they arrest gets as mouthy as the Officer who is arresting them. It isn't an "us against them" world, officers. Its a serve and protect. When you go out serarching for reasons to make arrests, you lose sight that you are a public servant to protect the citizens -- think Sheriff Andy Taylor and not Cartman off of Southpark. There rests great responsilbity in power and part of that is the integretiy not to use is simply because you can. The taser is a tool for saftey and not for retaliation. "
Ms. Concern wrote on Sep 1, 2008 7:56 PM:
" First of all all you people that seem to be down on the KPD, get a life. Just try their job s for a week, I bet you would change your tunes. Try arresting the same people over and over for the same thing, can people just grow up and get a life. These men have to work 12 hour shifts and try to maintain their performance. It would be hard. If we didn't have rules and the police, what kind of life would we have? It would be kaos. People need to start worrying about themselves, and if you didn't break the law you wouldn't have to worry about the police. So many judgemental people. Nobody has a clean closet, So why worry about somebody elses life. Try to make a difference in someones life. I have family and friends on the police force here and in other states. Would you like to have to worry if they are going to come home at night. Look what happen to the very loved fireman who lost their lives and the kids. You never would of thought it would happen in this town. the 911, these hurricanes, tornadoes. People wake up . God is trying to tell us all something. Lets just get along and love one another. God Bless "
yougottobekidding wrote on Aug 31, 2008 3:52 AM:
" TO MARRIED TO AN OFFICER,
you got to be kidding me lady,
has it ever occurred to you the reason that most folks here have no respect for our local officers. Honey while you're sitting home in your cozy house with your sweet kids. Your officer/husband is being disrespectful to most of the citizens of this town. Why do some folks get Irate by the time officers do get to the call and thats if they go to the call. The folks that made the call for help are upset because they didn't get the help when they need it. I don't feel sorry for the officers that have to deal with dopeheads . Because the police and all law enforcement in this area know who they are , know what they are doing and when . They would rather turn their heads than nip the drug problem in the butt before it gets to the point that they have to wrestle with the crazed no fazed person. I've lived in this town for 47 years and have witnessed the law enforcement go from somewhat ok to deplorable. I'll have respect for law enforcement when they show respect for the public. I'll show respect for them when they shut up their condescending tone and mouth when I am telling them information they need to know. They come bargeing out of the police cars barking about something they don't even know about. they won't even talk to the person who made the call to find out whos at fault etc. If you try to explain to them what happened you get threatened with arrest. They don't want to know what went on before they got there they only go by what they see when they DO GET THERE IF THEY DO GET THERE> you need to get a babysitter and go under cover and watch and see what your officer/husband is doing while on duty. Never know you might get surprised. OH and if they do have contact with the caller, they leave a card for you to contact them but when you call they either are off duty, can't be reached and never return your call
been there done that and got the tee more times than I can count. If they would arrest the offender right away the dopehead, drunk, abuser what ever the situation may be. they wouldn't have to keep coming back a 3rd or 4th time. and if they come back the 2nd time they threaten to arrest the victim that called. Like I was told one time. My spouse and I came home from a night out. to discover a family member had been accosted by a person that had been visiting our home the attacker was drunk, was told politely it was time to leave by family member the person refused and assaulted the family member. who was an adult. police were called after we got home, no we were not out drinking we had gone out to a late dinner with friends. After they came and took info down and left the attacker came back we told the person to leave our property the attacker was not allowed inside. we called police again, attacker left before they got there and they left again same thing happend a third time. The officer told me if he got a call to come back again we would be arrested. My comment was well if you had arrested the attacker the first time you wouldn't of had to come
back again. . Most of the officers cause their own grief because they think they have the right to be hateful, cruel and down right dirty while wearing that badge. And I say this town and the people in it will regret the tasers . in the end I predict that alot of innocent people will be killed with them more so than if a gun was used instead. This town needs to clean up the lawlessness that goes on right under the law enforcements nose. the officers need to listen more and hold higher moral conduct than what they do now.Then maybe they will get the respect they want. they need to earn it first.. If you want respect you got to give respect to the people. "
you got to be kidding me lady,
has it ever occurred to you the reason that most folks here have no respect for our local officers. Honey while you're sitting home in your cozy house with your sweet kids. Your officer/husband is being disrespectful to most of the citizens of this town. Why do some folks get Irate by the time officers do get to the call and thats if they go to the call. The folks that made the call for help are upset because they didn't get the help when they need it. I don't feel sorry for the officers that have to deal with dopeheads . Because the police and all law enforcement in this area know who they are , know what they are doing and when . They would rather turn their heads than nip the drug problem in the butt before it gets to the point that they have to wrestle with the crazed no fazed person. I've lived in this town for 47 years and have witnessed the law enforcement go from somewhat ok to deplorable. I'll have respect for law enforcement when they show respect for the public. I'll show respect for them when they shut up their condescending tone and mouth when I am telling them information they need to know. They come bargeing out of the police cars barking about something they don't even know about. they won't even talk to the person who made the call to find out whos at fault etc. If you try to explain to them what happened you get threatened with arrest. They don't want to know what went on before they got there they only go by what they see when they DO GET THERE IF THEY DO GET THERE> you need to get a babysitter and go under cover and watch and see what your officer/husband is doing while on duty. Never know you might get surprised. OH and if they do have contact with the caller, they leave a card for you to contact them but when you call they either are off duty, can't be reached and never return your call
been there done that and got the tee more times than I can count. If they would arrest the offender right away the dopehead, drunk, abuser what ever the situation may be. they wouldn't have to keep coming back a 3rd or 4th time. and if they come back the 2nd time they threaten to arrest the victim that called. Like I was told one time. My spouse and I came home from a night out. to discover a family member had been accosted by a person that had been visiting our home the attacker was drunk, was told politely it was time to leave by family member the person refused and assaulted the family member. who was an adult. police were called after we got home, no we were not out drinking we had gone out to a late dinner with friends. After they came and took info down and left the attacker came back we told the person to leave our property the attacker was not allowed inside. we called police again, attacker left before they got there and they left again same thing happend a third time. The officer told me if he got a call to come back again we would be arrested. My comment was well if you had arrested the attacker the first time you wouldn't of had to come
back again. . Most of the officers cause their own grief because they think they have the right to be hateful, cruel and down right dirty while wearing that badge. And I say this town and the people in it will regret the tasers . in the end I predict that alot of innocent people will be killed with them more so than if a gun was used instead. This town needs to clean up the lawlessness that goes on right under the law enforcements nose. the officers need to listen more and hold higher moral conduct than what they do now.Then maybe they will get the respect they want. they need to earn it first.. If you want respect you got to give respect to the people. "
fiveonenine wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:27 AM:
" i've lived here almost 50 years and never have had a bad time with the cops...i've been arrested, cited for speeding and warned a couple times and the cops were always professional and patient with me...they never have threatened me or pointed a gun my way nor caused me any concern for my safety...the several times i called upon the cops for help or advice it was on time and on target...
i think the use of tasers is a good idea, far better than firearms, and i do believe that if anyone was to use a taser for anything other than it's purpose they would probably get arrested or in the case of an law officer, be fired on the spot...
i believe anyone who obeys the laws, follows the rules, and toes the line will have absolutely no problem at all with the cops in town.....
i used to tell my kids that if they are stopped by a cop or asked questions from a cop, there are 3 answers...1: yes sir 2: no sir 3: i don't know sir.......pretty simple really..... "
i think the use of tasers is a good idea, far better than firearms, and i do believe that if anyone was to use a taser for anything other than it's purpose they would probably get arrested or in the case of an law officer, be fired on the spot...
i believe anyone who obeys the laws, follows the rules, and toes the line will have absolutely no problem at all with the cops in town.....
i used to tell my kids that if they are stopped by a cop or asked questions from a cop, there are 3 answers...1: yes sir 2: no sir 3: i don't know sir.......pretty simple really..... "
everyone has an opinion wrote on Aug 29, 2008 7:24 PM:
" The Keokuk Police Department was founded in 1848 following the election of the first city government. It has grown from a 3 person department to a full service law enforcement agency dedicated to providing QUALITY PROFESSIONAL Law Enforcement services to the community. (from the KPD website)
Notice it says QUALITY, PROFESSIONAL law enforcement. Which I think a majority of the officers on our police force strive to do just that. But you have to understand it takes just one instance for someone to deal with a police officer and have them talk down to you, not listen to what you are telling them, dismiss you as hysterical, or just be rude and disrespectful and that can easily make that person dislike that officer. I am sure that may have happened to a few people on here. No one is above the law whether you wear that badge or not. That badge makes you no better than anyone else in this town. Hiding behind the badge is not acceptable either. The police officers in this town do have to deal with alot of stress, and they see the same people getting in trouble over and over again. So I suppose after a while you would become jaded. Of course being a Police Officer is a career decision, no one is forcing them to do it. I think that mostly we have good officers, there hearts are in the right place. Do they always deal with every situation the right way? No, they are human just like everyone else. I do agree that we have some very young over-zealous officers on the force at this time. I have watched them in situations were they could have handled themselves better. Is it because they are young and inexperienced, or will they end up like some senior officers who have no idea how to deal with the public? I guess only time will tell. As to having tasers on one hand they are needed ( the 1300 block alley is very scary at 2:00 AM) but it would be nice if we could vote on which officers get them. Hopefully they will only be used when absolutley needed but I wouldn't bet on that. As for the good and bad officers. Jay Whitaker, Scott Rager, Scott Kindig, Brad Johnson, Brock Gallbreath, Haflinger, Rico, Kevin Church, The Young Whitaker, and Wade Johnson..(these are who I can remember) those are what I call good cops. Some like Ticketron and Kiwanis' Officer of the Year are the worst officers I have ever seen. But these are my own opinions, with what I have observed by watching the KPD. I just hope the city and an Officer doesn't get sued if some meth user keels over after getting tased. "
Notice it says QUALITY, PROFESSIONAL law enforcement. Which I think a majority of the officers on our police force strive to do just that. But you have to understand it takes just one instance for someone to deal with a police officer and have them talk down to you, not listen to what you are telling them, dismiss you as hysterical, or just be rude and disrespectful and that can easily make that person dislike that officer. I am sure that may have happened to a few people on here. No one is above the law whether you wear that badge or not. That badge makes you no better than anyone else in this town. Hiding behind the badge is not acceptable either. The police officers in this town do have to deal with alot of stress, and they see the same people getting in trouble over and over again. So I suppose after a while you would become jaded. Of course being a Police Officer is a career decision, no one is forcing them to do it. I think that mostly we have good officers, there hearts are in the right place. Do they always deal with every situation the right way? No, they are human just like everyone else. I do agree that we have some very young over-zealous officers on the force at this time. I have watched them in situations were they could have handled themselves better. Is it because they are young and inexperienced, or will they end up like some senior officers who have no idea how to deal with the public? I guess only time will tell. As to having tasers on one hand they are needed ( the 1300 block alley is very scary at 2:00 AM) but it would be nice if we could vote on which officers get them. Hopefully they will only be used when absolutley needed but I wouldn't bet on that. As for the good and bad officers. Jay Whitaker, Scott Rager, Scott Kindig, Brad Johnson, Brock Gallbreath, Haflinger, Rico, Kevin Church, The Young Whitaker, and Wade Johnson..(these are who I can remember) those are what I call good cops. Some like Ticketron and Kiwanis' Officer of the Year are the worst officers I have ever seen. But these are my own opinions, with what I have observed by watching the KPD. I just hope the city and an Officer doesn't get sued if some meth user keels over after getting tased. "
veni vidi vici wrote on Aug 29, 2008 4:34 PM:
" To Just Because:
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! "
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! "
just because wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:46 AM:
" to: veni vidi vici
Just because the police have decided you have done something wrong, doesn't make it so. And just because it's a law doesn't make it a sin. Our laws are all man made, therefore, there will be flaws in them. Several of the laws have only been created so the government can make money.
Say you forget to renew your license plate. You are gonna get a ticket for it. However, no where in the bible does it say "Thou shalt license your vehicle so the government can keep tabs on you" Personally, I answer to God, not a government body. Not that I don't follow the laws, I just think some of them are rediculous.
I know for a fact, although I won't name names due to innocent family members, two police officers in Keokuk, who are married, like to sleep around with younger women while on duty. It's been going on for years. Sin in the bible, yet they get away with it. I'd have to say those are BAD officers.
In my opinion, the KPD, are quite overzealous and I wouldn't trust them with a taser! Just try to argue with a police officer and see how far it gets you. Police officers tend to think you aren't allowed to argue with them, disagreeing could now get you tasered. However, last I checked, disagreeing with someone isn't grounds for arrest or to be tasered. But, I guarantee it will happen. "
Just because the police have decided you have done something wrong, doesn't make it so. And just because it's a law doesn't make it a sin. Our laws are all man made, therefore, there will be flaws in them. Several of the laws have only been created so the government can make money.
Say you forget to renew your license plate. You are gonna get a ticket for it. However, no where in the bible does it say "Thou shalt license your vehicle so the government can keep tabs on you" Personally, I answer to God, not a government body. Not that I don't follow the laws, I just think some of them are rediculous.
I know for a fact, although I won't name names due to innocent family members, two police officers in Keokuk, who are married, like to sleep around with younger women while on duty. It's been going on for years. Sin in the bible, yet they get away with it. I'd have to say those are BAD officers.
In my opinion, the KPD, are quite overzealous and I wouldn't trust them with a taser! Just try to argue with a police officer and see how far it gets you. Police officers tend to think you aren't allowed to argue with them, disagreeing could now get you tasered. However, last I checked, disagreeing with someone isn't grounds for arrest or to be tasered. But, I guarantee it will happen. "
Amy wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:42 AM:
" To those who mentioned that Moberly, Missouri man being tasered by the Police officer. No one knows yet why this man died. There was a similar thing that happened in Chicago too recently. These people are so doped up, and violent. I commend our law enforcement to use whatever necessary means to control these individuals, before they hurt the Officer or someone else. I do not feel sorry for anyone that uses drugs, that is their choice. If they don't or cannot be law abiding citizens, then they need to check in some place and clean their acts up. We live in a sick society, where drugs are so prevailing. They get so high on whatever they are taking, that they are so uncontrollable. Some mix drugs with alcohol, and that makes them even more violent! By the way, that young man in Chicago who was tasered by the Police was higher than a kite! "
Justin wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:09 AM:
" Tasers are new and in the spotlight. One of my kids let some pepper spray loose in the house once, WOW. I have to think that someone has died from respiratory problems after being pepper sprayed, but you don't hear about that because pepper spray has been around for a while. You don't have to watch many cop shows to see that in some cases, if it were not for a taser, the only option left would be to shoot. The chances of your average law abiding citizen being tased are slim. Are the cops perfect, of course not, but I think you are going to really have to work at it to get tased. As far as the Montrose Chief wearing a vest. Seeing a police officer in a vest always makes me fear for my kids safety, NOT! A couple of months ago, I heard on the scanner of a domestic in Montrose where a knife was involved and they thought maybe a gun. Call me crazy, but I think I would want a vest if I had to respond to a call like that. Do you think that domestics are not allowed in Montrose during the Watermellon festival? "
Redman wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:22 AM:
" OK everyone chill out. As I stated previously - I'm for the police having tasers. And please, quit calling them cops. They are police officers and they deserve our respect. Get drunk or get high, drive, get unruly or hostile, get tased out of you. OK - real simple - get stupid - get tased.
I agree withi veni, vv, tase them until they fry. That may be the only way to rid our city of our rif raf.
No, I am not related to any police officer in any city. "
I agree withi veni, vv, tase them until they fry. That may be the only way to rid our city of our rif raf.
No, I am not related to any police officer in any city. "
veni vidi vici wrote on Aug 28, 2008 7:25 PM:
" Dear all you scumbags and bleeding arts,
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.... Get over all your crying. Quit sinning, and the police won't have to fry you. Being this is Keokuk, the police should set the damn thing on 30 seconds, not 5. Might improve the collective intelligence of this city. "
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.... Get over all your crying. Quit sinning, and the police won't have to fry you. Being this is Keokuk, the police should set the damn thing on 30 seconds, not 5. Might improve the collective intelligence of this city. "
Get a different job wrote on Aug 28, 2008 2:11 PM:
" If the job is so bad, do something else! Nobody is forcing any of them to be police officers. Regardless of the people they deal with, they have no right to treat them poorly.
As for the tasers, check out the story on www.khqa.com. A person died in Mobely, Mo. the other day after being tased "
As for the tasers, check out the story on www.khqa.com. A person died in Mobely, Mo. the other day after being tased "
AL wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:59 PM:
" To Curious:
There all good people and good officers, the people they deal with are dirtballs, drunks, drug addicts, and wife/child beaters. Thats why they need the tasers. God bless em. "
There all good people and good officers, the people they deal with are dirtballs, drunks, drug addicts, and wife/child beaters. Thats why they need the tasers. God bless em. "
IF YOU NAME THEM... wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:54 PM:
" If you name the "BAD" cops & the reason they are "BAD" please also list your name...that way if someone else thinks
your "BAD", they can give their reason why... maybe you might even get a response from the cop you think is "BAD"
Cops do have attitudes...but, once again, you do their job for a year, deal with the crap that they deal with, I bet most
of you would be singing a different tune... "
your "BAD", they can give their reason why... maybe you might even get a response from the cop you think is "BAD"
Cops do have attitudes...but, once again, you do their job for a year, deal with the crap that they deal with, I bet most
of you would be singing a different tune... "
Just Wondering... wrote on Aug 28, 2008 12:25 PM:
" just wondering if this case will affect anything...saw this on the KHQA website today...
Taser used by officer leaves suspect dead
MOBERLY, MO. (AP) -- Police say a 23-year-old suspected drunk driver is dead after an officer fired a Taser at him during a traffic stop in Moberly.
Moberly police say Stanley James Harlan was pronounced dead at a hospital after the incident at 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
Police Commander Kevin Palmatory said the officer who made the stop suspected Harlan was driving drunk and placed him under arrest. He said when Harlan resisted, the officer deployed his Taser twice in an effort to subdue him.
Palmatory said moments later Harlan became unresponsive and officers started CPR until paramedics arrived and tried to revive him.
Moberly police have asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate. "
Taser used by officer leaves suspect dead
MOBERLY, MO. (AP) -- Police say a 23-year-old suspected drunk driver is dead after an officer fired a Taser at him during a traffic stop in Moberly.
Moberly police say Stanley James Harlan was pronounced dead at a hospital after the incident at 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
Police Commander Kevin Palmatory said the officer who made the stop suspected Harlan was driving drunk and placed him under arrest. He said when Harlan resisted, the officer deployed his Taser twice in an effort to subdue him.
Palmatory said moments later Harlan became unresponsive and officers started CPR until paramedics arrived and tried to revive him.
Moberly police have asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control to investigate. "
Curious wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:53 AM:
" In no way am I being confrontational when I ask this, but I am curious as to who everyone thinks the "bad" cops are and who the "good" cops are? I have never had a bad experience with any police officer in Keokuk. Are the "bad" cops only looked as being bad from the perspective of the people who may have been cited or arrested by them? Again, not being confrontational, I am just curious if people sincerely believe there are bad cops in Keokuk and if so, name them and why are they being considered bad, because I would sure like to know. "
VBrown wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:49 PM:
" married: If my husband treated people the way some of the cops in this town treat people, I would say he deserved to have people criticizing him. Anyway, I don't know whether your husband is one of the bad cops or the good cops. My comments were about the bad cops in this town only. Don't jump to the conclusion that I meant *your* husband unless you know, deep down, that he's one of the ones I was referring to.
I hope I never need a cop in this town. I would rather keep peace with my neighbors and avoid hanging out with lawbreakers. I would certainly never turn to a cop for help in anything but the most serious of emergencies (if then). The words "*help* the public" don't necessarily apply to the philosophy of some of our cops. And, unfortunately, you never know who you'll get when you make that call.
I guess it's the same all over, not just here. It's too bad that a few rotten apples can ruin the barrel, when it comes to public perception of law enforcement. Maybe cops should "police" their own a little better. "
I hope I never need a cop in this town. I would rather keep peace with my neighbors and avoid hanging out with lawbreakers. I would certainly never turn to a cop for help in anything but the most serious of emergencies (if then). The words "*help* the public" don't necessarily apply to the philosophy of some of our cops. And, unfortunately, you never know who you'll get when you make that call.
I guess it's the same all over, not just here. It's too bad that a few rotten apples can ruin the barrel, when it comes to public perception of law enforcement. Maybe cops should "police" their own a little better. "
Roflcopter wrote on Aug 27, 2008 3:55 PM:
" @(SURPRISINGLY) STILL MARRIED:
CAPS ARE KEWL BUT NOT WHEN U USE THEM TO HURT MY E-FEELINGS. "
CAPS ARE KEWL BUT NOT WHEN U USE THEM TO HURT MY E-FEELINGS. "
STILL MARRIED wrote on Aug 27, 2008 3:13 PM:
" ROFLCOPTER...
I ALSO SAID PEOPLE NEED TO GET SOME COMMON SENSE, HINT HINT!! "
I ALSO SAID PEOPLE NEED TO GET SOME COMMON SENSE, HINT HINT!! "
Roflcopter wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:03 PM:
" married to an officer wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:34 PM:
"try to remember the number you call or will call when you need help,"
Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters.
married to an officer wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:34 PM:
"i sure hope that you never need their help,"
I ain't afraid of no ghosts. "
"try to remember the number you call or will call when you need help,"
Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters.
married to an officer wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:34 PM:
"i sure hope that you never need their help,"
I ain't afraid of no ghosts. "
JR wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:02 AM:
" @ Im against it for now
I agree that there will be an instance of a taser being used by someone who can't wait to use it, but I'm not so sure it will be a young cop. There are some older officers on the force that should have the motto of instigate & intimidate instead of the ol' serve & protect. Or maybe we should be leery of both? "
I agree that there will be an instance of a taser being used by someone who can't wait to use it, but I'm not so sure it will be a young cop. There are some older officers on the force that should have the motto of instigate & intimidate instead of the ol' serve & protect. Or maybe we should be leery of both? "
married to an officer wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:34 PM:
" OK..let me see if I am understanding some of you... You expect my Lets let them do their jobs & maybe try to support them unstead of criticizing!! When you make your comments on here try to remember the number you call or will call when you need help, i sure hope that you never need their help, but if you do, i hope that maybe then you can come back on here & actually type in something good about the officers in this town.
Also...about the bulletproof vest...while my husband wears one everyday/night...why..because that was what I asked him to do when he became an officer.. maybe you don't feel like he needs it but i do... for 2 reasons & they are both asleep right now...& can't wait to see their dad when he comes home in the morning!!
Step up & do their job..but not just for a day or week but try actully for a year... deal with the same people with the same problems over & over & over again... deal with the guy who beats his girlfriend...they arrest him take him to jail & before the officer is done with the paperwork..she's picking him up!! Want thusband ( the daddy to our 2 KIDS) to go out on duty & deal with the idiots in this town with what, only a gun? Are you only going to give him one bullet too? You all have got to be kidding me. Think about what you are writing, they aren't going to pull you over for speeding...walk up & ask for your license & then tase you!! GIVE ME A BREAK!! If you don't do anything to the POLICE OFFICERS..well, they will not have to use their tasers!! It's called common sense people...alot of you need to get some!!
The officers have been trained on how & when to use the tasers.o guess how often this happens? Let's see, how often do you think they have to deal with someone so out of it on drugs that the pepper spray doesn't even faze him?? All the mouthy teenagers in this town who don't respect anyone.. especially the police...why?? because mom & dad don't either!!
I'm glad there are 4 or 5 cars that show up at the bars.. but as for 2 officers getting out of each car... really?? do the math.. that would be 8 to 10 officers on that shift..and the most on one shift, if everyone is working, is 5. There are 4 to 5 officers on duty per shift. So, I guess 4 or 5 cars arriving at the scene would be right but not 8 to 10 officers. Think of it this way..if you were the one going to a "bar" fight..would you want to go in alone? Not knowing who's fighting, if they have any weapons...I'm sure you would rush right in...
You all can say what you want... but I'm proud of my husband for the job he does ... he's a good officer!! Alot of the guys on the force are!! Maybe you all need to try to get to know them & their job before you criticize!! And as to you VBROWN.. my husband doesn't go on "power trips" or abuse his position...just remember all of these men are someones family & how would you feel about people talking about your family the way some of you have talked about mine!!?? "
Also...about the bulletproof vest...while my husband wears one everyday/night...why..because that was what I asked him to do when he became an officer.. maybe you don't feel like he needs it but i do... for 2 reasons & they are both asleep right now...& can't wait to see their dad when he comes home in the morning!!
Step up & do their job..but not just for a day or week but try actully for a year... deal with the same people with the same problems over & over & over again... deal with the guy who beats his girlfriend...they arrest him take him to jail & before the officer is done with the paperwork..she's picking him up!! Want thusband ( the daddy to our 2 KIDS) to go out on duty & deal with the idiots in this town with what, only a gun? Are you only going to give him one bullet too? You all have got to be kidding me. Think about what you are writing, they aren't going to pull you over for speeding...walk up & ask for your license & then tase you!! GIVE ME A BREAK!! If you don't do anything to the POLICE OFFICERS..well, they will not have to use their tasers!! It's called common sense people...alot of you need to get some!!
The officers have been trained on how & when to use the tasers.o guess how often this happens? Let's see, how often do you think they have to deal with someone so out of it on drugs that the pepper spray doesn't even faze him?? All the mouthy teenagers in this town who don't respect anyone.. especially the police...why?? because mom & dad don't either!!
I'm glad there are 4 or 5 cars that show up at the bars.. but as for 2 officers getting out of each car... really?? do the math.. that would be 8 to 10 officers on that shift..and the most on one shift, if everyone is working, is 5. There are 4 to 5 officers on duty per shift. So, I guess 4 or 5 cars arriving at the scene would be right but not 8 to 10 officers. Think of it this way..if you were the one going to a "bar" fight..would you want to go in alone? Not knowing who's fighting, if they have any weapons...I'm sure you would rush right in...
You all can say what you want... but I'm proud of my husband for the job he does ... he's a good officer!! Alot of the guys on the force are!! Maybe you all need to try to get to know them & their job before you criticize!! And as to you VBROWN.. my husband doesn't go on "power trips" or abuse his position...just remember all of these men are someones family & how would you feel about people talking about your family the way some of you have talked about mine!!?? "
annomynous wrote on Aug 26, 2008 6:57 PM:
" I feel that tasers are a good thing and it is very easy for someone to throw out their judgemental comments, but until you have been in their shoes then you have no idea what our police officers have to go through. I have the highest respect for the police department and what they have done. People might feel that they might abuse tasers, but it could be said that there are some people that abuse the law and put our officers in a position to the point where they have no alternative. What is said about someone who breaks the law and is in fighting mode and is twice the size of an officer he is dealing with and decides he wants to push the officer around and maybe knock him to the ground?. Does that officer have the right to defend himself? Yes, he most certainly does, and as a wife of a fine police officer, I want my husband to come home at night. "
citizens review board wrote on Aug 26, 2008 6:21 PM:
" I would say bit or slapped would be most appropriate for for the dangers our police face rather than shot or stabbed. As far as the comment about not knowing what its like to come face to face with a drunk twice your size in the 1300 blk .Neither do our police as I,ve been there when their called there are always 4 or 5 squad cars with 2 officers in most of the cars plus they all have pepper spray and I haven't noticed but probably night sticks and guns. There is never an instance where an officer is facing a subject one on one . The problem is they have nothing to do all the rest of the time but trying to find reasons to arrest people to justify having so many I saw a minor one night that had been drinking and went into a bar and wasn't served and told to leave .When he went out side officers were setting across the street and stopped him and tried to badger him into saying he was served in the bar even after the guy said he wasn't .They did not want to take no for an answer . I really think some young people would have been intimidated enough by them to have said yes even though they weren't .This kind of action is deplorable and certainly not what the definition of public servants fall under "
Im against it for now wrote on Aug 26, 2008 6:03 PM:
" We have too many cocky, young, rookie cops who I'm sure can't wait to use it. There are some officers that will be respectful and use them only when appropriate however the young ones who think they are cool just for being in a position of authority are the ones who scare me. There should be strict guidelines of when they can be used, and after one is used there should be investigation as to why. It's the officer's word against the citizen and I don't trust most on the force at the moment. I suspect they will start using them just as soon as they get them....may even have a bet to see who uses it first. And I guarantee it will be a rookie. "
Redman wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:37 PM:
" Our police department does need tasers and I support them getting them. Could save one of their lives one of these days. With all the dope heads and drunks around many a policeman has been cut, bit, slapped and assulted in many other ways by these rif-raf. Why should a policeman stand there and take the abuse.? Would you? Only those opposed to our police having the tasers are this rif-raf. Go get em KPD. Tase the heck out of them. Maybe after a few have been tased, the word will spread the word and just maybe could result in less abuse of our police. "
Benefits vs. Risks wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:02 PM:
" I agree with others that the benfits don't outweigh the risks. I don't think this city has enough violent crime or to warrant the need for tasers. I don't disagree that their use has a benefit for LEO's that face difficult and dangerous criminals. But keokuk has few if any of those.
Based on watching the evening news... I think Quincy and Hannibal could probably use a couple tasers. They might be 6 times larger in combined population, but easily have 10-20 times the crime. But I haven;t seen the stats, so maybe it's just a perception. "
Based on watching the evening news... I think Quincy and Hannibal could probably use a couple tasers. They might be 6 times larger in combined population, but easily have 10-20 times the crime. But I haven;t seen the stats, so maybe it's just a perception. "
PRICELSS wrote on Aug 25, 2008 9:19 PM:
" I absolutely loved most of the comment left by: citizens review board...I agree with needing a review board in place for everyone's benefit but the best part of your comment was the last line, " Just like the danger of catching a stray bullet at the Water Melon Festival ".........this is priceless and I AM STILL HOLDING MY STOMACH LAUGHING! Kudos to you! "
Al wrote on Aug 24, 2008 12:53 PM:
" Obviously some of those who feel they know all about police work have never been face to face, one on one with a drunk who is twice their size behind one of the bars in the 1300 bl. of Main at 2:00am. All you have to do is read the paper to see the types of calls that are violent in nature, or at least have the potential to become violent that the KPD answers numerous time each day on all the shifts. "
hamsterkitten wrote on Aug 24, 2008 6:05 AM:
" I think tasers are a good thing when they are used appropriately to end an altercation that is escalating dangerously. We've all seen videos of cops beating a suspect with a night stick- which is worse? Tasers are a quick and effective way to subdue an unruly miscreant, so it seems like a good option to me.
That being said, it is unfortunate that we do not have a good police force right now. Being a police officer used to be something of honor that took courage and dedication. Now it seems like guys with huge egos think it is a way to feed their need to feel superior in some way. At least in this town anyway. There are a couple good guys on the force (mostly the older ones), but the other guys are giving this squad a bad rep. Too bad we can't get the same quality members of the police department as they have on the fire department.
And I agree about the citizens review board. That would be a good idea if anyone listened, which they probably won't because I'm sure the powers that be would just see everyone as uneducated rednecks whose opinions don't matter.
To "that's nice"-- you mentioned they needed to be trained on when to use it... the article does say they had four hours of training and a test on the subject. Just wanted to point that out! "
That being said, it is unfortunate that we do not have a good police force right now. Being a police officer used to be something of honor that took courage and dedication. Now it seems like guys with huge egos think it is a way to feed their need to feel superior in some way. At least in this town anyway. There are a couple good guys on the force (mostly the older ones), but the other guys are giving this squad a bad rep. Too bad we can't get the same quality members of the police department as they have on the fire department.
And I agree about the citizens review board. That would be a good idea if anyone listened, which they probably won't because I'm sure the powers that be would just see everyone as uneducated rednecks whose opinions don't matter.
To "that's nice"-- you mentioned they needed to be trained on when to use it... the article does say they had four hours of training and a test on the subject. Just wanted to point that out! "
Mr. Smith wrote on Aug 24, 2008 4:11 AM:
" Hey everybody let's take care of unruly criminals the old fashion way. Just shoot them!!! Don't act a fool and you won't need to be shot by a gun or a taser. "
R. Bennington wrote on Aug 23, 2008 4:42 PM:
" Don't resist or threaten a cop and you won't have a problem. Is it that hard to be a decent member of society??
Come on, I have been pulled over before, you treat the cop like a human being and he treats you like a human being.
He may give you one of those stupid lectures, but who cares?
What's so difficult about that? I don't care if you like them or not, they shouldn't have to deal with your attitude.
Don't be a Hood Rat, we live in Keokuk for goodness sake. "
Come on, I have been pulled over before, you treat the cop like a human being and he treats you like a human being.
He may give you one of those stupid lectures, but who cares?
What's so difficult about that? I don't care if you like them or not, they shouldn't have to deal with your attitude.
Don't be a Hood Rat, we live in Keokuk for goodness sake. "
citizens review board wrote on Aug 23, 2008 3:56 PM:
" I think a citizens review board for cmplaints against our public servants is long past due .They could be chosen from the jury pool and by changing them at regular intervals would insure impartiality to both parties. Expecting an agency with authority and power over the people to fairly punish its own is always going to be bias to the dept .All agencies of power constantly want to increase its authority. If there is no abuse of power and authority the police should welome the implementation of such a board. I was amused when a friend had relatives here from Las Angeles and expressed her concern for her kids safety. Being at the Montrose Water Melon Festival and seeing the Montrose Chief of police there wearing a bullet proof vest .She said police in Las Angelas dont even wear bullet proof vests at carnivals. There is no question police in this area like to put on the aire of grave danger to get all the high tech crime fighting equipment of the large cities .The only problem is we dont have that type of crime here so they have to invent situations to use it on innocent people. Do you think they are going to have tasers and not be able to wait to use them .Just like the danger of catching a stray bullet at the Water Melon Festival "
info only you form your own opinion wrote on Aug 23, 2008 2:06 PM:
" Check this out:
http://truthnottasers.blogspot.com/2008/04/what-follows-are-names-where-known.html "
http://truthnottasers.blogspot.com/2008/04/what-follows-are-names-where-known.html "
Shirley wrote on Aug 23, 2008 10:00 AM:
" This is very scary. We have very few mature cops on our force. I'm glad our "chief" was so tough that he submitted to the taser. I'm really glad he had no ill effects from it. Many people have. What if they stop a mouthy punk with a heart condition and end up tasing him. He goes into cardiac arrest and dies because he is a stupid kid. Not only does the cop have to lve with that, so does the city. There would be a lawsuit I'm sure. If our cops stop someone that ran a stop sign, all the other officers on duty flocked to where he is to"back him up"..Yep..very scary. "
Tasing is torture wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:08 AM:
" I strongly disagree with the comment by Thats nice...who wrote "tasers are not to be used as instruments of torture... ". Regardless of the circumstances, the use of tasers is torture. The definition of torture is "To inflict agony or pain". Amnesty International says more than 290 people in North America have died after Taser shocks since 2001. In November 2007, the UN Committee Against Torture released a statement saying "use of TaserX26 weapons, provoking extreme pain, constituted a form of torture, and that in certain cases it could also cause death."
To allow the over zealous officers of the Keokuk Police Department carry one more weapon is abstruse. Are the Keokuk Police Department and the City of Keokuk are prepared to fight costly lawsuits regarding abuse of these devices? "
To allow the over zealous officers of the Keokuk Police Department carry one more weapon is abstruse. Are the Keokuk Police Department and the City of Keokuk are prepared to fight costly lawsuits regarding abuse of these devices? "
VBrown wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:39 PM:
" Oh goodie, the power-trip cops in this town now have another way to abuse their position. I don't suppose we could limit use of the tasers to the good cops? Probably not. I bet we have an abuse incident within 2 years. Five at the outside. "
thats nice.... wrote on Aug 22, 2008 6:21 PM:
" that nice...tasers are useful tools and can really cut down on needless harm to ofiicers and suspect alike. That being said, there has to be a definitive written policy regarding their use and comprehensive training for those carrying them.
The taser has been mis-used in other parts of the nation. For example, tasers were used on non-violent (Quakers) protesters in California who only refused to stand up or otherwise aid in their own arrest. No threat of violence was indicated yet the officers used tasers to get the protestors to move. The lawsuits regarding that incident are still in court with the protestors seeking damages over 50 million dollars. In Florida, tasers were used repeatedly to torture a suspect into making a confession. Also in Florida, a jail guard used a taser to repeatedly shock an inmate in reprisal for an earlier assault. Back to California, campus security guards used a taser on an unruly (yet non-violent) teen-age skate-boarder in the L.A. area who spoke back to officers. In New York, a taser was used to subdue a non-compliant motorist who happened to be deaf and a non-english speaker. The list of documented abuses is long.
Of course the list of completely justified uses of the taser is longer. The point I am making is that 1) there needs to be ample oversight as to when the taser can be used. 2) there needs to be training as to when and how to use the taser. While each situation is different, tasers are not to used as instruments of torture nor used as "punishment" for non-violent resistance as in the Quaker scenario mentioned above. Use of the taser can be grounds for costly lawsuits. I applaud the procurement of tasers by the KPD. "
The taser has been mis-used in other parts of the nation. For example, tasers were used on non-violent (Quakers) protesters in California who only refused to stand up or otherwise aid in their own arrest. No threat of violence was indicated yet the officers used tasers to get the protestors to move. The lawsuits regarding that incident are still in court with the protestors seeking damages over 50 million dollars. In Florida, tasers were used repeatedly to torture a suspect into making a confession. Also in Florida, a jail guard used a taser to repeatedly shock an inmate in reprisal for an earlier assault. Back to California, campus security guards used a taser on an unruly (yet non-violent) teen-age skate-boarder in the L.A. area who spoke back to officers. In New York, a taser was used to subdue a non-compliant motorist who happened to be deaf and a non-english speaker. The list of documented abuses is long.
Of course the list of completely justified uses of the taser is longer. The point I am making is that 1) there needs to be ample oversight as to when the taser can be used. 2) there needs to be training as to when and how to use the taser. While each situation is different, tasers are not to used as instruments of torture nor used as "punishment" for non-violent resistance as in the Quaker scenario mentioned above. Use of the taser can be grounds for costly lawsuits. I applaud the procurement of tasers by the KPD. "
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ZG wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:03 PM:
I still can't help but be frustrated about the very common attitude of this town. I have spoken to so many people who have admitted to knowing about some things going on but will tell me to my face that they CAN NOT GET INVOLVED. These are usually the same people that question with disbelief.....How could this happen???
Well, that is EXACTLY how it happens! Because the people who do know REFUSE to come forward and tell the truth to the proper authorities who can, and actually will, do something about it. They REFUSE to STAND UP for what is right. They are only concerned with their own backsides. Only concerned with keeping the comfort, peace, and safety in their own homes.
I can't completely blame them. That is a common human reaction. No one wants to see the ones they love suffer.
BUT....CHEW ON THIS FOR A WHILE........if one does not stand up for an innocent child or neighbor today, then the bad that happens to THEM could happen to US and our loved ones tomorrow!
Because if we let it continue to happen to them, we are giving it more power and opportunity to happen to us! "