D.C.W.B. (Drinking coffee while black)

[marylander1940]

 

29-year-old Charles Harrell when he was making his way back from a early morning coffee run. Filming his trip, Harrell recorded his interaction with police officer Baron Osterman, who can be seen trailing behind Harrell on a bicycle. Sharing that the police office asked if he “had a problem,” Harrell noted that this was a normal occurrence in his hometown.

 

“This is what we have to go through in Cincinnati, harassment” he said. “You can’t be a black man and enjoy your morning, because the police are going to harass you in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

 

As the video continues to roll, Osterman approaches Harrell for allegedly crossing against the light. In response, Harrell admits that he was frightened by the officer’s trailing of him, stating, “You were scaring me, sir. I don’t know why you’re following me anyway. You followed me all the way down the street.” Osterman then demands that Harrell put his phone and coffee on the ground. Refusing to lay his objects down, Harrell instead offers his I.D., and the officer become physical, warning him: “Don’t reach around.” Harrell is pinned against the wall and handcuffed.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/music/black-man-films-unfortunate-interaction-135800316.html

[Frequentflier]

* In too many areas we have poor hiring practices for cops. If a cop is a nasty individual who doesn't respect people from all types of backgrounds a department can't offset those deficiencies with training. They have no business being in uniform with a badge and gun. Too many are just hammers that see most situations as nails.

* Police unions should be abolished. They grind disciplinary practices to a halt, fleece taxpayers (too high wages/benefits on top of huge legal fees and settlements related to victims claims).

* The DOJ does, I think, a good job once its investigating a department but there is a long line of those that need that attention.