Brickbat: Ending the Dispute

Iaroslav Horbunov / Dreamstime.com

A federal jury has awarded Jillian and Andrew Beck $1.6 million after the Becks sued the Las Cruces, New Mexico, police department. The jury found that an officer had used excessive force against Jillian Beck when he threw her down and slammed her face into rocks, breaking her nose and wrist, and unlawfully arrested Andrew when he tried to help his wife. The officers had responded to a dispute between the Becks and a neighbor.

Comments

[Trigger Hippie]

"...the jury determined Baker had used unreasonably excessive force on Jillian Beck in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. He also committed a battery in violation of New Mexico law, the jury ruled. Because the latter was not a criminal charge, Baker is not facing any time behind bars."

"In an interview, Strickland said Jillian Beck was "relieved that the officers were going to be held accountable."
Strickland, in a statement, added: "The jury sent a clear message that this type of behavior towards civilians will not be tolerated in our community."

...Uh,....da' fuck?

The officers faces no criminal charges. The money, once again, is not drawn from the police pension fund but rather leached from the general budget; thus giving the PD absolutely no incentive to change their behavior towards the public,...and she's 'relieved' that the officer were going to be held accountable?

Damn, women. You may also wish to sue the city for police induced brain damage.

Oh, way to step up on the Monday Brickbat, Oliver. Nut-punches from both sides. THAT'S how it's done! 🙂

[Trigger Hippie]

*woman

Fuck you, I have insomnia.

[Get To Da Chippah]

According to the article, the city was not named as a defendant in the case. So why would they be liable for damages?

[Trigger Hippie]

Because the city government is ultimately the entity responsible for maintaining and budgeting an operating police department? And will be forced, ipso facto, to pay for the damages incured?

If the city, county or state has a law in place that makes the officers financially and criminally involved accountable for their actions, or at the very least the department itself, great. Enforce it. But that doesn't seem to be the case here(in nearly all instances I've ever bothered to dig into, police pension funds are exempt from being resourced for monetary liability). Hell, according the the link, the officers involved are still currently employed.

Granted, my GoogleFu is fairly weak but I can't seem to find anything that would suggest that the damages recieved WOULDN'T be drawn from the general budget. If you can provide a link that refutes that I'd be more than happy to withdraw my criticism.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Four years ago, a dispute between neighbors turned violent when a Las Cruces police officer threw a stay-at-home mother onto gravel and intentionally slammed her face into the rocks, causing profuse bleeding, a broken nose and a fractured wrist.

The dispute didn't escalate to violence until - because - police arrived? Interesting.

[Libertarian]

Alt text: Lego displays are becoming edgier.

[Rufus The Monocled]

"During the trial, a police audio recording of the incident was played for the jury. In the recording, Baker can be heard saying "she got thrown" and she got a "face full of rocks," Strickland said. A female officer then said "cool" in response."

Said the cunt in response to the piece of shit.

[Rufus The Monocled]

Until the police pay for their misbehaviour this shit will continue.

And even then I wonder if it would be enough.

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[creech]

I bet many of us would trade a broken nose for $1.6 million. Better result would be to give them, say, $100,000 and fire the assholes who used the excessive force.

[ColoradoKook]

Of course they're still employed, and likely getting high fives from fellow LEOs every time they walk the halls.

[josh]

What goes thru the mind of someone who calls the police:

"They'll come and help me because they'll see I'm telling the truth, and they're here to help"

What usually happens:

Something else.