Cops and Congress
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Is the summer heat getting to the Thin Blue Line?
That may be an explanation – but certainly no excuse – for some recent questionable behavior of law enforcement officers in Canton, Ohio and Las Vegas, Nevada.
As you may have read, police officers in these cities have come under recent scrutiny – and apparently deservedly so.
In Canton, patrolman Daniel Harless allegedly made threatening comments to a concealed carry permit holder during a June 8 traffic stop. In a video, Patrolman Harless remarks that he should have "executed" 52-year-old William Bartlett of Brewster.
Harless is now on sick leave, pending the results of an internal investigation and discipline hearing for his apparently unprofessional behavior, according to the New Philadelphia Times-Reporter.
Ohioans for Concealed Carry issued this statement: "The behavior of Harless has been roundly condemned by civil rights leaders, attorneys, law enforcement officers and administrators, law professors, news commentators and ordinary citizens across the country."
According to Philip Mulivor, a coordinator for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, this is the first time in the group’s 12-year history it has called for the resignation of any public official.
Mulivor said Ohioans for Concealed Carry represents more than 210,000 concealed carry licensees in Ohio. “We are not in this business to call for resignations but this is an absolutely extraordinary case,” Mulivor told the Times-Reporter.
Think about it. An officer of the law whose professional duty is to protect and serve, threatens an American citizen and pretends to be cop, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner all in the same breath. (Well, at least these are Canton's tax dollars at work and not yours.)
***
And then there's the case of the Las Vegas police officer, who, CBS News reports, "is in hot water after being caught on tape beating a videographer outside of his home. A police department review found that Officer Derek Colling violated police policies when he used excessive force on Mitchell Crooks, reports the Las Vegas Review Journal."
The CBS News report continues: "…the incident occurred on the night of March 20, when the 36-year-old Crooks was in his driveway videotaping police as they investigated a burglary report across the street. Crooks said that when he refused to stop filming, Colling arrested and beat him, with much of the altercation recorded by the camera. In the video, Crooks can be heard yelling in pain while Colling can be heard telling him to 'shut up' and telling him his decision not to turn off the camera put him in 'a world of hurt.'"
(Well, at least these are Las Vegas' tax dollars at work and not yours. One always has to look on the bright side.)
***
Such behavior by those entrusted with a gun and a badge, and a profession that pledges to "protect and serve," is more than a little troubling.
Life experience suggests that it's also one of those acts that far too often goes underreported or unreported altogether.
After all, unless the situation is captured on video, as it was in Canton and Las Vegas, who's going to take anyone's word against the law enforcement official?
Our rights by the Constitution say we are innocent until proved guilty. It would be nice if law officers, at every level, would keep this in mind. The last time I checked, taxpayers did pay their salaries.
Locally, for the most part, I believe our police officers and sheriff's deputies exercise a good deal of restraint. (The latest incident of a Highland County sheriff's deputy being arrested notwithstanding.)
I can't say the same for Cincinnati cops, particularly the younger ones. Of course, I'm going back a few years, so maybe the culture has changed somewhat. But I rather doubt it. From what I've witnessed, it's probably to their benefit that years ago they didn't have dash cameras taping their words and actions. Some were an outright disgrace to their uniform.
Not everyone is cut out for the stress and demands of being a police officer, a deputy or a highway patrolman (woman).
Not everyone with a gun and a badge likes to be reminded for whom they work. (Hint: That'd be the general populace.)
If there's a single law officer in recent years who really understands self-control and professional restraint, perhaps it's West Union Police Sgt. Jason Daniels.
In February, Sgt. Daniels was assaulted by two men outside a West Union gas station after he pulled over a truck with expired tags and tried to make an arrest. The officer was hit from behind, tackled, kicked and punched multiple times, yet managed to make two arrests without losing control of the situation – or his emotions.
It's difficult to imagine that any of us in the same situation on that particular day would have managed it to avert a fatality or two. This officer did.
By and large, the majority of police officers do their jobs and do them well. But when incidents like the ones in Canton and Las Vegas occur, it would be nice if the Thin Blue Line spoke out against them.
Probably won't happen.
While the various law enforcement agencies do not always get along, most are quick to defend one of "their own." (Except when they're not, but that's another column.)
Here's a thought: Police your own like you do the rest of us. And if you aren't too keen on that thought, I've got a few more that the evidence will support.
***
Two of my personal preferences in the Ohio delegation of the United States Congress voted against one another this week in the much-ado-about-nothing-debt-ceiling compromise.
Jim Jordan, a conservative, home-schooling parent and congressman from the Urbana area, voted against the bill.
Rob Portman, a southern Ohio conservative, parent, and senator from the Terrace Park area, voted in favor of the bill.
What is Ohio's most conservative and independent newspaper owner to do?
I have and will likely maintain considerable respect for both Jim Jordan and Rob Portman. That said, here are their respective justifications for their votes:
Congressman Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, released the following statement regarding his vote against the debt limit deal agreed to by President Obama and Congress.
“At the beginning of the year, Democrats demanded a blank check increase in the debt limit with absolutely no spending cuts attached. When that didn’t work, they demanded an upfront agreement for huge tax increases on America’s job creators. Conservatives stood firm, and we succeeded in forcing Washington to begin addressing its spending-driven debt crisis.
“When looking at the details of this deal, a few concerns in particular rise to the top. The framework opens the door to dangerous national security cuts and raises the possibility that six Democrats and one misguided Republican could put tax increases on the table.”
“The requirement that Congress vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment is a positive step. Unless we send a Balanced Budget Amendment to the states, however, promises to cut spending today can always disappear tomorrow. It happens year after year, and it will happen again unless Americans remain vigilant.”
Sen. Portman, who voted in favor of the legislation, issued the following statement.
“This is a step in the right direction because it begins to address Washington's addiction to higher spending and dangerous levels of debt. It is only a first step and there is more to do, but I support the agreement because for the first time ever it begins to address Washington’s underlying spending problem while raising the debt ceiling and avoiding default.
“I also think it establishes a sound principle of dollar-for-dollar spending cuts for any debt limit increase. If Washington pledges to hold all future debt limit increases to the same dollar-for-dollar standard, America could balance the budget within a decade and do away the annual deficits.
“The fights that Republicans have waged to reduce spending and prevent tax increases have turned the tide in Washington. While I was campaigning for the Senate over the last two years, Washington was debating about how big the stimulus bill and health care bill should be and what sectors of the economy the federal government would intrude upon next. Now, while Washington has miles to go, we’re finally debating how much spending can be cut and what pro-growth reforms to tax, energy, regulations and other policies can be put in place to spur private sector job growth.
“Congress and the president must go further to respond to the fiscal and economic crisis. But the spending and deficit reforms in this agreement are a necessary first step to restore fiscal sanity, spur job growth and get the economy back on track.”
Without a doubt, Congressman Jordan and Senator Portman are a lot smarter than your friendly, neighborhood newspaperman. But let me say this, my family and I have lived within a "Balanced Budget Amendment" our entire lives. We do not seek government assistance. We do not knock on our neighbors' door and demand a portion of their hard-earned income. Simply put, we are too damned independent for such charities.
As my good friend Jim Surber said in his most recent column, the Democrats and Republicans have successfully kicked the proverbial can down the road.
Today's adult generation of the 35 and older class have – intentionally or unintentionally – burdened the next generation with more debt and more fiscal liability than at any other time in our great Republic's history.
I hope the U.S. Congress and the Community Organizer in Chief are proud of that legacy.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]
That may be an explanation – but certainly no excuse – for some recent questionable behavior of law enforcement officers in Canton, Ohio and Las Vegas, Nevada.
As you may have read, police officers in these cities have come under recent scrutiny – and apparently deservedly so.
In Canton, patrolman Daniel Harless allegedly made threatening comments to a concealed carry permit holder during a June 8 traffic stop. In a video, Patrolman Harless remarks that he should have "executed" 52-year-old William Bartlett of Brewster.
Harless is now on sick leave, pending the results of an internal investigation and discipline hearing for his apparently unprofessional behavior, according to the New Philadelphia Times-Reporter.
Ohioans for Concealed Carry issued this statement: "The behavior of Harless has been roundly condemned by civil rights leaders, attorneys, law enforcement officers and administrators, law professors, news commentators and ordinary citizens across the country."
According to Philip Mulivor, a coordinator for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, this is the first time in the group’s 12-year history it has called for the resignation of any public official.
Mulivor said Ohioans for Concealed Carry represents more than 210,000 concealed carry licensees in Ohio. “We are not in this business to call for resignations but this is an absolutely extraordinary case,” Mulivor told the Times-Reporter.
Think about it. An officer of the law whose professional duty is to protect and serve, threatens an American citizen and pretends to be cop, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner all in the same breath. (Well, at least these are Canton's tax dollars at work and not yours.)
***
And then there's the case of the Las Vegas police officer, who, CBS News reports, "is in hot water after being caught on tape beating a videographer outside of his home. A police department review found that Officer Derek Colling violated police policies when he used excessive force on Mitchell Crooks, reports the Las Vegas Review Journal."
The CBS News report continues: "…the incident occurred on the night of March 20, when the 36-year-old Crooks was in his driveway videotaping police as they investigated a burglary report across the street. Crooks said that when he refused to stop filming, Colling arrested and beat him, with much of the altercation recorded by the camera. In the video, Crooks can be heard yelling in pain while Colling can be heard telling him to 'shut up' and telling him his decision not to turn off the camera put him in 'a world of hurt.'"
(Well, at least these are Las Vegas' tax dollars at work and not yours. One always has to look on the bright side.)
***
Such behavior by those entrusted with a gun and a badge, and a profession that pledges to "protect and serve," is more than a little troubling.
Life experience suggests that it's also one of those acts that far too often goes underreported or unreported altogether.
After all, unless the situation is captured on video, as it was in Canton and Las Vegas, who's going to take anyone's word against the law enforcement official?
Our rights by the Constitution say we are innocent until proved guilty. It would be nice if law officers, at every level, would keep this in mind. The last time I checked, taxpayers did pay their salaries.
Locally, for the most part, I believe our police officers and sheriff's deputies exercise a good deal of restraint. (The latest incident of a Highland County sheriff's deputy being arrested notwithstanding.)
I can't say the same for Cincinnati cops, particularly the younger ones. Of course, I'm going back a few years, so maybe the culture has changed somewhat. But I rather doubt it. From what I've witnessed, it's probably to their benefit that years ago they didn't have dash cameras taping their words and actions. Some were an outright disgrace to their uniform.
Not everyone is cut out for the stress and demands of being a police officer, a deputy or a highway patrolman (woman).
Not everyone with a gun and a badge likes to be reminded for whom they work. (Hint: That'd be the general populace.)
If there's a single law officer in recent years who really understands self-control and professional restraint, perhaps it's West Union Police Sgt. Jason Daniels.
In February, Sgt. Daniels was assaulted by two men outside a West Union gas station after he pulled over a truck with expired tags and tried to make an arrest. The officer was hit from behind, tackled, kicked and punched multiple times, yet managed to make two arrests without losing control of the situation – or his emotions.
It's difficult to imagine that any of us in the same situation on that particular day would have managed it to avert a fatality or two. This officer did.
By and large, the majority of police officers do their jobs and do them well. But when incidents like the ones in Canton and Las Vegas occur, it would be nice if the Thin Blue Line spoke out against them.
Probably won't happen.
While the various law enforcement agencies do not always get along, most are quick to defend one of "their own." (Except when they're not, but that's another column.)
Here's a thought: Police your own like you do the rest of us. And if you aren't too keen on that thought, I've got a few more that the evidence will support.
***
Two of my personal preferences in the Ohio delegation of the United States Congress voted against one another this week in the much-ado-about-nothing-debt-ceiling compromise.
Jim Jordan, a conservative, home-schooling parent and congressman from the Urbana area, voted against the bill.
Rob Portman, a southern Ohio conservative, parent, and senator from the Terrace Park area, voted in favor of the bill.
What is Ohio's most conservative and independent newspaper owner to do?
I have and will likely maintain considerable respect for both Jim Jordan and Rob Portman. That said, here are their respective justifications for their votes:
Congressman Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, released the following statement regarding his vote against the debt limit deal agreed to by President Obama and Congress.
“At the beginning of the year, Democrats demanded a blank check increase in the debt limit with absolutely no spending cuts attached. When that didn’t work, they demanded an upfront agreement for huge tax increases on America’s job creators. Conservatives stood firm, and we succeeded in forcing Washington to begin addressing its spending-driven debt crisis.
“When looking at the details of this deal, a few concerns in particular rise to the top. The framework opens the door to dangerous national security cuts and raises the possibility that six Democrats and one misguided Republican could put tax increases on the table.”
“The requirement that Congress vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment is a positive step. Unless we send a Balanced Budget Amendment to the states, however, promises to cut spending today can always disappear tomorrow. It happens year after year, and it will happen again unless Americans remain vigilant.”
Sen. Portman, who voted in favor of the legislation, issued the following statement.
“This is a step in the right direction because it begins to address Washington's addiction to higher spending and dangerous levels of debt. It is only a first step and there is more to do, but I support the agreement because for the first time ever it begins to address Washington’s underlying spending problem while raising the debt ceiling and avoiding default.
“I also think it establishes a sound principle of dollar-for-dollar spending cuts for any debt limit increase. If Washington pledges to hold all future debt limit increases to the same dollar-for-dollar standard, America could balance the budget within a decade and do away the annual deficits.
“The fights that Republicans have waged to reduce spending and prevent tax increases have turned the tide in Washington. While I was campaigning for the Senate over the last two years, Washington was debating about how big the stimulus bill and health care bill should be and what sectors of the economy the federal government would intrude upon next. Now, while Washington has miles to go, we’re finally debating how much spending can be cut and what pro-growth reforms to tax, energy, regulations and other policies can be put in place to spur private sector job growth.
“Congress and the president must go further to respond to the fiscal and economic crisis. But the spending and deficit reforms in this agreement are a necessary first step to restore fiscal sanity, spur job growth and get the economy back on track.”
Without a doubt, Congressman Jordan and Senator Portman are a lot smarter than your friendly, neighborhood newspaperman. But let me say this, my family and I have lived within a "Balanced Budget Amendment" our entire lives. We do not seek government assistance. We do not knock on our neighbors' door and demand a portion of their hard-earned income. Simply put, we are too damned independent for such charities.
As my good friend Jim Surber said in his most recent column, the Democrats and Republicans have successfully kicked the proverbial can down the road.
Today's adult generation of the 35 and older class have – intentionally or unintentionally – burdened the next generation with more debt and more fiscal liability than at any other time in our great Republic's history.
I hope the U.S. Congress and the Community Organizer in Chief are proud of that legacy.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.[[In-content Ad]]