Posts Tagged ‘Police’
Neo-Nazi in Western Australia’s Parliament Cites Hitler
Ultra Conservative (read: Neo-Nazi) MP Peter Abetz cited Hitler in a speech he gave in Western Australia’s Legislative Assembly, trying to bolster support for new stop and search laws. From Australia’s ABC News:
There has been fiery debate in State Parliament over the government’s legislation proposing greater stop and search powers for police, with comparisons made to Nazi Germany.
The legislation would allow police to search people for weapons and drugs in areas such as Northbridge without having to prove grounds of suspicion.
Last night Liberal backbencher Peter Abetz spoke in support of the legislation and used the example of Hitler.
He said the dictator gained support because he provided people security in a time of anarchy.
The Opposition’s Mark McGowan today seized on the comments in State Parliament.
But Mr Abetz says he was not…
Vancouver Police Will Use LRAD For Crowd Control
CBC is reporting that the controversial LRAD device used at G20 protests in Pittsburgh is to become standard equipment for police:
Vancouver police have a new crowd control device capable of emitting painfully loud blasts of sound, just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics, CBC News has learned.
The long range acoustic device (LRAD) can use sound as a weapon, emitting levels that cross the human threshold of pain and are potentially damaging to hearing. But it is also designed as a communications device that’s clearly audible up to a kilometre away.
Const. Lindsay Houghton said the device was first tested this summer as a public address system during the Celebration of Light fireworks events in Vancouver.
‘Backing into things like this without proper public discussion … is simply not good policy.”
—Robert Holmes, president…
Minneapolis Police Department Sued for Using Taser on Man with Hands on Car
Emily Kaiser writes in the Minneapolis / St. Paul City Pages:
The Minneapolis Police Department is dealing with yet another lawsuit, this time for allegedly using a Taser on a man’s neck while he is seen with his hands on the car and not resisting the officer. The lawsuit comes in a string of others in recent months that have video evidence of alleged police misconduct.
In this lawsuit, Rolando Ruiz is seen just seconds before the incident with his hands on top of the squad car. He appears calm and not resisting arrest. As the police officer approaches, he puts the Taser against his neck and continues using it until he is incapacitated on the ground, screaming.
His attorney, Albert Goins is suing the City of Minneapolis on behalf of Ruiz, asking for $75,000 and discipline against the officer for violating his civil rights. Goins said he hopes to settle out of court, but is willing to take the steps to do so if the city doesn’t cooperate.
WCCO spoke to a Minneapolis police spokesperson who said Chief Tim Dolan hasn’t reviewed the tape and won’t comment on legal matters.
