of extreme police abuses and yet the status of many of these cases are either
unreported by the press or intentionally buried in police bureaucracy. If
we've seen any consequences at all for rogue police behavior it's been grossly
lenient. While the police continue to show us they are incapable of policing
themselves, it's costing Minneapolis citizens big - both in financial payouts
to the victims of police thuggery, and in the loss of our civil rights as the
perception on both sides of the blue-line degrades to an "us versus them"
battle mentality.
We've had unmarked and off-duty cops escalating situations they likely
shouldn't have been involved in, resulting in unarmed citizens being gunned
down. (St. Louis Park 11/3/09, Le Sueur 7/20/09) We've seen unjustified
beatings and tasings documented on video. (Mpls 12/12/08, Mpls 2/19/09, Mpls
4/30/09) In many of these cases there has been conclusive evidence of police
lying in their reports. We've read about the looting practices of the Metro
Gang Strike Force. All this and still we've seen no charges filed against any
one of these officers.
As the wrongful actions of these officers go unpunished, their controversial
interactions with the public seem to increase and are often involving peaceful
citizens. Minneapolis Officer Lucas Peterson was shown in surveillance video
to have fabricated charges against a woman passenger during a traffic stop.
The woman was clearly innocent of any wrongdoing yet had to spend the night in
jail and faced serious charges. Video tape cleared the woman and showed
Officer Peterson's police report to be a fabrication, a total lie. After a
$100,000 settlement against Minneapolis our city issued a statement saying "the
settlement speaks for itself and is a cost-effective resolution to this case."
So, apparently Minneapolis feels this case is resolved and Officer Peterson is
good-to-go, back to his duties on the streets making arrests and writing
reports. What happens the next time Officer Peterson is called to the stand to
testify in a criminal case? Will a real criminal walk free because Officer
Peterson's testimony is no longer credible?
Minneapolis Police Officer Sherry Appledorn is seen in a surveillance video
running up to a suspect who had clearly surrendered himself on the ground.
Without cause she stomps and kicks the suspect repeatedly and then tases him
twice. Officer Appledorn then reports in an interview with a superior officer
that: "The passenger failed to get on the ground. I grabbed him and threw him
on the ground face first. [He] started crawling under the squad in an attempt
to get away. The suspect refused to place his arms behind his back," The
surveillance video shows that none of what Officer Appledorn described ever
happened. I don't know if lying in an interview is technically considered
filing a false report but it looks to be against MPD policy 5-101.01
TRUTHFULNESS and Minnesota Statute 609.43 MISCONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICER OR
EMPLOYEE. Officer Sherry Appledorn is now documented in the press as having
lied about her actions and what she saw. I would think that her future
testimony in criminal matters is now forever suspect. Why is Appledorn still
on the force? Minneapolis will likely be spending big bucks to settle this
pending lawsuit. Don't her actions rise to assault charges? ...lying on a
report? ...something? ...anything? Apparently not much in Minneapolis. KSTP
reported on 11/17/09 (Where was the Strib update/report on this?) that Officer
Appledorn was let off with a mere 20-hour suspension ...and the police
federation is contesting even that. Wow.
Minneapolis and its citizens should show more concern for restoring and
maintaining integrity within our MPD. What must it cost Minneapolis to train
each police officer? Then what value is an officer to the community and the
courts when they are documented liars?
What is the status of the investigation of Minneapolis officers on the Metro
Gang Strike Force? Will we see legitimate investigations that produce
appropriate legal responses or will this be swept under the rug like past
abuses?
The justice system is rigged to hide police corruption but now modern
technology and communication is playing a big role in exposing the police
abuses. Cameras and surveillance videos alert the public, news, blog posts and
public forums like this can keep these issues in the spotlight. It is becoming
increasingly difficult for the police and their associates to hide each
incident. Yet the system is apparently still willing to protect rogue officers
and does not present real consequences to them.
It's been suggested we need more officers who live in our neighborhoods and
feel connected to our communities. I'm sure that would help. The greater need
right now is that we, the citizens of Minneapolis and Minnesota demand
accountability from our law enforcement agencies. We need to see serious
consequences for officers who break laws and are dishonest. We need an
independent state-run board with the power to investigate officer misconduct,
...and to discipline, fire, and file criminal charges when needed. And isn't
this something that any honest cop should welcome and support?
Dean Johnson
Minnehaha