Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Serve & Protect


About 2 1/2 years ago, in Fullerton, California, a known schizophrenic named Kelly Thomas was detained and beaten to death by Fullerton Police Department. It was big news (at least in Southern California) that resulted in in a murder trial for two of the officers. Very rare indeed, as cops are almost never charged with murder. A serious blow to the fragile system and thin blue line between those who are hired to "serve and protect" and those who are to be "served and protected".

On Monday, Jan 13th, 2014, Officers Ramos and Cicinelli were acquitted. The charges against the third officer were dropped.

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I am not here to question the legal system. This is a heartbreaking situation that clearly was full of intent, malice, hatred, and ignorance. There is no doubt that these two officers killed a "homeless man" by beating him to death. There is also no doubt that they would ever be convicted... where on Earth are you going to find a jury of 12 people... that live in the community... that will have to see the police every day... that had no love or relationship with the victim... that pay the salaries of the accused... that need the accused to "serve and protect" them... to stand up and say "Fuck you". 12 innocent people, in a courtroom full of uniformed officers, to say quis custodiet ipso custodien (Who watches the watchmen?).

After all... if you stand out, the police may kill you.

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I think of my son.

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We spent many years (yes, years) in ABA therapy working on something in the business we call "two-step commands". Go to kitchen and put your plate in the sink (related), or go to the living room and jump up and down (unrelated).

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Kelly Thomas was not autistic (to my knowledge), but he was schizophrenic, and homeless, and, to society, had very little value.

But, somewhere, he was a friend. Somewhere he was a mentor. And somewhere he was a son.

And he cried out "Daddy" 31 times in the 5:49 seconds that up to 8 police officers literally beat the living shit out of him.

He cried out "Please" 31 times in the 5:49 seconds that up to 8 police officers literally beat the living shit out of him.

He cried out "I'm sorry" 22 times in the 5:49 seconds that up to 8 police officers literally beat the living shit out of him.

Those do not sound like the cries of "resisting arrest" to me.

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I think of my son.

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We (the public) were lucky enough to have  full video and audio of the entire "arrest". That's how we hear Kelly cry out. That's how we hear Officer Ramos tell Kelly "these are the hands that are going to fuck you up". That's how we hear two officers joke about a misunderstanding about where the gurney is going. That's how we hear officers saying "he's on something" over and over again (toxicology reports proved he was not).

But that's how we don't hear a single officer, passerby, parent, or child say "Kelly, what's going on?"

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It took us many months to master the "2 step command".

And "Lay on your stomach, and put your hands behind your back" at the same time were commands we never tried.

Neither were "serve and protect".

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http://www.latimes.com/videogallery/69846618/News/Full-un-edited-video-presented-in-Kelly-Thomas-murder-trial

This is a link to the unedited ordeal. I only want you to watch it if, for some reason, you think I am lying or making this up. It is gruesome, angering, and heartbreakingly sad.

My heart goes out to Kelly Thomas' parents... who have been very vocal in this case against the police.

Especially as a father to a father... a father that your son cried out for 31 times in his final minutes.





8 comments:

  1. I worry about very similar things.

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  2. I cannot watch the video, I have PTSD and I know that it will trigger me. However, I did read your post and it broke my heart. I have not heard of the case, but I have to steer clear of news media often. This is horrific. My thoughts and heart go out to Kelly Thomas' family as well.

    I am Autistic and I have two boys who are Autistic one of which his responses to a situation could be easily misunderstood. (one boy and my daughter are Aspergers though she is not "officially" diagnosed) My husband and I have had discussions about concerns about the police. People just assume that certain behaviors or responses are being defiant without any consideration for their mental health and/or their physical health and how that can affect a person. Preconceived perceptions can skew what people see and want to see. It is terrifying thought.

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  3. This is scary...I have 3 boys that situations like this cause me to worry....My heart is just saddened

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  4. This has made me sick. We really need to make some changes. Sometimes you have to step the hell up. Their abuse of power is tolerated because we are afraid of them? Who exactly is being protected and served?

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  5. I am a person with Bipolar Disorder. As a person living in society with a disability I am challenged by informing others of my disease. There are many stigmas for us who are afflicted. You wrote that this person had no value to society. In an age where "what we do" is more important that "who we are" it is heartbreaking to witness social injustice let alone, abuse and malice. There are so many appalling facets of this case and yet I thank you for pointing them out. Your willingness to be completely honest about your families struggle shines light on ignorance. As a person with a mental illness who has been homeless herself I say "THANK YOU" !

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  6. So very well said. His story breaks my heart!

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  7. I hate pigs (yes pigs. Deal with it defenders) for the same reasons. I have dogs, and goddess forbid the police every feel the need to execute a No Knock warrant on me. Since I'm within 25 miles of the Canadian border, they have a right to do this, and they have done it in my area.
    They will shoot my dogs, as they are wont to do. I'm so sorry for every parent and person, (and our family pets) who has been murdered and tortured by them.

    The mentally ill and homeless folk are already marginalized by society and are at more risk of murder then us.

    By the way: if you want a snapshot into how LEO think, trot over to the PoliceOne.com site. Check out their avatars. Read the comments. Some of the vilest racist, sexist, classist statements I've read are on there.

    Oh and their jobs are NOT as dangerous as they make out: it's not even in the top 5, and I'm not certain if it's in the top 10. *My* job (dairy farming sector) IS. We don't run around whining about it though

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