Stupid people of the week – Police edition

This week’s basket of stupid is overflowing with cops.

Cobb County Sheriff called deputies for help after Burger King got his order wrong

Body camera video showing deputies helping the Cobb County sheriff with a faulty fast food order started grabbing the attention of voters on Friday.

“The video definitely tuned me in,” said Sophia Farook.

Channel 2 Action News obtained three body camera videos from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office.

Each one shows a deputy responding to the Burger King on Veterans Memorial Highway in Mableton on March 4, 2023.

In the videos, the deputies approach Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens, Sr. in his truck parked in the parking lot.

He tells one of them, “Hey, do me a favor. I need to get, all I need is the owner name of whoever owns this damn facility or the manager.”

“I wanted her [passenger] a Whopper, no mayo, cut in half, right?” Owens said.

The deputies listen as he said, “I don’t need no damn money back no more. I just need to find out who owns this place so I can do an official complaint.”

They do not ask why the sheriff was unable to get the information himself.

They approach the restaurant doors, but the employees had locked themselves inside. Eventually, they open the doors for the three deputies.

One deputy tells the assistant manager: “Nobody is in trouble we just want to get some names.”

He goes on to say: “There isn’t even going to be a report written. That guy out there, he’s just going to file a complaint for his food.”

Once he has the name of the manager and the company that owns the Burger King location, he brings it out to the sheriff.

“These are hourly employees, and they were so concerned that they locked the doors over our elected official,” Farook said.

In the body camera video, a deputy tells the sheriff the employees are in fear because angry customers have escalated to stalking in the past.

The sheriff laughs and says, “You didn’t tell him who I was, did you?”

“No. I just told him it was the guy out in the truck,” The deputy responded.

Owens is up for re-election this year, and his opponent, David Cavender, posted the video online early Friday morning.

He was unable to talk on camera to Channel 2?s Courtney Francisco on Friday night because he was on duty for the Cobb County Police Department.

If elected, Cavendar plans to hire Mike Dondelinger as his chief deputy.

“I think it’s an abuse of power,” Dondelinger said.

He said it’s a form of intimidation and a waste of resources.

“I’m shocked the sheriff feels so flippant about this issue that he would have deputies run lights and sirens, placing citizens at risk and his deputies at risk, just so he could get information from a business owner that clearly could have been followed up on another day,” Dondelinger said.

The sheriff called it a business dispute that any citizen can make.

“I was not in my uniform, and at no point in my interaction with the staff did I identify myself as a member of the law enforcement community. At no point did I indicate my position, nor did I ask the responders to do anything that they would not, had not, or have not done for anyone else who makes a business dispute call,” Owens said.

He said the call is being politicized in an attempt to win votes.

“Whether as a Command Sergeant Major, or a major in the Cobb Police Department, or as sheriff, I have always worked to build confidence and trust in leadership. To our citizens and residents, it is clear that I need to work harder, and I pledge to do so,” Owens said.

He ended with a list of accomplishments and an apology.

“Anything that takes away from that mission is a distraction, and for that, I am deeply sorry, Owens said.

Voters like Farook said they want more information on this race now.

“If I don’t get ketchup on my Whopper, do I get to call police officers with sirens?” Farook said.

Source; WSB-TV

Police sergeant suspended over alleged Nazi salute at academy

A Victorian police officer who was suspended over allegations she performed a Nazi salute on two occasions while on duty has been identified as a sergeant who has been with the force for more than four decades.

The incidents allegedly took place on Tuesday and Wednesday in front of colleagues at the Victorian Police Academy.

A police source, who was not authorised to speak publicly, told The Age that the officer who performed the alleged salute was 65-year-old Sergeant Mandy Finegan. She is also alleged to have said the words, “Heil Hitler”.

Finegan has been a Victoria Police officer for more than 40 years. For the past 16 years, she has worked at the police academy as an instructor on family violence.

Her identity was confirmed by a second police source.

The Age has been told by a police source that the alleged incident occurred during a training class at the academy, where Finegan made the Nazi salute following a dispute with another trainer.

A group of trainees witnessed the alleged incident.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton expressed his disapproval of the alleged incident.

“I want to express … my disgust, my anger at this appalling conduct,” Patton said on Saturday. “It’s abhorrent conduct, and it doesn’t matter who commits it, we will investigate it.”

Patton also took the chance to “profoundly apologise” to Victoria’s Jewish community, for which he said the incidents would “only exacerbate [the] grief and pain” felt following the anniversary of last year’s October 7 attacks on Israel by terrorist organisation Hamas.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard it,” Patton said. “Victoria Police is better than this. It lets down our reputation.”

He said police would investigate, and praised the swift action since the alleged incidents were reported during the week.

A police spokeswoman said on Saturday afternoon that Finegan had been interviewed by Professional Standards Command detectives in relation to allegedly performing a Nazi salute on two occasions. The sergeant has been suspended with pay.

“The officer has been released without charge at this stage as the investigation remains ongoing,” the spokeswoman said.

“A brief of evidence will be prepared regarding the incidents. Any charges arising would be expected to proceed on summons.”

Finegan works within the People Development Command, which is managed by deputy commissioner of capability Robert Hill.

Professional Standards Command, another department overseen by Hill, is investigating the allegations.

Both departments are listed among seven groups responsible for upholding diversity and inclusion in Victoria Police’s workforce framework.

The Police Association of Victoria, the representative union organisation, also criticised the alleged incident.

“[We have] consistently condemned this offensive gesture and urged the government to toughen legislation and penalties against those who perform it,” a spokesperson said. “That stance applies to everyone in our community.”

Laws banning Nazi symbols and gestures in public were introduced by the state government in October last year. A person who commits an offence faces maximum penalties of a fine of $23,000, 12 months’ prison, or both.

On Wednesday, Jacob Hersant, 25, became the first person in Victoria to be found guilty of performing a Nazi salute in public. A magistrate has indicated he would jail Hersant, who is awaiting sentencing.

Other men have also been charged with the same offence, including Nathan Bull, who allegedly performed the Nazi salute at Carlton’s Cinema Nova in March.

It is unclear how Finegan’s alleged salute would be treated under Victorian laws, given the offending is said to have occurred inside a classroom at the police academy, rather than in public.

However, Deakin University Associate Professor Josh Roose, whose research focuses on the intersection of politics, law and violent extremism, said the police academy could arguably be deemed a public space.

He said the academy was a government-funded building, likening it a university, a training campus or educational institution.

“I think it will really come down to what exactly was the context of salute and the intent behind it, and whether it showed any solidarity or any belief in Nazi ideology,” he said.

The Victorian Police Academy is located in Glen Waverley, in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs. It is where new officers complete their first 31 weeks of training upon joining the force.

This masthead has attempted to contact Finegan but she could not be reached before deadline.

In Sydney, prominent restaurateur Alan Yazbek was charged after holding a sign which displayed the Israeli flag with a swastika at a rally on Sunday. He has since apologised, and is set to face court later this month.

Source; The Age

Twin Cities high school sub accused of reenacting George Floyd’s murder in class

A substitute teacher at Woodbury High School is accused of reenacting the murder of George Floyd in class with students earlier this week.

In a letter to families, principal Sarah Sorenson-Wagner said the incident happened on Monday. She said it was unprovoked and happened in English classes for sophomores and seniors, adding the teacher was immediately removed from class and police are now investigating.

Students reported that their substitute teacher Steven Williams said he thought students would want to hear about his life as a police officer. Williams works as a police officer in Prescott, Wisconsin, and has since been placed on administrative leave.

“The city of Prescott and the Prescott Police Department find the current allegations, if true, made against Mr. Williams to be very disturbing, reprehensible and in no way do we condone these actions,” Eric Michaels, the Prescott Chief of Police said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Some of the events students reported happening in class include the act of putting a student on the ground in front of the class as part of a reenactment of the police actions that resulted in Floyd’s murder.

Other allegations also include the twisting of a student’s arm behind their back and a demonstration of the pressure points on the chin and face.

The students also said Williams repeated racially harmful comments and sexist jokes, and made comments that “police brutality isn’t real,” and “cops would be the best criminals” because “they know how to get away with stuff,” stating that he once got an “A” on a paper about how to get away with murder.

Police said conversations with the school district about how to approach this investigation have just begun, but the goal is to not cause further disturbance to students, staff and the community.

Sorenson-Wagner said, “allegations of staff misconduct are taken seriously,” and she also thanked the students for reporting the incident to them.

She said she met with students on Tuesday in an effort to provide a space to listen and process what happened in their classroom, and additional meetings are set for next week.

Sorenson-Wagner noted the full report has been submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education and the Educator Licensing Department. The MDE said in a statement that it is “aware of the situation and has been in contact with South Washington County Schools to offer resources to students, families and staff.”

District leaders also say this person is no longer allowed on any district property and they are collaborating with police to investigate this incident.

Williams had an active license to work as a substitute, and was contracted from the staffing agency Teachers on Call. The agency said Wednesday that he is no longer employed.

In a statement released on Wednesday morning, a Woodbury police spokesperson said the department is “disturbed” by the incident and is continuing to investigate “while showing compassion to the students impacted.”

Parents said they were stunned to hear about Williams’ actions.

“I’d want to have strict assurances that this person is never going to be teaching my kids again,” said Jackie Schneider of Woodbury, whose son is a senior.

WCCO reached out to Williams but did not hear back from him.

Source; WCCO

Videos show alleged illegal Las Vegas Strip arrests; sergeant charged

The 8 News Now Investigators obtained a series of videos at the center of a criminal case against a police sergeant accused of orchestrating fake arrests on the Las Vegas Strip.

A grand jury indicted Kevin Menon on 13 charges, including nine counts of oppression under color of office, two counts of subornation of perjury, oppression under color of office with immediate threat or use of physical force, and battery of a protected officer.

Investigators within the department believe Menon orchestrated fake arrests by instigating situations with the public without probable cause, documents said.

Metro’s Internal Affairs Bureau believes the arrests may have been part of an attempt to skew crime statistics, documents said. The office received a complaint on May 15 from an officer within the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, the union representing Metro police officers. In the letter, the officer alleged Menon “was using ‘probably illegal tactics’ while dealing with the public,” documents said.

Prosecutors showed the grand jury videos of the specialized unit Menon led arresting multiple men in April and May.

Each incident occurred while Menon was dressed in plain clothes and several officers were dressed in uniform.

The majority of individuals listed in the criminal case who were taken into custody were Black men.

In one incident, Menon appeared to try to hand two men fraudulent money, prosecutors said. Officers pretended to take Menon into custody and then detained and searched both men. One of the men demanded to speak to a supervisor, the men were released and Menon returned wearing a Metro police jacket.

In another incident, officers were getting to stop a man on a pedestrian bridge because he appeared to have a knife larger than what is allowed on the Las Vegas strip. Before uniformed officers could stop the man, Menon bumped into him.

Menon is also seen on video pushing an officer who was unaware Menon was a sergeant as he was dressed in plain clothes.

“I’m the [expletive] sergeant, you idiot,” Menon said.

Officer Seth Acda, a rookie on the specialized squad normally comprised of officers with more experience, said he was concerned about sharing his concerns about Menon, especially since the sergeant boasted and frequently made reference to kicking people off the squad.

“I definitely felt like if I did say something there would have been some kind of retaliation, whether it was getting kicked off the squad or being put on a shift that, you know, nobody really likes or having bad days off,” Acda testified. “There would have been some kind of retaliation if it I had said something.”

The Las Vegas Police Protective Association sent a letter to Metro, which spurred an internal affairs investigation.

Capt. Steve Connell and Lt. Travis McMurtry both testified they were unaware of Menon’s actions.

Menon is currently on unpaid administrative leave with the suspension of police powers, according to the department. His next court date was scheduled for Oct. 23.

Source; 8 News Now

Police officer helped steal thousands in Crime Stoppers rewards

A police officer helped steal Crime Stoppers reward money totaling more than $18,000.

That officer pleaded guilty to the crime this summer, but it’s been kept under wraps — that’s until WREG Investigators uncovered federal records.

According to the federal court records, since 2018, Arica Hutchison was one of two officers assigned to sort through Crime Stoppers tips and then give that information to the investigators. That investigator documents the usefulness of that tip in a database, which Hutchison had access to.

Records state from August 2023 through February 2024, Hutchinson “used her position in law enforcement” to “enter fraudulent data” into the Crime Stoppers database, then had a person named “KB” to receive rewards for tips.

Two incidents detailed in the documents state in late 2023, tips for two separate crimes were approved for Crime Stoppers reward money.

But days before that reward payout was scheduled, Hutchison updated the database system.

It’s unclear if she knew that system maintained an audit history listing which user made the modification.

What we do know is that on Jan. 10, Memphis FBI Field Office agents conducted surveillance on the Crime Stoppers payout location and witnessed “KB,” the person Hutchison had been conspiring with, pull up and pick up the reward payment for both of the tips.

Records go on to state that Hutchison and KB fraudulently obtained $18,500 in rewards from Crime Stoppers.

According to the state policing board’s records, Hutchison was placed on leave in February.
She resigned in April, while she was still being internally investigated.

On June 3, she was charged in federal court and that same day, she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft from a program receiving federal funds.

Two weeks ago, she was sentenced to six months in prison plus two years supervised release.

She also has to pay $22,000 in restitution and must follow a list of additional terms, including getting a mental health assessment and counseling, taking a financial literacy class and getting substance abuse and alcohol treatment.

Thursday, officials with the state’s policing board confirmed they have not received any request for her decertification.

The only records they have state Hutchison has been with MPD for 17 years.

WREG Investigators requested Hutchison’s employment records back in September. The city sent an update Tuesday, saying they are “still in the process of retrieving, reviewing and /or redacting the requested records.”

Hutchison is currently serving that six-month sentence.

Crime Stoppers’ executive director said Thursday afternoon that what the officer did was uncovered thanks to internal safeguards, and she is now “paying for her wrongdoing.”

He added that Crime Stoppers is fine, regarding its financial position.

WREG Investigators reached out to Memphis Police earlier Thursday for a comment but have yet to hear back.

We are also working to find out who KB is and their relationship to Hutchison. Federal documents state they were charged separately for the part they played.

Source; Fox8

Former state trooper loses license over ‘ghost’ and ‘false’ traffic stops

This October, ghosts are haunting Dustin Cotton.

Not the ones decorating houses, but rather the “ghost stops” he’s accused of making.

Cotton, who resigned from the Tennessee Highway Patrol in April in lieu of pending termination, appeared before the Tennessee Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) commission last week to fight his former agency’s effort to strip him of his license.

Among the violations, the THP claims Cotton incurred while being a trooper: making “ghost” stops, where he ran the license plate of vehicles so it appeared he was making a traffic stop, when in fact he never stopped the driver.

When asked about it repeatedly during the hearing, Cotton could not recall a specific time making a “ghost stop,” but also believed he had done it.

“I can’t think of a certain time that I have, but I’m sure I have,” Cotton said.

What Cotton does remember, is making “false” traffic stops, including two times in which he did it as part of marriage proposals.

According to Cotton’s personnel file, Cotton admitted he had “made previous traffic stops on his ‘buddies’ with no intention of enforcement action, simply because it was funny to him.”

Members of the POST commission asked Cotton why he found the “false” stops to be humorous.

“I can’t exactly tell you why I feel that it’s funny – but in general – it was,” Cotton said.

Cotton defended his actions repeatedly, saying one of the times he stopped a friend was for failure to wear a seatbelt, though it did not result in a ticketed violation.

“I don’t feel like anything I’ve done is ethically wrong morally wrong or illegal,” Cotton said.

But Sgt. Toby Carter, an investigator for the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security, told commissioners that they’ve found other violations.

“There were four times he was on social media or texting while driving in September,” Carter said. “Five more times where he was speeding and hit the 90 miles per hour mark when he was not running emergency traffic.”

Commissioners asked Cotton if he felt he’d doing anything illegal.

“No sir, I don’t, I don’t feel like I did anything illegal,” Cotton said.

“Is it it illegal to go 90 miles an hour in the city limits of Franklin?” a commissioner asked.

“You know, I have to, I have to withdraw that statement because that is definitely, that is definitely illegal and I agree with you,” Cotton said.

“Is it illegal to be (texting) on your phone while driving?” the commissioner asked.

“Yes ma’am, it is,” Cotton said.

Carter also told commissioners of how after arresting someone for DUI, Cotton failed to respond to five subpoenas to appear in court, and as a result, a judge dismissed the case.

One of the commissioners then told Cotton that his integrity as a law enforcement officer had been “severely damaged.”

The commission voted unanimously to decertify Cotton.

Source; WSMV

Category: "Teh Stoopid", Crime, Police, Stupid Criminals