Colorado Cops

Books : Book Proposal

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:08:31 +0000

Author: R.E. Sharpe
Subject: Book Proposal
Posted: January 06 2009 at 9:08pm

Dang Yankee,

You can purchase through this venue, Amazon.com, most book chains, and in every English speaking country. Several colleges also stock the book for courses including Trident Tech here in Charleston.

You'll have plenty of your own stories soon enough. All you gotta do is show up for work and believe me they'll come.

Be safe,

Reggie

Books : Book Proposal

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:20:57 +0000

Author: DangYankee
Subject: Book Proposal
Posted: January 06 2009 at 7:20pm

I wish you luck. I was still green to not have any stories for you. But I would to take a look at your first book. It's offered on this website only, right?

Hanahan Police Department : Man robbed, beaten in Hanahan home

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:17:16 +0000

Author: DangYankee
Subject: Man robbed, beaten in Hanahan home
Posted: January 06 2009 at 7:17pm

Hope you guys have some luck in catching these guys. Make me proud.

National News : NJ High Court Hears Witness Intimidation Case

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:24:37 +0000

Author: Cop_Bot
Subject: NJ High Court Hears Witness Intimidation Case
Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:24pm

New Jersey High Court Hears Witness Intimidation Case

Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Updated: January 6th, 2009 10:02 AM EDT

> PT>

By WAYNE PARRY
Associated Press Writer

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. --

New Jersey's highest court is grappling with one of the thorniest issues facing criminal justice today: what to do in cases where witnesses to a crime have been threatened or intimidated by defendants to the point where they refuse to testify in court.

The issue is a pressing one in areas where intimidation by gang members, drug dealers and other defendants is making potential witnesses afraid they or their loved ones will be harmed or killed if they take the stand.

The state Supreme Court in Trenton heard nearly two hours of arguments Monday on a case that deals with what the state Attorney General's Office calls "the greatest threat" to prosecution in gang, organized crime and domestic violence cases.

The state wants to be allowed let jurors hear the out-of-court statements of witnesses who have been threatened without presenting the witnesses themselves.

But defense lawyers argue that would not be fair to defendants, who have the Constitutional right to confront their accusers in court.

Deputy Attorney General Daniel Bornstein told the court he has read numerous media accounts of witnesses being intimidated or threatened around the state.

"It's gotten so bad that often entire communities are cowed into silence," he said.

Some prosecutor's offices now refuse to prosecute murder cases where there is only one witness, Bornstein said.

The remedy to that is for prosecutors to be allowed to introduce evidence of conversations a witness had with police or investigators outside of court, the state claims.

The case at issue involves a 2001 murder in Trenton.

Dionte Byrd and Freddie Dean Jr. were convicted in 2004 of murdering Charles "Minnesota Fats" Simmons in Simmons' apartment, and sentenced to life in prison with no parole for 30 years.

Helping to convict them was the statement of Kenneth Bush, who told police he rode in a van to Simmons' apartment with Byrd and Dean - both of whom he said were armed - and was smoking crack in the back while they went inside.

Bush said he saw the duo run back to the van and later saw that Byrd had suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. He also said he heard both men discuss the shooting.

Bush refused to testify at trial, claiming he'd been threatened by Byrd and Dean, but the trial court permitted the state to elicit testimony about Bush's statement to police.

An appeals court overturned the convictions in 2007 on the grounds that Bush's statement was improperly admitted into evidence.

Byrd's attorney, Andrew Schneider, told the justices that in their attempt to get the rules changed, prosecutors are using "appeals to fear, anger and revenge - coincidentally the same emotions that get people into trouble."

Many of the justices worried about how to evaluate the reliability of any out-of-court statements that might be sought to be introduced at trials, even as they acknowledged that witness intimidation is a serious problem.

"There are countless cases where a witness gives a statement implicating a person in a crime, and when they get to court, they don't remember anything," said Justice Barry Albin. "There seems to be a climate of fear in certain areas where the witnesses are afraid for their lives to testify in court."

The U.S. Supreme Court allows out-of-court statements to be heard at trial under what is known as the "forfeiture-by-wrongdoing" rule - essentially, that defendants forfeit their Sixth Amendment right to confront a prosecution witness if they wrongfully cause the absence of that witness.

New Jersey's rules of evidence don't include a similar provision, though the state's brief in the Byrd case notes that "at least 31 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the forfeiture rule."

The New Jersey court gave no indication when it might issue a decision.

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=44874

National News : Suspect Killed Following IL Pursuit

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:24:37 +0000

Author: Cop_Bot
Subject: Suspect Killed Following IL Pursuit
Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:24pm

Suspect Killed Following Illinois Pursuit

Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Updated: January 6th, 2009 10:03 AM GMT-05:00

AP Photo/The Pantagraph, David Proeber

Police handcuff an unidentified man after he was shot by police on an interstate highway in Normal, Ill., Jan. 5.

PT>

The Associated Press

NORMAL, Ill. --

Police say a man suspected of robbing four banks has been shot and killed after leading officers on a high-speed chase in central Illinois.

Authorities say the 57-year-old man robbed a Bloomington currency exchange at gunpoint on Monday and fled, reaching speeds of more than 90 mph as he bolted along interstates and rural highways.

Witnesses say the man jumped out of the vehicle onto Interstate 74 just north of Normal Community West High School. They say the man leaped over a concrete barrier and showed a gun.

That's when the suspect and officers from several jurisdictions exchanged gunfire and he was shot. The gunman was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Police say his description also matched the man accused of four bank robberies and a currency store holdup in December.

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=44875

National News : NC Officer On Leave After Rape Allegations

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:24:37 +0000

Author: Cop_Bot
Subject: NC Officer On Leave After Rape Allegations
Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:24pm

North Carolina Officer On Leave After Rape Allegations

Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Updated: January 6th, 2009 10:04 AM EDT

> PT>

Story by wsoctv.com

EAST SPENCER, N.C. --

An East Spencer police officer was taken off the job after allegations of rape.

The alleged victim said the officer threatened to arrest her last Friday if she did not meet him after work. She said that when she did, the officer raped her.

That officer is on paid leave while the SBI investigates.

The city is now down to three full-time officers including the chief. "We are going to continue to do the job that we were hired to do and that is to protect the citizens of East Spencer," Chief Ron Hines said on Monday.

No charges have been filed in this case. The SBI will hand over its findings to the District Attorney once the investigation is complete.

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=5&id=44876

National News : Mold Causes Problems for AR SO

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:24:37 +0000

Author: Cop_Bot
Subject: Mold Causes Problems for AR SO
Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:24pm

Mold Causes Problems for Arkansas Sheriff's Office

Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Updated: January 6th, 2009 10:05 AM GMT-05:00

> PT>

Story by 4029tv.com

HUNTSVILLE, Ark. --

Spring flooding in Northwest Arkansas is now causing a problem for the Madison County Sheriff's Office: hazardous mold.

"The Madison County sheriff and his staff have been forced to work inside a cramped trailer since hazardous mold was found in their office," said Madison County Coordinator Lori McConnell.

In September, the sheriff discovered mold growing behind the paneled walls in his office, a building that dates back to the 1930s. Deputies were immediately moved into a small trailer while a cleanup crew tackled the problem.

The sheriff said spring rains leaked into the walls of his department, causing three types of mold to grow. McConnell said one type of mold was particularly dangerous.

Over the past four months, crews have pulled paneling and repainted each wall with a mold-resistant paint.

The sheriff said many people in the office had been sick, the captain is even in the hospital, suffering from a major cough. But the sheriff isn't sure if the illness was caused by the mold.

McConnell said things are almost back to normal inside the once mold-covered office since the building was stripped and repainted.

"We have done another test since the remediation and everything seems to be fine. They did an airborne test in the basement, and they also went upstairs and outside to get different test results. They've done that, and they have removed all the mold," McConnell said.

The sheriff's department should be able to move back into its renovated office in March.

Since the mold appears to have been caused by flooding, FEMA has paid for the cleanup.

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=44877

National News : Unmarked FL Cruisers Set On Fire

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:24:37 +0000

Author: Cop_Bot
Subject: Unmarked FL Cruisers Set On Fire
Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:24pm

Unmarked Florida Cruisers Set On Fire

Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Updated: January 6th, 2009 10:06 AM EDT

> PT>

Story by justnews.com

KENDALL, Fla. --

Someone broke into two unmarked police vehicles early Monday and set them on fire, police said.

The cars were parked outside the Kendall home of two undercover police officers on Sunday night. At some point overnight, someone broke into the two unmarked police vehicles and stole weapons, bulletproof vests and police equipment, including radios, identification and badges. Then, they set the vehicles on fire.

Miami-Dade police are investigating and trying to determine who broke into the SUV and minivan.

Investigators said they do not know how the thieves knew the vehicles contained police equipment. Police sources believe the officers were targeted. Law enforcement sources said stolen equipment is often used in subsequent crimes, Local 10's Mark Joyella reported.

Authorities are concerned because the officers are undercover and drive unmarked vehicles and their identities might be in danger of exposure.

The officers, a husband and wife, work for two different agencies: one for the Miami-Dade Police Department and the other for Doral.

"It's a scary situation," said neighbor Evelyn Olive. "The fact that it had been so close and they have kids, that's very, very scary."

Investigators are examining the vehicles for fingerprints or other evidence. Police are keeping an eye on the neighborhood, and the search continues for the criminals.

The officers and their children were unharmed in the incident.

"It's a reminder police officers can be victims of crimes, just like anyone else," said one police official close to the case.

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=44878

National News : More OH Deputies to be Laid Off

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:24:37 +0000

Author: Cop_Bot
Subject: More OH Deputies to be Laid Off
Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:24pm

More Ohio Deputies to be Laid Off

Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Updated: January 6th, 2009 10:07 AM GMT-05:00

> PT>

Story by newsnet5.com

CUYAHOGA COUNTY --

More Cuyahoga County sheriff's deputies will be laid off due to budget cuts.

During a news conference Monday, Sheriff Gerald McFaul said the bottom line is that more deputies will lose their jobs because he has less money to work with, reported NewsChannel5's Duane Pohlman.

In all, 18 deputies, 15 correction officers and three security monitors were laid off. Eleven sergeants were demoted, and McFaul said that is just the beginning.

McFaul said no department or division will be unaffected as he works to cut his $85 million budget.

Layoffs are just part of it. The sheriff is reorganizing his entire department eliminating the rank of sergeant to save tens of thousands of dollars.

But seven other employees were promoted to higher pay, including the sheriff's niece.

McFaul denies any wrongdoing and said all those promoted deserved it.

On Monday, the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association filed an action with the state, accusing the sheriff of union-busting.

The sergeants were about to vote on a new union later this month.

Despite the deep cuts, the sheriff maintains he can keep Cuyahoga County safe.

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=44879

National News : Los Angeles Crime Rate Lowest Since 1961

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:24:37 +0000

Author: Cop_Bot
Subject: Los Angeles Crime Rate Lowest Since 1961
Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:24pm

Los Angeles Crime Rate Lowest Since 1961

Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Updated: January 6th, 2009 10:46 AM EDT

AP Photo/Nick Ut

Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton speaks to the media about the 2008 crime statistics during a news conference.

PT>

ALICE WALTON
City News Service

Crime in the city of Los Angeles continued to hit 40- year lows in 2008, a trend which Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and law enforcement officials today credited to more police officers and interagency relationships.

There were 381 murders in 2008, 15 fewer than the previous year, and the lowest number since 1969 when there were 377 homicides. New York and Chicago, in contrast, saw their murder rates increase in 2008.

"From the Valley to Boyle Heights, from West L.A. to South L.A., violence subsided in our neighborhoods. Gang crime continues to decline thanks to the remarkable work and the bravery of the men and women of the LAPD," Villaraigosa said.

Of those 381 murders, 161 occurred between 6 p.m. and midnight, while 94 occurred on a Saturday night or early Sunday morning, said Deputy Chief Charlie Beck.

Summer, which officers typically expect to be the most violent time of year, was relatively calm. The 20 murders in July were the fewest number for the month since 1966. August and September numbers also hit almost 40-year lows.

About two-thirds of the murders took place on a sidewalk or in the street, and 85 percent of killings were committed with a gun.

Most victims were killed by someone similar to them in age and ethnicity, Beck said.

"These are consistent themes that we've seen over the past six years where, especially because about half of these homicides are gang-related, gangs tend to have the most territorial disputes with those most like them," Beck said.

There were fewer violent crimes than any other year since 1967 and the fewest number of property crimes since 1959.

There were a total of 125,166 violent and property crimes last year in Los Angeles at a time when the population was about 4 million. That is the lowest figure since 1961 when there were 120,671 crimes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Los Angeles had 2.4 million residents in 1960.

In 2008, there were 786 rapes; 13,354 robberies; 11,993 aggravated assaults; 19,402 burglaries; 22,268 grand theft auto crimes; 29,870 thefts from vehicles; and 27,112 personal thefts.

Police Chief William Bratton believes crime will continue to decline in 2009 as more police officers are hired. When Bratton came on board six years ago, the LAPD had about 9,600 officers. Today, there are 9,854 officers.

"With those resources, we will be able to keep this city safer, despite the recession, in spite of the concerns of potentially tens of thousands of individuals who may be released from our prison system," Bratton said.

"We live, eat and breath reducing crime. We think about it all the time."

Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, U.S. Attorney Thomas O'Brien and members of the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives attended the morning news conference to show the interagency partnerships, which they say has helped to reduce crime.

City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo's office filed the 65th injunction against a gang last week, something he called a milestone in fighting gang crime.

Gang-related homicides declined 24.6 percent in 2008, compared to the previous year. Aggravated assaults were down 15.3 percent, rapes were down 9.5 percent and robberies were down 2.2 percent, according to the LAPD.

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=44880