cuffed and humiliated

[fasstrack]

I wasn't sure if I should mention this b/c I may end up suing the city, HRA, and NYPD and should watch what I write. I did contact some friends in the press, though, and if this gets any play I'd like to tell my side of it. Trust me, I'd much rather be known as a musician than rogue cop victim.

I was at the HRA office in Queens Monday morning (why, I'd rather not say publicly. Privately, I might). I had my guitar with me and a handbag. All bags are subject to search. I've been through many such searches lately and my nerves are wearing thin. I objected to having my guitar case opened and perhaps my instrument manhandled. I made some noise about this and a guy I thought was a security guard (he was in fact a cop) didn't like it, or me, too much. We had some words and he got nasty right away. He was smirking--a smirk never left his face the entire ordeal. I wanted to know if he was a police officer. He said he was and to 'hit the road', or he'd lock me up. I told him I would agree to the search, but he was in full cowboy mode and again said 'I told you to hit the road'. I was angry because I had to be there, didn't want to, and didn't need this on top of it.

I left and figured maybe I could come back, apologize, take care of my business, and get the hell out of there. Bad idea. When I did return the guy (I'm leaving his name out b/c a CCRB complaint is pending and I don't want to ruin my chances of prevailing) immediately grabbed me, and HARD. He slammed me against a glass door, threw both my arms behind me, hurting me and scaring the hell out of me, and cuffed me. I begged to be let go, to no avail. Instead, he and 2 other officers paraded me through the entire full room to a police holding area. Continuing to smirk, he took a full hour and a quarter with me sitting in painful handcuffs to write 2 tickets, one for 'disorderly conduct', one for 'trespassing'. I was told if I don't show up for a court date a warrant for my arrest would be issued. They went through all my stuff: bag, guitar case, wallet.

All the while his superior was getting increasingly pissed. He told the guy to 'do this by the book', and started rolling his eyes at how long the guy was taking. He seemed sympathetic, and in fact walked me out and said he would 'talk to' the guy. There was a young officer there too, also acting professionally and respectfully. When they led me out the two (not the rogue) tried to cover the cuffs. They knew it was BS and the guy was a jerk.

I was badly shaken by the incident. I have been wanting to leave NY for some time. Once released I called a friend in the press and another member of the press today. Both are well-known and sympathetic. One is a friend. I have decided to take legal and other action. I was not an angel in my own behavior, but only went there to get help, and nothing I said warranted this outrage. I am not threatening in any way, have never been in any kind of trouble, and outside of music have worked as a teacher and librarian. For an hour and change I was treated the way 'black males' are routinely. I feel it my civic duty to make a statement for the poor and defenseless and make sure this bozo never gets a gun and really hurts someone, b/c he absolutely will. Poor people have been crapped on too long in this nation and IMO the standard for police officer competency is getting lower by the day in NY and it's downright scary. People need to speak out, and now I have.

I could use the group's support and advice. I haven't yet spoken to an attorney, and anyone interested in representing me would have to accept the case pro bono.

Edited January 11, 2012 by fasstrack

[Ted O'Reilly]

Joel, can you tell a North-Of-The-Border person what "HRA" is? I don't know your organizations well enough to identify it.

[fasstrack]

Joel, can you tell a North-Of-The-Border person what "HRA" is? I don't know your organizations well enough to identify it.

I think it's Housing----Authority. Not sure what the 'R' means. It's where you go to apply for benefits.

[Ted O'Reilly]

Joel, can you tell a North-Of-The-Border person what "HRA" is? I don't know your organizations well enough to identify it.

I think it's Housing----Authority. Not sure what the 'R' means. It's where you go to apply for benefits.

Okay. I find it strange that an Authority that's there to help people would require police frisking, but maybe they have experience with disgruntled clients. Still, it seems a LOT over the top in the first placce, and then that you received such treatment...

[jazzbo]

Ted, HRA is an abbreviation for "Human Resources Administration" and is a part of the NY Department of Social Services:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/home/home.shtml

Joel, I'm so very sorry that this has happened. I hope you can get the assistance and justice you seek.

[fasstrack]

Ted, HRA is an abbreviation for "Human Resources Administration" and is a part of the NY Department of Social Services:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/home/home.shtml

Joel, I'm so very sorry that this has happened. I hope you can get the assistance and justice you seek.

I'm not looking to be a hero or anti-hero. I think this guy will hurt someone, especially if given a gun. I don't want that to happen.

[Ted O'Reilly]

Ted, HRA is an abbreviation for "Human Resources Administration" and is a part of the NY Department of Social Services:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/hra/html/home/home.shtml

Joel, I'm so very sorry that this has happened. I hope you can get the assistance and justice you seek.

AAAH, Human Resources! I never minded being Personnel, but I hated being a Resource, like They could mine me when They needed me, but just let me sit there waiting to serve Them.

[fasstrack]

Joel, can you tell a North-Of-The-Border person what "HRA" is? I don't know your organizations well enough to identify it.

I think it's Housing----Authority. Not sure what the 'R' means. It's where you go to apply for benefits.

Okay. I find it strange that an Authority that's there to help people would require police frisking, but maybe they have experience with disgruntled clients. Still, it seems a LOT over the top in the first placce, and then that you received such treatment...

The more you discover about city services for the poor and indigent, and especially the people employed and in positions of authority---I can only speak for NY---the more shocked and dismayed you may be. Not that everyone is like that. I'm grateful that this cowboy's boss was watching him and me both. I shudder to think of what could've happened if this bully got me alone. The best face I could put on this is that I got a bad apple. There are always people trying to do a good job, under very trying conditions.

[Christiern]

This is deplorable, Joel, but not at all surprising. The NYPD is fast becoming a military organization (tanks, armored trucks, helicopters, etc.), an alarming trend that is nationwide. More and more they are there to protect and serve the 1%. One more reason why the Occupy movement is so important.

It's good that you are fighting this—good luck with that.

[fasstrack]

This is deplorable, Joel, but not at all surprising. The NYPD is fast becoming a military organization (tanks, armored trucks, helicopters, etc.), an alarming trend that is nationwide. More and more they are there to protect and serve the 1%. One more reason why the Occupy movement is so important.

It's good that you are fighting this—good luck with that.

I hope the Civilian Complaint Review Board actually looks into this and is not a facade or paper tiger. The woman taking my complaint seemed professional at least. It's best I don't discuss any legal action I decide on publicly.

[AllenLowe]

the older I get the less I like cops - lazy and incompetent. Do you know about the case of the woman who was framed by the guy who raped her? The cops screwed it up royally. Typical.

[fasstrack]

the older I get the less I like cops - lazy and incompetent. Do you know about the case of the woman who was framed by the guy who raped her? The cops screwed it up royally. Typical.

Not all of them, Allen. This guy's boss was a pro and a gentleman, for but one example. And they have an unenviable job, especially dealing with a pissed-off public, not to mention actual bad guys. But the trend is heading downward and that is disconcerting.

[Noj]

Not to be unsympathetic, because I've dealt with my share of rotten oinkers in my time, but you should have agreed to the search and just asked them to please be careful with the instrument. Attempting to backtalk a cop who is clearly looking for an excuse to be an asshole is asking for trouble. Not that it excuses his behavior, but in my experience the fraternity of police officers and the justice system tends to side with their telling of the story, no matter how untruthful.

[fasstrack]

Not to be unsympathetic, because I've dealt with my share of rotten oinkers in my time, but you should have agreed to the search and just asked them to please be careful with the instrument. Attempting to backtalk a cop who is clearly looking for an excuse to be an asshole is asking for trouble. Not that it excuses his behavior, but in my experience the fraternity of police officers and the justice system tends to side with their telling of the story, no matter how untruthful.

I did agree, after a minute. But, like I said, his mind was made up. My mistake was in going back there, even if partly to apologize. It was raising a red flag to a bull. Or bully. I could've gone to a different office. But I just wanted to get it over with, and my nerves were already shot.

[Leeway]

Sorry to hear about what happened to you Fass. It's traumatic, so wait a few days to figure out where to go on this. I doubt you will get much satisfaction from the CCRB. They get tons of these complaints. They are going to spend more time on those complaints where someone was seriously harmed or there is an indication of corruption or felonious conduct.

The CCRB is also likely to want to see what happens when you go to court. If the judge rules against you, they will probably not pursue it. The court appearance should be your first concern. You should try to get some help with your case. The officer will have to testify. Don't expect the other officers to side with you, however nice they were. Officers stick together; first rule of blue. You need to prevail on the facts if you can.

It occurs to me that as the middle class starts dropping economically, they will experience what minorities and the poor have long known: the cop isn't always your friend. I still believe many cops are good people, who uphold their responsibilities fairly, and do risk (and sometimes give) their lives. However, as Fass found it, you can find yourself marked a criminal amazingly fast.

[fasstrack]

I WAS harmed. I don't want to sound like a crybaby but this was pretty shattering. There are other things going on I won't broach, and this has put me on pretty thin ice, let's say. I will be haunted by that smirk-and the FUN that MF was having for quite some time. I'm not throwing my eggs in any one basket anyway. I'll seek the counsel of the wise before doing anything.

[J.A.W.]

I visited NYC a few times and it's a great city, but I'm glad I don't live there; I've heard too many of these harassment stories.

Edited January 12, 2012 by J.A.W.

[Neal Pomea]

It occurs to me that as the middle class starts dropping economically, they will experience what minorities and the poor have long known: the cop isn't always your friend. I still believe many cops are good people, who uphold their responsibilities fairly, and do risk (and sometimes give) their lives. However, as Fass found it, you can find yourself marked a criminal amazingly fast.

Post of the day! Thanks for those thoughts.

[Hardbopjazz]

Joel, can you tell a North-Of-The-Border person what "HRA" is? I don't know your organizations well enough to identify it.

I think it's Housing----Authority. Not sure what the 'R' means. It's where you go to apply for benefits.

I thought the R stood for Ruffian.

[7/4]

I WAS harmed. I don't want to sound like a crybaby but this was pretty shattering. There are other things going on I won't broach, and this has put me on pretty thin ice, let's say. I will be haunted by that smirk-and the FUN that MF was having for quite some time. I'm not throwing my eggs in any one basket anyway. I'll seek the counsel of the wise before doing anything.

The some of the people I work with are like this: assholes, because they think they can get away with it.

And end up with a version of PTS, I'm pissed off for days.

Edited January 12, 2012 by 7/4

[fasstrack]

My feeling now is nothing will be done about this. I'll have to go to court, probably be reprimanded and fined for my 'crimes'. The guy will still smirk and laughingly do it again, maybe this time with a gun. My attempts to get coverage got nowhere so far and I have no money for lawyers. It's my word against his and I have no witnesses. Just say the good die young and move on, I guess. But I feel damaged by this.

[JSngry]

Embrace your victimhood!

[fasstrack]

Embrace your victimhood!

As it happens I'm a Jew......Done!

[AllenLowe]

go to court and tell them exactly what happened - get that cop on the witness stand. Make him tell the truth or commit perjury, You can at least have the satisfaction of inconveniencing him for a few hours.

also, there's gotta be some Lefty lawyer you can talk to who might be able to help. After all, you're in NYC.

I'd rep you myself if I was in town, I've beaten the cops in court 2-3 times in the last 10 years in Portland; only traffic stuff, but I saved myself about $800 in fines. I'm good at this stuff. It's easy to make these guys look stupid.

Edited January 12, 2012 by AllenLowe

[fasstrack]

also, there's gotta be some Lefty lawyer you can talk to who might be able to help. After all, you're in NYC.

I'd very much like to pursue that. So far no no will do this pro bono. I think the fact that I was merely cuffed and shaken up but not beaten makes it less 'sexy' for someone trying to make a name. Maybe a class action suit with others who were mistreated? Civil rights charges? I thought publicity would be a good way to go also. So far no word from a prominent member of the left press who said he was very interested and to fax him the story (I did). My other contact, an actual famous journalist friend---not flavor of the week here if you want to guess who, and that's as far as I'll go b/c I did not ask permission to use his name---did call his editor at the number one NY tabloid. No response.

This kind of stuff happens every day---and way worse. Aside from me being pissed off and feeling violated (revenge is a lame motive) my thought in taking legal action is so guys like this will think twice and maybe i can spare someone else the ordeal. That's a tall order, though. If interested and qualified parties sign on that's one thing. I think it's more realistic to show up in court, beat the charges (they are less than misdemeanors anyway) and move on. This asshole already has, bet on that. Life is what it is, it is not fair. Who needs the aggravation?