Police Interrogation - Bullying?

TristanDSP · #1 08-08-2005, 04:25 PM

I've just read/seen/heard about far too many cases where some dick cop will interrogate someone and get a confession, only for the confession to be recanted or the case be proven that the person who confessed wasn't the one who did it after all.

There's a lot of psychological reasons that explain why people give false confessions, but from what I have seen, many of these interrogators deny the person's request for a lawyer, deprive them of food/drink/sleep, and one case where they wouldn't let him go to the bathroom so he had to pee in empty soda cans.

Much of the time, I see asshole cops who go above and beyond their power just to get a confession. They show photos and keep asking them stuff that makes people actually BELIEVE they committed a crime they didn't do.

It'll be like me asking if my roomate ate my sandwich, and me bugging him and threatening him and yelling at him saying "C'mon, you know you ate it" until he caves. Bad example, but to simplify...

So, do you consider much of that process as bullying, or do you feel that police are justified in interrogation, especially to combine with forensic evidence?

For me, where I'm from, the way I've seen cops act in any city I've been in, for every nice, spirit-of-the-law friendly cop, there's at least 5 dick cops who love being cocky a-holes just because they were given a badge and a gun. In terms of this thread, I'd have to say they're bullies.

Tom Earp · #2 08-08-2005, 06:43 PM

Stan, I guess a lot depends on the situation doesnt it?

I did not uless there became a confontational call for Me to take appropiate action.

That does not mean some dont of course.

But there was a small women who did not like to be arrested and kicked out the back window of a Police Car with Her Bare feet.

They did not beat Her, a White Officer Sprayed Her, Not the Black Officer Who Placed Her under Aresst. He got an ATTA BOY from the Department for showing restraint. GOOD FOR HIM.

TristanDSP · #3 08-08-2005, 07:10 PM

I guess it does depend on the situation, but I guess this is stemming from watching Court Tv and seeing how many cops force false confessions out of people....

CUGreekgirl · #4 08-08-2005, 07:18 PM

I was recently questioned regarding a crime that I was a VICTIM of... by the time I got outta that room I felt like confessing something even though I had been the victim. The cop kept asking all these questions and I just felt like he kept implying that the crime was somehow my fault. I know its their job to get the truth out, but still.

KillarneyRose · #5 08-08-2005, 08:27 PM

I think that all interrogations should be video taped. That way if the person actually confesses on his/her own, the cop's ass is covered. And if the suspect later claims coersion it's all on tape.

ETA: CUGreekGirl, that's horrible. I'm really sorry that happened to you

DeltAlum · #6 08-08-2005, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TristanDSP
I guess it does depend on the situation, but I guess this is stemming from watching Court Tv and seeing how many cops force false confessions out of people....

I'm not sure I would make any kind of decision based on anything I saw on television.

The reason cases are chosen is because there is something compelling about them -- good or bad.

TristanDSP · #7 08-09-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I'm not sure I would make any kind of decision based on anything I saw on television.

The reason cases are chosen is because there is something compelling about them -- good or bad.

Ok, but would you agree that this type of stuff does happen?

valkyrie · #8 08-09-2005, 11:34 AM

Several years ago, the Chicago Tribune ran a five-part series of articles entitled "The Failure of the Death Penalty in Illinois." I believe the articles documented several instances of false confessions that resulted from police torture, as well as instances of prosecutorial misconduct. Unfortunately, payment is required to view the full articles -- otherwise, I'd post a link.

I don't think there is ever a justification for the police to bully anyone.

TristanDSP · #9 08-09-2005, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by putang clan
When I was a kid I used to get pulled over all the time for DWB. Driving while black. When I become a cop I am only going to bust guys named Tristan.

For what? DWA? DWF?

I don't drive a Honda or Acura, so if you're gonna start racially profiling, you won't find me.

valkyrie · #10 08-09-2005, 02:20 PM

I couldn't even tell you how many times I represented clients who were stopped for DWB.

It amazes me that this shit still happens.

Tom Earp · #11 08-09-2005, 04:01 PM

Why?

Doesnt it depend on the circumstances and location?

Does it happen in revearse?

valkyrie · #12 08-09-2005, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Why?

Doesnt it depend on the circumstances and location?

Does it happen in revearse?

It does depend on the circumstances and location. For example, you are more likely to be pulled over for DWB if you are in a snooty suburb of Chicago than you are in the city.

I have heard of people being pulled over for Driving While White on the west side of Chicago because police assume they're there to buy drugs. It's not as common.

AKA_Monet · #13 08-09-2005, 07:31 PM

Where I currently live, I am always under some close scrutiny by those in authority.

I depends on my mood for that day, which subsequently causes me to decide to wear what clothing--meaning--how upscale do I want to look today vs. how bummy casual do I want to look today.

Unfortunately, this has been my experience in life... And on my worst days, when everything that day is not going right, it is even more tortuous to be harangued by those in authority...

The fact is no matter what you all say, police officers still take a oath of office, to uphold the laws of their district, municipality, city, etc. making them wards of the government--therefore causing them to be viewed AS the government enforcers of the law. They also are seen as to make the law in some people's eyes. So, when something negative happens to a citizen by a police officer, it is perceived as the government's action upon that citizen... Not just one person that may or may not have caused an infraction.

I do not know what I would do if I were cased on by cops. They would really put me away because I might act too crazy and jump off of doors acting like the Linda Blair in the Exorcist... I might say lunatic fringe sort of things that would cause me to have an instant trip to the psych ward with a white jacket and button in the back.

But when I've gotten pulled over for a ticket, I've always been respectful and only answer questions they ask me, politely, with a "yes or no" answer. They have to ask me the question to get the answer, because I do not believe in volunteering information to ANYONE wearing a badge from the government unless they have a warrant, supoena or affidavit and I have a lawyer and judge...