I read an article in the Coast News this week (Mid October 2015) about a lady named Cindy Hahn who was beaten by police for filing a complaint. This situation sort of brings the Rodney King or Ferguson MO issue very close to home. Carlsbad borders on my city of Oceanside.
See these youtube videos from local TV stations about the situation:
After the incident, the police booked Cindy for resisting arrest and then the police testified in court. After the police testified, Cindy's lawyer showed the DA the video taken by a spectator, and the DA dropped the charges. There is a gap before the video started which would be interesting to see. Hopefully some of the bystanders who watched the scene are available to explain what they saw happen. Did Cindy provoke the officer in some way? Were photos taken of Cindy's bumps and bruises as a result of her altercation? .
It appears that all of the police and Cindy Hahn were white race, so there probably was no "racial bias" in the situation. I think if the Cindy had been black there would have been a LOT more press and maybe even demonstrations. I think video is making everyone be a little more careful about what they say and do in stressful situations. Hopefully Carlsbad police are "armed" with personal video systems.
Based upon the story, there are some facts that the police department needs to answer:
1. There must be recordings of the messages passed over the radio to the officers.Did the police officer get word from dispatch that a complaint was filed against him prior to the seat belt violation traffic stop?
2. Why did the police attempt to arrest Cindy Hahn in the first place? What was in the officer's police report? What did the officer or officers say to the DA and the court?
3. Why were they hitting her?
4. Why did additional police officers get dispatched to the scene for such a trivial situation?
5. When the other police arrived and saw the first officer beating up the lady, why didn't they restrain the officer and help the lady?
I also think the DA should answer at least one important question:. Why after seeing the video and hearing the police officer lie on the stand, didn't the DA file charges against the officer?
The City of Carlsbad apparently didn't discipline the officers involved and now say they won't comment until they get into court. I would bet that the City will stretch it out for another year or so. I'd hate it if the City agreed to an undisclosed settlement and all information was kept secret. If the police, in fact, were out of control, they should be disciplined in some way. If they weren't determined to be out of control, it means that the rest of us had better avoid Carlsbad!
See these youtube videos from local TV stations about the situation:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW-oXRvue3Y
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeBKYfHL2uw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecWeIBWWL6U
After the incident, the police booked Cindy for resisting arrest and then the police testified in court. After the police testified, Cindy's lawyer showed the DA the video taken by a spectator, and the DA dropped the charges. There is a gap before the video started which would be interesting to see. Hopefully some of the bystanders who watched the scene are available to explain what they saw happen. Did Cindy provoke the officer in some way? Were photos taken of Cindy's bumps and bruises as a result of her altercation? .
It appears that all of the police and Cindy Hahn were white race, so there probably was no "racial bias" in the situation. I think if the Cindy had been black there would have been a LOT more press and maybe even demonstrations. I think video is making everyone be a little more careful about what they say and do in stressful situations. Hopefully Carlsbad police are "armed" with personal video systems.
Based upon the story, there are some facts that the police department needs to answer:
1. There must be recordings of the messages passed over the radio to the officers.Did the police officer get word from dispatch that a complaint was filed against him prior to the seat belt violation traffic stop?
- If so, that seems like a bad procedure for the department, since it could lead to retribution. You would think that complaints like that should go to a supervisor for later follow-up
- If not, then the assumption that the officer followed her for retribution may be false.
2. Why did the police attempt to arrest Cindy Hahn in the first place? What was in the officer's police report? What did the officer or officers say to the DA and the court?
3. Why were they hitting her?
4. Why did additional police officers get dispatched to the scene for such a trivial situation?
5. When the other police arrived and saw the first officer beating up the lady, why didn't they restrain the officer and help the lady?
I also think the DA should answer at least one important question:. Why after seeing the video and hearing the police officer lie on the stand, didn't the DA file charges against the officer?
The City of Carlsbad apparently didn't discipline the officers involved and now say they won't comment until they get into court. I would bet that the City will stretch it out for another year or so. I'd hate it if the City agreed to an undisclosed settlement and all information was kept secret. If the police, in fact, were out of control, they should be disciplined in some way. If they weren't determined to be out of control, it means that the rest of us had better avoid Carlsbad!
