Two Stockton Police Officers, a Menace to Society
How a seventeen years old black man was beaten, kicked, suffered two black eyes and what resembled a boot print to the face.
Pictures don’t lie, just like a camera takes exactly what it sees. In the above photo, Devin Carter, 17, was allegedly beaten by two Stockton officers. They were indicted and charged for using excessive force during a traffic stop that resulted in Cater being beaten, blackeyed, and left with what resembled a boot print on his cheek.
According to the newspaper, the officers, Michael Stiles and Omar Villapudua were charged with two counts of assault, one under the color of authority, and were fired from the department earlier this year.
While of late, indictments of officers are usually very rare even with the toughening of use of force laws in recent years, but California has broken from a long needed change of tradition and charging these officers for the crimes they committed. While many officers have faced scrutiny and even trials, that usually represented a slap on the wrist or nothing but a warning, this case is unusual as these officers’ case went before a grand jury with lethal force being the main issue.
California and the attorney general are scrutinizing the behavior of these racist cops who have been found to be using excessive force unwarranted. California is now putting more and more pressure on law enforcement based on the many hateful attrotices committed by police officers. Also a bill, Senate Bill 2 awaits the signature of Governor Gavin Newson to sign into law. It is uncertain if he will or not. This bill, if passed would allow officers to be banned from the profession for misconduct.
This bill should be a federal law and mandated throughout all the states as the same mentality within other police department exist where people of color suffer harm and/or death at the hands of these racist cops. George Floyd murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, Derrick Chauvin, last year wasn’t the first to suffer in this manner and certainly was not the last as this is yet happening but with this law, it will begin to curtail police brutality.
In pursuit of Carter who was allegedly driving recklessly while breaking the speed limit in a silver 2006 Mercedes, was stopped by a PIT maneuver where officers hit the side of his vehicle causing it to spin, and body camera footage showed the officers pulling Carter from the vehicle and slammed him to the ground, all the while Carter’s hands were on the wheel and was calm as these officers approached. On the video camera, Carter was heard yelling, “I’m not resisting.” Then an officer responded, “Yes, you are,” as the officers were seen hitting and kicking Carter as he laid curled up on the pavement.
Altogether, there were four officers but only two were charged and fired, the other two officers were placed on administrative leave to return to active duty at some point. Why aren’t they charged for being accountable and/or not stopping unnecessary force use by fellow officers? They are also a part of the problem and need to be held accountable for their lack of ethics to represent what their badge represents, to serve and protect the public. The attorney for Carter needs to look into filing accountablity charges against them also.
While the Stockton Police Department admits that they had recognized early on from an internal review that there were issues where excessive force unwarranted was being employed and their assessment justified the firing of the two former officers for beating Carter.
Of course, the police union is fighting the grand jury’s decision. The police union has always backed officers with qualified immunity no matter who they killed, beat, and/or use excessive force on, their aim is to get them cleared of any wrongdoings by any means necessary which is why the Democrats are fighting to modify qualified immunity with little success thus far.
In conclusion, this is another court case that will cost taxpayers millions of dollars due to the ill behavior of police officers. Honestly, the dollars should come out of the police department funds and the officers’s assests who commit these crimes, then and only then will the police department step up to the plate and prevent these atrocities at the hand of their police officers. Each of these officers took an oath to protect and serve instead they are beating and killing people of color at an ever alarming and increasing rate.
For additional reads:
