What the Future of Law Enforcement Will Look Like if Trends Continue.
Imagine: You're a patrol cop. You get called to the scene of an Armed Robbery at your local stop-and-rob (read: gas station). After fighting a sea of traffic that has completely forgotten what to do when red and blues are behind them, you arrive at the gas station; the clerk has been pistol whipped and in need of medical attention. You secure the scene, get rescue rolling, and begin talking to the clerk about what happened.
"Did you see who did this?" you ask.
"Yeah." the clerk says, as you're holding pressure to a particularly nasty gash in the back of his head.
"Can you describe them?"
"Yeah, it was a guy."
"A male?"
"Yeah."
"Did you see what race?"
"Yeah, white."
"About how tall?"
"I don't know, about 6'0."
"How big was he? What was he wearing?"
"He had a white t-shirt, blue jeans, long brown hair, medium build."
"You pretty sure about this?"
"Yeah I got a good look at him."
You radio the information to dispatch who sends out an "ATL" (Attempt to Locate) on the subject. Later, you obtain the video footage from the security cameras and see that the description was spot on. You also find a stocking cap possibly worn by the suspect as they entered the store. There are hairs and follicles that can be analyzed. Weeks later, after DNA analysis is complete - sorry CSI fans, this is real world policing - the profiles of both the DNA and hairs confirm what the victim and other evidence has already indicated.
In searching the DNA database a profile match is made. John Smith was convicted for felony battery and released a few months before the crime. You contact the county jail and obtain his booking photo.
To lock everything down, the investigator decides to do a photo line up. He takes 5 other photos of white males of approximately the same height, build, hair color and style, and as per case law, take two blank pieces of paper to intersperse in the 6 photos, with one being the last. You go with the investigator to contact the victim and present the photo line up, "The person who did this may or may not be in these photos......" The victim immediately picks out John Smith.
A warrant for John Smith is issued. Some time later word comes that John Smith was picked up, by patrol, on a traffic stop... only "he's" now JANE Smith.
Apparently, while in prison, Mr. Smith realized he was really a "she" and underwent operations to "transition" (read: mutilate) himself to a "herself." In addition, "she" believes "she" is "really" African American.
"Whatever. We got him or "her" or whatever." you say to yourself.
But a few months later, you get a summons for a motion hearing. You think to yourself, "This is nailed from so many different angles what is there to argue?"
You arrive at the court house, find the court room and get a minute or two to talk to the Prosecutor before the hearing.
"Do you know what their arguing here?" you ask.
"It's bogus; they're arguing that the photo line up was done wrong. I looked at your report, it was done exactly right."
A few minutes later, "Mrs." Smith is brought in by court security and sat at the defendant's table. The first indication that something is amiss is when you notice that the back of "her" jail jump suit says "County Jail, Woman's Wing." The judge enters, the hearing starts and you're called to the stand... by the Defense. After being sworn in the Defense Attorney stands and begins asking you questions.
"Officer, when you first obtained a description of the suspect of the crime what description did you receive?" the slick-haired attorney coyly asks.
"The victim initially described the suspect as a white, male, approximately 6 feet tall, medium build, long brown hair wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans."
"Officer, when you had dispatch send out the 'Attempt to Locate' what description did you have them send out?" Did you detect a hint of a grin?
"The same description I just gave."
"Officer, when you entered the information for search parameters for the additional photos for the line up, what description did you use?"
"The same."
"Thank you Officer. No further questions, your Honor."
The Prosecutor, shrugs and says, "No questions, your Honor."
You're dismissed from the stand. Curious at what that was all about, instead of leaving, you sit in the gallery and listen to the Defenses' motion.
"Your Honor, you've just heard what the police officers used as a description both to look for someone of a specific description and then to use as comparison photos in a photo line-up. The problem is, your Honor, that is not the physical description of my client. My client is NOT a white male. My client is a black female."
In the gallery, you are shocked at what you're hearing. You'd laugh, except no one else - most notably the judge - is laughing.
The attorney continues, "I motion that the charges against my client are dismissed, with prejudice, as it is readily apparent that the police did not even arrest a person matching the description they were looking for! In addition, the photo line up used the wrong search parameters for the additional photos; they did not accurately represent my client." There is a definite sound of triumph in the attorney's voice.
The Prosecutor is just as shocked as you are and obviously was not prepared to argue this line of questioning. He stammers and tries some counter-argument about investigating in "good faith".
Finally, not able to take it anymore, you stand up and yell, "C'mon! It doesn't matter what he "feels" like, scientifically, genetically he's a he and white! You can call an elephant a 'dog' but it's still an elephant!"
The judge bangs her gavel, "Officer, you will sit down and be quiet or I will have you removed from the court!"
You sit down almost dizzy with unbelief.
"Your Honor, you see how bigoted and genderphobic the police officer is. It is obvious that the investigation was based on bigoted and genderphobic ideology!"
Everyone waits for the judge's ruling... "I grant the motion to dismiss the charges with prejudice..." You're so upset you don't hear the rest. You storm out of the court room...
The next day the headlines read, "Courageous African American Woman Endures bigoted attack by police.... Woman vows to sue..."
Final Thought: Maybe the two murderers from upstate New York just felt they were supposed to be free. Who are we to judge them?
The Blue Crucifix
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