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DD's dad beaten badly by HPD

eriadoc

Texan-American
From the article:

"We take allegations such as these very seriously and will begin a thorough investigation into the matter," HPD said in a statement released late Wednesday.
So seriously, in fact, that:

"The two officers remain on duty pending further investigation.”
We'll see what story comes out of this, but I can't think of any scenario where the cops are justified in this. Except, you know .... they're cops.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
That is horrible. I guess HPD is slipping back into their days of the 1970's. Thoughts and prayers to the Driver family and yes Yankee, Donald is a really nice guy. I've met him before when he was on John and Lance's show (610 days). He took time out to not only meet everyone there, but actually conversed with us as though he had known everyone for a while
 

ATX

Hall of Fame
This is the same HPD that tazed Fred Weary........how one goes from being in the back of a police car to a hospital is beyond me. I know there are many good cops out there, but stories like this don't help their cause and the main reason I will never trust a cop......never.
 

hobie

All Pro
Yeah, I was like they put him in the back of the crusier and when they got to the station, he was unresponsive...... WTH !!!!

You though he was taking a nap, playing possum, what is it...he's "ok" when you put him in there, but when you get to where you were going, he's been beat down....was there someone in the back seat with him ???

Yeah, the Wild West days are back !!!
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
Everytime I pass Buffalo Bayou my first thought is Joe Campos Torres. Truly a lasting memory.
That's certainly one case that shouldn't be forgotten.

There was also a case where a teenager originally from Oklahoma (I believe) had stolen a car. When he pulled over, he was shot and a gun was planted on him, by HPD. There was a movie made about it, but I can't remember the name of it... I think Tom Skerritt played the kid's father.


*EDIT*
It was actually Hal Holbrook and the name of the movie was 'The Killing of Randy Webster'
 
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Well, I've only seen them enforce laws that make money...speeding, traffic tickets, parking and such. Things that really bother people however....
 

Hardcore Texan

Magnet Man
What a disgusting story, I really don't trust cops one bit either, I know there are good ones out there but too much of this stuff goes on, too many of them let the power go to their heads. The bad apples really make you doubt the whole bunch.
 

MannyFresh

El Capitan
What a disgusting story, I really don't trust cops one bit either, I know there are good ones out there but too much of this stuff goes on, too many of them let the power go to their heads. The bad apples really make you doubt the whole bunch.
I agree, I don't trust HPD either. Sounds like haterism to me. I'm sure they knew sooner or later who his son was and just got all bent, jealous, mad they're salaries suck, didn't think he should be driving that kind of car, his son made it to the pros and their sons didn't or they sucked bad at playing football, and then beat that poor man. Sorry just got got a cold heart for cops.
 
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Tedc

Hardheaded
Remember that for every bad cop, there may be two good ones. I don't like the odds.

Prayers sent for the Drivers and I hope for a speedy recovery.
 

Showtime100

Got JJ?
Everytime I pass Buffalo Bayou my first thought is Joe Campos Torres. Truly a lasting memory.
I've been out of Houston for close to 26 years now and that name brings back so many memories. Wow. If memory serves John Connolly even defended the slap on the wrist those cops got.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
Call me young but who is/what happened to Joe Campos Torres?
Cops handcuffed him behind his back and told him to swim to safety before pushing him in the bayou.


Time Link: End of the Rope

Seeking justice in Houston
Monday, Apr. 17, 1978

Shortly before midnight last May 5, an Army veteran named Joe Campos Torres, 23, was arrested for shouting insults and threatening customers at the Club 21, located in a Mexican-American community on Houston's east side. Wearing Army fatigues and combat boots, Torres appeared drunk but apparently healthy when police officers took him away. A few hours later, when the police brought him to jail, he was so badly bruised that duty officers refused to book him. They told the arresting officers to take Torres to Ben Taub General Hospital for treatment. Instead, six policemen drove him one mile to an area known as "the Hole," behind a large warehouse facing the muddy Buffalo Bayou that winds through the city. There, according to subsequent testimony, they pushed Torres off a 20-ft. dock into the bayou. His body was discovered two days later, floating in 15ft. of water.
 

Second Honeymoon

Hall of Fame
HPD has lots of corruption but every big city police department does. The problem with HPD is almost every incident involves a minority. That makes you believe that there is a problem with them respecting basic human rights and fundamental dignity. I know a lot of the department is clean and hard working but their silence and failure to weed out the bad seeds makes even some of the good ones indirectly responsible for the culture.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Get well soon Mr. Driver

I don't trust cops.

When I've needed them they have not been there for me.
 

bah007

Hall of Fame
Get well soon Mr. Driver

I don't trust cops.

When I've needed them they have not been there for me.
I like to compare them to the employees at my apartment building.

When I need their help they are nowhere to be found.

But when I'm a day late on my rent...
 

TexanRevolution

Tejano Diablo
Sorry guys...I don't post a whole lot and when I do, it's mainly to jack with our ill-tempered Titans trolls, but these posts are ridiculous.

Our great nation was founded upon the idea(s) that each person is entitled to due process of the legal system and equal protection under the law. Yes, this includes cops...even those that have had sordid pasts or are under suspicion of wrongdoing.

By no means am I suggesting that the abuse of authority is in any way justified, warranted, or commendable...this much we agree upon. But we do (at least, last time I checked) still believe that these officers are innocent until proven guilty; at least that's what our 5th and 14th amendments propose.

In light of this, I find most of the responses to this post almost as offensive as the allegations stated in the link....let this get sorted out in the criminal courts rather than in the court of public opinion....as citizens, these cops deserve at least that much.

After all, we are under the rule of law rather than the 'mob rule' mentality so many of these posts make allusions to.

Off the soapbox now, please proceed with the cop-hating.
 
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The1ApplePie

Hall of Fame
I grew up around members of the HPD and knowing those guys is why I never **** with HPD. They told me anytime a suspect gives them **** they just handcuff him and throw him or her down some stairs, looks like a accident
 

Tedc

Hardheaded
Sorry guys...I don't post a whole lot and when I do, it's mainly to jack with our ill-tempered Titans trolls, but these posts are ridiculous.

Our great nation was founded upon the idea(s) that each person is entitled to due process of the legal system and equal protection under the law. Yes, this includes cops...even those that have had sordid pasts or are under suspicion of wrongdoing.

By no means am I suggesting that the abuse of authority is in any way justified, warranted, or commendable...this much we agree upon. But we do (at least, last time I checked) still believe that these officers are innocent until proven guilty; at least that's what our 5th and 14th amendments propose.

In light of this, I find most of the responses to this post almost as offensive as the allegations stated in the link....let this get sorted out in the criminal courts rather than in the court of public opinion....as citizens, these cops deserve at least that much.

After all, we are under the rule of law rather than the 'mob rule' mentality so many of these posts make allusions to.

Off the soapbox now, please proceed with the cop-hating.
Excuse me but I kinda have a beef here. Yes, I do agree with innocent until proven guilty and as an American I will fight for it in every fiber of my being.

I also believe that when a suspect is arrested with no resistance, handcuffed, and put into a patrol car that he should be safe during his incarnation until his trial. I also believe that when a police department arrests an individual that they should know where he is and not "lose" him for two days. I also believe that this citizen has rights that were clearly violated during his arrest.

We all know there is guilt here and that this man, no matter what his past, or success of his offspring ought to be treated with the same respect you are clamouring for the officers. Someone is definitely guilty of a crime and they were wearing a uniform and paid by us.

What if this was your family member? Would you be so worried about the guilty officer's rights then? What about our right to discuss it freely?

The police will ALWAYS clam up and protect one of their own. I don't see anyone here calling out names and getting ropes out and storming the police department but I do see people demanding respect and protection where there should be.
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
I’m one of those, in situations like this, that generally takes the cops side first if I don’t have any evidence. Doesn’t mean I don’t understand there are bad cops, and this is potentially an example of that, it’s just I tend to cut the cops slack first before I go pissing on them. If yall had to deal with the dregs of society all day long, as part of you job, like they do, your view of humanity might be a little different. I used to have a cop as a neighbor, and we sometimes had some beer together. His outlook on life and people in general was definitely skewed to the side most people are guilty until proven innocent.

If you think about it, most of the folks we know at work are generally law abiding citizens whose worst crime is running a red light once in a while. Cops deal all day long with criminals, liars, assorted human misfits, and so called “normal” folks lying their ass off about why they were speeding or missed the stop sign. I might be wrong about this observation, but I got it from drinking beer with a cop.
 
let this get sorted out in the criminal courts rather than in the court of public opinion.
I guess, did anyone bring their galvel today? Law degrees? No? The opinions of the public will have to do then...what is this a message board or something? No you have a better idea, lets just wait to see what the city of Houston tells us to think about it.

Sure, cops deal with the not-so-hot portion of society but that doesn't give them freedom from us (the ones who they "protect" and "serve") setting a standard for them to uphold. I mean crapcakes, if not beating people half to death for traffic warrants is where we draw a line...we probably need a new standard anyway.
 

ATX

Hall of Fame
I grew up around members of the HPD and knowing those guys is why I never **** with HPD. They told me anytime a suspect gives them **** they just handcuff him and throw him or her down some stairs, looks like a accident
I've heard that as well from an officer.
 

TexanRevolution

Tejano Diablo
I guess, did anyone bring their galvel today? Law degrees? No? The opinions of the public will have to do then...what is this a message board or something? No you have a better idea, lets just wait to see what the city of Houston tells us to think about it.

Sure, cops deal with the not-so-hot portion of society but that doesn't give them freedom from us (the ones who they "protect" and "serve") setting a standard for them to uphold. I mean crapcakes, if not beating people half to death for traffic warrants is where we draw a line...we probably need a new standard anyway.
I would suggest re-reading my post with better comprehension. Yes, if what has been accused did indeed happen, then Mr. Driver's civil rights were violated and the guilty should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

The problem is that YOU have appointed yourself judge....which is irnonic because that's EXACTLY what you accuse these individuals of doing.
 

TexanRevolution

Tejano Diablo
Excuse me but I kinda have a beef here. Yes, I do agree with innocent until proven guilty and as an American I will fight for it in every fiber of my being.

I also believe that when a suspect is arrested with no resistance, handcuffed, and put into a patrol car that he should be safe during his incarnation until his trial. I also believe that when a police department arrests an individual that they should know where he is and not "lose" him for two days. I also believe that this citizen has rights that were clearly violated during his arrest.

We all know there is guilt here and that this man, no matter what his past, or success of his offspring ought to be treated with the same respect you are clamouring for the officers. Someone is definitely guilty of a crime and they were wearing a uniform and paid by us.

What if this was your family member? Would you be so worried about the guilty officer's rights then? What about our right to discuss it freely?

The police will ALWAYS clam up and protect one of their own. I don't see anyone here calling out names and getting ropes out and storming the police department but I do see people demanding respect and protection where there should be.

Ted

I'm on the same page with you until you make the move that "someone is definitely guilty of a crime...." Clearly you've already made a decision that these officers are guilty. So why even require a legal system? You guys, in all your wisdom and experience should convene your own kangaroo court, sit in judgement, and exercise your own brand of justice....it sounds like that's the very thing you propose.

So I ask, what makes your statement or judgement any different than what you accuse these officers are doing? Are you not potentially violating their civil rights by unilaterally deciding that they are guilty and should pay (even before an investigation is complete)?

So I'll turn the question back on you, what if these officers accused you of doing something you didn't do...burned you in effigy in the media, and ruined your credibility and good name...all before a proper investigation could be conducted or trial commenced? No doubt, that would be a pretty sh*tty thing. My question is, why is it that they should be treated any different than you and me? Is it really about them having badge and a gun or does someone just have a problem with authority?
 

ATX

Hall of Fame
TexanRevolution, you are making some great points. The truth will hopefully come out and just because he's in the hospital doesn't mean it was because of the officers. I was reading that all the HPD cars have GPS on them and it's really easy to determine if these guys actually did take Mr. Driver behind a Valero and beat him.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
I'm all for supporting the families of HPD officers like Rodney Johnson who was killed in the line of duty by an illegal alien. God bless his family and friends.

Now on to the currect subject; Do these officers deserve due process? Why sure.

However, excuse my skepticism when HPD has a long, history (in fact throughout my entire life) of corruption and racism. Again, the lessons from Joe Campos Torres, Randy Webster and even Fred Weary should not go in vane.

If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck......... cook it and eat it.
 

Texan_Bill

Hall of Fame
Here's a nice little piece from 1989 in the New York Times

Whole story link: New Turmoil Over Police in Houston

New Turmoil Over Police in Houston

By LISA BELKIN, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: December 10, 1989
LEAD: In the last six weeks, two Houston police officers have shot and killed motorists after traffic stops. Two other officers were found guilty in rape cases. One more was arrested for heroin possession, one was charged with coercing sex from a prostitute, one was reassigned amid charges of police harassment and two officers' houses were searched as part of a drug investigation.

In the last six weeks, two Houston police officers have shot and killed motorists after traffic stops. Two other officers were found guilty in rape cases. One more was arrested for heroin possession, one was charged with coercing sex from a prostitute, one was reassigned amid charges of police harassment and two officers' houses were searched as part of a drug investigation.

The incidents have caused heated debate here. Some citizens charge that they show pockets of police corruption and racism, but officers describe them as symptoms of budget cutbacks and low morale.
Awesome!!! Simply awesome!
 

StarStruck

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
I don't think beat downs should be a part of the police department's code of conduct. If forced to defend yourself, then of course, do so. I maintained then and still to that if the police would have simply taken Rodney King's drunk arse to jail, we would have never heard of him and all the drama that came out of it.
 

Speedy

Former Yeller Dweller
Excuse me but I kinda have a beef here. Yes, I do agree with innocent until proven guilty and as an American I will fight for it in every fiber of my being.

I also believe that when a suspect is arrested with no resistance, handcuffed, and put into a patrol car that he should be safe during his incarnation until his trial. I also believe that when a police department arrests an individual that they should know where he is and not "lose" him for two days. I also believe that this citizen has rights that were clearly violated during his arrest.
I have a beef with you assuming you know the whole story from what you read in an article and already have your mind made up about these police officers. As has already been mentioned, that's why we have trials.

Now that doesn't mean you can't get on a message board and speculate and give opinions, I get that. But don't start cracking the constitution or play the 'what if it was your kid' card, when all you know about it, you got from someone's article.

Especially since, in case you haven't noticed, journalism ain't what it used to be.
 

Yankee_In_TX

Dance Lindsay!
So I ask, what makes your statement or judgement any different than what you accuse these officers are doing? Are you not potentially violating their civil rights by unilaterally deciding that they are guilty and should pay (even before an investigation is complete)?
No...... Last I checked Ted is not a state official working in the line of duty. I am pretty sure he's just a Joe posting on the mesage board.
 

Tedc

Hardheaded
Ted

I'm on the same page with you until you make the move that "someone is definitely guilty of a crime...." Clearly you've already made a decision that these officers are guilty. So why even require a legal system? You guys, in all your wisdom and experience should convene your own kangaroo court, sit in judgement, and exercise your own brand of justice....it sounds like that's the very thing you propose.

So I ask, what makes your statement or judgement any different than what you accuse these officers are doing? Are you not potentially violating their civil rights by unilaterally deciding that they are guilty and should pay (even before an investigation is complete)?

So I'll turn the question back on you, what if these officers accused you of doing something you didn't do...burned you in effigy in the media, and ruined your credibility and good name...all before a proper investigation could be conducted or trial commenced? No doubt, that would be a pretty sh*tty thing. My question is, why is it that they should be treated any different than you and me? Is it really about them having badge and a gun or does someone just have a problem with authority?
If I were accused of what they are accused of, I would be in jail and NOT collecting pay. There is a difference.

They have this man in their custody and they don't know how he got the dogsh!t kicked out of him. Don't you have a problem with that?

The problem I have is someone with a badge getting treated differently than me. If they have an explanation, let them explain it. If they can't explain it they should be locked up with all the criminals they locked up until their trial comes around, WITH NO PAY.

If officers were treat the same as citizens, they would not try half the crap they do.

BTW, I said SOMEONE is guilty. A man was put in ICU. Whether it was the cops that arrested him or someone else on the way to the police department while in their custody, someone IS guilty.
 

MannyFresh

El Capitan
If I were accused of what they are accused of, I would be in jail and NOT collecting pay. There is a difference.

They have this man in their custody and they don't know how he got the dogsh!t kicked out of him. Don't you have a problem with that?

The problem I have is someone with a badge getting treated differently than me. If they have an explanation, let them explain it. If they can't explain it they should be locked up with all the criminals they locked up until their trial comes around, WITH NO PAY.

If officers were treat the same as citizens, they would not try half the crap they do.

BTW, I said SOMEONE is guilty. A man was put in ICU. Whether it was the cops that arrested him or someone else on the way to the police department while in their custody, someone IS guilty.
Amen brother. Its a brotherhood though sad to say and needs to be broken up, maybe the feds coming in is necessary.
 

ATX

Hall of Fame
Does he even have bruises? It is possible the guy had some sort of illness that made him become unconscious on the way to jail. I by no means am a fan of cops, but it hasn't even been confirmed in any story I've read that he was bruised up other than his family saying it.
 
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