Crazy Talk

I’m very glad our local newspapers took on the Paradise Police Department in its March 6 article investigating claims of police brutality. Without saying the officers in question are guilty or innocent, it is necessary for government agencies to get a good once-over, especially the police. Police departments, at least in the minds of many people, tend to get a free pass, where Joe American might get stuck with a ticket, a court date or worse. Regardless of innocence or guilt, it is a good exercise because it lets government agencies - police, city halls, water districts, etc. - as well as the general public that we’re watching. It makes me proud to be a member of the news profession. Investigating and exposing government malfeasance is what we’re supposed to be doing. I think Post reporter Elizabeth Stevens and Enterprise-Record reporter Terry Vau Dell did an excellent job at investigating and presenting a fair and balanced story.

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Here is my story of police abuse of authority: About ten years ago I worked with a couple of Mexicans in Chico. It was lunch and we were going across town to eat. My apartment was on the way and I needed batteries for my Walkman. As I was pulling into my apartment parking lot at least two sheriff’s patrol cars literally rushed in after me with lights-a-flashing. The deputy took the ID of my two Mexican friends and me. I was not told why I was pulled over. I asked the deputy what was going on.
“Nothing yet,” were his exact words. He wasn’t very nice about it. I wasn’t smart enough to get his name.
Over the scanner I heard “white Chevy Nova (my car at the time), possible drug deal.”
We were held there for about 20 minutes. Finally, still sitting in my driver’s seat, I asked again why I was pulled over.
The deputy was clearly irritated. He looked around my car for a second.
“You have a broken windshield,” he said. “You need to get that fixed.”
Then they left.
I may have been naive at the time, but I was no dummy. You don’t send in two, maybe three patrol cars in after someone, take everyone’s ID, and keep them there for 20 minutes for a broken windshield.
It is my belief the deputy saw two brown people in a beat up vehicle and thought “drugs.”
It would be something different if the deputy said, “Your vehicle matches the description of a suspect vehicle. Sorry for the hassle.” But that isn’t what happened.
All in all, it was a minor incident - there was no violence or anything like that. But it is still telling of what happens to some people when they put on a uniform and a badge. I still see that deputy from time to time. I think he recognized me a couple of times. It was this incident that confirmed what I already thought – you can’t always trust the police.

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All that being said, I have had a few non-work-related encounters (traffic violations) with Paradise Police. I got a ticket a couple of times and I got let off with a warning a couple of times. They were professional each time. I would say that is probably what happens to most people when they encounter an officer for a minor infraction of the law. I can’t speak for those who have had to deal with police regarding major infractions of the law.

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When it comes to the Baltierra, Schumacher and Funk cases outlines in the March 6 article, I have no opinion. All I really know is what was in the paper. When it comes to officer Timothy Cooper’s shooting of Darlene Stace in the cemetery that unfortunate Sunday afternoon, I am going to have to side with the officer. I heard the dispatch recording and if I was Cooper, having no back-up, facing someone appearing to be imbalanced who was leveling a weapon in my direction, I think I would have acted in the same way.

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I believe most police officers do want to help the community. I think they are just people with jobs to do, the same as you and I. I think since they are people they make mistakes too, the same as you and I. I think the way they handle their mistakes is telling of their characters. But I also know there are sick and twisted people out there who are attracted to power, and that means no government agency, be it a small town police department or the White House is immune to abuse of power. That is why journalists exist. So when an authority figure abuses his or her power, the people will find out who it is and justice can be served.