View Full Version : My encounter with the law.
I don't know if I should be posting this but what the heck.
I got a little depressed today, and was sort of tracing the blood vessles on my arm with a knife. Sounds worse than it is they were just superficial scratches. Anyway after my tracing was over my neighbour came to the door to ask for ciggies and saw blood running from my arm. He grabbed my ciggies, asked for the knife and went into his house. Next thing I knew there were sirens so I put 2 and 2 together and hid in my back yard. To make a long story short the cops broke into my house, I could see them through the back door, which I opened and yelled at them to leave.
Larry, Curly and Moe came into the back yard and started shining their flashlights in my eyes and I told them to stop that too. By this time I was sitting in a lawn chair. They got upset when I refused to answer their questions until they got the lights out of my face.
Next thing I knew Larry and Moe picked me up by the arm pits and threw me to the ground to cuff me. For what I really don't know because I always thought that I could refuse to answer their questions.
I wriggled out of the cuffs so Larry and Moe threw me on the ground again and just about threw my shoulders out of joint while one of them knelt on my back. Now my back yard is beach pebbles and not grass so I am covered in bruises and have a cracked tooth..
They took me to one of the cruisers and threw me over that to remove all objects in my pockets, which were my watch, a lighter, and my glasses which are now broken. (None of the items were returned to me.) Imagine how they woyuld have acted if I had actually broken a law.
I went to the hospital and was put in a room that had survailence cameras. I saw the monitor on the nurses desk and figured out where the blind spot was and sat there.
The doctors spent more time looking at the wounds inflicted by Kingston's finest Stooges than anything else.
So I am back at home all bruised up with no lighter, no watch, broken glasses and no ciggies (the neighbour has them) I am sooo tempted to phone him and ask for them back. It is only 2:47a.m. here so maybe I will wait until closer to 4:00.
I have already sent him an email telling him next time to save us all some trouble and just beat me up himself, then take my watch, lighter, ciggies and anything else he fancies.
Newfie John
9-08-05, 7:14 AM
Seems like Police brutality. You were hurting yourself, and the punishment was to hurt you some more? That makes sense. I do recommend that you get help though, if it's not too bold to say.
Seems like Police brutality. You were hurting yourself, and the punishment was to hurt you some more? That makes sense. I do recommend that you get help though, if it's not too bold to say.
Don't worry. I was just having a bad reaction to my anti-depressants and I had already made a doctors appointment for it.
I have also filed a complaint against the 3 Stooges.
slapshot™
9-08-05, 10:47 AM
Yeah....a knee to the back when you're prone on the ground and having your arm twisted to a point that it feels like it's going to pop out of its socket like a Barbie-doll appendage, really does frickin' hurt (or so I've been told *wink*).
The cops don't know who you are are what you are capable of doing and will use any force required to subdue you. You have to look at it from their point, Sue. I know it bites getting roughed up but they can't second-guess the situation at hand.
Being beligerent to the authorities is bad. They won't tolerate it...at all. They have to control the situation, with whatever means are required.
They won't tolerate it...at all. They have to control the situation, with whatever means are required.
They could try kindness and understanding, a little bit of that goes a long way especially when talking to someone who is depressed.
As far as not knowing what I am capable of, ha I am a 5'2' oldish woman who was sitting down on her lawn chair. Hardly a threatening stance is it?
I got a little depressed today, and was sort of tracing the blood vessles on my arm with a knife.
My cousin commited suicide at 18 years old. I wish someone had called the police and they had helped him. Roughly or otherwise. I hope you are okay.
bluemeanie
9-08-05, 11:30 AM
You know A4l, some side effects of mixing Anti-depressants with alcohol can include Kneeinthebackitous or Pebbleinthemouth syndrome... hope you weren't drinking.
They could try kindness and understanding, a little bit of that goes a long way especially when talking to someone who is depressed.
As far as not knowing what I am capable of, ha I am a 5'2' oldish woman who was sitting down on her lawn chair. Hardly a threatening stance is it?
Seek professional help. The behavior you describe is symptomatic of serious problems.
As for the police, by your own account, you were belligerent with them and acting erractically. They have a difficult job, and are trained to expect the worst in volatile situations. Their perception differs greatly from yours, so I wouldn't get too hung up on that episode. You seemingly have more pressing affairs.
I am not (and probably no one else at HockeyStation.com is) qualified to give you proper advice in this area. But again I would strongly advise you seek the council of a professional. And as blue mentioned, avoiding the consumption of alcohol, and other mind/mood-altering substances not perscribed by a doctor sounds like an excellent idea, at least for the time being. Good luck.
Madferret
9-08-05, 12:18 PM
Sue take care of yourself first and worry about the cops later.
First of all I am under a doctors care. How elese would I be getting anti-depressants? I probably need my meds changed again. This is always fun because i have to stop taking them altogether before they can switch types.
As for Larry, Curly and Moe, they are under investigation for this. I wish you could see the bruises they inflicted all because I refused to talk to them.
Bob burns
9-08-05, 1:28 PM
First of all I am under a doctors care. How elese would I be getting anti-depressants? I probably need my meds changed again. This is always fun because i have to stop taking them altogether before they can switch types.
As for Larry, Curly and Moe, they are under investigation for this. I wish you could see the bruises they inflicted all because I refused to talk to them.
I do not know your exact situation, but from what I have learned about clinical psychology and depression, anti-depressants are often not the best solution to an issue. Now every situation is completely different and unique, but if I may speak in general terms, I would talk to your doctor and see about a different solution to drugs. Like I said every situation is unique, but there are other solutions; like support groups, psychologists (not psychiatrists), etc.
bluemeanie
9-08-05, 1:38 PM
...Like I said every situation is unique, but there are other solutions; like support groups, psychologists (not psychiatrists)....
... and Hockey Forums, of coarse.
We're here for you Sue.=]
charlio lemieux
9-08-05, 1:44 PM
Did they tell you to "watch your head" as they ever-so-gently smack it off the door frame of the cruiser?
Or kick you as you are being told to "spread your legs"?
Suicide is the only crime where you get arrested for attempting it and nothing for committing it.
I can apreciate that the cops spend all day dealing with scum, and by the time they get to me/you their view of society must be twisted. It still doesn't excuse any type of violent behaviour towards a citizen. I've had a Cop beat on me because he was under the impression I was in a car with two people 6 months earlier. How dumb is that. HE said "I know you where in the car." I said (the truth) "no I wasn't" and the cop came across the table and started to give me body shots so there would be no marks. It is not just police brutality it is the corruption of a person when they are given a position of power. Between the stress of the job, and the authority they have, psych exams should be mandatory every 3 months for Cops.
Now before I get jumped for "cop bashing", my Grandfather was a cop. I have been with my mother when people whom my grandfather arrested have come up to us and told us how the way my Grandfather dealt with them during their arrest was first class. I would never say that about any cop that dragged me in. It goes to show there are good and bad in any profession. But as an Officer of the Law, by all rights you/they should be, and need to be held to a higher standard of accountablity for your/their actions.
At 5'2" you wouldn't think you posed a physical threat, but where mental illness is concerned the police are already walking a tightrope. There is history where due to misunderstanding the situation and the problems of the individual, people who are nothing more than sick have been shot and killed. Police understand all to well the strength people with mental illness can have. Especially during a Manic phase. I used to know a guy who was 6' 1" tall and maybe weighed 190lbs. During a manic episode it took 6 cops to subdue him to a point where handcuffs could be put on.
I wasn't there so I don't know how badly you provoked them, but any time a cop uses undue force it is because his/her emotions are involved, and he/she has lost objectivity. They do train for this type of thing but it is usually surrounding the adrenaline rush from a high-speed chase.
Anyway I hope you are OK A4l. Take a few breaths and relax. Before you decide to go to far with this one word of advice. The police were called because your neighbour witnessed you in a severe state of mental illness, where you were harming yourself. Everything they did will be viewed as trying to get you the help that you needed. Unfortunately with a witness to your mental state at the time what you have to say will be dismissed by a judge because of how your illness may affect how you interpretted the situation. Make sure there is enough medical evidence to win your case, because they will lie under oath to win their case.
bluemeanie
9-08-05, 1:58 PM
... any time a cop uses undue force it is because his/her emotions are involved, and he/she has lost objectivity.
Or fear.
Good points CL, and with all due respect to your Grandfather, I'd venture that his job was probably a little different then these cops. Today's cops. Sure there have always been hothead cops and unpredictable criminals, but today where more and more people face issues like language and custom barriers, synthetic drugs, blood born diseases... I feel that police can never be too careful. Sue... none of us were there and it's difficult for us to judge what we might have done ourselves. But, the cops received a call that mentioned 'blood' and 'knife'... for all they knew when they entered your home to find you bloody, hiding and probably incoherent or uncooperative was that the blood might not be yours... and that perhaps you were a threat to not only yourself, but to them as well. It's never fun, having insult added to injury, but you have to consider that your neighbour, those police, they were trying to help.
Like I said every situation is unique, but there are other solutions; like support groups, psychologists (not psychiatrists), etc.
Psychologists are out of the question. My mother (PhD psychology) helped most of them with the analysis of data for their thesis and I was probably the one who formatted them. I know most of the good psychologists in town. Support groups are of little help to me. Most of them are pure BS. The meds, when they work, are a much better route for me.
My great grandfather was an Inspector in charge of Detectives in Scotland Yard. I was brought up to believe that the police were here to do good. Not any more.
There are ways to difuse a situation that does not require force. I was trying to negotiate terms for my co-operation but Larry, Curly & Moe let their testosterone and adrenilin interfere with their judgement. I went to see my doctor to-day and she freaked at the extent of the bruises on my back, chest, face and arms. She is calling the police herself to seek an explanation. She is particularly interested to know why they felt it was necessary to lift me out of my chair and throw me to the ground. Ovbviously I wasn't threatening them whe I was sitting down.
TimmyTabasco
9-08-05, 4:04 PM
Glad to hear your alright ak47. That must have been rough, and the force used seems very out of line.
First of all, I am not passing judgement. My father was manic depressive.
BUT..you say your on anti-depressants..and its also wide knowledge..that you enjoy your drink
If my father drank on his meds, he would for sure be afraid to get his ass kicked. You just don't do it. My advice is to go and see your doctor as soon as you can.
What meds are you taking? Different ones affect people in different ways. Some can make you more depressed..and are not good ones to take. Again, I am not one who judges or is living behind the wall of the stigma
Goodluck Sue, and I hope it all works out well.
First of all I haven't been charged with anything. Secondly there is plenty of medical info as to the extent of the bruising. They saw it at the hospital last night and my doctor saw it to-day. She is requesting the hospital files.
The doctor has upped my anti-depressants and has ordered more blood work to check the dosage level in my blood.
Sorry to hear about your encounter Sue; to reitterate what everyone has already said, I hope that things turn out well for you.
Secondly, I'm torn as far as cops are concerned. They're necessary; but there are a lot of bad ones out there. I have several problems with law enforcement (starts with Marijuanna, ends with cops more concerned about speeding tickets and misdeamenors than real problems in society); but they're a necessary evil in this society.
leaferfan87
9-09-05, 12:57 AM
My internet in residence goes down for a few days and it looks like I missed alot. A massive political fight and now this. Well a4l i hope that everything goes well for you and that those 3 stooges don't represent the majority of cops in our society.
I feel for you A4L, I really do, but when I see Alcohol , drugs, knives and cutting I also have to stop and think about the bigger picture, there are a huge amount of red flags flying.
In their defence they go in there not truly knowing what the situation really is or what is going on, there is nothing worse then entering a dark room not knowing where the weapon is.
I feel for you A4L, I really do, but when I see Alcohol , drugs, knives and cutting I also have to stop and think about the bigger picture, there are a huge amount of red flags flying.
In their defence they go in there not truly knowing what the situation really is or what is going on, there is nothing worse then entering a dark room not knowing where the weapon is.
I was outside and the knife was with my neighbour. There were no drugs, alcohol or weapons near me. I was sitting on a lawn chair in my back yard.
Because he took it from you!
Obviously your neighbour was concerned for your well being, does he have any reason why he would take the knife away from you and call the cops? have you in the past done something that has given him cause to fear for you in any way shape or form?
Size is irrelevant, I have seen some"oldish" looking people who when in the right frame of mind move mountains!
a4l, I'm sorry to hear about you situation with anti-depressants, and I truly hope that you get things straightened out. One of my friends back in high school had a bad reaction to some kind of medication (not sure what it was) and acted very strangely, and not at all like himself, so I hope that's all this was. Like everybody else said, I hope you find some help for this, and wish you the best.
As for the cops, they have an incredibly difficult job as it is, so they have to take all the proper precautions when dealing with unknown situations. I wasn't there, so I don't know how you were acting, or how the police were acting, so I can't say who was right and who wasn't. I saw a video a couple of years ago in a criminal justice class that showed a guy who couldn't have been much taller than you, and it took four police officers to subdue him because he was high on something. It's almost incredible how strong people can be when on certain drugs.
Not saying anything about you, but from the police's point of view, they probably didn't know what was happening with you, they didn't know if you had any other weapons on you, or what exactly the situation was. With that many unknowns, they aren't going to show much leeway if you don't respond to them. There are some cops out there I'm sure who do go over the edge. Again, I wasn't there so I don't know what exactly happened, it's just my guess based on what you've posted. The majority of police officers, at least in my experience, are decent people just trying to do a very difficult job.
:eek:
Wow. That's quite the event.
I don't have much to write, so just be well, a4l.
Obviously your neighbour was concerned for your well being, does he have any reason why he would take the knife away from you and call the cops? have you in the past done something that has given him cause to fear for you in any way shape or form?
He saw my wrists and knows my condition very well. I didn't act agressively towards the police. I just told them I wasn't answering a certain question because it had nothing to do with the situation. I also offered to turn on the back lights so that they could get the flashlights out of my eyes. They kind of freaked when I said that so I told them the interview was over. It was then that they lifted me out of the chair and threw me on the ground (beach pebbles). I thought I was being fair. One of them could have turned the light on but no they insisted on keeping those stinking lights shining in my eyes. If you ask me that is no way to interview a person who is distraught.
Actually by the time they arrived the crisis was over but they managed to get me upset again. Anyway enough defending myself. I want my possessions back especially my watch, which they claim not to have. The hospital claims the police didn't give anything to them so I am minus my watch and a pair of glasses and nobody wants to claim responsibility.
Daryl Shilling
9-09-05, 9:02 PM
He saw my wrists and knows my condition very well. I didn't act agressively towards the police. I just told them I wasn't answering a certain question because it had nothing to do with the situation. I also offered to turn on the back lights so that they could get the flashlights out of my eyes. They kind of freaked when I said that so I told them the interview was over. It was then that they lifted me out of the chair and threw me on the ground (beach pebbles). I thought I was being fair. One of them could have turned the light on but no they insisted on keeping those stinking lights shining in my eyes. If you ask me that is no way to interview a person who is distraught.
Actually by the time they arrived the crisis was over but they managed to get me upset again. Anyway enough defending myself. I want my possessions back especially my watch, which they claim not to have. The hospital claims the police didn't give anything to them so I am minus my watch and a pair of glasses and nobody wants to claim responsibility.
For what it's worth, I also had a very bad experience with police at my home, about ten years ago. It was at about 1:30 in the morning, and I had come home from visiting a friend. I had forgotten my keys, so I left a gym bag I had on the front porch, and went to the backyard, where I had my special hiding place for the keys. I went in, made a sandwich, got a drink, and figured I'd watch some tv.
About 15 minutes passed, and I remembered that I left my bag on the front porch. I opened the door to get it, and was all of a sudden blinded by strong lights in my eyes. "GET ON THE GROUND NOW!!!", comes roaring out at me from three different voices.
I looked to my right, and there was an f'ing gun in my face! And I mean RIGHT in my face. I raised my hands, said "I live here", and was flung to the ground on my face, got a heavy knee in the back, and was cuffed. Here comes the fun part: "Get up!!!" I said, "I've never been handcuffed before, I have no idea to get up in these things. I need help"
They stood me up, and then we went through the process of them asking me who else was robbing the place with me, what I was trying to steal, etc, etc, etc. It took them a good while to listen to me, to get to the point of comparing ID with mail, etc, that demonstrated that I lived there.
When they figured out that I lived there and that I did nothing wrong, they got the cuffs off me, and got the hell right out of there. "Sorry about the confusion sir, but it must be good to know that the Edmonton Police Service is in your neighbourhood, eh?".
The entire experience scared the snot out of me, and left me bewildered. Getting guns stuck in your face, being thrown hard (and I mean hard) onto your face and getting 'cuffed' is no picnic. I know that most cops are really good, but this experience was not fun at all.
Daryl
My neighbour and I checked out my back yard earlier on and they must have flung me down hard because you can see where all of the pebbles had moved where my face was pushed into them. My neighbour BTW almost got arrested that night for trying to tall them to take it easy on me.
We had a good chuckle about some of the events and a good chat about the other stuff. He and I are still buddies.
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