Two troopers are facing criminal charges for a traffic stop that occurred last summer. The troopers’ dash cam caught the act on video—clearly showing a female trooper searching two women inside of their clothing. The trooper denies wrongdoing and the civilians have filed a lawsuit. [Read more…]
Police Would Have You Think Drones Are No Threat
Numerous police agencies across the country are salivating at the opportunity to have a new militaristic toy to add to their arsenals. The hot item right now is the drone and several departments within Texas have them. A recent report in the Star Telegram, however, seems to attempt to paint the eyes-in-the-sky as harmless remote-controlled helpers rather than anything that could be potentially used to violate privacy rights. [Read more…]
Drug Task Force Cops Facing Drug Charges
Seven former members of a South Texas police department are now facing serious charges of funneling drugs for profit. The cops, all former Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Deputies, are facing federal drug and conspiracy charges. [Read more…]
Dallas Cops Now Required to Get Written Consent for Searches
When a cop doesn’t have a warrant or exigent circumstances (circumstances that would provide for the destruction of evidence or commission of a crime), he cannot search your property without your consent. While this seems simple, many people don’t understand that if a cop asks, “Mind if I search your car?”, they can say no. Now, the city of Dallas is going to make the process of consent searches more sound by requiring cops to get written or recorded consent every time. [Read more…]
Austin Police Using More Force
While arrests have fallen and police contacts have similarly dropped over the past two years, Austin police are using force against citizens at higher rates. While police officials say this is due to better incident reporting by officers, a Statesman report looks at other factors that may be coming into play. [Read more…]
When School Discipline Results in Criminal Charges
Two decades ago, if you were caught skipping school, fighting on school grounds, or caught with cigarettes, you would likely be given detention, possibly suspended, and had a serious “talking to”. But things are different now in Texas schools and kids are being ticketed and even arrested for such things. Not only does the punishment far outweigh the “crime” in many of these cases, but the punishment could start a child down the long road of a life within the criminal justice system. [Read more…]
Houston Cops to Get Mini Body Cameras
The Houston Police Department says police officers will soon be testing small cameras attached to their shirts or even their glasses. This, they say, is an attempt to bring down officer complaints and to provide clear evidence for use in criminal cases. But if other cities are any indication, the cameras may bring out the best behavior in everyone. [Read more…]
No Distance Restrictions for Filming Cops in Austin
There is no legal distance away from police you should be when recording their actions, but police acknowledge there could be a problem if you are close enough to distract an officer from his or her duties.
How far from a police officer do you have to be in order for him to feel safe? It’s sort of a humorous question when you think of it. I prefer: How far does an officer have to be from you in order for you to feel safe. The Austin Police Department recently took on the issue of filming cops, nearly instating a distance limit of 50 or 60 feet, before deciding against it and leaving that distance up to the officers at the time of the filming. [Read more…]
Houston Cops Accused of Using Sirens, Lights, and Badges to Steal Drugs
Two Houston police officers are facing serious drug charges after using their positions within the department to steal drugs from at least one person—and that person happened to be an undercover cop. [Read more…]
Austin Man Faces Felony Charges after Photographing Arrest
Antonio Buehler of Austin was pumping gas just after midnight on New Year’s Day when he saw police conducting a DUI investigation. It was when he saw them pull a female passenger out of the vehicle they were stopped, “manhandling” her, that he decided to start taking pictures. It was this that would ultimately end up getting him charged with several crimes and facing 10 years in prison. [Read more…]
