09/14/2007
Panel Upholds Charges Against Cops in Rochester Gay Bashing
In June I posted about an anti-gay assault in Rochester, New York in which the gay bash victims alleged that police let their attackers go and took them into custody instead. One woman said that one of the officers called her a "drunken dyke". The victims have filed a civil rights lawsuit.
A civilian panel looking into the charges against police has found them legitimate, the Democrat and Chronicle reported yesterday.
Police Chief David Moore spoke to the media yesterday: "I’m here today to say we made some mistakes."
According to WHAM-13, "The officers will be formally notified of the departmental charges. They may be suspended with pay during a disciplinary process. They will be entitled to a hearing by an arbitrator."
Mike Mazzeo, a Rochester Police Locust Club union official, expressed disappointment at the news: “This is an example of cops being persecuted for political reasons."
Posted 3:45 PM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, New York, News | Permalink
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'Mike Mazzeo, a Rochester Police Locust Club union official, expressed disappointment at the news: “This is an example of cops being persecuted for political reasons."'
No. If it was really political, those sons of bitches would have been suspended, indefinitely, WITHOUT pay. Police officers should not be paid for being assholes.
Posted by: The Watch Dog | Sep 14, 2007 3:59:47 PM
Well, atleast the civilians in Rochester are progressive minded folks who believe in justice. Maybe they immigrated from Canada.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Sep 14, 2007 4:11:28 PM
Amen, Watch Dog.
It was unprofessionalism and violation of Constitutional rights that got them in trouble, not politics.
If they had done their jobs like they are supposed to do, there wouldn't have been a problem and this young lady's life wouldn't have been so negatively affected.
I wish the victims a lot of luck in their lawsuit.
Posted by: Jonathon | Sep 14, 2007 4:27:21 PM
Poor persecuted police officers who thought they could abuse the gays and get away with it... boo hoo.
Nice that they get a paid vacation out of it though, isn't it?
Posted by: Wes | Sep 14, 2007 4:34:45 PM
“This is an example of cops being persecuted for political reasons."'
-Mike Mazzeo,
No! This is an example of discrimination based on sexual orientation committed by these officers. The actions these officers took speak for themselves.
Feel free to write to Mr. Mazzeo of the Rochester Police Locust Club. Help explain to him the difference between discrimination and his statement watering down the events in order to turn them into politics.
His contact information:
Mike Mazzeo
Executive Vice President
Rochester Police Locust Club
mazzeo@locustclub.org
http://www.locustclub.org/execboard.asp
Posted by: Jay | Sep 14, 2007 4:34:48 PM
Filthy rotten swine! Since when has a violation of human rights and dignity become "political"? I pray that the victims win their case. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
Posted by: the queen | Sep 14, 2007 4:43:43 PM
Thanks, Wes, for the email address. I just sent a note to this guy. For those who are interested:
Mr. Mazzeo:
I'm writing to express my concern that you do not understand the gravity of the situation regarding the recent police abuse of a crime victim in Rochester, NY. You recently stated that the officers involved in the harassment were being "persecuted for political reasons." Surely someone in such a position of authority within the police community as you are can understand that those police officers violated the civil rights of a crime victim. There is no persecution at all but I certainly hope there will be prosecution in the near future: of those who perpetrated the beating.
I fear your comments are part of a dangerous and illogical mindset by many in this country which is to suggest that gay men and women in this country have no rights and are somehow second-class citizen or, worse, sub-human. Furthermore, it suggests that to criticize the police for failing to do their duty in protecting gay citizens from harm and abuse is tantamount to persecution. Their job is to uphold the law and to apprehend law-breakers. Their job is not to impose their own "morality" on the populace that they are sworn to protect.
If your agenda is to enter into a debate about the "politics" of gay rights, I suggest you do it outside of your professional role as a representative of law enforcement professionals. For your profession should be above bigotry when policing the streets. Your job is to protect citizens, not to aid and abet in gay bashing.
Shame on you and shame on those police officers.
Sincerely,
xxx xxxxx
Brooklyn, NY
Posted by: MateoFeo | Sep 14, 2007 4:58:45 PM
Simpson has confessed to taking the items, but said he didn't break in. He says he was doing a sting operation.
Posted by: zeke | Sep 14, 2007 8:56:22 PM