heresolong wrote:
Lammo wrote:
unless the citizen has smoothed the way with the prosecutor in advance.
Or to paraphrase "if the citizen is charging the police with illegal conduct".
Nothing against you lammo (you said "we" so I assume you are a prosecutor) but that is one of the problems with our system. Prosecutors work for the same branch of government as the police so police officers rarely get charged unless there is an egregious breach of law. Whereas we the civilian get cuffed on the sidewalks in downtown Bellingham when no law has been broken.
Rob, what do we need to do to get you a lawyer? Have you filed a FOIA request for all 911 and vehicle tapes from the stop? I am willing to chip in to stop Bellingham PD from running roughshod over our rights.
You guessed correctly - - I am a prosecutor - - 22 1/2 years.Sounds to me like you all have a hostile climate over there in the Bellingham area. The dry side is (usually) much more accommodating. My experience with citizen complaints is from 1987-88 - - I've worked in Superior Court since then. I never met one that was coherent or able to actually be prosecuted. That's not to say that they can never be without merit - - if you scan the thread you'll see that I posted the reference to the rule that allows them.
If you are having a hassle with your local PD or Sheriff and can't get any help from the Prosecuting Attorney, City Council or County Commissioners,
I suggest you try contacting the Attorney General's office. They aren't subject to the same local political pressures and they do have the jurisdiction and ability to step in. Not guaranteeing you will succeed but it's worth a try.
