San Jose: Cops sued in death of man on meth who wa

I just don't get it. Why would these parents sue when the coroner said, "The Santa Clara County coroner's office ruled Lua's death as accidental and concluded that an "astronomical level" of methamphetamine in his system caused an abnormal heartbeat that proved to be fatal. The coroner's office determined the use of Tasers was not a factor in the death."

http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_14663603

Since when can individual cops be sued for doing their jobs and using police equipment to do it? Can one of you explain it to me?

Why sue???

The promise of a big payday!!! Once a loved one is killed or beaten up by the big, bad, out of control police, the scumbag attorneys send these families sympathy baskets of wine and fruits (promising them lottery winnings). The attorney that usually sends the biggest basket gets the client. Just remember the actions of these victims is never considered. I'm sure he was walking down the street minding his own business, when Ofc(insert name)unlawfully beat/killed this victim. Speaking from experience, keep your heads up, and continue to fight the good fight!!!

Cecil

I know you are right but I think anyone who files frivolous lawsuits should be put in jail for fraud. I work hard and pay my taxes. I’m sick of footing the bill for courts to hear this BS while victims and cops have to suffer the insult of theses leaches. I’m not voting for anyone who is already in office as long as this crap is allowed to happen. I’m not voting for or donating to anyone like Rosen who uses his office to get endorsements from victims. Or any one else who ignores public safety and the cops who protect us just make these activists happy.

I just got a fantastic laugh. This was in today's Mercury:

"Five more Mercury News staff members have been honored for outstanding work in 2009.

Reporter Sean Webby was named a finalist in investigative reporting by the Scripps Howard Foundation for stories on the San Jose Police Department. Webby wrote a series of stories that examined how arrests for minor crimes in San Jose often lead to violent confrontations between police and suspects."

What a joke...

Perhaps members of the community, such as the POA leadership, should be proactive and make the Scripps Howard Foundation aware of the numerous inaccuracies, editorial assumptions and outright falsehoods in Webby's stories.

At the least, the judges should be informed of the CPLE's findings (100% opposite the Merc), and of Ed Rast's statistical analysis which also casts doubt on the Merc's conclusions.

I would not want to see the Merc, and Webby, win awards for perpetrating a series of lies about the San Jose Police!

Good idea Topcat

George-have you ever considered taking some legal action against the Murkey Puke?

More misinformation in today Mercury in an editorial, I mean article, written by John Woolfolk. (perhaps Folktale would be a better last name)

He is reporting that San Jose police officers get "free health care for themselves and their spouses" in retirement.

If he had done just a little, tiny, infinitesimally small bit of research, he would have found that in our last contract we agreed to prefund our medical insurance by taking an eventual 5% of our gross pay while we are working.

If we wrote criminal reports like these reporters write articles, we would all be guilty of perjury. They need to go back to college and take Journalism 101 and pay special attention to the chapter on being accurate with the facts.

Thank goodness we have our own website to provide some small check and balance against the inaccurate garbage put out by the Mercury.

Deb Figone

I couldn't help but read the hog wash written about Ed Rast. (Last Blog) If the supporters of Deb is so strong why don't we the "POA" host an open budget debate. I know Ed would be 10 97. Let the facts be shown. I feel if we are wrong then we can admit it. I just really don't see that happening. Everyone who reads this blog needs to give a a note of support. Thanks Ed for all your hard work!

Ditto Ed,
All of us patrol officers are grateful for your detailed research. It shows what we have known all along, and that no one has had the courage to say in standing up to the barrage of false reports against us.

I'm proud of you Ed

I attended the community meeting ALF held last week. Ed did an outstanding job of presenting the facts. Sadly, and not surprisingly, they did want to hear them. He took some serious verbal abuse from the usual cast of characters, so YES we need to support Ed's efforts to speak the truth, even when no one wants to hear. The road less traveled can be a very lonely one especially when others agree with you but keep silent.

Ed, thank you my friend for all you do for our community, the SJPD, and me! I deeply appreciate your integrity and your friendship! Now, keep kicking butt!

I work midnites and I am amazed at how our staffing is shrinking. Teams that once a few years ago went out with 7 officers are routinely going out with 3 or 4 officers per district. I can't imagine how it will be in the next year when so many leave and there are no academies scheduled.

Please, please take care of each other. Don't make car and ped stops knowing you have no fill. Fill with each other no matter what the call. Don't 952 on a two man call; it will get you hurt or killed. Handle one call at a time and do it correctly, otherwise you are compromising the victim and also opening yourself to blame if a problem occurs. Don't hesitate to use force if legally necessary. We get very complacent, but there are plenty of criminals who would harm or kill you if given a chance. The fewer officers we have on the streets, the higher the odds are in the criminals favor that they have a chance to hurt you. Remember, the goal is to go home to your family after your shift. You can't make up for the lack of staffing. Be smart and be safe.