Cheye Calvo Takes a Stand Against Corrupt Drug War Policing
Ever since police killed his dogs in an epic – yet typical – episode of botched drug raid debauchery, I've been repeatedly awed by Cheye Calvo's judgment, composure and commitment to justice. He didn't pick this fight, but it's become crystal clear he won't give up until it's finished. So if the arrogant police officials in Prince Georges County, MD think that continuing to stall will spare them any embarrassment or accountability, this Washington Post Op-ed should put their delusions to rest.
I'm not going to block quote this because I hope each of you will read the whole thing in its entirety. It's hard to imagine a more honest and powerful response to police who think the drug war gives them the right to abuse the people they serve.
Mayor Calvo's bravery deserves our applause and continued support. I agree with Radley Balko that he should consider running for a higher office in Maryland. There's no better way to establish accountability than to become the person performing the oversight.
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Comment posted by Scott Morgan on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 4:11pmThe SWAT legislation was designed to pass the legislature and it did so despite bitter opposition from law enforcement interests. A more ambitious bill would likely have failed. I think the exact right decisions were made about how to approach it.
As for suing the individual officers, I'm pretty sure they're entirely immune from liability. The burden of police misconduct suits always falls on the taxpayer and Cheye Calvo was in no position to change that. Again, he took the approach that will bring victory. Hence my praise of his judgment.
Reality.
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 9:57amAnyone who thinks this is a free country does not live here; they live in Never Never Land.
I read that op-ed the day it was published
Comment posted by Moonrider on Tue, 09/22/2009 - 3:32amIt's good, and I agree with most of what he wrote. Just too bad he didn't put more teeth into the legislation he promoted on SWAT, it's a start but a very small start that will be end-runned as quickly as SWAT members and their superiors figure out how. But his heart was in the right place with that legislation. I hope his lawsuit is successful, just wish he would have included each individual officer involved in the illegal raid in his suits, so they would have to pay out of their own pockets rather than the taxpayers having to pay.
I'm pro-choice on EVERYTHING!