Holding Oregon Cops Accountable Over Criminal Profiling

Criminal profiling is the act of pulling over or stopping an individual without cause, generally based on appearance stereotypes.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A developing story in Oregon involves the dishonesty of police officers, and the judges who make the final call on their actions. When you think about it, the entire system is a conflict of interest because the traffic officers and the judges are on the same team. This creates real problems.

The issues ring back to the 1950's and 1960's when police all over the U.S. were involved in suppressing people over race, gender, economic status, and their physical appearance.

This is a problem today and there is an answer, one that the police are going to learn to respect, and that is the hidden video camera, more on that in a moment.

A friend of mine in the Portland area has been contacted by police three times over the last three days. Why? Once he was parked in his van on the side of the road, sleeping, because he was tired and thought he should stop driving and rest. This leads to a police officer knocking on his window, who wanted to see his drivers license, registration and proof of insurance... for sleeping.

The next day he was driving in West Linn and a traffic officer passed him, turned around and pulled him over. Why this time? "Visible emissions" the West Linn cop said. What a lie, it makes me sick. My friend's vehicle is in tip top condition mechanically, and it does not smoke. The officer simply made it up so he could hassle my friend, who does look like he walked straight out of a Grateful Dead concert, but so what? What country is this?

Oddly, this officer forgot all about the "emissions" and was centered only on my friend's inability to locate his insurance card. Once he found his proof of insurance, there was no more talk about the condition of his vehicle. This is because cops are dishonest and they lie just like any other group of people. The difference is that they are public servants and they aren't supposed to.

The third incident in three days happened when my friend was letting his dog go to the bathroom on the side of a road. A Portland traffic cop stopped and actually ran my friend's ID over this too. These members of Oregon's law enforcement community are operating in a gray area at the very least.

An incident that I know about all too well, involves a traffic stop in Salem for a "weak license plate light".

This was the reason used by an officer to pull over my vehicle. When I went to court, I had the most interesting document in my hand; a receipt showing that my vehicle's license plate lights had both been replaced three weeks before the Salem traffic stop. I also had the gentleman who oversees our vehicles testify that there is no possible way that the license plate light was not fully bright and visible.

The officer said something that by any logical account, based on the evidence presented, could not be true. But he's the cop and I'm the citizen and that was the end of that case. Just? Fair? Hell no it wasn't.

Fake emissions, invisible brand new license plate lights, these are the tactics being used to pull over drivers in Oregon. There is a severe level of dishonesty at play, and the entire system is playing into it. The judges keep ruling in favor of police regardless of facts, and the people who live here keep getting punished, what a system.

So what is the answer? How can we reign this Oregon police problem under control? Simple answers; video cameras, YouTube, and Salem-News.com.

Anyone who visits this news site regularly knows that we are some of the only brutally honest journalists in the nation and we don't offer apologies for writing about the hard, uncomfortable facts of life. We have run a lot of video showing horrific police abuse on citizens. Nothing bothers us more, except maybe clergy and educator-based abuse, and and we look forward to bringing a whole new level of exposure to this serious problem.

Video cameras, YouTube and Salem-News.com, it almost has a ring to it, and I know it makes the average resident feel better to know that we really do have their backs.

I received a comment from a father yesterday whose daughter and her friends were verbally abused and threatened by a local deputy after they had been in a horrible crash. The deputy lost his mind because the adult accident victims were smoking cigarettes, seriously.

This dad told me that my support as the editor of Salem-News.com made a difference to his daughter.

"Sarah went to court on Tuesday morning and the DA decided to drop all charges. She has to stay out of trouble or they can still choose to proceed on the charges, but from seeing the change that this incident has brought on her, I'd be shocked if she ever gets into a situation like that again. The accident may have saved her life. Many thanks to the Editor and the supporting comments, and even to some of the ones who called the kids idiots... I don't entirely blame you for what you said. It was a bad situation made worse by BOTH sides overreacting in my opinion. The only thing I can say in the kids' defense is that they had been through a traumatic situation and were probably not thinking all that clearly at that point. The cops should be trained professionals and be able to get things into control better than they did."

Sorry, but I live for things like that, knowing that we are able to make a difference and change things. I am honored by these words from "Sarah's Poppa", thanks for that.

Today media is half the problem; newspaper and TV are struggling and people are more worried about saving their jobs than changing the world. That is why Internet journalists are having such rapid advancement right now. We're going nowhere but forward.

When everything changes and every action a dirty cop commits is recorded and shown by media, then we will have turned this animal around. As much as anything, we would do it for the clean cops who would never use these methods, and they know who they are.

If law enforcement had what it took to be critical of their own, it would help. That is not how the game is played though. They are almost exclusively totally supportive of other cops and that keeps the criminal element alive and well in their respective agencies.

When we are on public property, it is our right to record any damned thing we want by the way, and I suggest that every person on the road buys a small camera and keeps it ready to go, to protect themselves from the unjust and illegal actions of police.

You can always write to me for advice on that too, I have some experience using small cameras while covering the wars overseas, and I will gladly share that information. I'm sad that I have to write this, but I will always write stories like this when they need to be told. Police use the laws to their every advantage, all I'm saying is that we should do the same thing.

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines. Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

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Patricia H. October 27, 2010 11:16 pm (Pacific time)

Single mom at the same address for 14 years in west linn. First thing these cops do when they open their mouth is lie. we' ve got to remember they are just like you and I. They have no right to treat us any different than our neighbors. But they do. I seem to have these cops so far up my ass its rediculous. "Serve and Protect", all Ive seen is, "Lie and Harrass!"

Michelle March 3, 2010 7:24 pm (Pacific time)

Just today I was researching the legality of recording someone without their knowledge (medical appointment) and, according to the Internet sites I consulted, it is legal in most states, including Oregon, for any person to make an audio record of a conversation in which they are a participant, but not to share that recording with others unless they have the consent of everyone whose voice is recorded. (There may be some exemptions for use as evidence in court, especially as a defense in criminal court.) Also, according to the Internet search I did, there is no law against making an image recording of anything visible to the public unless you intend to sell the image, then you might have to have releases and satisfy copyrights, etc. So, if a person wanted to protect themselves in their vehicle here is what I would do: Buy one or more cameras with sound recording capabilities to be installed (hidden) inside the vehicle and one or more cameras without sound that are weather resistant to install outside the car (like a backup camera). All must be reasonably able to record in low light and bright light conditions. The inside camera(s) need to record the driver, the driver's window and the instrument panel at the very least. Be sure that they are not recording conversations outside the vehicle except for anyone talking through the open window. Other requirements: * ability to record 30 - 60 minutes continuously (more is better but probably not necessary). * Have enough power to record that long even if the ingnition is turned off. * You will need to be able to turn it on discretely, or if it is a looped recording, a way to tell it not to overwrite anything after you press a start button. Then, once installed and activated, if you are stopped, do not get out of the car and do not roll the window down more than a few inches. This will more than likely annoy the officer but they have no valid reason to compell you to do otherwise. (Just be sure to keep your hands visible and don't make sudden moves.) If you do get out, be sure to stand where one of the camera(s) can at least see you. This type of setup can be installed for less than $150 if you shop carefully and have a friend who is good with electrical stuff. Other options are watches, pens, and air fresheners that have hidden mic and lens in them and can record up to 1.5 hours and sell for as little as $30 on sites like Amazon and eBay. There used to be a show on Fox that followed cops around recording their speeding, harrassing, and other just plain bad behavior but it vanished. So you have to wonder if maybe judges most likely go along with the police because they and their family have to live, work and drive here too.

Seriously ticked February 9, 2010 12:51 pm (Pacific time)

I got pulled over a few years back, about 2 blocks from my home. I was warming up my car IN MY DRIVEWAY, got out to wipe off the window, and hopped back into the drivers seat. Before putting the car into gear, I strap my seat-belt like I always do. I got a verbal warning for operating a motorized vehicle without wearing the proper safety restraints. Really? I'm a man with long hair, so obviously I must be a criminal of some kind. They do whatever they want to hold you under their thumb. Is there anything out there that the average citizen can do to keep from being harassed by officers?

Tim King: Some communities have Police Review Boards but I have seen it be a real sham, where all they could do was offer 'advice' over police matters. I think the question you ask is a very important one, and I would be happy to look into this for you, what city are you in? Reply here or send me an email at: tim@salem-news.com, thanks for writing.

Ro February 9, 2010 2:55 am (Pacific time)

I dated a lead Admin Law Judge for quite a while, who was also an Oregon State Trooper for years. He often shared his feelings of Salem PD, "the most crooked city of law enforcement in Oregon, including Keizer"

jimmy February 8, 2010 11:12 am (Pacific time)

I was thrown in jail one night for PRETENDING to take photos of a band of thugs dressed in uniform that were shoving a close friend in the back of their SUV while we were walking home from a pub at under their “orders”. The phone didn't even have a damn camera... What we have are dropouts from society that suddenly have "power" and they love to use it. Protect and Serve my a$$, it's all about intimidation and coercion. Find me ONE good cop and that I one more than I have ever known.

Josh A. February 7, 2010 9:54 pm (Pacific time)

My uncle was a state trooper in Oregon before he took his own life, before I was born. His name was John Akers. I have never met him. Perhaps he was 'too good' for all that 'BS' and had to cut out early. A policeman's job is never easy no matter if you love them or hate them. Almost like a tow truck driver, except nobody loves them for their work. I don't.

Natalie February 7, 2010 2:26 pm (Pacific time)

Most citizen don't bother to challenge the bogus ticket, since it's the unwritten law that 'officer is always right'. Unless it will ruin your driving history or you're in that mood again of starting a fight with windmills.

Jeremy February 7, 2010 11:46 am (Pacific time)

Silverton Police officer pulled me over for loud music at 2 am, but I didnt have a radio in the vehicle, I had explained that to the officer. He than looked at my drivers license, I was visiting from Southern California with my Valid California Drivers License. I had been in Silverton for the first time ever, visiting my parents who had just moved there 3 years ago. Anyways I was in town for about 2 weeks when I passed the Silverton Police dept on my way up the hill, I saw the officer walk into the dept doors as I passed at 25mph, I saw him walk back out, hop into his car and pull me over. I explained to the officer that I was visiting my parents from so cal, he actually wrote me a ticket for not having a Oregon Drivers License, REALLY, I explained to the judge that I wasnt a resident, and she looks at the Officer and than tells me, OK I will remove that part, AND I SAID WHAT?!?!? the whole pull over was based on FALSE INFO, The case should be thrown out but the judge went on to Offer me a DISCOUNT!!!!! Oregon Police need their "Rodney King" incident to restore any kind of dignity to the Oregon Policing industry. I am sorry but People in Los Angeles dont freak out when they see an officer, as a matter of fact, we stop our officers and talk to them, Gues what, I tried that 3 times here in oregon, you know what I got while the officers where sitting around resting..... We are too busy to talk, WHAT!!!! Funny story when a year later after all this, I did decide to move to Salem ORegon. I was driving on I5 Christmas Eve 3 years ago heading from Los Angeles to Silverton, I was a little south of Eugene heading north. 3am it was pouring rain and basically a muddy grimey driving night. I was pulling a 20' trailer with my Chevy 1500 4x4 with no problems. All of a sudden a vehicle ahead of me slowed, I changed into a lane that hadnt had traffic for sometime so there was standing water. As I change lanes I caught a large area of standing water, I skidded off the road into the deep muddy middle of the freeway, Guess what, I sat for 2 hours waiting for help, finally a towtruck stopped and started to help pull me out, and helped me gather much of my equipment that I had on my trailer in my final move from LA to Silverton. A half hour later a state trooper finally came by looked at the situation, walked around in the rain a bit, came and wrote my a citation for not maintaining my lane.... WTF!!! I am sorry but Oregon Has SERIOUS Public offical professionalism problems, along with too many judges that will not go against anything an officer says, because apparently they ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH, so thinks ALL JUDGES IN OREGON. I stand vigillant and ready to be part of the HUGE change coming, are you?????

Hank Ruark February 7, 2010 11:30 am (Pacific time)

To all: Have ridden with police on "routine patrol" any number of times over 50 years, starting in Maine with Police Chief of small hometown who was also my friend/photographer on many stories. We had darkroom in back of his Dad's barbershop ! HE respected rugged Maine public, won the confidence of all,was lauded in town meeting for work/style and record. BUT some others I've covered get great kicks out of uniform and immunities it sometimes does provide. Chicago and multi-suburbs well-known for many such in decade-plus there... twice personally encountered, once with wife driving, who then challenged ticket in court and WON ! She was psychiatrist and laid on symptoms in detail which judge had to accept, since two colleagues, both PhDs, accompanied her and also testified. Tim's detail right out of story-copy over allathoseyrs., and you will do well to read, think, plan and BE READY !! Re citizen behaviors legal in such situations, do believe that's worth detailed report here in S-N...what say, Tim ?? Do we have legal-eagle among readers ready to report or is this one for us ??

douglas benson February 7, 2010 9:02 am (Pacific time)

The constitution doesnt mean squat in traffic court and judges will not rule on such issuse you must take them to appeal court and that costs a pretty penny . implied consent laws are a good example .The court ruled that forced tests or threats made by officers are unconstitutional but they promptly made a new law that will have to be taken to the appeals court yet again . Implied consent is totally illegal in the first place since its a punishment for exercising youre fith ammendment and miranda rights to counsel before you say or do anything . Portland and other cities have groups called cop watch just because of abuse by officers .

Jeff Kaye~ February 7, 2010 6:24 am (Pacific time)

I was recently pulled over, for apparently being invisible, but the cop's explanation seemed racist to me... I asked him what the problem was, as I hadn't broken any law - wasn't driving erratically - inspection stickers up to date, etc. He said "I thought you was black." I said excuse me? Is that a crime? Besides, I'm whiter than you, Officer...Garcia! He said "Well, I couldn't see anybody in there." Okay, first he thinks I'm black, now I'm a ghost. I asked if I was free to go. He said if my license, registration and insurance turn out to be legitimate, THEN I'd be free to go. He took his sweet time verifying those documents and then let me off with a warning! "Don't be driving black." Seriously. He said I was leaned too far back. (I do lean back due to a spinal injury causing me vicious pain shooting through my left hip and down my leg.) I had a little talk with his chief, and haven't seen him on the road since - maybe he got put on desk duty, I hope so. I wasn't previously conscious of this type of profiling, being a white male, but leaning back apparently makes me black, thus a profiling target. What is this world coming to? The chief said this was not taught at the academy, nor were his patrol cops instructed by him or anyone else to racially profile. I guess it's just individual cops taking it upon themselves to pick on perceived members of other ethnic backgrounds for persecution. This type of activity should constitute grounds for dismissal, in my opinion. They're public servants, not "White elite" servants. I'm beginning to understand the disproportionate number of persons of color incarcerated in our state and federal penal institutions. They're apparently targeted and stopped based on their appearance, and nothing more. The cops then look for violations. If the defendant fights it in court, the cop will say something like "he was weaving, your honor" and it's the defendant's word against that of the "upstanding officer". The deck is stacked against minorities, who are exploited by the "justice" system to pad budgets for increased officer pay for overtime, and to build more and more jails and prisons to house people often guilty of only having a little bit of harmless "green vegetable matter" in their pocket. This is later described in court as "testing positive for marijuana, or thc". What a racket. Call your congresspeople, senators, mayors, police chiefs, city coucilpersons, etc. and complain about this racial injustice and waste of taxpayer (your) money. There are no laws which can be upheld in (most) courts regarding public videotaping and/or sound recording. Individual Podunk burgs may implement such ordinances, but they'll most certainly be shot down as unconstitutional if appealed to a higher court than that of the particular incident. Exceptions of course for indecency (up skirt perverts on escalators or anywhere, really) or in places with rules against photography (strip clubs come to mind) to protect employees. An officer of the law who has a problem being videotaped performing his job in a public place has something to hide. It's just a matter of calling his bluff. This may entail attorney fees, court costs, etc., not to mention all the time it takes you to fight the ridiculous charges. But it's a fight that needs to be fought on every single occasion - our 1st amendment rights (and several others) are being violated by these testy cops who are more than likely lying if they tell you it's illegal to photograph and/or otherwise record images, sounds, smells whatever! I would fight it, appeal it as far as necessary, to save others from the hassle. Cockroaches scatter when you turn on the lights. Not that all public servants are repugnant insects, but there are some who qualify - they know who they are - and they make all police officers everywhere look bad.

douglas benson February 6, 2010 7:44 am (Pacific time)

Hey Tim be carefull what you encourage people to do .I heared a rumor that portland made it against the law to video officers without consent .Also do you know what the law is about recording audio secretly . One more tip for folks ,do not get out of your vehicle for any reason unless you are under arrest .I was tricked into getting out by the old your blinker isnt working come take a look like an idiot I got out and what do you know it was working fine but then I was slammed up against the car searched ect.a clear play at a resisting arrest charge {it allmost worked ] What does the judge say? You have no reason to get out of the car and officers have the right to protect thier saftey ,arrest and search you for weapons ect if they wish .Be carefull out there folks .

Tim King: Douglas, I have heard rumors of such things but they would literally have to override the most key points of the U.S. Constitution to do that. This brings up the notion that a driver doesn't have to do more than slightly crack their window and hand their documents out. I do not have the actual police take on that, but I believe it is true. I just want to see them play above the board, legally and fair. I don't want Americans to be treated like people living in eastern Europe, etc.

gp February 6, 2010 1:33 am (Pacific time)

in Salem people are frequently pulled over for dwh or driving while hispanic. This from my husband's former Latino students.

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