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Title: Ex-Officer Lets Rip a Twitter Rant About Witnessed Baltimore Cop Corruption
Source:
Activist Post/HuffPo
URL Source: http://www.activistpost.com/2015/06 ... ts-rip-twitter-rant-about.html
Published: Jun 25, 2015
Author: Amanda Warren
Post Date: 2015-06-26 09:05:19 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 1035
Comments: 13
Something must have kept Michael Wood Jr. up at night - perhaps what he witnessed when he was a part of the Baltimore Police Department. Was his Twitter tirade more of a confession or blowing the whistle on corruption he witnessed in the department? He blew the lid on illegal searches, beatings and even more sordid things like defecating and urinating on suspects' beds. And now that he has let it all rip, will any of the victims of such corruption get any resolution? According to Huffington Post, a current Baltimore Police Department spokesperson confirmed that Wood left the force in 2014. Wood places the responsibility for the Baltimore riots following April's brutal killing of Freddie Grey, solely on the BPD. His Tweets are of the "screw it-here goes...." variety and as you might imagine, have garnered him some big-time interviews of his choosing - not so much with local stations. He is not too unlike the newscaster from Network who has nothing left to lose by honest conversation. As for the "brave" outlets clamoring him for interviews - either the mainstream is desperate to get viewers back or it is just so rare to see someone chuck caution to the wind and do the right thing. But of course, his account has also been blown up with heavy criticism and viciousness. What do you think? He doesn't show signs of stopping. Michael Wood gave a no-holds barred look at his career in a previous radio interview, but his tweets gained traction for their brazen admissions that officers lied to get overtime, illegally searched "thousands of people" and committed gross acts during raids, like urinating and defecating on suspects' beds. So here we go. I'm going to start Tweeting the things I've seen & participated in, in policing that is corrupt, intentional or not.— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 A detective slapping a completely innocent female in the face for bumping into him, coming out of a corner chicken store.— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 Punting a handcuffed, face down, suspect in the face, after a foot chase. My handcuffs, not my boot or suspect— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 CCTV cameras turning as soon as a suspect is close to caught.— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 Pissing and shitting inside suspects homes during raids, on their beds and clothes.— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 Jacking up and illegally searching thousands of people with no legal justification— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 Having other people write PC statements, who were never there because they could twist it into legality.— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 Summonsing officers who weren't there so they could collect the overtime.— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 Targeting 16-24 year old black males essentially because we arrest them more, perpetrating the circle of arresting them more.— Michael A. Wood Jr. (@MichaelAWoodJr) June 24, 2015 A spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department confirmed that Wood left the force in 2014. In subsequent tweets, Wood promised to reveal more and expressed surprise at the attention paid to his commentary. After Freddie Gray died in April from a spinal cord injury he sustained while in police custody, thousands in Baltimore protested against police brutality. Wood told the Secular News Network in May that the "BPD started the riots." In that interview, Wood, who is white, said that Gray's death clearly showed that officers treat black and white people differently. “The officers don’t see it as being so egregious, because people like Freddie Gray are so ingrained as 'thems,'" he said. Officers said they arrested Gray for carrying a switchblade, but the city's chief prosecutor, Marilyn Mosby, ruled it was a legal knife. “Even if the police feel as though they did nothing wrong. How many residents were arrested in the white neighborhoods with spring-assisted pocket knives?" Wood said to SNN. "I have a suspicion that the number is right around zero." Wood did not respond to requests for comment. UPDATE: On Thursday, June 25, Detective Rashawn Strong, a spokesperson with the Baltimore Police Department, responded by email to HuffPost's inquiries about Wood's allegations. The recent allegations made by Mr. Michael Wood are serious and very troubling. The Police Commissioner has made clear that the Baltimore Police Department will never tolerate malicious conduct. We hope that during his time as both a sworn member and as a sergeant with supervisory obligations, that Mr. Wood reported these disturbing allegations at the time of their occurrence. If he did not, we strongly encourage him to do so now, so that our Internal Affairs Division can begin an immediate investigation. In a recently published letter to the Baltimore Sun, the Police Commissioner made clear that his reform efforts remain focused on rooting out the type of conduct that is alleged. We implore Mr. Wood or anyone else with knowledge of such acts to contact our Internal Affairs Division at 410-396-2300. Recently from Amanda Warren:
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#1. To: Deckard (#0)
(Edited)
This really should be "objective."
How's that crime rate in Baltimore now?
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalm 62:1-2)
Got it - you only worship cops who toe the company line, don't make waves and cover up for crimes committed by other cops. Looks to me like the Baltimore PD is taking his charges seriously. How?
They're threatening him. Read the final paragraph.
So what? Let's continue to be honest here by asking ourselves and each other "How many spring-assisted pocket knives are found being carried by white people in white neighborhoods?" Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
They're threatening him. Read the final paragraph. Fred,I don't see that as a threat. I see it as more of a dare as well as a way for the Boston PD to cover their asses. Anybody can make any claims about anything they want,but to get any changes made or charges placed they have to stand up in court and testify as well as write down and sign their allegations. They have this guy over a barrel right now because any sworn evidence he gives under oath will incriminate him as a co-conspirator and fellow player in criminal acts,along with the cops that committed the criminal acts. Chances are he will never do this without an immunity from prosecution/lawsuit offer being signed,and the city of Boston will be in no mood to make such an offer and then have their dirty laundry aired and expose them to discriminate and police brutality lawsuits. This means that Wood is either going to have to STFU about what he has seen,or figure some way to pressure the Boston as well as the feral (civil rights charges,don'tchaknow?)authorities to grant him immunity from any and all charges that may result from his testimony. Those are deep waters he is wading in,and the hungry sharks are viscous and looking for a chance to chew him up. About the only way I know of he could do this would be to get together with the local Tan Klan leadership and get them to use their influence and access to the press to force the feds to give him total immunity and to force the locals to do the same. Who knows,he might even be able to negotiate a small percentage of the "shut up and go away" payoff money the local Rev-Runds and the Tan Klan end up getting? Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
They are not threatening him, they are pointing that he is a low-down-hypocrite who should have reported these incidents....or now STEP FORWARD and make formal charges.
I agree with you - Post #9. If some of the cops did wrong, then he should bring them up on charges. A different article said he is not longer with the department for medical reasons. I wonder if he feels the force crapped on him and he has a personal vendetta. That would be interesting to know.
I worship no one. I kick the ass of everyone who gets out of line. Now, you GOT it!
Looks to me like you are continuing to STEAL from your boss who is paying you right now to do a job for him....not be posting on LF. Are you as big a thief as you are a hypocrite?
While we are discussing taking things seriously: Do you feel as a Christian, you can indulge in the use of any substance that inhibits rational functionality? This is a consideration you should begin to take seriously....not something a PD is doing.
Ex-cop...
#2. To: Deckard (#0)
#3. To: All (#1)
#4. To: Gatlin (#1)
(Edited)
Now he looks like a guy I can really expect to hear the truth from….not.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#5. To: Deckard (#4)
Looks to me like the Baltimore PD is taking his charges seriously.
#6. To: Gatlin (#5)
How?
#7. To: Deckard (#0)
“Even if the police feel as though they did nothing wrong. How many residents were arrested in the white neighborhoods with spring-assisted pocket knives?" Wood said to SNN. "I have a suspicion that the number is right around zero."
#8. To: Fred Mertz (#6)
How?
#9. To: Fred Mertz (#6)
How? They're threatening him. Read the final paragraph.
#10. To: sneakypete, Fred Mertz (#8)
#11. To: Deckard (#4)
Got it - you only worship cops who toe the company line...
#12. To: Deckard (#4)
Looks to me like the Baltimore PD is taking his charges seriously.
#13. To: Deckard (#4)
...taking his charges seriously.
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