Charles is shown saying “You guys are hustling or whatever, I ain’t got no problem with that. Listen . . . do your thing. But when I come around and I speak, you f–king listen. Tell your boys.”
Charles proclaims “This is my street. All right? If you got to play tough, that’s your problem . . . I do whatever the f–k I want.” Notably, the film shows two undercover officers who do not object or do anything as Charles abuses the men. Notably, there is no evidence that those officers have been charged with any violation — a common complaint that officers who witness wrongdoing are rarely punished for failing to intervene or later raise the issues with superiors.
In this case, Charles himself comes across as an imminent threat to public safety. He announces “I have the long d–k. You don’t. Your pretty face — I like it very much. My d–k will go in your mouth and come out your ear. Don’t f–k with me. All right?” When one of the men insisted that he “didn’t do anything,” Charles warned, “I’ll take my gun and put it up your a– and then I’ll call your mother afterwards. You understand that? . . . And I’ll put your s–t in your own mouth . . .I’m here every f–king day. I don’t go home. I have no life. No kids. I do what I do.’’
The man was who took the video was charged with disorderly conduct for ignoring orders to leave. That’s right. It was the citizen who was disorderly. The police noted that man has a long record — as if that mitigates the conduct of Charles and the other officers.
Charles is quoted as telling the New York Post in response to any inquiry that “I’m just doing God’s work. You know I can’t comment . . . Have a blessed day.”
There is no indication that any of the officers reported the incident or that any discipline was taken against any of the officers by the department itself. Once again, it is the existence of a videotape that has forced the department to confront police abuse rather than simply have a denial of the facts by officers. Yet, prosecutors like Cook County State’s Attorney Alvarez continues to fight for the right to jail citizens who film police in public.
Charles appears not just unsuited for police work but mentally unstable. It is hard for me to believe that this is the first such incident or indication of instability by the officer.
Source: NY Post