We often look at police controversies in cases of abuse or other violations by officers. We occasionally have opportunities however to witness what officers face in their daily jobs as well as officers who saw admirable restraint. This is one such case. Most of us would respond more aggressively to Mr. Larry A. Green Jr., 28, spitting in our mouths. Police officers often have to show restraint that exceeds the personal discipline of most people. The video is below.
The officers do not taser Green or throw him to the ground. They calmly cuff and arrest him.
Green reportedly went to complain about a family problem but when the officer asks if he can help him, he inexplicably spits in his face and mouth.
He is now charge with a felon of throwing or discharging a bodily fluid at a public safety worker. Whatever family problem he came to report will have to wait. The offense can come with a 3 1/2 years prison stint.
Since the videotape is available and he has admitted to the act, what do you think is the appropriate sentence (assuming he is found competent)?
Source: Journal Sentinel
Dredd, You think spitting on someone means you’re crazy? Many black folk have a different relationship w/ cops. As I stated, there is a long history of racist police brutality within the Milwaukee Police Dept.
Woah!! I was giving the history of the Milwaukee Police Dept. It was one of the most brutally racist police forces in the nation, right up there w/ nearby Chicago. Their tactics were the focus of newspaper and TV expose’s. That gives a bit of context, THAT’S ALL! I do not know your brother. I’m sure he was a fine officer. Flop rule flagrant foul on this one. Hopefully your brother is OK w/ you posting a lot of personal info on him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7gMgd-KxJc&w=420&h=315
I hope this works, its the first time attempting to embed a video here. This is a Rescue 911 episode in which my brother was featured. He’s the tall good looking cop with the dark hair.
“The officers do not taser Green or throw him to the ground. They calmly cuff and arrest him.” – JT
Hey, they showed the class this time.
Three and a half years he won’t serve half that much time in a state prison,
nick spinelli
… Why do so many think anger and hatred means crazy?
=========================
Cause it makes one spit on people for no reason?
This guy, for reasons unknown to me, was looking to get arrested. Seems unlikely his anger was directed at this cop in particular given the limited time before he let loose. I think I’d want to know the motivation and background here. Three and half years would be way too much, but I’m not sure some jail time in addition to probation is not warranted. Then again, maybe the guy has mental problems and any jail time would be counterproductive. Need more info.
Here is my dear borther’s resume, I have his permission to post this and name.
David Arndt
Treasurer and member at POST – Milwaukee, WI
Treasurer and member at post
Police Sergeant at Milwaukee Police Department
Board of Directors at post
University Center for Public Safety, Certificate
View David Arndt’s full resume
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Find more Treasurer and member resumes. And more post resumes
Summary
Employment at
Work Experience
Treasurer and member
POST
1996 to Present
of the
Police Sergeant
Milwaukee Police Department (Retired)
November 2008 to September 2010
•Assignment/duties: District five-late shift patrol, acting shift commander, supervised 37 uniformed patrol officers and 3 civilian support personnel, additionally responsible for personnel evaluations, internal investigations, major incident/crime scene management;
•Desk Sergeant: Scheduling of personnel, daily squad assignments;
Board of Directors
POST
2005 to 2010
co-developed program, created training curriculum and presently the Community Liaison;
•Participant liaison, Police Suicide Prevention Project on behalf of the MPD/UW-Milwaukee partnership completing life-reviews on employee completed suicides, writing department and nation best practices standards in employee mental health and suicide education, intervention, and prevention.
Adjunct Training Instructor
Milwaukee Police Academy
1993 to 2010
recruit scenario training, state of Wisconsin certified Emergency Vehicle Operation & Vehicle Contacts Instructor;
•Peer-Support counselor/trainer, Police Officer Support Team
Adjunct Instructor
Milwaukee Area Technical College
September 2008 to June 2009
•Developed/instructed curriculum on Police Suicide Awareness and
Relationship Survival Skills for Police Recertification (In Service).
Police Officer
September 1985 to November 2008
Executive Command Staff, Office of The Chief
Milwaukee Police Academy
2005 to 2008
as the full-time peer support Coordinator of POST responsible for peer support deployment, facilitation, curriculum development, marketing and recruitment, administration of POST records and summary reports, treasury and budget;
•District Seven Day Shift, 2002 to 2005: uniform squad and retail
business beat patrol;
Instructor of SWAT concepts for out-of-jurisdiction agencies
Tactical Enforcement Unit
1991 to 2002
SWAT), 1991 to 2002: search warrant execution, barricaded/hostage/suicidal situations, dignitary/special events security, special weapon/chemical agent deployment, intelligence gathering, direction & administration/management of tactical scene, select marksman/counter sniper. Instructor of SWAT concepts for out-of-jurisdiction agencies, MPD recruit & in-service training, development & administration of training curriculum;
Field Training Officer
1986 to 1991
1983 – 2003, supervise & field train police recruits, including review of reports, evaluation of performance & recommendation for retraining.
Education
Certificate in Supervision Of Police Personnel
University Center for Public Safety
April 2008
Master of Science in Educational Psychology
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, WI
December 2006
Certificate
The National Institute of Ethics
November 2006
Certificate in Trauma Counseling
School of Continuing Education
March 2004
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Mt. Senario College – Ladysmith, WI
May 2000
I’m very proud of my brother, the MPD cop. He was one of he good guys. He worked as a motorcycle cop, he was on the TAC unit, he worked full time while getting his bachelors in psychology and went on to get his masters. He became the MPD Officer Support counselor, and retired as a Sargeant. He went into a burning house to rescue people and won a commendation. He teared up when he told me the story of when he went on a call in which a small child was shot to death. My bother is a better human being than some wanna be cops could EVER be.
Some people are simply jerks. I’m proud of my brother. Some people could NEVER ever be a cop because they are substandard. So they become PI’s. It’s so obvious that Spinelli thinks he’s insulting me. He’s actually insulting himself.
Reverse roles and some people here would want the assailant in prison for 20 years. MPD is a thuggish police force but as the old guard retires it is getting a bit better. I dealt w/ MANY police depts. and Milwaukee was one of the least professional. Milwaukee is in line to follow Detroit into bankruptcy. Their school system is a black hole of wasted money and treating kids like convicts.
Disgusting story, but 3 1/2 years is way out of line, unless the defendant had some serious disease.
Communicable.
My brother retired from the MPD after almost 30 years. He has been spat on, slapped, bit, cursed at and shot at. I discussed some of these police overreaches and abuse that have been appearing on videos the last few years, he is as disturbed by them as most people here. Three years is too much for this offense IMO, especially if there was no commicable disease found. This guy almost seemed like he wanted to be arrested, he didn’t seem all that upset at being cuffed. I suspect some mental problem.
I lean toward what Joel said. Three and a half years seems excessive. Make him wash the police officer’s car four times. That should do it.
Isaac, Can I spit on your father or son and ask you your “feelings” then? Why do so many think anger and hatred means crazy?
This seems to be something that needs a customized response peculiar to the incident. It seems that the officer was spit at immediately upon arriving at the counter. There was little if any exchange of words other than a “What can I do for you?” So, the man is obviously carrying baggage. I agree with not sending him to jail. Whatever anger issues he has would only be exacerbated. He needs some sort of attention or counseling and should spend time doing some sort of community service for the point to be made that his actions were not only reprehensible but could have got him killed. This blog regularly posts incidents of police brutality and unmitigated arrogance. If he had run into the other sort of officer, he would probably been beaten senseless or shot.
Personally I feel that simply handing out jail time makes these people worse. As a society we need to be more intelligent and hand out a combination of punishment and rehabilitation or perhaps in this case better drugs.
Prisons are overcrowded. How about 3-1/2 years of probation plus community service and those anger management classes?
What may be the officers fate? HIV or something life threatening?
Should have shot and killed the offender. Nothing is done even when officers “lead poison” perfectly innocent citizens???
That sounds like it may be a stretch of an assumption, Professor. If he’s competent, though, perhaps some anger management and house-arrest until he can prove he’s reacting positively to his meds? Community service cleaning up gum from the sidewalks around the police station and other city office buildings? Jail time where he’ll likely receive zero rehabilitative counseling seems like a waste of time and tax dollars. Just my opinion, though.