Petition Tag - police officer

OVER 1200 + SIGNATURES ON 1st PETITION
to view 1st petition click here: http://www.richarddiguglielmo.org/sign-letter/name-list-1

LETS GET THIS 2ND PETITION EVEN HIGHER

THE COALITION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, LABOR UNIONS, CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR THE RELEASE OF IMPRISONED NYPD OFFICER RICHARD DIGUGLIELMO

We are requesting your support for a clemency application of Richard DiGuglielmo, a veteran of the New York Police Department who was convicted of depraved indifference murder after a series of tragic events in which Officer DiGuglielmo shot and killed a man who had struck Officer DiGuglielmo's father with a metal baseball bat. Additional information about Officer DiGuglielmo and his case is available at http://www.richarddiguglielmo.org/

As you may know Officer DiGuglielmo was convicted of a murder stemming from a 1996 off-duty incident where he effectively saved his father's life. A New York State Supreme Court Justice subsequently released Officer DiGuglielmo in 2008 only for Officer DiGuglielmo's conviction to be re-instated after 20 months of freedom by a NYS Court of Appeals decision. A recent and probably final decision by the United States Court of Appeals has affirmed the NYS Court of Appeals decision. In the courts opinion they effectively stated that Officer DiGuglielmo's gun was a more serious threat than the baseball bat used to strike his Officer DiGuglielmo's father with TWICE! The court further opined, that Charles Campbell lacked intent to use the baseball bat as a deadly weapon because he never struck DiGuglielmo Sr. near the head or other vital area!

Article 35 of the NYS Penal Law effectively states: A person may use physical force upon another person when and to the extent he or she reasonably believes such to be necessary to defend himself, herself or a third person from what he or she reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force by such other person.

In People v. Talbert, the court held that an object as ordinary as a broom handle could be considered a weapon under the Penal Law if there exist the requisite intent to use the object unlawfully against another. The object in question was a broom handle…in Officer DiGUGLIELMO 'S CASE IT WAS A METAL BASEBALL BAT!

We have effectively come to a point of critical mass in relation to this case. The rulings by the NYS and Federal Appeals Courts in relation to this case have enormous ramifications nationwide for Police Officers, Peace Officers, and Citizens who may have to use deadly physical force. At this point there are no legal options left. We need your support in our effort to petition the NYS Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for clemency. We eagerly await your response.

ACT NOW….

View petition

**New The Phil show Goes half way and changes name of show to "Heroes in Pain", but yet no formal apology to our Veterans**

Please read the story that was posted in You Served.

We’ve received a lot of response about last week’s show, “Heroes in Pain,” which focused on the epidemic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that torments so many lives, including soldiers who’ve put their lives on the line serving our country. Some viewers expressed concern, and even disappointment, with the show’s original title, “Heroes to Monsters?” Our intent was to acknowledge the question so often cited in the media, not to make a statement, and to emphasize the severity of the pain and suffering our guests say they experience. In doing so, we unintentionally offended some of our viewers, and have therefore changed the title to more accurately reflect the show’s content.

I’m glad the show stirred so many of you to respond. Our goal is, and always will be, to call attention to the challenges our returning soldiers face, including PTSD. I really wanted you to hear firsthand the effects that PTSD can have on war heroes and their families, and I’m grateful to our guests for being so candid and honest about their experiences. I hope other media outlets will join us in talking openly about these challenges and our need as a society to respond with compassionate action. Two of my three sisters married fighter pilots (Vietnam era), and my nephew flew many missions as a Navy fighter pilot in Iraq and Afghanistan, so the lives of our veterans hits very close to home.

They should have just said, “Hey guys, we’re just going to change the name, so could you kindly back off? Oh and we’re going to leave that damaged goods voice over bit in the preview.”

Did Dr. Phil ever stop to point out that most veterans with PTSD don’t end up setting their wives on fire or stabbing people repeatedly in the face? Of course not. Indeed, recent research has found that the link between PTSD and violent behavior is actually weak.
How many veterans with PTS have never committed an act of violence. How many haven’t committed a crime? I can tell you that the number of veterans that have not outnumbers those that have by far. How many people saw this show and the numerous reports in the media of bad behavior by those with PTS? How many of those now assume everyone with PTS is dangerous? Far more than anyone knows or is willing to admit. The potential number scares me to even think about.

What Dr. Phil should have written, in my opinion, is this. “We are deeply saddened that we handled this topic so poorly. We regret not inviting additional veterans with PTS that have learned to live with their illness as part of our support and treatment plans for Matt and Mark. We are currently planning a follow up show that will feature veterans that defy the myth and stereotype furthered by our show and many in the media. An overwhelming majority of veterans diagnosed with PTS are not violent, monsters, or damaged goods.”

They should have left off the slimely marketing of The PTSD Breakthrough at the end of the “apology” as well. In case you’re unaware, Dr. Frank Lawlis is the author of The PTSD Breakthrough and is also the chairman of the Dr. Phil Advisory Board. By the way, the show is listed with it’s original title on Dr. Phil’s bio page of Dr. Lawli

THIS IS THE COMMENTS THAT DR. PHIL STATED ON HIS SHOW ABOUT OUR VETERANS.

PTSD: civilians just love to paint veterans as riddled with this disease, causing them to become violent, unhinged lunatics who will explode at the slightest provocation.

Look at just about any news story where a violent crime is committed by a veteran, and PTSD is almost immediately floated as the reason. In the media narrative, violence and PTSD go hand-in-hand. At the same time, troops are criticized for not coming forward and admitting they have a problem, and seeking help for it. (Gee, could it possibly be because we paint veterans with PTSD as homicidal lunatics?)

Dr. Phil, arguably one of the most popular talk show hosts on the planet, decided to feature this issue on his show this week. And while he could have taken a reasonable approach, he went straight for the gut instead. Titling the show “From Heroes To Monsters”, he painted a picture of vets with PTSD as ticking time bombs of violence, describing them as damaged goods who “destroy families” and “dismantle marriages”.

Editor note: the video after the jump WILL autoplay.

One of Dr. Phil’s guests, Matt, is a former Marine who struggles with PTSD. He speaks about how, while deployed to Afghanistan, he repeatedly stabbed an enemy combatant in the face, even after he was dead, to get his anger out. He also claims he saw “lots” of innocent people killed, including women and children. (His last name isn’t given, so it’s impossible to verify his claims of killing women and children while deployed to Afghanistan.)

After Matt, Dr. Phil featured Mark and Heather. Mark is another veteran with PTSD who admits he has violent rages, says his life has been destroyed, and is afraid of what he will do to his family. Heather’s husband, Duane, had PTSD. He beat her and set her on fire.

The common thread between all of these stories: violence. Did Dr. Phil ever stop to point out that most veterans with PTSD don’t end up setting their wives on fire or stabbing people repeatedly in the face? Of course not. Indeed, recent research has found that the link between PTSD and violent behavior is actually weak. Another dirty little secret Dr. Phil didn’t feel was necessary to point out: civilians get PTSD, too. In fact, anyone can get it — anyone who has been through a trauma. According to the VA, about 7-8% of the general population will get PTSD at some point in their lives. For veterans, the risk is slightly higher, although not by much at 11-20%. And, believe it or not, the symptoms of PTSD do not include sudden violence such as setting your wife on fire or stabbing people in the face. Common symptoms include reliving the event, avoiding situations that remind you of it, feeling numb, feeling jittery, suddenly being angry or irritable, having trouble sleeping, etc. Setting your wife on fire? Not so much a normal occurrence. While relationship problems and violence may occur, acting as if it is a foregone conclusion (as Dr. Phil did) and saying that vets with PTSD are “monsters” is ridiculous and offensive.

It has been noted time and again, including here at You Served, that there is a stigma associated with veterans who have PTSD. While things may slowly be getting better, we still have a long way to go. And clearly, that goes for civilians as well. When the leading daytime talk show host runs a show calling veterans with PTSD “monsters” and “damaged goods”, it’s no wonder that there is a stigma attached to PTSD. The media gleefully paints vets who struggle with it as ticking time bombs, as stereotypes of lunatics about to snap at any given moment. The narrative isn’t new… but I don’t ever recall seeing veterans being so blatantly insulted by being called “monsters” and “damaged goods”.

I’m curious if Dr. Phil honestly thinks it’s helpful to paint such a negative, violent picture of veterans struggling with PTSD. I would wager he doesn’t care at all about how this affects our military. Because if he did, this show wouldn’t have existed. What he has done is continue to spread a false and harmful narrative about our troops, which spreads the stigma associated with PTSD even further. And what does that do? It encourages veterans who are struggling with symptoms of PTSD to become even more reluctant to come forward and seek help. Why would they? They’re being told that they’re monsters, damaged goods, violent abusive lunatics. While Dr. Phil is by no means the only perpetrator, this is by far the worst example I have seen in the media.

Having PTSD does not make you “damaged goods”. Does having cancer make someone damaged? What about depression, or bipolar disorder, or any number of other diseases? Telling someone who has PTSD that they are a monster and therefore need to get help makes about as much sense as telling a woman who has breast cancer that she’s damaged goods and therefore needs chemotherapy. It’s not going to encourage anyone to actually seek help. What it will surely do for vets, though, is reinforce the idea that they are somehow broken, that they’ll be judged and punished for having PTSD, and make them think that they are right to not tell anyone and to not get help. None of our troops who are afflicted with PTSD are monsters, they are not damaged, and 99% of them are not violent, homicidal maniacs about to snap at any moment.

The men and women who serve in our Armed Forces give up so much. They sacrifice their time with their families, their bodies, and their lives. For some, they sacrifice their mental health. This does not make them broken, or crazy, or violent, and it especially does not make them monsters. Meanwhile, here is Dr. Phil, taking the sacrifice and exploiting it, calling our troops — who have already given up so much for us — monsters. He should be ashamed of himself.

If he has any honor at all, any gratitude for the service of our veterans, he’ll issue an apology and a retraction. You can contact the Dr. Phil Show at:

Read more at YouServed: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2012/04/20/dr-phil-vets-with-ptsd-are-damaged-goods-monsters/#ixzz1sijhpckP

View petition

Officer Thomas Meyers was killed after being struck by a car while assisting a victim at the scene of an accident on I-29. While talking with the victim another vehicle driving erratically struck him and the car which was involved in the accident. Two other people at the scene of the accident were injured as well.

The drunk driver, whose BAC was three times the legal limit, was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer and two counts of assault. The suspect was denied parole in 2003, 2008, and 2010 and will not be eligible again until 2015.

Officer Meyers had served with the Kansas City Police Department for 13 years and had served in law enforcement for 25 years. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, and brother.

View petition

Reserve Deputy Thomas Dunigan was shot and killed while attempting to stop a bank robbery suspect. He was off duty visiting the county jail when the bank robbery call was reported. Reserve Deputy Dunigan took a reserve patrol car and responded to the scene.

Another deputy spotted the suspect vehicle heading in the opposite direction but could not turn around to follow it due to snow in the median. The deputy transmitted the suspect's direction and Reserve Deputy Dunigan waited for the suspect at an exit.

Several minutes later a passer-by made a radio transmission that an officer had been shot. Reserve Deputy Dunigan was found by other officers with a shotgun wound to the head. The suspect was later apprehended and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Reserve Deputy Dunigan and 20 years for the bank robbery. He was denied parole in November 2005.

Reserve Deputy Dunigan had served with the Morgan County Sheriff's Department for 1½ years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters and son.

View petition

Officer Alfred Turner succumbed to injuries received two weeks earlier when he made a traffic stop on I-5 near Los Banos.

Unbeknownst to Officer Turner the vehicle had just been reported stolen. As he approached the vehicle the suspect exited and began walking towards him. The man suddenly pulled out a .357 caliber handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Turner three times. Although critically wounded Officer Turner was able to return fire and strike the suspect five times.

The suspect recovered from his wounds and was charged with murder. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Turner had been with the agency for seven years.

View petition

Policeman Ian Campbell was shot execution style and killed after he and his partner were abducted by two suspects during a traffic stop. The officers were on patrol when they began to question the men. One of the suspects pulled out a gun and was able to disarm the officers. The two men drove the officers to a field where they shot Policeman Campbell. The second officer was able to flee the scene and was not injured.

The shooter suspect was sentenced to death but later had the sentenced commuted to life. The accomplice was also sentenced to life in prison.

In December 2006 the accomplice violated his parole and remained at large for several months. He was located on February 25, 2007, and taken into custody. He died of natural causes while in prison on April 6, 2007. The other suspect remains in custody and was denied parole for the 11th time in January 2010.

Policeman Campbell was survived by his mother and two daughters. He is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.

View petition

Sergeant Sowma was shot and killed after he and other officers responded to a silent burglar alarm. While he was searching the premises he was shot by a suspect who was later apprehended.

Sergeant Sowma was survived by his wife and four children.

View petition

Officer Gilmore was shot and killed after he and his partner responded to a call of a large disorderly group playing loud music. After clearing the group, Officer Gilmore was sitting in his patrol car completing a report when a man approached the vehicle and shot Officer Gilmore in the face, killing him. The suspect was captured the next day and sentenced to life in prison.

On October 16, 2007, the suspect was given a parole hearing. His parole was denied.

Officer Gilmore had been with the agency for 17 months and was survived by his wife, son, daughter and parents.

View petition

Trooper Carlos Warren was shot and killed when he interrupted an abduction in progress at a rural highway rest area on Highway 71 near Del Valle, Texas. He was shot in the neck.

The suspect fled the scene but was later stopped in San Antonio, Texas, for not wearing his seatbelt. He opened fire on the officer who stopped him and was wounded by the officer's return fire. He was convicted of Trooper Warren's murder and sentenced to prison. He is eligible for parole in 2008.

Trooper Warren had served with the Texas Highway Patrol for 12.5 years, and was assigned to Region 6. He is survived by his parents, two daughters, and three brothers.

View petition

Detective Orchard was shot and killed while conducting an undercover stakeout of two thieves wanted for the theft of a valuable gun collection. The suspects had attempted to ransom the collection for $20,000. When the men pulled up to the surveillance area Detective Orchard approached the car and identified himself. One of the occupants fired a shot from inside the car, striking Detective Orchard in the head.

The men were later arrested and convicted of the murder.

Detective Orchard had served with the agency for 15 years. He was survived by his wife three children.

View petition

Sergeant Prochazka was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress at a local paint store. He went to the store to drop off mug shots while investigating a robbery of the store from several weeks earlier. He was shot in the neck as he walked through the rear door.

Four suspects were arrested in Cleveland a short time later. All four were sentenced to death but their sentences were commuted to life in 1977. One of the four, the getaway driver, was released in 2003.

Sergeant Prochazka was survived by his wife and four children.

View petition

Patrolman Hutchison was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a grocery store where a man was attempting to cash a check stolen the day before during a purse snatching. When they arrived at the store the man ran from the building with Patrolman Hutchison in pursuit. When he caught up to the man he was shot in the arm and knocked down.

As he was on the ground the man shot him again in the side. The suspect also shot and wounded Patrolman Hutchison's partner before stealing both of their weapons. The suspect and two accomplices were apprehended a short time later.

Patrolman Hutchison had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his wife.

View petition

Deputy Marshal Parker was shot after responding to a report of a man driving over a bulkhead at the St. Augustine Beach pier. Upon arrival to the pier he was directed to a nearby hotel where witnesses said the driver had gone.

He arrived at the hotel and made contact with the subject. He obtained the man's identification and directed him to come back to the patrol car so he could drive him back to the location of where the car drove off the pier. As the man got into the passenger door he suddenly pulled out a handgun and opened fire, striking Deputy Marshal Parker in the neck. Despite being mortally wounded, Deputy Marshal Parker was able to pull the patrol car around the hotel. The suspect returned to the scene moments later, pulled Deputy Marshal Parker from the vehicle and then drove away in the patrol car.

Unbeknownst to Deputy Marshal Parker, the suspect was wanted for a bank robbery in Iowa and a double murder of security officers in Alabama. The man had inadvertently given Deputy Marshal Parker his real identification and opened fire when he realized that his identity would be revealed.

View petition

Patrolman Anthony N. Rizzato and Sergeant James Severin and were shot and killed by gang members while patrolling community housing for an all-volunteer "Walk and Talk" project. As the officers proceeded across the Cabrini-Green baseball field, the assailants opened fire from an apartment window.

The purpose of the shooting was to seal a pact between two rival gangs. Both officers were mortally wounded in the attack.

Three adults and one juvenile were later apprehended and charged with murder. The two shooters were sentenced to 100-199 years in prison for two counts of murder. These killers have parole review every three years.

View petition

Patrolman Thomas J. Kelly died from a gunshot wound inflicted during a routine traffic stop. Officer Kelly and his partner observed a traffic violation and stopped a car with two men at 360 E. 44th Street. As they approached the car, Officer Kelly stood outside as his partner searched the interior. Suddenly, one of the vehicle's occupants pulled a gun, fatally wounding Patrolman Kelly.

Upon hearing the gunshots, his partner tried to draw his weapon but was struck twice before he could return fire. When then attempted to shoot Kelly's partner a third time, their gun misfired and they escaped on foot.

Officer Kelly was transported to Provident Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

View petition

Officer Terrence Loftus was shot and killed when he attempted to intervene in a dispute between two rival gangs.

Officer Loftus was on his way home when he observed a gang fight. A group of gang members were chasing the rival gang member at the corner of Fullerton Avenue and Central Park Avenue. Officer Loftus exited his patrol car and attempted to stop the altercation.

Many members of the rival gang were having a party in a club across the street and when they saw what was happening they all came out of the club. One of them fired a shot that struck Officer Loftus in the spine. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds two days later.

The suspect was apprehended and convicted. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Loftus was a 15 year veteran of the Chicago Police Department.

View petition

Officer Matthew Giglio succumbed to gunshot wounds received while backing up other officers on a burglary call.

Officer Giglio was an EMT assigned to the Fifth Precinct police ambulance. He died of his wounds two months after being shot.

The killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years to life. Officer Giglio had been employed with the Nassau County Police Department for 11 years.

He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.

View petition

Officer Sledge was shot and killed while making a traffic stop in Brooklyn. The suspect was wanted for shooting at his girlfriend. He was shot when approached the vehicle. As he fell to the ground, his gun belt became caught on the car and he was dragged approximately one quarter mile before falling free from the vehicle. The suspect was apprehended after taking an elderly woman hostage in her own home.

Officer Sledge had served with the agency for 12 years and was assigned to the 69th Precinct. He was survived by his wife and two children.

View petition

Officer David Guttenberg was shot and killed when he walked into a robbery in progress.

Officer Guttenberg entered an auto body shop near the corner of 86th Street and Seventh Avenue to check on a double-parked vehicle. Unknown to the officer there was a man inside the location robbing the shop. When Officer Guttenberg entered he was shot and killed. The suspect then fled the location in the double parked car. A look-out who was standing near the double parked car fled on foot when he heard the shots.

Officer Guttenberg’s partner, who was sitting in the parked patrol car, was unaware of what had happened until the storeowner ran out of the store when the suspects fled. He was unable to apprehend either suspect, as they had already fled in the vehicle.

View petition

Patrolmen Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones were shot and killed in the 32nd Precinct when they were ambushed by members of the Black Liberation Army.

As the two patrolmen were returning to their cruiser at approximately 2200 hours, three suspects snuck up behind them and opened fire. Patrolman Jones was struck in the back of the head and killed instantly.

Patrolman Piagentini was shot 13 times and succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.

View petition

WE NEED (BILL-314) Government legislation to Canada to make assaulting a Transit Operator at par with assaulting a Peace Officer to pass in The House of Commons before someone Dies because of all the assaults on our Transit Operators Canada wide !!!!

This private Bill (C-314) aims to ensure that any person /s convicted of assaulting an employee of transit service (Transit Operator) will receive the same kind of sentence than those imposed in the case of an assault to the peace officer in Canada...

This type of aggression is on the rise across the country of Canada. We must act before it's too late!

* Please note that this petition is to be signed by Canadian citizens only..
(ONLY CANADIANS CAN SIGN THE PETITION)

NOUS AVONS BESOIN DU PROJET DE LOI 314 Il est NÉCESSAIRE que le parlement canadien vote en faveur de ce projet de loi.

Ce projet de loi privé (C-314) vise à faire en sorte que les personnes reconnues coupables d'agression contre un employé de service de transport en commun reçoivent le même type de sentence que celles imposées dans le cas d'une agression envers les policiers et les ambulanciers.

Ce type d'agression est en hausse partout au pays. Nous DEVONS agir AVANT qu'il ne soit TROP TARD!

** Veuillez prendre note que cette pétition ne s'adresse qu'aux citoyens canadiens majeurs uniquement

View petition

Did you know that to be a police officer in the state of Florida you have to have good credit. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Also passing a polygraph exam. Obviously many of the officers hired had a good enough credit score and also passed their lie detector test.

But what does that tell you about them as a person or what does it say about them being a good officer? I'll tell you what, nothing.

Here's an example::: Miami, Fl
A Miami, Fl police officer was charged with animal cruelty and another offense after he kicked a police dog into unconsciousness, according to The Police News. The incident is said to have occurred after “Duke,” a 4-year-old German Shepherd, barked (when he shouldn't have) during a training exercise at the Miami Dade Training Bureau.

The officer, “lost it,” a source of Local 10 Florida said. The officer, a 27-year police veteran and 25-year canine officer was arrested after the dog collapsed. Duke was rushed to an animal clinic by the officer after he shook the dog and realized that Duke was unconscious. The dog later died at the clinic.The officer has been placed on administrative duty with pay since the investigation began.

So the good people that maybe have a little something on their credit because of tough times or because of some bad luck and did not pass the polygraph have to suffer and not be able to serve their communities as an officer of the law. Polygraph test are not 100% effective and having good credit doesn't make you a good person. As you read in the previous example.

Lets join together to eliminate this "requirement" and from letting good people join the police force. My husband a Unites States Marine with an honorable discharge, now in the Army Reserve, never done drugs, good moral character, great citizen, hard working, overall great individual who is more than highly qualified for this job was turned down because of bad credit that his ex wife caused not him. There has to be a better way to hire good police officers.

View petition

On August 14, 1980 police officer Harry R Ryman was off duty and sleeping in his residence, located within the confines of the 63rd precinct in Brooklyn New York.

After being awakened as the result of the suspicious noises on the street, officer Ryman equipped himself with his shield and off-duty revolver and went to investigate. He observed 3 males attempting to steal a car.

Officer Ryman identifying himself as a police officer and was fired upon and immediately returned fire. Although fatally wounded, officer Ryman was able to wound one of his assailants before falling unconscious.

The suspects fled in an auto but the wounded felon was arrested when he sought aid and the two remaining perpetrators were subsequently arrested.

View petition

January 15, 2004

On February 21, 1982 New York City Police Officer George Werdann was shot and killed by Jose R. Curet after Mr. Curet committed an armed robbery. Officer Werdann had witnessed Jose R. Curet and an accomplice fleeing the scene of the armed robbery when he began his pursuit of them.

At some point approximately 2 blocks away, Jose R. Curet secreted himself in a hiding spot while his accomplice continued to flee.

When Officer Werdann passed Mr. Curet, he suddenly leaped out and shot and killed Officer Werdann. Jose R. Curet was captured and sentenced to 20 years to Life. While his accomplice was freed on parole a few years ago, Mr. Curet was denied parole 2 years ago due in part to violations he committed while incarcerated.

This is a petiiton to STRONGLY OPPOSE the parole of Jose R. Curet.

View petition

An off duty Police officer in Lubbock Texas responded when three men tried to run over his cat with a truck. He grabbed the driver (his neighbor) by the throat and lectured him for about a minute. He was placed on admin leave pending a week "investigation".
He was then forced to resign after 15 years of exemplary service. His attornies informed Ofc. Paul that the D.A. did not wish to prosecute, but did so under pressure from the Lubbock Chief of Police, Claude Jones. There has been considerable public outcry over this event, and the LPD is not responding in any way.

View petition