Terry Beachler has a tentative court date of May 1 stemming from his arrest for obstructing an officer. No charges were formally filed in the March 26 incident, and the whole thing would likely have been forgotten if it hadn’t garnered such a strong public reaction. Now, the possibility exists that charges could be filed after all.
I talked to Beachler’s attorney Drew Parker. Parker confirmed that no charges have yet been filed, and charges may or may not be filed on May 1. So until then, he’s advising his client to not make any further statements about the incident.
Can you INTIMIDATION? What kind of Nazis do we have for police here?
I said that the ppd might retaliate for all the bad press. What could they be charging him with, how can you interfere with an investigation if there has been no crime? At best he may have delayed the officer from coercing another individual to commit a crime. A failure to succeed in a sting operation should not constitute an immediate emergency on the part of a private citizen to insure the success of a possible subsequent sting on another citizen. The police department is starting to look like the keystone cops.
The chief better let this one slide, or they’re really going to look stupid…err…more stupid!
My guess is that some developer wants Beachler’s property and the City is “encouraging” him to sell.
The public at large may not be able to fire the Chief of Police for being stupid and going on record for supporting his office for such a stupid act.
However, any charges have to be brought by the States Attorneys office. Kevin Lyons needs to remember, He is elected by the voters and can loose his next bid for office.
If charges are brought against Beachler, they voters should remember next election day.
This police force overdoes the blue line sticking together stuff. They frequently do overreact and act like thugs. We need a new chief to reorder a police department out of control and innefective. Real crime is rising isn’t it?
Some of you complain that the cops are too soft on criminals and too hard on, well, criminals. These guys can’t catch a break. If he screwed up then he screwed up, one should achieve your perfection.
Hardened criminals don’t respect our police because they are too nice and you don’t respect them when they aren’t. You gripe when they are not covering your street corner and gripe when arrest everything in sight and don’t show mercy. I am guessing that very few of you have ridden along with an officer to see what they deal with every night. I challenge you too and see for yourself. They are expected to be tough and intimidating with criminals, social workers with families, parents to children, catch speeders, deal with weapons, take down drug dealors. They have to stick together, you guys stab them in the back all time. They have no one else.
It’s a damn tough job all the way around. I know several of these people most work hard, most have warped senses of humor to deal with what they see, most are personable. Some aren’t, but I’m darn glad when any of them answer my call for help or assistance or just listen as I relay information. No one is going to meet the expectations of some of you, guess that’s why they haven’t hired you as chief.
I have found, offer respect, get respect. It is hard, often when cops are called they are invovled in highly emotional events. We don’t allow them to be human. Unless you deal with this on a regular basis, you don’t get it.
They need to enforce the laws, they don’t get to pick and choose as some of you want them too, don’t like, talk to your lawmakers and make everything legal and you have no need for police. It’s always okay when they pull over the speeder as you zip past and always unfair when they pull you over. That would be third grade logic from the NUHNNN unnnnn crowd.
I listened to the tape of the interaction between Beachler and offcer Jordan. Truly, I dont’ underatand all the hype. The officer asked for the ID to be returned. Beachler stalled and the officer, as you would expect, became annoyed and raised his voice. Beachler was clearly in the wrong, obstructing justice by illegally confiscating a citizen’s ID. He and his employee had no right to confiscate the ID. The employee should not be off the hook because he was following his boss’s orders. If someone asks you to do something illegal and you comply you are still responsible for your actions. The police had every right to not only arrest Beachler but also the employee who put the ID in the drop safe. Their actions were, flat out, in defiance of the law.
Laura sounds like a prosecutor or the wife of a prick cop.
Raoul: “how can you interfere with an investigation if there has been no crime?” Ask Scooter Libby.
Why does Terry have a court date if no charges have been filed?
Paul, do you think police officers can ever make mistakes? If so, do you think those mistakes should be overlooked or dealt with?
Or let’s consider this scenario. If you were picking up trash in your neighborhood and you walked onto someone’s lawn to pick up some garbage, you would be trespassing. Sure, you’re trying to be a good citizen and all, but nevertheless, you’re breaking the law. If an officer stopped you, yelled at you, and arrested you for trespassing, would you think that was a little extreme?
Terry’s not the only gas station that has a policy to confiscate IDs when an underage person attempts to buy liquor or cigarettes. He didn’t institute the policy to try to obstruct police stings, but to keep minors from buying liquor and cigarettes, just like the police want him to do.
I’ve said this before, but I’m not taking issue with all police, or even with this one police officer. I’m taking issue with this police officer’s actions in this one incident — that’s all. And in this incident, he acted inappropriately. That should be dealt with, not condoned.
INTIMIDATION!, #1-free speech is worth fighting for, thank you Peo. Chron. for helping us little people out, the “major news” is afraid, for that i award you a bookmark in my browser,
Paul – I understand that being a police officer is a high stress job that is often underappreciated. However, that is not an excuse for inappropriate behavior. If an officer can no longer handle the stress of the job without going off the handle, that officer should think seriously about a change in careers … or his supervisors should make that decision for him!
Yes, Beachler had a snide attitude, insulted the officer (“there are a million of you guys down there on the public dole”) and was in no particular hurry to comply with the officer’s demands … but none of that is illegal, and he did return the ID. This was not a dangerous, life-threatening scenario. The officer escalated the situation unnecessarily, and he should be reprimanded.
I find the rabid, unwavering defense of this officer’s behavior more disturbing than the incident itself. Another concerning facet is that the officer had to know that this incident was being videotaped, and Beachler even warned him that the “press is going to look horrible for you guys.” The officer didn’t care. He thought his actions were perfectly appropriate. That’s disturbing.
The police leadership needs to recognize that this sort of incident is only going to make their job MORE difficult by insuring that they’ll get LESS cooperation from local businesses.
CJ,
“If he screwed up then he screwed up”
was right in my comment. I am not on the jury for this one. I have not weighed all the evidence as apparantly others have. I also think that we pay the Chief to handle this internally. Not us. If we have a complaint there is a process to go through. Do you want your mistakes tried in front of your coworkers or in public?
My other point is that we expect police officers to be more than human. They are not. I work in a field that sees a lot of ugly events, sees people highly emotionally charged and have a darned good understanding on the expectations of the professional to maintain their cool. Even the best of us struggle with that sometimes, is all I am saying. Let the chief handle it. I haven’t found him to be soft on his expectations of his officers.
Also there are good and bad officers like there are good and bad mailmen, garbage men, McDonald’s workers. There are also union rules on handling situations which have to be met.
I have heard council members do this type of behavior with staff and others and it’s not appropriate way to discipline employees, address citizens,or even guests. Yet on here and other sites people cheer when it happens,or ignore it like it didn’t happen and/or reward it through bullet votes. How inconsistent.
I also have a few heated discussions with a couple officers in my time. Power struggles are seldom productive ways to intervene. I also have a pretty good idea of their job and am highly suspicious of someone ready to record an event.
RE: being arrested for tresspassing I would not be happy being arrested, in fact I would be pissed, but if the property owner complained and insisted on signing a ticket, what do you expect the officer to do?
I’m asking those so quick to judge on a little information to walk a mile….
What more information do we need? The officer went off the handle … it’s clear as day on the recording! I’m not a big Luciano fan, but according to him it’s quite clear on the video as well. The officer arrested Beachler for not returning an ID fast enough, and that’s ridiculous. We don’t need more information.
Is this entire blog about Mr. Beachler being sensitive? Are his feelings hurt? Get over it! Is their a law that states that government employees have to be nice? Officer Friendly is the guy that goes to the grade schools. He’s not the guy that appears at a crime scene or needs to deal with less than upstanding individuals. Perhaps when police try to enforce the law (remember, they don’t create the laws and may not even agree with them), they should threaten to stomp their feet or hold their breath, rather than arrest people. From everything I’ve read about this, it’s totally blown out of proportion. Do any of you realize that this issue got more space in the local newspaper than the Virginia Tech shootings on Tuesday? As I read this ongoing blog, I see words like “stupid, F*****g P***k, threats regarding public officials votes, and nazi,” but those of you using these words, are the ones that are wound up about someone being rude and out of control??? It’s always easier to find fault in others, than in your own backyard. If I create a policy in my own home that says “If anyone visits our home, we can take whatever we want from them” does that mean I’m upholding the law, by taking the money out of your pocket, if I think you might have this money because of illegal activity? Something tells me that the courts might not agree with my self-created policy. I’ve had my experience with the local law. As I recall, they told me they needed my license and insurance card, I gave it to him, he wrote me a ticket and I was on my way. I don’t recall intiating or receiving much other conversation about it. I don’t recall asking for additional discussion about the laws or for additional identification. I just handed him my license. I can’t say my encounter scarred me for life. I’m sure I wasn’t thrilled about paying $75 to the city, but I just didn’t feel it was necessary to crucify the officer over the event. I really question if many of you writing in have anything beyond a 6th grade education.
Jordan’s defenders seem to be pointing a lot to Beachler’s attitude and his history with the police and using that to excuse Jordan’s behavior. That’s ridiculous, but OK … what about Jordan yelling at and threatening to arrest the poor clerk that was just doing what the boss told them to do?
The bad behavior of others does not excuse the bad behavior of Officer Jordan.
Now that we’ve heard from officer Jordan….
Bramlor … Beachler didn’t just get his “feelings hurt.” He was arrested, handcuffed, searched, processed and placed in a holding cell. This isn’t about hurt feelings. This is about abuse of police power and improper arrest.
All that most of us on this side of the issue are seeking is an apology from Officer Jordan and acknowledgement that this is not proper police behavior. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.
I’m also pretty sure that I made it past 6th grade.
The knife cuts both ways here, if the officer was loud and rude and pushy why should we expect any different from the owner of the gas station. Beachler was not a criminal and the officer got a hell of a lot less attitude than he gave, he chose the rant and rave method of discourse, that might work when dealing with a criminal you are arresting but when you are dealing with a citizen that has commited no crime your behavior not your job title will get you the respect you think you deserve.
I think you missed my point. From what I heard on the tape,the officer identified himself with a badge and a business card. He demanded that the youth’s property be given to him. The clerk was unable to comply. Mr. Beachler felt entitled to alot of additional conversation “before” he would hand over the youth’s property. In other words, he was only going to comply with the law only on “his” terms. If you listen to the audio, the officer repeatedly asks for the ID and finally says “If you don’t give me the boy’s ID, I’ll arrest you” Mr. Beachler made his own choice. Mr. Beachler additionally told the office that is was OK to arrest his clerk and he would take care of it. What the heck!? When you listen to that, the only issue discussed here is about hurt feelings and someone yelled. Big Deal!
The whole audio clip lasts about 4 minutes, and the video tape apparently confirms the time course. The video also shows Jordan berating and threatening the poor clerk that was just following instructions from the boss.
Beachler was at the service station within 20 minutes of being called and handed the officer the ID in under five minutes from the time he walked in the door. That’s obstruction? That’s worth making an arrest?
Knight –
What’s your point? What’s a reasonable time limit before making an arrest? Is there somthing documented to support your answer? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think either of these individuals are in the right. I just am amazed at the reactions of this situation on this blog. It’s like an unfounded witch hunt. I just think the outcome would have been completely different, if Mr. Beachler would have said nothing but “OK, let me get the ID for you.” For the remainder of the 3 minutes, they may have been able to speak civally with each other. Agree?
Knight –
Earlier you indicated that all you wanted was an apology from the officer. Should he apologize for arresting Mr. Beachler (by his own choice) or apologize for yelling and such? I guess your answer tells me what all the commotion on here is about.
He is entitled to operate on his own terms and is certainly entitled to any conversation he wishes, he is not a criminal. No crime was committed. It is his place of business. The police tried to set up his employee/business, they tried to create a crime and failed.
I’ll bet you stomped your foot when you said that. Right, Raoul?
Translation of Bramlor’s comment: “You’re right, Raoul. I have no substantive rebuttal to offer to your sound and logical reasoning. I will now attempt to change the subject.”
You’re correct CJ. I’ve seen little on here that is substantive or of sound reasoning. Thanks for letting me have my say and having a site that allows me to.
Have a great evening all!
My point, Bramlor, is that the officer got what he wanted in a reasonable period of time.
“Unfounded witch hunt”??? The officer’s bad behavior was caught on tape … both video AND audio. How much more busted could he be???
Should he apologize for “yelling and such” or for arresting Beachler? Both. It was conduct unbecoming and a wrongful arrest.
Last question of the day….If “I” take “your” Driver’s License, how long will you patiently wait for me to give it to you, before you get upset and raise your voice or call the police? Think about it. I’m not trying to match wits with you, it’s a genuine question.
Umm … the ID was confiscated by the clerk, per Beachler’s instructions, because it was used by a minor in an illegal attempt to buy cigarettes. The example situation you provide is not equivalent.
Bramlor-
1. Terry had just arrived on scene and was requesting information. He never refused to provide the ID, nor did he make an effort to not retrieve it. He did what any reasonable business owner would do, try to determine what had happened, try to determine why this officer was going ballistic on him for no reason, tried to explain why the employee had put the ID in the safe, tried to explain what he uses the ID for, tried to explain why he was slow opening the safe, tried to calm the officer down by remaining calm and attempting to engage him in conversation.
There is no law which requires an officer to be nice, however the police have policies and procedures they are required to follow, and those include treating citizens with respect. Just because the officer demanded the ID did not mean Terry was obligated to obey. The officer had a responsibility to explain the situation in a calm and professional manner. He is required to explain why he needs the ID, he is required to provide a receipt for property confiscated by police.
Terry was complying with the officer’s demands. The fact that he wasn’t intimidated by the officer and moving as fast as the officer wanted does not excuse Jordan’s abusive behavior. At no point did Terry refuse to cooperate or make clear he ws not going to open the safe.
I work in a police department, and I can guarentee that if Jordan if willing to act like this in a store with a business owner while on tape, then his behavior in the field is much worse. His attitude reeks of police brutality, and it’s just a question of time before he severely injures or kills someone out of the rage he clearly can’t control. He sees himself as above the law, and thinks his badge gives him ultimate power. Jordan should be suspended and ordered to undergo a psych eval. immediately. He is a danger to the community.
That’s the point, none of this was By The Book!!!