Terry Beachler is danged if he does and danged if he doesn’t.
After his business, Beachler’s Servicecenter at the corner of University and War Memorial Drive was cited and paid a hefty fine twice for selling cigarettes to minors, Terry initiated a new policy:
If an under age person attempts to make a tobacco purchase, we ask for the i.d. If the i.d. indicates that the person is under age, our employees are instructed to place the i.d. in our drop safe. Employees have no access to the drop safe. The next morning we call the police, and if appropriate, the parents to take further action. As we have good evidence, we felt that it is not necessary to call police immediately. We use the drop safe so that a person will not return and try to obtain the i.d. This provides protection for our employee.
It seems to me that this is just the kind of policy that the police would want retailers to have. By confiscating the ID and holding it to the next day, the perpetrator can’t just hit up the next gas station for cigarettes and the next one after that until he finds one that will sell cancer sticks to him.
But in this case, the police — who have already ticketed his business twice for violating this law — were not happy when he followed the law either. Here’s Terry’s account of the incident (emphasis mine):
On March 26, 2007 an under age person made an attempt to illegally purchase a pack of cigarettes. The cashier on duty was given the i.d upon request. Upon examination it was determined that the person was under age and the i.d. was dropped in the safe. The person left. A very short time later a person entered belligerently demanding the i.d. back. A badge was flashed.
I received a call from the cashier on duty indicating that there had been a sting operation and they wanted the i.d. back. I suggested that they return in the morning and I would provide the i.d and left the phone call. Shortly after, I received a second call indicating that the employee would be arrested for theft if the i.d. was not returned. I was near Mossville and returned to the business, about a twenty minute ride. Upon arrival, I turned my digital recorder on. I noted an SUV idling at the south end of our building with a person inside. I recorded the license number and entered the building through the back door. I asked the cashier on duty who needed help. He pointed me to a person outside with big muscles, a buzz haircut and an old shirt. I asked how I could help. The person demanded the i.d. back. I invited him to the office and asked for i.d. He presented a business card. I asked to see a badge which he flashed. I asked again to take a closer look at the badge and established that he was a police officer. He was demanding and argumentative. I went to the drop safe. I seldom open the safe as certain employees do the cash handling procedures. I worked with the combination and the safe was opened after a 2 minute time delay. Occasionally a customer will leave a credit card here or a driver’s license after an i.d. check for check cashing or age verification. Employees are required to drop the item which was left in the safe. We then contact the customer. I found an i.d. in the safe and was examining it to be sure it was the correct i.d. and to determine the age of the person presenting the i.d. The officer made an attempt to grab the i.d from my hand. I reacted to the sudden move and did not release the i.d. At that time he announced that I was under arrest. I was handcuffed and taken to the county jail and released a couple of hours later.
Here’s the digital recording of the incident:
[audio:http://peoriachronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/Audio/Beachler.mp3]What are we to make of this? In my opinion, I think the officer should have waited until the next day to get the I.D. back. If the police want to do a sting operation, that’s fine. But when a business follows the law — which I assume is the outcome the police are wanting — the least the police can do is cooperate with the business’s policies and not drag a business owner in at the officer’s convenience and then arrest the business owner because he was perturbed at being ordered to come in and return an I.D. like he was doing something criminal. If you were arrested as well for some reason, there’s more in the article which are related to laws and bonds for you to read about.
Now, I’m not out to bash the police here. I want them to be out there patrolling our neighborhoods and fighting crime, and stopping underage sales of cigarettes and alcohol is a legitimate police action. But when they find that a business is cracking down on this kind of crime like they’re supposed to, it’s not right for the police to inconvenience the store owner just because the employees didn’t fall for the sting. They should rather applaud the business and hold them up as an example.
In another case of “danged if you do, danged if you don’t,” Beachler’s recording of the confrontation is actually illegal in Illinois. Illinois law prohibits recording a conversation — even in person — without the consent of all parties involved. Naturally, that law doesn’t apply to the police. So if the tables had been reversed and Terry were the one being belligerent and the officer was secretly recording it, that would have been okay.
In the end, all charges were dropped. But, as Terry pointed out, “Ultimately, valuable police resources [were] squandered” on this incident. If the police want business owners to cooperate with the police, the police need to cooperate with the business owners, especially when their only “crime” is following the law.
Meanwhile, the crack house on Frink near Campustown seems to be doing a big biz. But pheew, one less gas station owner trying to curb under age cigarette smokers is off the streets. Thank god my tax dollars are bringing down harden criminals. Let’s all just give a big thanks to the PPD who’s crack down on Gas Station owners trying to the right thing has made a huge difference in crime in our City. Can’t wait to see the new stats on fighting crime this year. Do they have a category for “Gas Station Owner Arrests”?
This is just another example of a police officer acting above the law and not in the interest of it. I have a feeling this is the same cop that runs seventy five the entire way down 74 through peoria and then will pull a person over for going fifty six the very next day. Sometimes i wonder if cops don’t become cops simply so they don’t have to follow the law.
Well 25 did a story on this a bit ago. And they showed this website. Settingsgard commented on it and he supports his officers actions and attitude.
This is not a minimal problem. We have a business that has been selling cigarettes to minors. They have sold them one cigarette at a time or in packs. Some of you think this is a problems not worthy of the time of the police. Let me share with you the problems with this. This news gets around, kids talk. There is a lot of additional foot traffic in the neighborhood to this business. As this is not atracting the boy scouts nor the choir boys, the young thugs/punks fight in the streets, break windows, vandalize cars, steal, actually hang out on people porches and guess what, the decent citizens are once again driven inside. Packs of these youth hang out at the business, drug sales begin, assaults on patrons and people passing through. This is what we have experienced. I cannot speak to the situation with Mr. Beachler, only a small amount of what might be evidence is presented and it illicits a huge amount of anger clearly unresolved from apparant or perceived other issues.
I can speak to the need for these types of stings and from the personal experiences we have had here.
It’s been picked up.
http://www.hoinews.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=32379
http://www.week.com/Story.aspx?type=ln&NStoryID=57710
http://www.ciproud.com/content/fulltext/?sid=2d68cd8792eb992a5c9faf58c6c82b67&cid=1948
Mr Beachler did the right thing and was made a victim. Policemen should be fighting crime, not being used as revenue generators for the state. The police state is real, as evidenced by the actions of the officer that arrested him. This type of occurence is happening all across this nation. The police no longer consider themselves public servants, but the masters of the “civilians” (as if THEY were military) they protect. Police exhibiting this type of behavior should be removed from public service. The pressure of police work is no excuse for the mistreatment of the law abiding citizenry. It’s no wonder that police are no longer looked upon with the respect they once held.
I am reminded of a quote, “A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.” The citizens of a free society must be engaged in politics, or we will all become dinner for the wolves.
There are evaluation instruments that are available to administer to candidates for law enforcement positions, either during the selection process or the probationary period, designed to predict certain behavioral tendencies. Perhaps the PPD should consider implementing one of these instruments in an effort to prevent this type of incident from happening in the future.
After all, do the citizens of Peoria really appreciate and want such heavy-handed protection from law-abiding citizens?
The chief must go. If he supports this kind of brutish behavior….
This is typical behavior of police in this city, as they seem to believe that they have absolute reign over anyone and everyone. Officers in this city are generally pieces of trash, with the attitude that they are in control of not only the city but of the citizens as well.
We live in a damned police state, it seems.
For those who think Terry was ‘stealing’ the ID, (for which he was arrested) Illinois law defines theft as- I’m paraphrasing here- taking control of someones property AND HERE’S the important part-
(A) Intends to deprive the owner permanently of the use or benefit of the property; or
Clearly, Terry did not commit theft, in that his policy is to return the property to the parents the next day.
This is why the charges were dropped- This is clearly a case of another Peoria cop out of control and DEMANDING total compliance.
So now who will pursue the charges of false arrest against the officer? Surely such an experienced and knowledgeable officer would know the definition of theft, and also know that the ‘offense’ was not theft? Will our States’ Attorney step in for justice? I don’t think so-
False Arrest
A tort (a civil wrong) that consists of an unlawful restraint of an individual’s personal liberty or freedom of movement by another purporting to act according to the law.
He wasn’t arrested for theft. WEEK got that wrong (and thus, WMBD-AM, which used WEEK’s audio for their story, got it wrong, too). He was arrested for “obstructing a police officer.”
Your legal ID isn’t just any piece of property. Your ID is a vital document identifying who you are. There are different rules for handling identity documents.
If the responses posted on this blog are indicative of the views of a representative cross-section of Peorians, the Peoria Police Department has a serious image problem. Our perceptions of the behavior and attitudes of police officers are not good. Hopefully, someone from the PPD is reading the PC and passing the information along to the Chief and City Council.
The chief went on record supporting this officer’s brutish, unprofessional behavior. He must go.
Do you hear me City Council? Mr. Mayor?
Most of the above blogs are right-on with their indignation towards the heavy handed cop.
What’s not being explained very well here is the fact that Terry has been burned in these sting operations several times before. Not because Beachler’s is lax on their cigarette policy but because the sting catches a late night employee who, for whatever reason, doesn’t pick up on the customers age. Once stung, the employee and the owner pay a heavy fine…Terry picks up the employee’s fine. Frustrated and tired of paying fines, Terry was adamant in instructing his employees to check every ID and drop under age ID’s into the safe. A reasonable way of diffusing the issue..
Also, Terry does not routinely open the safe, but rather an office assistant during the day shift. His fumbling with the safe on the night of the arrest was understandable.
As to the officers ID. A business card is NOT good enough. When he “flashed” his badge he didn’t give Terry time to record the information…that is why Terry asked to see it again. A reasonable request.
The employee behind the counter was scared to death. Unnecessarily so.
This cop has a history for being a dick. Officer Jordan could have professionally defused the whole situation very easily by saying something like, “Terry, your employee done good, but we have to have the ID back. Thanks for coming in and sorry we had to call you back from Mossville.” Terry would have still fumbled with the safe, but everyone would have parted amiably.
As to the police chief. We all understand he’s doing spin control by supporting his officers, but he probably needs to see the video before totaly condemning Terry. Jordan was out of line.
Finally, let’s put these ciggy stings in the proper context. They are nothing more than revenue generators for the city. We, as taxpayers are paying for these cops to hassle businesses when they could be doing much more productive work.
“Hire an idiot, you get an idiot!”
Terry-bad policy. Seize a fake ID/underage ID, call the cops and give it to them. If they don’t respond in a set amount of time (an hour?), drop safe it.
Cop Jordan-typical asshole brand of cop, uses way too much gun oil to masturbate. In my experience dealing with the police, this is, fortunately, the least common brand.
I second that assessment. Journalistic integrity at its best. Good for you reporting on the facts, and not the emotional side. I happen to believe that safes like the one Beachler has or any convenient store for that matter are equipped with unlocking timers. The timers are usually set for 2 minutes and help to prevent an employee harm in the event of a robbery. Therefore, once Beachler enters the correct combination, it would take another 2 minutes for it to unlock!
Officer Jordon blew up in less than 20 seconds, in a “safe†situation; no guns, no hardened criminals trying to resist arrest, imagine what he would do if there were “real†stress and police work to do. The Chief should channel Jordan’s energy into kicking down doors and arresting crack whores – not picking on a small business owner. But like the saying goes, “Why attack a tiger when you can attack a lamb. The Chief is misguided in his support of Officer Jordan and he is reflecting poorly upon the respectable men & women in uniform who do their job diligently each and every day. The Chief is acting like Dracula guarding the blood bank – period. I hope the national media picks up on this soon. The Chief and Officer Jordan’s behavior need to be exposed for what is: Unprofessional, Bullying tactics. Visit the PPD website and read the Chiefs very own Welcome Message : “The men and women of the Peoria Police Department are professionals, committed to serve and protect with respect.â€
Where was the respect in this case Chief?
I don’t side with anybody here. I side with “what is the written law?” If it IS illegal for the kid to try and buy cigarrettes, then seizure of the ID is warranted, maybe (gray area here, IMO). If is is not legal for the kid to attempt purchase, and only illegal for the site employee to sell them to him, then they don’t have a legal right to seize the minor’s ID. The officer verbally stated it WAS illegal to hold the ID, and Terry stated it was against the law for the minor to attempt the purchase…..What is the LAW???
Is a MINOR really breaking the law here? I’m not a lawyer, so I’ll leave that to them to figure out.
If the officer’s,(doing his job), planning and day of “sting” operations was severely delayed due to this debacle, I can certainly understand his frustration.
I do, also, think it’s not the stations responsibility to confiscate anything, by playing big brother over all other sites that may be williing or unwilling to sell cigarrettes to minors. It’s each businesses’ responsibility to just send the minors on their way…..unsuccessful.
Not an attorney but found this:
Sales of Tobacco to Minors Act
( 720 ILCS 675/1)
No one under the age of 18 may legally buy any cigar, cigarette, smokeless tobacco or tobacco in any form. Additionally, no one may legally sell, buy for, distribute samples of or furnish such items to anyone under the age of 18. Smokeless tobacco means any tobacco products that are suitable for dipping or chewing.
Looks like both would be breaking the law – both the purchaser and the seller. However, I’m sure there’s an exception for an underage individual working for the police.
“mdd”
I agree….people blowing through stop signs should be fined heavily. The incidents I speak of are “creeping” stops if not very nearly stops at a nearly deserted corner but they draw the attention of the overzealous officer who is staked out wating for them.
While there was no foul language in the recording, the police officer was clearly out of line for his abusive, overbearing, and bullying attitude.
If, during my more that 25 years of working for religious and medical institutions and for state government, I EVER treated anybody in a similar manner as Mr. Jordan, I would have been summarily fired. There would have be no 30 day suspension pending discharge
Regardless of how the recording was obtained, the behavior of Mr. Jordan is indefensible. A just solution would to drop any charges with deepest and abject apologies against Mr. Beachler. Mr. Jordan ought to be disciplined for conduct unbecoming an officer. As part of his sentence, he should be made to attend anger management classes, make a written and verbal apology to Mr. Beachler. I think a week off without pay is fair. Once Mr. Jordan is back to work, he should be removed from the streets and confined to desk duty.
Anyone care to organize a public protest on this issue?
Protest: Isn’t this the blogosphere equivalent thereof? Or would that be more involved – for example, pasting the Chronicle’s URL into an email and sending it to the PPD, city council, Mayor, City Manager, electronic and print media, etc.? I really don’t know what the protocol is.
I have met exactly one police officer in my life (and I’ve met a fair amount of them) that was not a complete and total asshole.
Oh, another story like this to throw on the pile at my blog.
THE SCARIEST PART IS ANOTHER COP SHOWS UP AND THINKS IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE AN ARREST ON THE STATEMENT OF ONE SOLITARY COP. This seems like thug action, but get used to it because it happens all the time and now bills have been passed to make this legal and undisputable (sp?). I for one don’t think Beachler is an angel, but I don’t want to leave this type of America for my kids. If we let this go that is exactly what will happen. Thanks to those that have blogged and covered this story on the media. One nation under God.
There was a child in there when all this was going on. Good going Peorias Finest!!!!! Maybe DCFS needs to be called on this A**hole. Police are not above the law although they feel they are. What would happen if I walked in to the Police station carrying on like he did. Everybody is human. Thank God Mr. Beechler got out the County Jail alive with the gaurds and medical staff that are there he is lucky he didn’t die first, like the other 4 inmates the last 8 months. State of Illinois wake up
CJ,
Congratulations! This is excellent work. I’ve commented before how important bloggers have become to community dialogue and how you and Billy Dennis and Knight In Dragonland etc. are doing such great work.
I was waiting for the day that an important local story is broken and led by a blogger before the traditional media. Looks like we’re there. If this follows the usual pattern the MSM tends to cut the story fast before it gets legs. Afterall, they didn’t break it and it such things tend to pierce the armor of who controls the news agenda.
I think you have a huge story here. The fact that Mr. Beachler has an audio recording (and let’s hear it for Mr. Beachler!) makes this an accessible and easily understandable situation. Any of us can put ourselves in his position by way of the recording. It’s frightening to think that a belligerent police officer can take away the freedom of someone who is making great efforts to follow the law, AND be responsible in the community.
I believe an appropriate extrapolation can be made between this incident and Chief Settingsgaard’s desire to have more cooperation from the community when it comes to serious crime. If a law-abiding business owner is treated this way how the hell do you think some ‘non-white’ citizens living in the ‘wrong’ neighborhoods might fare? A heavy boot to the the ass will create anger and resentment not cooperation. This cop needs to be suspended.
I say support your local police but make sure you always have a tape recorder or video camera handy. Sheeeesh!
Dave said “THE SCARIEST PART IS ANOTHER COP SHOWS UP AND THINKS IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE AN ARREST ON THE STATEMENT OF ONE SOLITARY COP.”
The first officer on scene is in charge. The second was sent specifically to transport a prisoner. Agreement has nothing to do with it, unless he outranks the first. If the 2nd officer felt there was a problem, he would need to talk to the chief, or file a report later.
I would like to say a few small words hear.
1st – The license belongs to the juvenile not Terry Beachler. (Technically the Secretary of State)
2nd The kid did NOT display a fake ID. It’s only FAKE if it’s NOT his or he made it.
3rd Terry should have immediately complied with the officer whether he liked it or not. If he had a complaint or problem he should have called the officer Cheif. Be a part of the solution not a part not of the problem. If your going to run your mouth you better know what you are talking about. KNOW THE LAW FIRST. SPEAK LAST!!!!! Your opinion doesn’t mean squat unless you have the law to back it. Argue with a Judge or Jury not a COP who’s going to arrest you for obstructing because you have a problem with authority.
What Terry Beachler should have done was kept his mouth shut and either called the police immediately or wrote the info down and called them later. What he did was theft of property (didn’t belong to him know did it!) and then shot off his arrogant opinion to the police who initially asked nicely for the ID several times before the officer got tired of WASTING TAX PAYER’S TIME. Obviously Terry has a problem with authority and his mother must not have taught him manners. Just because you are a business owner Mr. Beachler doesn’t give you the right to be above the law or run your mouth because you THINK your right. Your probably one of those people who wants cops when your business is robbed but hate cops other wise.
GROW UP.
I agree, maybe Mr. Beachler should have kept his “arrogant opinion” to himself. However, a policeman should defuse these types of situations not escalate them. As to “the police who initially asked nicely for the ID several times” statement, one might want to listen to the tape again. Within 50 seconds of contact with Mr. Beachler, Mr. Jordan was escalating the problem. Mr. Jordan should have learned in PTI (Police Training Institute)how to handle these situations in a more subdued manner. It doesnt matter if the act of taking the ID was legal or not or what Mr. Beachlers past history with the PD was. The ID was given back. It is very obvious Mr. Jordan had the attitude of “jump when I say so because I have a badge”. This whole situation could have been avoided if the policeman had let a cooler head prevail. Policeman are public servents and should never treat anyone in the manner “I heard” on the tape.
Realistic Citizen- AGAIN, THIS is not theft, to commit the act of theft, he must be intending to PERMANENTLY deprive the victim.
Also, regardles of what the cops think, tehy DO NOT deserve immediate and total respect. All Terry was doing was trying to identify this person, which is WELL within his rights.
IF he had been in uniform, and in a squad car, it would have been a different story.
This COP is a perfect example of the type of arrogant people that the screening process should weed out.
The news is FULL of examples of police who have a HUGE chip on their shoulder.
I think all of this is so stupid when terry beachler has someone in his family who is a police officer Also terry should have done what the officer asked him to do also when the office gave him the bage to see terry had an attitude. and the police should not have to wear a pink wing Terry should walk around and wear one
Of all the comments I’ve read, Realistic Citizen’s assessment has the most logic/common sense.
Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. This is key in every action we take. Society as a whole feels they have the right to question anything/everything and this is a large part of the crime/society problems not just in Peoria, but in the nation.
Mr. Beachler has gotten his 15 minutes of fame and now this issue should be put to rest. The Chief has responded appropriately. He expended the proper amount of time looking at this issue as it merited. While the tape recording might make it appear that Officer Jordan lost his cool, he handled the situation as well as could be expected when dealing with an irrational, verbally challenging individual.
First, let’s not forget the recording came 20-25 minutes after the initial phone calls were made to Mr. Beachler by his employee. Much of this officer’s time had already been wasted waiting for Mr. Beachler to drive to his business. The situation didn’t just begin when the tape recording started, which is why it all sounds so orchestrated. Mr. Beachler wasted a lot of people’s time over a lot of to do about nothing and should be charged and convicted of obstruction. The officer had every right to be agitated.
Let’s look at all the time that has been wasted while he played out his little game. In addition to Officer Jordan’s time, a patrol officer had to be dispatched to the scene, time that could have been spent assisting people that really need it. Another officer was needed to transport him to jail. More time spent by jail staff for booking him. Police administration time was wasted on this ‘complaint’. To complete the final round of this game, more time/money will be expended on court staff time to play this drama out. Time is money and as a taxpayer, I find his actions to be contrary to the fiduciary responsibility that a businessman and concerned citizen (as he claims to be) should adhere to.
Let’s not all pretend Mr. Beachler is a victim here and the ‘establishment’ is out to get him. Mr. Beachler’s audio ‘act’ of not knowing whether Officer Jordan was really a police officer is just that. Even if he questioned the business card and badge, he loses his argument when Officer Jordan is heard on the police radio asking for another car to assist and the subsequent radio traffic. I’ve never heard of anyone impersonating an officer that was equipped with a real police radio and dispatch capabilities. If we were to believe that Mr. Beachler was just trying to be a good citizen in his new crusade against children trying to buy cigarettes, he would have stopped all the theatrics and responded appropriately. I personally would have verified with the police department (a simple phone call) prior to driving 20-25 minutes – IF I was truly in doubt, especially at today’s gas prices. I guess Mr. Beachler isn’t as concerned about the high gas prices though.
Needless to say – I will begin my own crusade to boycott Mr. Beachler’s gas station.
If you want to make a difference, teach and practice respect for the law. Laws are the foundation of our country. Without respect for the laws and those attempting to enforce them (even those we either don’t agree with or don’t think are worth having), our society will continue to erode.
I’m sure I’ll be accused of being in law enforcement for my views. I am not, however I have had a lot of interaction with both city and county and have personal knowledge of the cigarette ‘sting’ operation. I support both and feel that I can be objective. Not all cops are always ‘Officer Friendly’ and I have run into some that appear to be the stereotypical, however the vast majority are good people trying to do a good job. From what I’ve seen, those that aren’t professional in their manner are disciplined appropriately.
The ‘sting’ is not a setup or entrapment – the kids doing this are using their valid State of Illinois id – which clearly shows they are not 18 yrs of age and the only people ticketed are those who allow the purchase and didn’t comply with the law. Whether or not you think this is important for the Police to do – just remember it is a law that they must be 18 to purchase tobacco. As a smoker well over the age of 18, I would encourage kids not to smoke and hope that business owners will adhere to the law.
Bottom line – if you don’t break laws, you really have nothing to worry about and if you do – accept responsibility and move on! Quit wasting precious time on personal agendas.
And to those of you that continue to exude negativity in your daily lives, I seriously hope you can find happiness someday.
Sorry Golden, I still think the officer flew off the handle too quickly. The station didn’t break the law, they didn’t sell cigarettes to a minor, and Terry complied with the officer’s request to return the I.D. The only “obstruction” is that he asked for the officer’s identification, which is perfectly within his rights as a citizen. The extra minute didn’t hurt anybody or question anyone’s authority.
Golden, I fully support and second your statements. Unfortunately, you are one of the few reasonable individuals posting here. I am appalled at Terry Beachler’s behavior and astounded at the number of ridiculous statements supporting him. It is curious that so many of you have had negative interactions with the police – I’m sure you were all blameless in these incidents, right?
First, Terry is playing cop himself. If someone presents their id which demonstrates they are too young to purchase cigarettes, the id should be returned and the purchase denied. What right does a business have to seize private property – regardless of whether a crime has been committed (or attepted) or not? According to nearly everyone here, the police should be blamed for being autocratic, but here is a private citizen seizing another’s property without any cause or due process. How can that be?
Secondly, it is obvious that Terry, angry over being cited for violating the law on two previous occasions as well as being asked to return to his business, decided to goad the officer and illegally record the conversation. How mature. How civic-minded. How useful.
Third, these stings come from a call by citizens to stop the illegal sale of cigarettes to minors. This is not the police department’s fault or particular cause. The police follow the will of the citizens they serve, and this issue is apparently one that warrants their attention based upon citizen input. To suggest that they CHOOSE to do this over other police activities is ridiculous.
Finally, our police and sheriff’s departments have good people doing tremendous work in a dangerous environment. It is incumbent upon us all to work with those who have charged with protecting us rather than interfere or obstruct their work. Why would we do anything different? Personally, I will never patronize Beachler’s again, and I will urge others to do the same. Thank you Chief Settingsgard for supporting your officer and our department in this senseless fiasco caused by one frustrated and angry individual. Can we move on to more important issues?
Jeff — You make a good point about Terry “playing cop.” I don’t think he should have confiscated a valid ID (although I see nothing wrong with confiscating a fake ID). I know you’re responding to other commenters here, but as for me, I never said Terry was 100% right and the officer was 100% wrong. I’m willing to concede that by all accounts (at least that I’ve heard), Terry is not a likable guy, to say the least. I’m just not willing to say that that fact justifies the officer’s behavior, as you and Golden seem willing to do. Isn’t it possible that they were both at fault? The only difference is, I hold police officers to a higher standard than average citizens because they carry a gun and can send people to jail, and I think that’s justifiable.
You speak of Terry “goading” the officer. I’ve said this before, I don’t see how asking for an officer’s identification — especially an officer who is not in uniform and driving an unmarked car — is unreasonable or could be considered goading. It was upon asking for ID that the officer escalated the situation. To an average citizen, this sounds very frightening — to hear an officer fly off the handle at being asked to see ID and then start threatening an innocent employee. You really think the officer was totally justified in his reaction?
As for your third point — the one about these stings being at the behest of citizens — I don’t believe that. You’ll have to show me some evidence of all the citizens clamoring for cigarette stings.
As for your final point (“our police and sheriff’s departments have good people doing tremendous work in a dangerous environment. It is incumbent upon us all to work with those who have charged with protecting us rather than interfere or obstruct their work”), I don’t disagree with that at all. But it’s also incumbent upon our officers to conduct themselves professionally and have their emotions under control. This was in no way a high-stress incident, and there’s no reason the officer should have been so high-strung and short-fused, even if he did have to wait 20 minutes for Terry to arrive.
Tiffany – I hate to be rude, but you might want to re-enroll in Wodrow Wilson (or is it closed?) and complete your 4th and 5th grade grammar class before you write again. If WW doesn’t work out, I think Loucks may do.
Jeff Bridges,
The only part of your statement that makes any sence is the first sentence of the last paragraph. “…our police and sheriff’s departments have good people doing tremendous work in a dangerous environment.” No argument there, most are good people trying hard to do a tough job. Further, I think the police chief is top rate.
As to the rest of your statements…well, maybe you’re just wired different.
The officer’s underage “mule” was committing a crime. There is no way anyone (the cashier or Terry) would know that he was working for the police. The cashier was instructed by Terry to “confiscate” the ID with the intention that the police and/or parents would be notified in the morning. What the tape does not reveal is the officer bullying the young cashier before the call to Beachler was made.
Terry was on his way home. On being contacted by the cashier and talking with Officer Friendly he immediately turned around and came back…sounds like cooperation to me.
As another blogger pointed out the time line from Terry’s arrival to the safe opening was about 4-5 minutes…again, reasonable cooperation.
Whether Terry knew the officer or not, he has every right to demand his ID and to copy down that information. The cop was remiss in presenting his damn business card and displaying a “quick flash” of his badge.
Remember that the cop and his “mule” were the intruders here. Before they decided to intrude on a private business there was no crime being committed. I’d be pissed to if I had to drive back from Mossville because some irate cop didn’t have his ciggy sting go right.
Terry never violated the law on two previous occassions…his employees were duped into violating the law. Typically, these ciggy stings occur when the cashier is busy and trying to keep up with all the customers demands. In walks the “mule” and the city is several hundred dollars richer.
Whether you frequent Beachlers or not is of no consequence. Actually, I hope you don’t. You would probably be more at home at “Rump Rangers” across the road.
Wow that officer is a complete douche bag, he should be written up and suspended for his attitude. How can they let such people on a police force, they should be happy that you made sure that you weren’t selling cigarettes to minors. That makes me want to punch him in the face, and as for you, your awesome for taking this man, I would have sued.
Wow the cop couldn’t even hold out for 5 minutes! I bet his wife is frustrated…
To Golden:
The stated mission of law enforcement is “To protect and serve”. In this instance, the officer was neither nor protecting the public by the way he handled this situation. Your arguement that Terry kept the officer waiting 20 minutes is mute, since Jordan was informed that he was not there and would need to drive back. Jordan did not have to wait, but could have requested a call when Terry arrived and returned to the store. It was his choice to wait. It is an officer training to keep situations calm and to diffuse tensions. Instead Jordan chose to be verbally aggressive and intensify the tension. All officers are required by law to identify themselves and provide proof of identity upon request. Jordan lost any claim being reasonable when he chose to start yelling at Terry’s “boy”, threatening him with arrest because Terry wasn’t moving fast enough. That act alone is enough to show that Jordan was not in control of his own anger. Whether or not you think Terry was playing a game with the officer, it is the officer’s responsibility to remain calm, professional, and to handle the situation with tact. Jordan made no effort to do any of these.
As for your amazing statement, “Society as a whole feels they have the right to question anything/everything and this is a large part of the crime/society problems not just in Peoria, but in the nation.”, allow me to remind you that “society” is We the People. Our entire government is based on not only the right, but the need for citizens to always question and challenge authority. It is this most basic of rights that prevents government from usurping the right of the People to govern themselves. Free societies dictate to law enforcement how they may behave, but police states dictate to the people. The police are employees of, and answerable to society. It is officers like Jordan who have forgotten this simple concept, if they ever understood it all.
If our forefathers had not questioned rules, we would still be answering to England.
It is not only our right to question our government, it is our civic duty.
I am not saying Terry Beachler was correct but it seems he was arrested for questioning Mr. Jordan.
I am an Asst. Police Chief and I guarantee that if any of my officers would have treated anyone like this, they would have some explaining to do. I do find value in the underage sting operations, it does serve a purpose. However, I commend this man for sticking to his guns and instituting a policy regarding I.D.’s. This is a clear case of an overzealous officer, and I can only hope that his supervisor, and ultimately his Chief have properly disciplined him.