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I am, in fact, aware of the difference between local, state, and federal government. Much like the US federal government, state governments are also divided int

by nathanb 12y ago

I am, in fact, aware of the difference between local, state, and federal government. Much like the US federal government, state governments are also divided into multiple branches, with law enforcement part of the executive branch. Municipal governments tend to be a little less well-defined, but still nominally respect a separation of powers. The author did not specify, but the news article linked below suggests that the "SWAT team" was composed of a mixture of town and county officers. I'm not sure what the jurisdictional situation is, but if it were me I would try to contact the mayor of Cornelia first and, if that did not address my concerns, the governor of Georgia. But maybe there's a better way. For instance (as has been discussed elsewhere in these comments) if no-knock warrants were declared unconstitutional, or if there was a well-defined process for redress of unjustified force complaints, perhaps the situation would improve for everyone.

dragontamer 12y ago
It is important to remember the separation. What is true at the national scale is rarely the case in a municipality. The legislative branch of my State for instance is clearly the powerhouse, and I feel like my fellow citizens didn't realize the obvious Gerrymandering that just destroyed the only Republican district of the state. (It came up for referendum but... no one seemed to notice the importance of the vote). For the case of Georga / Cornelia... I really don't know. And unfortunately, its simply "their State, their problem". On the national scale, I'd assume that the FBI can be pulled in to prosecute Georgia / Cornelia. http://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2014/former-police-officer-convicted-on-excessive-force-and-obstruction-charges http://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2014/former-po... Remember: the FBI is the "watchers who watch the watchers". They can sue, prosecute, and arrest local police officers, and their national judicial system is entirely independent of a local municipality's judicial system. (Its unlikely that a local cop can play buddy-buddy with a national judge) I would bet that there's a good case for "excessive force" here.

by nathanb 12y ago

dragontamer 12y ago

It is important to remember the separation. What is true at the national scale is rarely the case in a municipality. The legislative branch of my State for instance is clearly the powerhouse, and I feel like my fellow citizens didn't realize the obvious Gerrymandering that just destroyed the only Republican district of the state. (It came up for referendum but... no one seemed to notice the importance of the vote). For the case of Georga / Cornelia... I really don't know. And unfortunately, its simply "their State, their problem". On the national scale, I'd assume that the FBI can be pulled in to prosecute Georgia / Cornelia. http://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2014/former-police-officer-convicted-on-excessive-force-and-obstruction-charges http://www.fbi.gov/minneapolis/press-releases/2014/former-po... Remember: the FBI is the "watchers who watch the watchers". They can sue, prosecute, and arrest local police officers, and their national judicial system is entirely independent of a local municipality's judicial system. (Its unlikely that a local cop can play buddy-buddy with a national judge) I would bet that there's a good case for "excessive force" here.