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Upstate Cop Caught On Dashboard Camera Appears To Be Planting Drugs
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 3, 2012
Modified Jan 3, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 3, 2012
Modified Jan 3, 2012
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This video obtained by the Utica Phoenix upstate seems to show a policeman taking a bag of white powder out of his pocket and planting it inside a vehicle while searching it for drugs during a routine traffic stop. If this is what it appears to be, it's got to rank up there among the more boneheaded Barney Fife moves in idiot cop history (and there's a LOT of history), because the incident was captured on the cop's own dashboard camera. Watch for the 1:02 mark, where the officer produces a small bag from his pocket before leaning into the car then, 30 seconds later, comes out holding the same bag... like he just found it.
The Utica Phoenix website is currently down, likely because the video has gone viral and crashed their servers. But an excerpt from the Phoenix article, posted on The Complex, says "this video has been widely distributed through the Black community, being shown in barbershops, and other public places. Its viewing has fueled the renewal of complaints long charged against the Utica Police of the planting of evidence and other abuses by the local force."
The Utica police department is investigating the incident, and the tape has been forwarded to the FBI for further review. But hey, if things don't work out for this cop's career in Utica, something tells us he'd be more than welcome in New London, Connecticut.
Tagged
bad boys
cops
don't do drugs
drugs are bad
police
utica
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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