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Police officer uses knife to fend off attacker www.privateofficer.com
March 30, 2009
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Pittsburgh PA Mar 30 2009
A routine arrest at the Downtown Burlington Coat Factory erupted into a bloody confrontation between an off-duty city police officer working as a security guard and a suspected shoplifter yesterday afternoon that ended when the officer stabbed the suspect with a knife pulled from his utility belt.
“It became a tense situation until the officer became involved in a fight for his life,” said Sgt. James Vogel of Zone 2. “It’s one of the most serious situations our officers can face.”
Yesterday, Sgt. Vogel said the suspect, 59-year-old Anthony Smith, who has a lengthy criminal record, would likely face charges of aggravated assault in addition to robbery.
The officer was being treated for head injuries and a possible concussion at a hospital yesterday. Police would not say where he was being treated and would not release his name, saying only that he is in his mid-40s and a 16-year veteran with the Pittsburgh Police Bureau.
Police said the officer, who was working a private security detail in the store, caught Mr. Smith trying to shoplift three pairs of Timberland boots. The officer then escorted Mr. Smith down to a security office in the basement floor, where he looked up Mr. Smith’s criminal record on a computer and discovered there was a warrant out for his arrest.
He went to arrest Mr. Smith and had one of his wrists in cuffs when Mr. Smith turned around and began bludgeoning the officer with the cuffs, using them “like brass knuckles,” Sgt. Vogel said.
Mr. Smith backed him into a desk and hit him several times before grabbing for the officer’s gun, unsnapping the holster.
The officer then frantically pulled a knife from his belt and stabbed Mr. Smith in the stomach. Mr. Smith continued to fight the officer until he was pushed over and Tasered by another police officer who had arrived for backup.
Mr. Smith was transported to UPMC Mercy, where he underwent surgery yesterday for the stab wound. He was listed in stable condition.
Sgt. Vogel said the knife, which had about a two-inch fixed blade, belonged to the officer and was not standard issue. With the suspect reaching for his gun, the officer was running out of options and used the knife “as a weapon of last resort,” Sgt. Vogel said.
“Police are forced to make split-second decisions … it’s not subject to second-guessing by me or anyone else,” he said. “He made a decision that he felt was necessary to save his life.”
There was no indication the officer acted improperly, he said, and added that most arrest subjects do not fight back.
“This is one of a 3 percent chance,” he said. “Ninety-seven percent of the people we arrest will be compliant.”
City homicide detectives are investigating the case because of the severity of the incident and because a city police officer was involved, Sgt. Vogel said.
The officer, who was hit so hard that it left the handcuffs bloody, was due to be released from the hospital last night and may be put on administrative leave pending an investigation. Sgt. Vogel said the officer was “extremely agitated” but conscious and alert, though he was beginning to show signs of a concussion.
Court records indicate that Mr. Smith has pleaded guilty to theft charges a dozen times since 1988. Last year, he served several months in jail for retail theft from 2006. Two weeks ago, he was arrested and charged again with retail theft by Ross police.
“Shoplifting from people in an already downturned economy is just bad karma,” Sgt. Vogel said. “In this situation, it almost cost one of my officers his life.”
A routine arrest at the Downtown Burlington Coat Factory erupted into a bloody confrontation between an off-duty city police officer working as a security guard and a suspected shoplifter yesterday afternoon that ended when the officer stabbed the suspect with a knife pulled from his utility belt.
“It became a tense situation until the officer became involved in a fight for his life,” said Sgt. James Vogel of Zone 2. “It’s one of the most serious situations our officers can face.”
Yesterday, Sgt. Vogel said the suspect, 59-year-old Anthony Smith, who has a lengthy criminal record, would likely face charges of aggravated assault in addition to robbery.
The officer was being treated for head injuries and a possible concussion at a hospital yesterday. Police would not say where he was being treated and would not release his name, saying only that he is in his mid-40s and a 16-year veteran with the Pittsburgh Police Bureau.
Police said the officer, who was working a private security detail in the store, caught Mr. Smith trying to shoplift three pairs of Timberland boots. The officer then escorted Mr. Smith down to a security office in the basement floor, where he looked up Mr. Smith’s criminal record on a computer and discovered there was a warrant out for his arrest.
He went to arrest Mr. Smith and had one of his wrists in cuffs when Mr. Smith turned around and began bludgeoning the officer with the cuffs, using them “like brass knuckles,” Sgt. Vogel said.
Mr. Smith backed him into a desk and hit him several times before grabbing for the officer’s gun, unsnapping the holster.
The officer then frantically pulled a knife from his belt and stabbed Mr. Smith in the stomach. Mr. Smith continued to fight the officer until he was pushed over and Tasered by another police officer who had arrived for backup.
Mr. Smith was transported to UPMC Mercy, where he underwent surgery yesterday for the stab wound. He was listed in stable condition.
Sgt. Vogel said the knife, which had about a two-inch fixed blade, belonged to the officer and was not standard issue. With the suspect reaching for his gun, the officer was running out of options and used the knife “as a weapon of last resort,” Sgt. Vogel said.
“Police are forced to make split-second decisions … it’s not subject to second-guessing by me or anyone else,” he said. “He made a decision that he felt was necessary to save his life.”
There was no indication the officer acted improperly, he said, and added that most arrest subjects do not fight back.
“This is one of a 3 percent chance,” he said. “Ninety-seven percent of the people we arrest will be compliant.”
City homicide detectives are investigating the case because of the severity of the incident and because a city police officer was involved, Sgt. Vogel said.
The officer, who was hit so hard that it left the handcuffs bloody, was due to be released from the hospital last night and may be put on administrative leave pending an investigation. Sgt. Vogel said the officer was “extremely agitated” but conscious and alert, though he was beginning to show signs of a concussion.
Court records indicate that Mr. Smith has pleaded guilty to theft charges a dozen times since 1988. Last year, he served several months in jail for retail theft from 2006. Two weeks ago, he was arrested and charged again with retail theft by Ross police.
“Shoplifting from people in an already downturned economy is just bad karma,” Sgt. Vogel said. “In this situation, it almost cost one of my officers his life.”
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Categories: police, security, security made app/arrest, security officer injured
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Indianapolis police officer arrested for on duty rape www.privateofficer.com
August 23, 2008
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Indianapolis police officer arrested for on duty rape http://www.privateofficer.com
INDIANAPOLIS IN Aug 23 2008 The SWAT team arrested a metro police officer for allegedly raping a woman while on duty.
Investigators said it happened on the east side last Friday.
Officer Anthony Smith is facing seven felonies including rape and sexual misconduct. The Marion County prosecutor said Smith is the tenth metro police officer to be charged in the past four months.
Investigators said former police officer Anthony Smith first made contact with the victim at a gas station on 21st and Emerson. Smith told the victim she had pretty teeth. The victim left and drove toward I-70. That’s when police said Smith pulled her over for an outstanding warrant.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Smith told the victim he could lock her up, but wouldn’t if she rode with him on a few runs.
“This officer used his authority, his position to satisfy his own selfish desires rather than protect someone who needed protection,” said Chief Michael Spears of the Indianapolis Metro Police Department.
Investigators said Smith eventually took the victim to his “spot” in an east side industrial park where he allegedly raped her.
“I’m sickened by his conduct. Literally sickened,” said Chief Spears.
Police said they didn’t find the used condom at Smith’s spot, but they did find unused condoms in his trunk. Police are also trying to figure out if Smith has brought other victims to his spot in the past.
“We will continue to look at other traffic stops he’s made in the past,” said Chief Spears.
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said, “The alleged conduct is egregious and Officer Smith is not above the law.”
The prosecutor said Smith admitted to having sex with the victim in his police car, but claims it was consensual. The chief dismissed him from the force on Monday.
In wake of the recent arrests with in the metro police department, the prosecutor’s office has set up the Justice Integrity Hotline at (317) 327-5437. The prosecutor said it’ll allow people to report misconduct without going to the police.
Investigators said it happened on the east side last Friday.
Officer Anthony Smith is facing seven felonies including rape and sexual misconduct. The Marion County prosecutor said Smith is the tenth metro police officer to be charged in the past four months.
Investigators said former police officer Anthony Smith first made contact with the victim at a gas station on 21st and Emerson. Smith told the victim she had pretty teeth. The victim left and drove toward I-70. That’s when police said Smith pulled her over for an outstanding warrant.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Smith told the victim he could lock her up, but wouldn’t if she rode with him on a few runs.
“This officer used his authority, his position to satisfy his own selfish desires rather than protect someone who needed protection,” said Chief Michael Spears of the Indianapolis Metro Police Department.
Investigators said Smith eventually took the victim to his “spot” in an east side industrial park where he allegedly raped her.
“I’m sickened by his conduct. Literally sickened,” said Chief Spears.
Police said they didn’t find the used condom at Smith’s spot, but they did find unused condoms in his trunk. Police are also trying to figure out if Smith has brought other victims to his spot in the past.
“We will continue to look at other traffic stops he’s made in the past,” said Chief Spears.
Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi said, “The alleged conduct is egregious and Officer Smith is not above the law.”
The prosecutor said Smith admitted to having sex with the victim in his police car, but claims it was consensual. The chief dismissed him from the force on Monday.
In wake of the recent arrests with in the metro police department, the prosecutor’s office has set up the Justice Integrity Hotline at (317) 327-5437. The prosecutor said it’ll allow people to report misconduct without going to the police.
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Categories: police
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