"Four police officers in Rhode Island are being investigated for making five boys do pushups on the side of a street as punishment for damaging a mailbox.

"Acting North Providence Police Chief Paul Martellini said a woman called police Friday morning to report her mailbox was damaged. Officers soon found a bright yellow sports car that matched the description, he said. Several teenagers were inside.

Mayor Charles Lombardi told WPRO-AM on Monday the officers thought the best way to reprimand the teens was to have them do pushups.

A neighbor videotaped the stop from across the street and posted it online. It was first reported by WJAR-TV.

The video shows four police cars parked in a residential neighborhood behind a yellow car. People can be seen doing more than a dozen pushups next to the police cars while four uniformed officers watched. Once they were done doing pushups, they were allowed to leave."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/1...ref=weird-news

This was probably the most effective type of "punishment" these people could receive. Should act as a nice deterrent for any future clownishness.

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"That's nice work boys"

Attached Images

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While we wait for the link, perhaps you can explain why the officers might be subject to investigation.

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The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal Principles to be applied by the courts. One's right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections. Justice Robert H. Jackson, West Virginia Board of Education vs. Barnette, 1943

As far as I am concerned the motivation for any reprimand is based on PR as the former Chief was "recently convicted of stealing money from a stripper's pocketbook after a car chase last year."

The acting Chief wants to decide whether the actions were appropriate.

"The mayor said officers took the law into their own hands, which he called it unacceptable. He wants the officers suspended.

"You can't fix stupid. I think that's the only explanation here," Lombardi told WPRO."

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Correct, all persons are entitled to due process, regardless their age or crime; law enforcement doesn’t determine guilt or punishment.

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The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal Principles to be applied by the courts. One's right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections. Justice Robert H. Jackson, West Virginia Board of Education vs. Barnette, 1943

Due process is required. Police can not also serve as judge and jury.

Off the record, i think the cops did good.

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"They're all crooks and boobs." - my grandfather

Technically I agree, as a former line officer I do not see anything wrong with this. Depending on how this was actually carried out it could build a sense of community. "Due process" could have gotten these people a criminal record.

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Apt recompense. A decent lesson given.

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Cops Enforce the Law, they're not Social Workers.

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"If you let your Government act like criminals abroad, then they will act like criminals at home."

They should be part of the community as well.

This is not social work this is police work. There is more to patrolling a street than simply enforcing the law. Moreover, it is done all the time. A cop deciding not to give a speeding ticket, because of extenuating circumstances, for example. Using discretion when appropriate can work to everyone advantage and keep crime down and community involvement up.

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I was a teen prankster "back in the day".

I would much more have preferred pushups over my jail time.

These cops showed some heart. Bravo to them.

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surely you jest.

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To live is to suffer~Fritz Lang-Film Director


Love, peace and harmony is sorely lacking in humans around the world.

So did the cops bosses...until they found out it was taped.

No

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