Free Talk Live

(04-15) 18:36 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A San Francisco judge told prosecutors Thursday to dismiss hundreds of drug cases after they admitted that the investigation into the police drug lab scandal would prevent them from bringing the defendants to trial anytime soon.

The City Council Public Safety and Education Committee released an 11-step plan Friday to strengthen public trust in the Seattle Police Department.

The measures include enhanced hiring standards and training of officers, monthly reports of sustained misconduct findings, drug-testing for officers involved in the use of deadly force and expedited review of possible criminal charges against officers.

Councilmember Tim Burgess, chairman of the committee, said the measures are meant to "stop the erosion of public confidence."

Mayor William Lantigua says he will no longer pay legal bills for police officers being sued, including the bills for those officers involved in nine brutality cases pending in U.S. District Court.

Shocking video has been released allegedly showing police officers tasering and beating a homeless man to death who they claim was resisting arrest. Though the video is not clear, eye witnesses say the homeless man - Kelly Thomas, 37 - was unable to put up any resistance and was lying on the ground on his front when the attack took place on July 5.

Officers with the San Francisco Police Department in Northern California shot a man believed to have a knife this morning, but preliminary reports suggest that the victim was in handcuffs while the authorities opened fire.

"Richmond police have moved to fire two officers under investigation for allegedly arming volunteer scouts from the agency's Explorer program illegally so the young men could work for the officers' private security firm, officials said Tuesday."

The City of Los Angeles is demanding payment from Infowars over the removal of “illegally posted signs” that were not produced by Infowars nor posted by any of its employees.

The City of L.A. is attempting to fine Infowars for signs that have nothing to do with the company. Image: Wikimedia Commons
A letter from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office claims that, “An investigation has disclosed that you or your agent(s) have illegally posted signs on public property,” adding that such activity is a violation of California Penal Code.

Pete Holmes, the newly elected Seattle city attorney, is already making good on his campaign promise to dismiss any marijuana possession charges that come through his office, the Seattle Times reported last week. Holmes dismissed two marijuana-related cases on his first day on the job, and several others are about to be dismissed, including cases taken up by the previous city attorney.

The city’s attorney, Lee Thomas, said an investigation into the matter was dropped because they received the letters of resignation from all four officers, so we will likely never know the merits (or demerits) of these allegations. He is quoted by the Star-Telegram as saying, “It was in the best interest of the city and the officers to go their own way.”