Well, congratulations to Citrus County, Florida for providing America with the next Daniel Harless-style video.
Harless, of course, was the Canton, Ohio cop who threatened to execute a law-abiding card-carrying good guy for having the audacity to lawfully exercise his right to carry the means with which to protect himself. Harless was eventually canned (links to videos can be found here) and subsequently won his job back if he could pass a medical screening.
A couple of days ago, this new video from Citrus County, Florida made its splash. Now it’s gone viral. (Sorry we’re a little behind the curve. Believe it or not, we have a life outside of blogging.)
Don’t just get angry or irritated. Make your thoughts known on this clear 1983 violation.
Laws: Cases and Codes : U.S. Code : Title 42 : Section 1983
Sec. 1983. – Civil action for deprivation of rights
Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable. For the purposes of this section, any Act of Congress applicable exclusively to the District of Columbia shall be considered to be a statute of the District of Columbia
You can reach Sheriff Jeff Dawsy and Law Enforcement Bureau Commander Buddy Grant at the email addresses at the hyperlinks and share with them your thoughts on the video.
Remember to be civil and to the point.
Here’s what I sent them this morning.
I watched the YouTube video this morning of your Deputy Andy Cox stopping a Florida CCW-holder and have some serious concerns about the training at your department.
1. Isn’t it customary for you to train your officers in the law regarding carry licenses? Florida is NOT a ‘must notify’ state when it comes to contacts with LEOs.
2. Is it customary for your department to leave an armed man by himself while handcuffed?
3. Is it customary for your officers to use vulgar profanity with the people it contacts?
4. Is it customary for your officers to threaten to shoot people in the back?
5. Is it customary for your officers to misquote Florida law to civilians they encounter?
I’m also concerned about the psychological makeup of officer Cox. Does he really have the demeanor and mindset to be dealing with the public, or is he another Daniel Harless from Canton, Ohio?
Thanks in advance. As an Illinois resident, it’s unlikely I’d ever find myself in your county soon. However, if on some future date I was treated in such a manner by Deputy Cox or any other member of your department, you would remember my name for a long, long time to come, including its correct spelling on the check you would be writing following the encounter.
While I support law enforcement, I have zero tolerance for law enforcement incivility or civil rights abuse.
John Boch
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