My Chicago policeman acquaintance - Sentenced today !
The more you know people the less you know them.
William Cozzi, 15 years CPD and 22 years USAF Reserve was sentenced today to 40 months in prison. Bill and I belong to the same health club, and I've known him for about 17 years. I'm probably the last person to know of this incident, Bill, never talked about it, only how foolish others cops were getting into trouble.
We pal around quite a bit at our health club and I never thought or suspected anything like this of him. Bill is a bachelor and literally lives at our health club; I would not be surprised he is at the club this evening - I'll be there this evening. Bill, in my opinion acted lonely in recent years and kept asking me repetitively, "What do you think [politically] is going to happen ?" I did notice the other Chicago cops at the club, didn't go out of their way to talk to him. IMO, he could be suicidal now, and needs help ?
I'm sure police brutality pundits will cream in their jeans reading what happened: http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1618841,william-cozz-sente...
Beg to differ
Alpha male type personalities don't need a gun or authority to make a point or to feel good/better about themselves. The people I know in law
(or the lack thereof as they seem to literally make it up as they go)
were either lazy or needed that gun to make up for a lack elsewhere.
No sale here!!
Just one last kick in the nuts, then a final deathblow
I'm not arguing guilt or is the policeman
Do you believe in the 5th Amendment of the Constitution or only when it suits your prejudices ?
U.S. Constitution: Fifth Amendment Under Attack !
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
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The above police officer is out pending an appeal on the grounds of double-jeopardy prosecution as he was already punished $160,000 being suspended 18 months approved by a Illinois Court. Incidentally, the Federal Judge that re-sentenced [double jeopardy] this white police officer to 3 1/2 years in a Federal Penitentry was, "The wisdom a Black female Judge" sound familiar ?
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Here is a coincidence. I called a former co-worker of mine to tell him about a friend of ours that passed away. During conversation he told me he knows, "Randy", the guy in the wheelchair the policeman hit. Now, not only do I know the police officer, now I know the neighbor of the other party.
My friend that knows Randy is black and truthfully I thought he would lean toward Randy. UN-uh ! He told me Randy is, "Wound tight", and in so many words can act like an idiot. He mentioned something about Randy quitting his CTA job very abruptly telling everybody off and because of his obtrusive behavior someone was always beating the crap out of him - including cops. Remember - allegedly Randy's girlfriend just stabbed him in the shoulder and why he was at the hospital - and it was the hospital that put him in a wheelchair for admittance. Randy admitted downing a bottle of gin before going to the hospital and subsequently spitting on the police officer who was summoned to control him.
The police officer whose Constitutional Rights are being violated is 15 year veteran of CPD with a spotless service record with multiple awards for outstanding police service and a United States Air Force Veteran of 22 years having served in Kuwait during the First Gulf War, "Desert Storm."
The policeman is 52 years old, he has admitted his mistake and punished and wants to return to his job. If they can punish this police officer twice for the same thing for "over reacting" when being spit on by a out of control individual using a civil rights ruse, then they can do it to any of us ! The Constitution is the Constitution - not a God Damn piece of paper !
Drug suspect turns tables on NYPD with videotape
It is hard to see a friend stumble like my friend Bill Cozzi did. Personally I feel if he was given another chance deserved or not he would walk the straight and narrow, but that ain't going to happen now.
I too have been on the receiving end of unfair government physical abuse a lot worse than policeman Cozzi is accused of, and my abusers were untouchable so to speak. A couple quick examples, a day or so after being in Marine Corps boot-camp I had a SSgt., my Drill Instructor sucker punch me with all he had and flattened me because I didn't know not to have my hands in my pockets. Another time after being arrested by Marine M.P.'s , then while cooperating I was pushed forcefully pretty damn hard from behind and then a double hammer lock put on me forcefully and handcuffed. I was free within an hour without any further consequences - another story.
Police misconduct is inexcusable, but officer Cozzi was punished once already (pleaded guilty) and that punishment was approved and accepted by an Illinois State Court. He lost $160,000 pay and 2 years probation and was supposed to return to duty afterward. Well, the new superintendent of Chicago police needed to make an example of someone and referred his case for federal charges before returning from suspension and he was indited for violation of someones civil liberty and found guilty (again) and now sentenced to Federal Prison for 3 1/2 years. Double Jeopardy ?
What my friend did - even he admits is wrong. I just read the below article(URL) and it smacked home how pervasive this problem is and something does have to be done about it - which I'm all for.
Drug suspect turns tables on NYPD with videotape: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/06/13/...
Chicago Reader (comment)
I snipped this post showing how the police in Chicago are getting back at their new superintendent for not having their backs. [Quote] "If you doubt my [police officer] words just look at the stats and call Sheriff Dart and ask him what the average daily population of Cook County Jail is now and what it was the months before you blew into town. [Un-Quote]
[Snipped]
"Reasonable?
Is he [police superintendent] spouting that reasonable sh*t again?
Doesn't Weis know that Officer Cozzi pled guilty in court to the state charge, was given probation and then served that probation along with a two year suspension.
HE ALREADY TOOK HIS PUNISHMENT!!
The charge was MISDEMEANOR battery/simple.
If that is the worst case of brutality Weis has ever seen then he is a clueless moron who has no business coming within 500 feet of a police station.
But we know that already.
Let's get back to reasonableness, since the Superintendent places so much importance on reasonableness.
Double jeopardy, Officer Cozzi was already convicted on a state charge of a misdemeanor.
This happened two years BEFORE Weis ever blew into town.
The punishments were all served.
Then Jody Weis, quite UN-reasonably, referred the case to his pal, the FBI SAIC in Chicago to look at for possible Federal civil rights violations.
That is akin to a police commander sending a case to the States Attorney for prosecution, it will get done.
We officers of the CPD feel that what you did was UNreasonable, therefore you now have a police department in virtual revolt and meltdown.
We do not respect you, we do not consider you our leader and we do not give a tinker's damn about anything you say or do.
We consider that reasonable.
Now Mr. Weis, why don't you do the reasonable thing and resign and get out of town and allow someone with some police skills who knows the police department to try and rebuild what you have so far f....d up so totally and miserably.
Do the reasonable thing Mr Weis and leave.
The sooner the better.
Now be reasonable. You won't get jack sh*t as far as police work out of me and perhaps one or two others until you do.
If you doubt my words just look at the stats and call Sheriff Dart and ask him what the average daily population of Cook County Jail is now and what it was the months before you blew into town.
You broke a police department and now the only way to begin fixing it is for you to go.
I think that is reasonable.
Chicago Reader:
http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/politics/2009/04/02/editorial...
Poor jack-booted slug
My heart weeps.
I think maybe that
he stayed in the police force to long and maybe should have gotten out when he felt he was getting aggressive. As things get worse I guess there will be a WHOLE lot of snapping going on. We will ALL be tested, I sure hope we can find a way to deal with all this. Good luck, to your friend.
Prepare & Share the Message of Freedom through Positive-Peaceful-Activism.
A fatal attraction
Police work attracts aggressive, assertive, authoritarian Alfa-male types - warriors not intellectuals or romantics ! Not to mention who would want a intellectual or romantic protecting them, their family, and property anyway ? Yet we hold them to the mild mannered Mr. Rodgers type when we [public] get out of line ? Rich man's fools, I tell you, when these guard dogs of society outlive their usefulness just put them down, there are always more fools looking for a bullet or to be thrown under federal bus by a police superintendent.
Knowing Cozzi on and off over the last 17 years at the health club, I did see a noticeable change in his demeanor after he was given 18 months suspension from the CPD. They neutered him.
No second chance for 15 years CPD spotless record and 22 years USAF Reserve Master Sergeant (Desert Storm - Kuwait).
Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Donahue has said he has not seen an incident that damaged officer morale more than Cozzi's case.
Makes me want to run down to my nearest military or police recruiter and sign up [sic]. BTW, nobody gives a sh*t I spent 5 years of my life in the Marines and a Cuban Missile Guantanamo and Vietnam Veteran.
I teach my grandchildren never to do the three "D's", Dumb, Dangerous or Dirty, this story exemplifies that !
FBI's Story: http://chicago.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/jan22_09a.htm
Holy Cow. I live in Crook County, IL. This is NAZI paradise.
It's unbelievable that they broke down and gave this UTTERLY WORHTLESS CELLULOID some old fashioned jail time.
We need way more clamping down. Good for Jody Weiss. Throw every jerk cop under the bus. EVERY ONE. Police can start following the rules like all of us sorry son of a guns. If it's going to be a POLICE STATE then let's have a police state for everyone, including these LOSER COPS.
"I HATE Illinois Nazis"
QFT
You can't have it both ways - Tosteterone & Estrogen
Even a good guard dog will bite you if you piss him off. If you want sissy's for police, you will get a sissy response in your time of need. The choice is yours.
I definitely prefer sissy police to abusive ones.
It's up to each citizens to take responsibility for basic self-protection and to foster good community awareness of aggressors.
We shouldn't rely so heavily on paid protectors and just ignore the cancerous rage in many people today that ignites random violence.
What's in a name
A Pair by another name would not smell as sweet as a Pear.
Pears pay for police protection too, not just pairs !
I understand your point but
I understand your point but I do believe there is medium ground. I have worked on a community project with an officer who was a really caring and easy going man. I'm certain he was competent in enforcing the law, especially in his beat which was the worst area of our city. I saw him deal with some criminal situations that arose during our project and he approached it with calm professionalism and was not aggressive or out of line when apprehending the suspects.
Comment understood (happy medium)
Is this officer of yours wise beyond his years or mature enough he doesn't act like rookie with a radar gun ? (wink)
This is why I would run between conviction and sentencing
40 months is life-changing. There's no way I'd do it. Is he in prison yet? I'd run man. A cop in prison? C'mon man, he's dead meat. He should roll. I'm only saying this because he's my friend's friend, not because I like cops doing beyond the pale things.
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Not good being a cop in prison
Federal too !
My brother was in Federal and he told me he saw a kid climbing the barb-wire and the guard telling him to stop or he'd shoot him. The kid said go ahead and kill me, and the guard shot him off the wire (legs).
Not to mention when the big black guy takes your food or changes the TV channel. You can literally starve in prison. Not to mention the shower.
And the noise. . .it's deafening and constant
And the lights are always on. And the toilets never flush--or have toilet seats. Living on the run would beat death or prison, imo. 40 months, even 20 months would crack anyone. He'll come out nuts and penniless. Of course, being a cop, he probably doesn't have the brains to pull off a good hide.
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I guess boogies rule
The boogie was not wheelchair bound and was routinely put there for hospital admittance, and maybe couldn't walk without falling over after downing a bottle of gin ? Spitting on a police officer is assault and battery, he is lucky it wasn't me, he would be picking his teeth up off the floor if he had any to start with, and me saying, maybe he tripped, being he admiringly downed a bottle of gin ?
Cozzi, admitted numerous times and got punished for it many different ways....But to take it to the point of 40 months in prison when you have thousands of criminals out there walking out of court free for simple assault cases or even aggravated-battery's, aggravated-assault and unlawful use of weapons cases is beyond my sense of understanding the court system/ judges. You take out an officer to be hanged for his "mistake" and then the real criminals you let them out on probation or the good old your free to go Mr.A-hole don't you get yourself in trouble again speech its a disgusting way of handling things. Prosecutors (FEDS) unfortunately were pined against the wall for having to do this but had no choice which they had a great chance of winning anyways and the public knows that. But taking action against your own not only CPD officers but a Law Enforcement personal who made a mistake and with courage admitted (unlike millions of criminals) and was punished already its a slap in the face and lack of we got your back for the department. Whats next if a person with a gun who just shot you complains that the officers over reacted and injured his shooting arm are you going to recommend federal prosecution too ?
Now I really don't know what a boogie is
What is a boogie?
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I think I see
one in your nose... LOL
Merriam Webster
I picked this term up from the guy your mother literally warned you about, he used this term to describe people [any] who started beating their tom-toms and dancing to the music in the streets on the weekends. Not racist, just describing a music mindset, e.g. getting stabbed, downing a bottle of gin, spitting on cops, etc. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boogie
typical cop
so Cozzi is mad that the blue wall of silence failed him. he kinda has a point. with all the police corruption this really is a drop in the bucket. in fact it's SOP. so i can see why this arrogant thug is upset. it's like a nazi getting upset when he gets in trouble for starving people in a concentration camp.
i wonder how many lives this guy destroyed in his 15 years at CPD?
the world may never know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ0epRjfGLw
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Ron Paul Supporter Since 1997
`Wise people, even though all laws were abolished, would still lead the same life'- Aristophanes -
“We have allowed our nation to be over taxed and over regulated and overrun by bureaucrats, the founders would be ashamed of us for what we're putting up with.” Ron Paul
If you can't do the time,
If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.
Care to check it
Cozzi did the time !
Cozzi pleaded guilty in 2007 to misdemeanor battery and got 18 months’ probation. He was due to return to work after serving that probation until he was hit with federal charges.
After Cozzi was charged, the police union suggested the charges violated Cozzi’s constitutional rights — likening the federal charge to double jeopardy, or being tried twice for the same crime.
Cops are getting the message - let the boogies do damn well what they please. What I would of done - is it let the abusive ginned-up boogie bleed to death saying short of punching him, there is nothing I could of done to make him seek treatment for his stab wound.
Have you ever seen a ginned-up abusive boogie, stabbed, let alone make him cooperate ?
Ouch. I just checked urbandictionary.com
and found out "boogie" is a racist term. If you didn't mean it as such, please be more careful in the future. That is inappropriate on a site that promotes individualism and not collectivist stereotypes.
Try Merriam Webster (wink)
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boogie
Sounds Racist!
Can't we all please think of the 'boogie man'?
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Regarding Palin: I believe we are watching in real time the rise of the third party, which will be controlled by the powers that be from its' inception.
Next Scam: "Cash For Cash"
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The very scary thing is that either one of those people
could have been one of us.
Either the police man that snaped or the guy handcuffed in the wheelchair.
I wonder if Anabolic Steroids were involved if the police officer works out all the time it is possible he had some hormonal issues. He will have at least a year to work on it. He probably needs mental treatment as do most people who end up in jail. That is the fundamental flaw is that jail is not treatment but rather ends up re-enforcing criminal and violent behavior.
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. "
No Anabolic Steroids
Bill was not muscular; his problem, although not my business was fast food. He was fighting the bulge, me too.
There is quite a few cops from a lot of departments at my health club. They have to keep in shape, their lives depend on it, you can't shoot a boogie even though he's kicking your butt because you stopped him for a red light.
Not easy being a cop - big turn over. Maybe before long we will have only boogies for cops, then everyone will be happy.