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San Diego County Jail 02/27/2012 11:27:00 AM
Pain management practitioners come from all fields of medicine.
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replica Rolex 09/24/2009 1:33:00 PM
En reproduction de replica Rolex le rapport optique de la date est aussi bon que l'originale et la loupe �galement est tr�s d'une mani�re ordonn�e plac�e.
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Che 08/06/2008 8:27:00 PM
What a crock of shit.
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I hear you 08/06/2008 5:16:00 AM
I pray that Mr Thomason sees justiced served in his behalf. I wonder how many other instances of abuse and degradation have happened, but have gone unheard.
Let Mr. Thomason's voice speak loudly in the courts for those other victims as well. Sue the tar out of the bastards!
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VR 08/05/2008 11:11:00 PM
Mr.Prendergast, thank you for an explanation. I did not mean to be a pain in the butt. I just thought that I had a valid point. As I said before, I'm really tired of people blaming everything around, including their own screw-ups, on law enforcement in this city. I personally know many police and sheriff deputies and I find that they are great officers committed to their duties and responsibilities, committed to making this city a better place. I initially did not like the way the story was presented to the readers. I found it too emotional, one-sided, with no facts attached. It is sad that you could not interview Denver Sheriff staff and find out what exactly went wrong. Anyway, thank you for an explanation.
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Me 08/05/2008 7:49:00 PM
http://www.westword.com/2005-09-29/news/wax-on-wax-off/
All I can say is karma.
**Also why was 911 called in the first place?
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Dave 08/05/2008 6:52:00 PM
I'm sure CLEVELAND is walking on egg shells now and his chances of promoting in the next 10 years are pretty slim!
I've been a police officer for approximately 13 years and have had the opportunity to work the "streets" of a large metropolitan city.
In the violent cities we patrol, it's not what the general public perceives. Officers over react, challenge suspects and arrestees, are unable to remain calm, falsify reports, committ perjury, committ unjustifiable use of forces, plant evidence, and committ questionable officer involved shootings. This time, just like the countless other officers and sheriffs througout the US, CLEVELAND got caught.
During CLEVELAND'S interview with the sheriff's internal affairs department, he gave false and misleading statements. When his co-workers elected to tell the truth and the evidence was overwhelming, CLEVELAND confessed to violating his department's policies, procedures, and rules. Due to those violations, CLEVELAND'S department suspended him for 60 days without pay (60 work days). In reality, CLEVELAND'S suspension turned out to be around 90 days. Due to CLEVELAND'S false and misleading statements, his false imprisonment of Timothy, he should have been fired and criminally charged with civil rights violations under color of authority.
CLEVELAND screwed up and got caught, he and the city should be held accountable for his actions.
I wish Timothy success with his lawsuit and wish that his cancer goes into remission.
In regards to CLEVELAND, it's apparent he is a coward behind a badge for challenging a frail arrestee with cancer. I wonder if he also challenges 6'3" hard core criminals? CLEVELAND should task a new career, I suggest Walmart Lost Prevention.
CLEVELAND paints an ugly picture for the officers and sheriffs who work with respect and integrity.
Sincerely.
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patricia calhoun 08/05/2008 6:22:00 PM
we'd like to publish some of these comments in the print version of westword, ideally with full names. if you're willing to put your name with your comment, let me know at patricia.calhoun@westword.com
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Alan Prendergast 08/05/2008 4:22:00 PM
Well, VR, nobody is disputing that the vast majority of people in prison did indeed commit the crimes they are serving time for. I've written about those folks, too, as well as people who have the thankless job of working in corrections and do it well. This isn't one of those stories, though.
I didn't say an arrest for felony cultivation was minor; I said his so-called criminal history was minor. Thomason readily admits that the officers who arrested him treated him well and were in their authority to do so.
You find the story emotional and one-sided. Sometimes the facts tend to favor one side more than another. It's not for lack of effort on my part. I sought an interview with the Manager of Safety about jail policy and was handed a bunch of blacked-out documents in response. I sought comment from the deputy through his attorney and got no response at all. For whatever reason, the officials involved don't want to talk about this policy at all.
Your assertion that "small lock-ups" don't administer narcotics has nothing to do with this case. The PADF isn't small (48,000 processed a year) and did (before last year) have a policy about narcotics. They just didn't follow it -- only two transfers to the infirmary of prisoners in need of pain medication in five years. These are facts. You continue to excuse the jail and medical staff for something that can't be so readily excused.
I'm sorry you don't like the story. Short of a complete audio and video record, we'll never know all the details of what went on between the deputy and Thomason. They have different versions, as I pointed out in the article. But internal affairs found sufficient cause to discipline the officer, and the routine denial of critical medications to sick prisoners is indisputable. You may not like it, but those are just the facts.
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VR 08/05/2008 5:40:00 AM
Mr.Prendergast, I don't like some of the things you write in your story. First of all, attempting to make readers believe that a felony possession of a controlled substance (in Timothy's case- twelve plants of marijuana) is a "minor brush with law enforcement" is probably wrong. I understand that Timothy could not afford a license, but with knowledge that it is illegal to cultivate marijuana, he still chose to grow it. I can also understand that it can be his lifeline, but there has got to be another way to work around it, without putting a reservation on one of the cells in the jail. Second, I don't "blindly defend law enforcement regardless of the circumstances". But I also don't blame law enforcement for everything, regardless of the circumstances. It is also NOT my position to treat "anybody who goes to jail, for whatever reason, as a nonhuman". However, I strongly believe that 99 out 100 are there for a reason. I have nothing against Timothy and I do feel sorry that Timothy could not get his medication in jail. However, I do have a problem with you making it sound like it is the fault of the facility's medical staff and law enforcement for not administering them to him. Since you "have been covering corrections" for such a long time, you should know that small lock-ups or detention centers that are designed for booking and arraignment purpose are prohibited from administering any kind of narcotics to their patients. If you don't believe me, do a research, as I did, and find out. Also, I do have a problem with you covering your readers with lots of emotions and almost no facts. I still find it hard to believe that a deputy gave a bad treatment to Timothy just because he asked about his money. Have you attempted to investigate it? Perhaps, talk to Denver Sheriff representatives? You have been covering corrections for a long time, you should know that people generally do not enjoy their stay in jail. Prisoners also tend to exaggerate things, manipulate things, present things in different colors. The words you hear the most are "it's not my fault, it's the cops or sheriffs or somebody else, but not me". Are you really going to believe every word they say? Anyways, my point is that if you consider yourself a professional journalist and all you can come up with is an emotional one-side story, blaming law enforcement for every single thing they do or don't do, I'm glad I'm not an everyday westword reader.
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Pamela 08/04/2008 4:56:00 PM
Thank you for your clarification Alan. Until people have actually been involved with the system and are deprived of their rights they simply don't understand what real helplessness is. Your point about not being convicted is obviously one of the strongest--thank you for writing this story.
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Alan Prendergast 08/03/2008 9:50:00 PM
I don't usually respond to reader posts, but the attacks on Tim Thomason here are so gratuitous I feel I should point out a couple of things that should be obvious to anyone who's actually read the article. Having covered corrections issues in Colorado for the last 15 years, I'm still amazed at the kneejerk responses from people who like to demonize anyone who's been arrested--they're "criminals," so they must all be lying scumbags, right?--and blindly defend law enforcement regardless of the circumstances. They don't seem to care at all about the waste of taxypayer money, the corruption, the abuse of power--check out our Crime and Punishment archives, if you want plenty of documented cases-- as long as the prisoners are getting the brunt of it.
In this case, Thomason wasn't convicted of ANY crime. He's a guy with terminal cancer living on $600 a month who couldn't afford to renew his medical marijuana permit and got hauled to jail for that, but at some point reason prevailed and the charge was dropped. His "criminal history" and "multiple run-ins with law enforcement" were, as I pointed out in the story, quite minor. I don't think getting a ticket for marijuana as a juvenile means that you give up your constitutional rights for the rest of your life, but hey, maybe I'm wrong about that.
As for the behavior of jail staff, the fact that an internal affairs investigation found the deputy who detained him (after a judge had released him) had "willfully departed from the truth" doesn't seem to matter to any of his defenders. If the city ends up paying money to Thomason, shouldn't your anger be directed at the city employees who screwed up? Is it your position that anybody who goes to jail, for whatever reason, is such a nonhuman that whatever abuse, lies, and suffering they endure is not only warranted but desirable? Does that also go for someone picked up by mistake on someone else's warrant or as a result of identity theft? Maybe some day you'll have a chance firsthand to discover just how smoothly our criminal justice system works. Write me and let me know how much you like it in there.
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VR 08/03/2008 4:01:00 AM
Mr.Editor, do you really think that I will believe the words of the guy who has had multiple run-ins with law enforcement, a few warrants, etc? In addition to that, I find it hard to believe that a cop went off on this guy so badly just because he asked where his money was. I know cops can be mean, but usually it takes some effort or help from the guy they are trying to deal with. Mr.Editor, have you actually researched this issue or have you just sucked it out of your finger?
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DenverReader 08/03/2008 3:50:00 AM
I'm sorry, but I'm tired of seeing crooks whining and complaining just to get to the city's pockets. I'm especially sick of hearing stories about how hard their lives are and about their poor childhood. I'm sorry the guy has cancer, but it has nothing to do with his behavior and criminal history. My advise-DO NOT GO TO JAIL, or rather DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID that will get you there. I have a lot of respect for police and sheriffs in this city and I believe they are doing a good job.
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JohnV 08/03/2008 3:41:00 AM
Perhaps, it is time for criminals to realize that jail is not a hotel. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. It sucks that the guy could not get the meds, but everything else....don't commit crimes and then whine and cry about your jail experience.
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Boils 08/02/2008 12:55:00 AM
Right the 'bro' was just an innocent victim. He should go back to jail where he belongs. Officer Cleveland should be given a medal. What does have a brother as a cop have to do with the perp's behavior. This story stinks...no doubt written by someone who is a 'non-profit' care giving creep.
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Cindy 08/01/2008 5:58:00 AM
On this occasion the police may have been polite and professional. When the Fugitive Apprehension Team arrested my husband at his job, no less than 6 of them showed up. My husband was not armed and not a threat to anyone. The FAT knew this. He completely cooperated, there were witnesses thank god, and yet the FAT all high-fived each other and slapped each other on the back in congratulations for taking down yet another DANGEROUS criminal. HA! Excse me while I laugh at that one. My husband was not sure if he would be arrested, but he assured the Detective on the case that he would be cooperative if he was.
It's a shame that the DPD gets so much happiness out of arresting someone. I guess my husband should just be happy that he wasn't "justifiably" shot and killed instead.
BTW, things aren't any better at the Denver County Jail at Smith Road. For some reason, they only allow video visits now, something about visitors bringing in "contraband" aka illegal substances, tobacco, etc. Pretty funny, that the inmates in there all seem to have access to that stuff anyway...I guess the sheriff's have a great side business going. At least they can't blame the visitors for it getting in there any more.
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Reader 08/01/2008 3:47:00 AM
Cleveland probably couldn't make it onto a police force.
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Stephen 07/31/2008 4:27:00 PM
I think it's important to read in this story that the cops who were on the scene were courteous and helpful. It's the desk-job jail cops who screwed this one up so royally.
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JIm Jones 07/31/2008 2:38:00 PM
Wow, that is pretty amazing!
JT
www.FireMe.To/udi
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Brandon 07/31/2008 4:59:00 AM
That is a MASSIVE crock of shit that seems to be standard faire for law enforcement officials these days.
