Moon Township Police Department - Officer Charles Carr Officer Carr arrested a law-abiding citizen for doing the right thing, then demonstrated verbally abusive, unprofessional behavior. Moon Township Pennsylvania
This report details how Officer Charles Carr, of the Moon Township Police Department (Allegheny County, PA), arrested me for absolutely no good reason. Please believe me when I say that I'm an honest guy and that I'm being totally objective about this now because the incident happened a couple of years ago. Read on and I think you'll agree that Carr was being totally unreasonable.
To clarify, I'm your average, friendly, law-abiding, 40-something guy (30-something at the time) who has never been arrested or even convicted of a parking ticket. And let me clearly state right now that I drink very infrequently and actually get drunk no more than once a year, if that, and it's almost always in the privacy of my own home.
On one night in particular, I was extremely upset because of a romantic issue, which I won't bore you with here. So I went to a bar in Moon Township with a female friend, hoping to just relax and forget about the day's worries. The problem was that I had a major (perpetual) crush on my friend, and that made matters even worse. So I drank three or four beers in a relatively short period of time, and that was all it took.
My tolerance for alcohol is very low because I hardly ever drink, especially that quantity in a public place. After throwing up on the bar's bathroom floor, I apologized up and down to the manager, and I even offered to clean the floor, but he was very nice and told me not to worry about it.
In any event, I was more than ready to go home, so I told my female friend I wanted to leave. But I saw that she, too, had been drinking quite a lot, and there was no way I would get into the car with her. I told her I would call a cab for us, and she got extremely angry. We walked into the parking lot and argued some more, and I held my ground and refused to get into her car. She yelled at me at the top of her lungs.
As "luck" would have it, a police officer--Carr--was on the other side of the parking lot. He came over and asked what the problem was. I told him my friend had been drinking and that I wanted to call a cab. He told me that cabs "don't drive drunks home" and that I should get into my friend's car. I refused, saying that she was too tipsy to drive. He didn't agree. Now trust me, I know my friend when she's sober, and she was NOT in any condition to drive, despite the fact that she hid her condition very well.
So Carr said, "You're either going to get into your friend's car or into my car." I said, "Well, I'm not getting into the car with her." So Carr handcuffed me and led me into the back seat of his car, as if I was a criminal. I told him that I was more than willing to call a cab for both me and my friend. Again, he said, "Cabs don't drive drunks home."
Needless to say, I was exceptionally angry at the injustice. All my life I've learned to call a cab when alcohol rendered me incapable of driving myself. How hard is that concept to understand? Yet Carr didn't care.
Anyway, the whole way to the Moon police station, I yelled at Carr, asking him for his badge number, but he would't give it to me and kept referring to me as a "drunk," saying I needed to "sleep it off" in a cell. So basically the rest of the eventing, from about 2:00 to 6:00 a.m., I spent the night in the cell yelling how unfair the situation was. During that time, I could hear police officers talking about getting laid and using crude terms, such as "p***y," "f***," and "c**t." Real professional, eh?
They let me out of the cell and cited me for public drunkenness (a misdemeanor that didn't affect my record or driving points). What really pissed me off was that I was in the parking lot of A BAR, where EVERYONE was publicly drunk and where a large percentage of people got into their cars too intoxicated to drive safely. Yet there I was, a totally law-abiding, good citizen who wanted to call a cab and do the right thing, and I was the one arrested and cited for public drunkenness.
A month or two later when I went to the hearing, the judge (I don't remember her name) let me tell my side of the story. While I thought she would be wise enough to throw out the case, all she did was cut the fine in half. What a crock. I did all I could to get home safely that night, and I was the one who was punished. The way I figure it, if I can get into trouble like that, ANYONE can get into trouble for doing absolutely nothing wrong. Sure, I yelled at Carr on the way to the police station, and yelled some more after they locked me into the cell, but I had every reason to do so.
So if you ever see a Moon cop in the vicinity, especially Carr--a tall, bald, muscular, 30-something, knuckle-dragging Neanderthal, stay far away from him because he won't treat you fairly no matter how good of a person you are. All he'll do is judge you and maybe even arrest you if his distorted brain perceives that you've done something wrong. I would LOVE to know how many other people have had a problem with the guy. If you're one of them, you should definitely post a comment here.
Consumerman
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
10 Updates & Rebuttals
Lana
Milwaukee,Wisconsin,
U.S.A.
You misunderstood Officer Carr!
#11Consumer Comment
Mon, May 18, 2009
The Officer most likely was not saying he was going to go get some "p****", he was probably saying " I have got to go get away from this p****" meaning you! get real.
Excsco
Orange,Texas,
U.S.A.
It happens.
#11Consumer Comment
Sat, April 25, 2009
There was a time when I would have doubted your story too, but after spending my entire career in law enforcement I can, unfortunately, vouch for you that this kind of thing does happen.
There are police officers out there who will make the same assumptions as the posters above who say you are either wrong or lying. The worst part of being a victim of any kind is being blamed for what happened entirely, or not being believed regarding what happened and/or how it affected you.
Yes, we all have to take responsibility for our actions, which was what you were trying to do. Unfortunately, police officers are constantly told, "I'm innocent," " I didn't do it," "Come on man, let me go" etc; and after awhile, especially in the wee hours of the morning, they just quit listening and follow a "standard operating procedure."
As far as ordering you to get in your friends car...some mistakes are bigger than others. I wouldn't have gotten in her car either.... That he wouldn't let you call a cab is the hardest part to believe, but I believe it. I've seen worse.
Hopefully you never have another run-in with the police, but if you do, stay as calm and respectful as possible. Don't piss off the cop!!!
For those of you who do not believe consumerman, you weren't there... Most police officers are honest and hard working and genuinely concerned about the general public, (at least at first) but every police department has a bad apple or two, and they need to be reported.
Don't rush to judgment. Some 'perps' are innocent, and some cops aren't.
Pardel
Bernie,Missouri,
U.S.A.
Wrong, I am not a police officer defending my own!
#11Consumer Suggestion
Tue, April 21, 2009
No Consumerman! I am not a police officer defending my own! I AM a retired police officers wife and personally know hundreds of police officers! So, yes, I do know how the system works.
To your second accusation! No, I am a TOTAL non-drinker. Have probably had maybe a half dozen drinks in my entire life and have never been drunk! I have too much respect for myself and my body to participate in such activity!
Let me tell you, if there is an "I'm innocent" story I am pretty sure I have heard it. My husband having spent many years as a police chief in a small town. I can't tell you how many times someone would come into my place of business to try to get me to influence my husband in a police matter! Friend or foe my reply is the same if you did it you pay the price. Be a man about it and own up to it! Don't whine and cry. We all make mistakes! What separates us is how we stand up and take responsibility for those mistakes!
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Your missing the point...
#11Consumer Comment
Sat, April 04, 2009
It was your level of intoxication that was causing YOUR distortions.
I just noticed that this happened several years ago, which again could add to your lack of "memory". You are going to believe what you want to believe. I also have no doubt that you truly do believe that it happened exactly as you said.
However, from someone who has no idea who you are, who this officer is I am just going off of YOUR own words. Those words paint a picture of someone that was intoxicated, causing a public nuisance and there was justification to be arrested(and eventually fined).
Consumerman
Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Response to Comments About Moon Township Police Officer
#11Author of original report
Fri, April 03, 2009
TO STACEY IN DALLAS, TX: Yes, one of the primary functions of taxis is to take drunk people home, so I can understand your skepticism. However, Officer Carr really did tell me that. Trust me, if I was that incoherent, I wouldn't have even made a stink about getting into the car with my friend.
TO ROBERT IN IRVINE, CA: Again, if my distortion of reality was so bad, I would not have gotten into the car with my intoxicated friend. I never said I was sober, but even someone who is intoxicated would get angry in this situation. I would love to see how you would handle the same situation if you were in my shoes.
TO ANDROMEDA IN ROSWELL AND MARILYN IN CONWAY: Thanks for the comments and support.
TO PARDEL IN BERNIE, MO: I agree that no police officer would tell someone to get into the car with a drunk driver -- IF the officer knew the person was intoxicated. My friend wasn't tested and didn't exhibit obvious signs she was unable to handle a vehicle. But she was DEFINITELY over the legal limit and intoxicated enough for me not to get into the car. You're entitled to your opinion, but I would venture to guess that A) You're an officer of the law defending your own, and B) You drink more than I do. Seriously, I hardly ever drink, let alone get intoxicated in public. Alcohol in general makes me feel sick, especially since my tolerance is so low. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect, but I certainly did not "deserve" to be arrested that night.
Pardel
Bernie,Missouri,
U.S.A.
Oh please! You deserved to be arrested!
#11Consumer Suggestion
Mon, December 08, 2008
Do you really expect anyone to believe this line of donkey doo? Come on, no, and I mean NO, police officer is going to tell you to get in the car with a drunk driver and they most certainly are not going to arrest you for not complying with such an order! Personally, I am appalled the judge cut your fine in half! She should have doubled the fine for telling such outlandish lies! Honest, upstanding citizen! Yeah, right!
Marilyn
Conway,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Advise About Dealing With Carr
#11Consumer Comment
Sun, December 07, 2008
Though not a drinking situation, I had a problem with an officer and went to internal affrairs. When I told the superior what this officer had done, he instantly said the officer was "out of line and he would call him in before he went out for duty on his next shift." The IA officer called me and told me that I would not have to worry about the (bad cop) officer coming around me again. While speaking with IA officer I told him that I knew that this officer was not a respected officer amoung his collegues and did not have a good reputation because when I complained about him he no one spoke up in his defense.
I learned many months later that the bad cop, who'd been a cop for years, had been taken off patrol duty and was only allowed to "pick up people on rubber check charges."
I get the feeling that you were not the only victim of this officer. Alot of people are afraid to go to higher ups and complain. So bad cops often continue doing the things they do because people don't speak up and report them. But the more complaints then the better chances of something being done so such officers do not remain in such positions where they can readily take advantage of their authority in that position.
I think you are a person of integrity and honesty. It was admirable that you tried to handle the matter in the way you did, and yes the officer was a total jerk. It is understandable that you ranted and raved because of your immediate fix. I would look into channels of getting your record cleared, even though it was a misdomeanor. You were railroaded and you deserve to have your record expunged, even of the misdomeanor. Find out who the governing authority of that police jurisdiction is and go that route. If it is governed by the DA (solicitor) forget that route. Our county police is governed by the DA which prosecutes on behalf of the state. You will run into beauracracy. For technical purposes write a letter to that governing authority just to have gone through your proper channels. If you don't get your satisfactiion, then take it on up to whatever agency in your state which handles such complaints. You will have to do some research, but at least you might get your named cleared and you will feel validated and not have the BS hanging over your head.
Good luck
Andromeda
Near Roswell,New Mexico,
U.S.A.
Right on the button...
#11Consumer Comment
Fri, November 28, 2008
Stacy and Robert.
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Just Possibly..
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, November 27, 2008
Could your level of intoxication, by your own admission, have distorted reality a bit to where you did not remember the events in the parking lot as they really happened?
Take a critical look at your own words.
"Anyway, the whole way to the Moon police station, I yelled at Carr, asking him for his badge number, but he would't give it to me and kept referring to me as a "drunk," saying I needed to "sleep it off" in a cell. So basically the rest of the eventing, from about 2:00 to 6:00 a.m., I spent the night in the cell yelling how unfair the situation was."
Does this sound like the actions of a "sober" person?
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
uhhh
#11Consumer Comment
Thu, November 27, 2008
There is something missing from this report
I have never heard of a Police Officer stating that taxis do not take drunk people home -
Guess Philly is different but in Dallas a taxi will always take a person home regardless drunk or not - that is how they make money
Me thinks you and your friend were probably incoherent and drunk, making a scene and that the Officer in question was only doing his job -
Think before you act