Why, APD, Why?

Why APD, Why? On February 6th I was minding my own business when one of your officer's came along, saw my parked car, made a decision that it was illegally parked, got on a bullhorn calling out to me a quarter mile away to return to my car. When I arrived I was told I couldn't park my car at that location to which I replied, "Bullshit". The cop pointed at a sign 50 feet away that said: No Vehicles Beyond This Point, as evidence of my illegal parking. Since I was parked 50 feet in FRONT of the sign, I told the cop he was wrong to which he responded I was getting cited: Vehicle Trespassing on Open Space, a criminal misdemeanor. Fortunately I had a camera to capture the situation but didn't need it to beat the citation. The law requires an "Open Space" sign to be posted (there wasn't), nor was I parked on Open Space land anyway as the boundary (based on survey stakes) lined up with sign mentioned above which was 50 feet away. Pissed-off the Mayor, the APD and the cop that I got away with a "contempt of cop" charge. Or so I thought. I filed a complaint with city Police Oversight Commission against the cop which is still active. Then who do you think shows up on May 15th at the Open Space, yep the cop I filed the complaint against (although I didn't know it until later). This time he comes to stalk and observe, moving his vehicle three different times, getting closer with each move and TRESPASSING on adjacent private land in the process. I captured all of this on film. After waiting about 40 minutes I went to get a closeup of the vehicle ID number, that's when the cop steps out to stop me. Seeing "the cop" shocked me but I got off two shots with my camera before retreating. Then on Monday I spotted a cop vehicle parked across the street from my house and yes, took pictures. How can a city where the crime rate is above the national average (Crime Statistics) have cops running around harassing an old retired soldier who volunteers in City Open Space picking up garbage, pulling tumbleweeds, maintaining trails and a host of other issues, and oh yeah, putting up with rogue cops, one of whom is unable to understand the word, "beyond", and that one is a supervisor. Go figure.
Why, APD, Why? Why, Mr Mayor, Why?

Complaint Filed Against Rogue APD Officer

Today I filed a formal complaint with the City of Albuquerque's Police Oversight Commission against APD Officer Mark Dietz. This is the second complaint I've filed against him. The first was for wrongful detention and violation of civil rights stemming from a "contempt of cop" citation issued me for Vehicle Trespassing on February 6, 2009 that made the front page of the Albuquerque Journal newspaper on February 16. That complaint against him is still active. Follow this link for additional details: APD Cites Volunteer for Contempt of Cop. This latest complaint stems from a stalking/harassment issue perpetrated by Officer Dietz this past Friday, May 15, 2009. Officer Dietz purposely and willfully sought me out with the obvious intention of intimidating/harassing me. An article about this incident was published May 15 on this blog (Incident #3 Officer Dietz and I Meet Again).

It is obvious that the City of Albuquerque tolerates rogue cops and given the numerous reported allegations of improprieties and wrongdoings about our Mayor (Mayor for Life, Hugo "Marty" Chavez) its no surprise. Read more about the The Almighty Alcalde here: Eye on Albuquerque.

Incident # 3 Officer Dietz and I Meet Again

Officer Dietz is a supervisory cop who issued me a criminal citation in February. You can read all about the incident if you like, it's the first story on this blog. Even though the citation was dismissed at the request of Officer Dietz, I ended up filing a complaint against this guy with the City. We met again today in the Tijeras Arroyo Open Space while I was doing some volunteer maintenance work.

Today as I was walking down a trail on my way to do some work I noticed a cop vehicle - the type that supervisors use, parked on the other side of the arroyo. The cop vehicle changed locations several times and kept getting closer, finally choosing a vantage point (on posted private property) to view me. The vehicle continued to remain in the area and after about 40 minutes I walked towards it as I wanted a picture. Once I got within about a hundred feet the cop got out - it was Officer Mark Dietz, the dumb ass cop who illegally cited me for trespassing and whom I had filed a citizen complaint against with the Police Oversight Commission (CPC# 072-09) for violating my rights. He told me not to come closer. I told him all I wanted was a picture and asked him why he was harassing me. He repeated "don't come any closer" and "stay back" several times and did so in a calm controlled voice so he will always look like the "good" guy when someone reviews his belt tape recording. Of course cops can also use this procedure to bait someone. Anyway I took my picture (fortunately I have a built in telephoto so I was able to capture enough detail)and returned back to where I was working. Dietz too decided to leave, no doubt because he had been caught red handed "harassing" me. Actually I think the word "intimidation" is a better and a more correct term especially given there is an active complaint pending against him. In any case this dumb ass cop has a bone to pick with me so I'm not real comfortable since he has a badge & weapon and I don't. I do believe he would love to "put me down" if he had a chance. I think he was hoping I would go in the attack mode so he could "defend" himself. Sorry Dietz, I'm not falling for it.