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
Wow!!!! Tyranny at its finest.
What a little punk! Unfortunately, too many such types are attracted to law enforcement and once there, they have to be caught doing something really stupid to get kicked out. The tendency for protecting their own is not only harmful to the public, but it hurts the great majority of officers who are decent human beings. I’m glad the pos didn’t actually shoot the poor fellow.
They don’t get kicked out. They get promoted. Welcome to Omerica.
I e-mailed Sheriff Dawsy and urged him to fire Deputy Andy Cox.
Was he claiming the driver was positioning himself to pull his weapon? What a Barney Five.
Pathetic, power of the badge, hope this victim sues the crap out that POS!
Another officer who either lacks the ability to read the statutes he is enforcing or is too lazy to read them. Is he stupid enough to not treat each traffic stops as if the person is armed? He should be fired and the victim here hopefully will be recouped in civil court to an adequate amount for this extreme harassment.
considering the threat of shooting him in the back, at what time should the good guy had defended himself and shot the bad cop?
Here is my email:
Dear Sir,
I write from Australia, where the government foolishly removed our rights to carry. I have always admired the US, due to your stance on the right for every citizen to be able to defend themselves. I have just viewed the video of Deputy Andy Cox, and am utterly appalled at the behaviour and attitude of this man toward a citizen exercising his rights. It has put me off visiting your beautiful country, in particular Florida, which has always been a desire of mine. I really hope Cox will be dealt with severely. His frightening behaviour is a very real concern, and his unnecessary abusive language is sickening. I really hope you will ensure this man is dealt with.
Is it possible that some might feel that excessive harassment will cause fear to the point that they could stop people from carrying . Or if they make enough false charges they can repeal conceal carry buy showing what they have missconstrude as incompitence . This could be the next battle . How many people get harrased with out public awareness to were they feel its not worth it . I bet he is one of thousands this has happened to . It is a unlawfull abuse of power . My guess is they have been instructed that if a shadow appears make it as real as you can grab straws and see who wins the county or the pour guy with no funds for a legal battle . Excuse my grammer .
The officer was out of control, however, it was the drivers responsability to inform the officer that he had a concealed carry permit and he had the weapon on his body.
It is not a requirement in Florida to inform an officer unless asked.
what a A-hole deputy cox is , and that doesn’t say much for the sheriffs department who hired him either. And they wounder why people are so distrustful of law enforcement
Is the cop under suspension or fired yet? And he should not be permitted to have a concealed carry permit when he is fired.
I do not know how long this deputy has been on the job, or how much training he’s recieved. It is clear this deputy need to be trained in public civility. This deputy was out of line, and violated a number of rights afforded this man by fedreal laws, which supercede state and local ordanance. A repramand and further training is clearly needed for this deputy. It would be appropriate, to offer a written apology to this man.
Wow!!! Unbelievable!!! This incident made me think of communism or some south American dictatorship!!!
That is crazy. Wonder if they done a back ground check on officer cox before they give him his side arm and a bullet. He don’t need to be in any form of law enforcement of any kind, EVER.
My email.
Hello,
As a lawful citizen who carries a firearm in a lawful manner I was very concerned after a watching a video of one of you officers threatening to shoot a law abiding citizen in the back. This and many others of this kind of law enforcement approach has lead me, my family and my friends to be afraid of the very ones who are sworn to serve and protect and to live by the US Constitution. What I saw in this video was a clear violation of the US Constitution and a complete lack of professionalism by Deputy David Cox.
So here is a few questions.
1.) Is it acceptable by your departments standards to cuss and threaten US Citizens?
2.) Is it acceptable by your departments standards to pick and choose what part of the US Constitution that you may feel like following at the time?
3.) Is it acceptable by your department standards not to follow Florida law?
4.) If you where the person on the other end of the gun would you feel this Deputy (David Cox) did the right thing if you where the one put in handcuffs?
This video is being seen all across the world and has gone viral in such a little time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkclsB7M0g4
This sworn Deputy needs to be investigated and retrained, suspended and/or terminated from law enforcement. As a citizen I would not feel safe to know a deputy like this was on the streets, in my neighbor around me, my family and my friends. This kind of behavior this deputy is going to bring alot of negitive attention to you and your department. I will hate to see this deputy make another terriable mistake that may hurt someone significantly or he have someone killed by his negligence and his complete lack of self control.
Is this something as a Sheriff would like to have something hanging over your head when it comes to election time? I would very much like to hear a response to this email.
Thanks,
Chris Saunders