Facts, Figures and Reactions : The Computer Messages

The Christopher Commission, as part of its investigation, reviewed the Mobile Digital Terminal communications (MDTs) of the Los Angeles Police Department’s patrol cars for six months, selected from a 16-month period between November, 1989 , through February, 1991. The MDT system links patrol cars with headquarters and each other by computer terminals in each car.

The communications, the commission found, “revealed an appreciable number of disturbing and recurrent racial remarks” involving several ethnic groups. The transmissions indicated biases against women and homosexuals and improper attitudes regarding the use of force. The messages also showed that some officers relished the excitement of car chases because they provided an opportunity to inflict violence on a suspect.

Here are some examples, using the spelling and grammar in the transcriptions. The excerpts contain language some readers may find offensive:

RACE

“Don’t cry Buckwheat, or is it Willie Lunch Meat.” “Sounds like monkey slapping time.” “Well . . . I’m back over here in the projects, pissing off the natives.” “I would love to drive down Slauson with a flame thrower . . . we would have a barbeque.” “ . . . Are you busy . . . “ “I was for awhile. Now I am going to slooow it down. If you encounter these negroes shoot first, ask questions later.” “Hi . . . just got mexercise for the night.” “U can c the color of the interior of the (vehicle) . . . dig.” “Ya stop cars with blk interior.” “Bees they naugahyde.” “Negrohide.” “Self tanning no doubt.” “We’re sitting on a C37 that was dropped off by two Mexicans . . . going to sit on it for a while.” “R U going to beat em up like U did the last one.” “ . . . This hole is picking up, I almost got me a Mexican last nite but he dropped the dam gun to quick, lots of wit.”

EXCESSIVE FORCE

“I’m gonna bk my pursuit suspect. Hope he gets ugly, so I can vent my hate. hrr hrr . . . AH.” “Capture him, beat him and treat him like dirt . . . Sounds like a job for the dynamic duo. After I beat him, what do I book him for and do I have to do a use of force (report)?” “You missed out bro, we backed a 2x53 (patrol unit) on a pos (possible) shots fired from a (vehicle). Some of the susps had some big boot marks on their heads . . . “ “Caught the sob too . . . had to beat him on the head and pull him off his moving (motorcycle).” “The last load went to a family of illegals living in the brush alongside the Pas frwy. I thought the woman was going to cry . . . so I hit her with my baton.” “Did U arrest the 85 yr old lady or just beat her up.” “We just slapped her around a bit . . . she/s getting m/t (medical treatment) right now.” “We (proned) him straight out of his Jaguar . . . “ “He is crying like a baby.” “Did U educate Him.” “Take 1 handcuff off and slap him around.” “He is crying to hard and there is 4 detectives here.” “Well dont seatbelt him in and slam on the brakes a couple times on the way to the sta . . . “

SHOOTING OF SUSPECTS

“Go get em my-man, and shoot him twice for me.” “I shoulda shoot ‘em huh, I missed another chance dammmmmmm” “I am getting soft.” “We got a burglar . . . you want any help just holler.” “No: I’m just going to shoot him.”

HOMOSEXUALS

“How many homosexuals did you give orals to today.” “That’s a touchy subject . . . not fit for MDTing . . . “ “Houston PD has new chief, Elizabeth Watson 40 yrs old.” “I bet that’s going over reeeeeaaaalll good with the troops dude . . . they have some dyke bleding heart for mayor.” “Did you check your fruits at the park . . . I hope you watered them . . . “ “I figured how to get rid of them . . . Im sending in a bunch of naked girls, that will scare them a way . . . “

WOMEN

“U won’t believe this . . . that female call again said susp returned . . . I’ll check it out then I’m going to stick my baton in her.” “No but I left a 14 year old girl that . . . yesterday handcuffed naked o my chin-up bar wearing nothing but a blind-fold and salad oil . . . I’d like to ck on her.” “Your getting a new boot from Academy . . . a breathtakin blonde with huge kazoopers.”