When Cops Attack! Next on FOX!

July 2007

The Background:

I was at a bar/nightclub in Blaine helping a couple of buddies DJ & MC the club end of things. I had previously been a bar/nightclub DJ in the Twin Cities for 6 years. I had been a bouncer before that. In any event, we had been out there several times to run a couple nights (entertainment wise).

This particular night started a bit early as far as the BSing and drinking was concerned. Myself and the owner of the entertainment company (“Mr. X” for this purpose) providing the services to this bar had done a few shots amidst the cocktails. Also both myself and “Mr. X” have had MANY years of nightclub experience (combined especially).

That being said, please understand that there is a great deal of ego/cocky persona that goes along with working in this business. Mix that with the alcohol consumed by both myself and “Mr. X”, it was a disaster waiting to happen. Also, generally, what happens at a nightclub with employees is dealt with internally. Employees on an off night are generally the ones that consume too much. It’s a backdoor exit and a cab, no cops. The manager that was working at this establishment on this night was new and had previously managed an Applebee’s, not a nightclub. There were also bouncers at this establishment as well.

The Event:

Myself and “Mr. X” had been discussing the MC plan for the night as another individual was to be DJing. Keep in mind, MC’s run the show. So here’s room for disagreement, almost always when both MC’s have been drinking. Well a couple hours in this disagreement occurred. There was yelling, pushing/shoving, etc. (Been there, done that. Both of us have been. To quote “Mr. X” regarding the situation a week later: “It wasn’t the first time, it wasn’t the worst time and it won’t be the last time.” Speaking in general not about us in particular.) The rookie nightclub manager became alarmed, I was escorted out by security and the rookie manager called the Blaine P.D.

The Response:

6 Blaine police officers responded. Upon Blaine P.D.’s arrival, I was outside calm, cool and collected. I was several yards down from the manager while the police talked to both her and me. I stated that I knew my actions were out of line. I attempted to apologize to the manager. The police asked me what happened I explained that Mr. X and I had been drinking together and were working together this night and we had gotten into a disagreement. I told the officers I had consumed enough alcohol as to not want to drive and I was nowhere NEAR my car. I was going to have a friend come and pick me up.

One Blaine officer tried to forcibly make me take a breathalyzer (according to MN state law, I don’t have to and I can refuse without penalty if I’m not operating a motor vehicle.) and I refused. I bit the “straw” off and spit it out. I then grabbed my phone and started to try and call my lawyer. I had my phone taken from me.

Another officer then grabbed my face and forced another breathalyzer in my mouth, at which point I pushed his hands away from my face. (As far as I have read, according to MN state law, I have the right to have a lawyer present during any breath test.) At this point I had the attention of all 6 Blaine police officers and my face rapidly met the cement.

Was I being cooperative? No. I was busy having my rights violated and then getting the $#!T kicked out of me by 6 cops. After they had me subdued to their satisfaction I was placed under arrest and put in the back of a squad car. I was buckled in and transported to Blaine PD and then finally to Anoka County Jail.

In the morning I had noticed I was in a great deal of pain and my right foot had swollen by almost 50%. I was released the following morning without bail, without a hearing or anything, just kicked to the curb and released with a court date and what I found out a day later to be a broken foot. The charges? Misdemeanor “disorderly conduct” and Gross misdemeanor “obstruction of legal process.”

The Result:

I had to have surgery on my foot and have a pin put in. My foot causes me constant pain to this day. I try to avoid Blaine at all costs, if pulled over I will NOT step out of the vehicle or roll my window down more than a crack and request either an Anoka Deputy or a State Trooper. Through all the people that asked me how my foot was broken, I explained Blaine P.D. did it. The response from most people? “Ohhhh…Blaine…” On October 6th, 2008 I plead guilty to the disorderly conduct charge.

I finally got to read all the statements from the 6 responding officers. Out of all 6, there were only a couple consistencies: 1. The defendant appeared calm and cooperative upon arrival. 2. The defendant stated he had too much to drink and did not (was not going to) want to drive. One of my favorite quotes from one officer was: “The defendant wouldn’t put his feet in the squad so myself and officer so-n-so kicked at his foot until he complied.” I’m 6’3” tall and 240lbs, I can’t just jump in the back of a squad.

That all being said. Was I out of line inside the bar? Yes. Was I intoxicated? Yes. Was it necessary to kick the $#!T out of me? HELL NO.

I own up to being an idiot that night, but slamming me to the ground, “delivering leg strikes” and “kicking at my foot” until I complied was an abuse of power and excessive force. It was 6 “cops” operating with a mob mentality. Good thing I wasn't carrying back then, they probably would have just shot me off the bat.

"Mr. X" and I still talk. Nobody got hurt that night except me. Nothing else ever came out of this incident.