16     November 22, 2007 - 4:10am | brenbrown

Trp. Spitzer

Though, I'm an Alaskan Native too, I am disappointed with the petitioners in this case. Suing an Officer that was only doing his job was wrong. Wrong for the settlement and his reputation. I had worked with Spitzer before and had only witnessed the man doing what he does best ... his job. Because of him, there was crime prevention and peace in the community. Someday, justice will prevail for those did him wrong. And I hope he will contintue to serve and protect, as he's been doing all along. Go ahead Spitzer!! I stand behind you.

  15     October 9, 2007 - 7:49pm | nicknori

TBIOT

Keep your head up brother Spitzer...Thanks for your service....If you ever vacation in Orlando look me up...NC ALET 28!

  14     October 2, 2007 - 11:32am | charlie

Taser use ...

I don't know which model Taser the state police use. I served in the Columbus Ohio Police Department and have been through the taser training every year. Columbus uses the X26 model which records time and duration of every use. The officer can not change what's recorded.

I can't believe the state hasn't said exactly what got recorded.

Plus, in training I've been tased so we will know exactly what happens. It paralyses you for the duration of the discharge, in the case of the X26 it's 5 seconds. And, when it's done - it's done - there are no after effects.

  13     September 28, 2007 - 1:16am | disenchanted01

$700K question

The State has paid out over $700K in settlements to Spitzer's victims who have sued. If he has "done nothing wrong" as AST contends, time and again, why have they settled out of court instead of proving Spitzer's innocence and stellar character?

  12     September 27, 2007 - 8:17pm | askms71

Good

This story is related.
In the holding cell of the Anchorage Jail, there were 2 police officers. Until a "crack head" of a dark ethnicity enters. Now there are about 6 officers, male and female. Laughing and enjoying the said guy's pain. All SIX of these officers are performing cavity searches. The poor guy was screaming and crying on the floor for them to stop but the officers degraded him in the worst possible way. I understand he's a drug attic, but where do you draw the line? He obviously has a problem. The correctional system here is corrupt. Just like everywhere else. But what is there to do? So I believe that the native man was treated unfairly. Especially how racist some people can be. It goes both ways too. reverse-racism.

  11     September 27, 2007 - 4:57pm | kurtmckibben

Dead men win nothing

Get rid of the tasers. Shoot to kill. Being drunk and challenging an armed police officer is foolish. Don't go there unless you want to get shot.

  10     September 27, 2007 - 11:43am | Nodsasgoodsawink

It's good people can read between the lines.

I am happy to see so many people can read between the lines and know that the Kevin Patrick's and Tammy Barille's of the world are garbage looking to make an easy buck. Anyone who has been around a drunk gone-wild who is swearing and spitting and swinging - oh my gosh - I don't know how the cops can deal with it without clubbing them to death. People like the mickey-mouse eared Megan Baldino on channel 2, looking for dirt just make it all worse. Channel 2 made it sound last night like there were 3 cases settled all at once - of course the media and even the attorneys for the plaintiffs only see these characters when they are all cleaned up and sober...I know Spitzer too and the guy is a riot to work with a know. He's smart, sane and grounded in reality. The AG sold him out but I am glad the Troopers didn't.

  9     September 27, 2007 - 10:30am | mike_burke2

Spitzer

I worked with Trooper Spitzer in a professional capacity for well over a year. I can say without reservation that he is one of the best law enforcement officers I have ever met. Consummately professional, incredibly driven, he represents the finest in Alaska law enforcement. This case illustrates the difficulty in enforcing the law in areas traditionally unreceptive to law enforcement. The settlement recognizes the futility in attempting a fair resolution with an accurate portrayal of the facts; it simply would not occur in Bethel. I am gratified to see that the troopers are not viewing the settlement as "an admission of wrongdoing...on the part of the state or trooper Spitzer." I truly hope that Trooper Spitzer will continue to serve the people of the state of Alaska for many years to come.

  8     September 27, 2007 - 10:19am | zidar

tasers

The Taser invites abuse. Shooting a handcuffed prisoner with a gun is a drastic action. But you can zap em with a taser over and over again and watch them jump with pain. Being a cop in the Bush is no fun. I'm not excusing the actions of this trooper, but you're always going to have weirdos out there in the Bush. Most troopers are really good, but there's always going to be a few with unacceptable impulses. Like with priests, some of them are in the Bush cause they think they can get away with stuff out there.

  7     September 27, 2007 - 10:03am | arv

Lets all get behind a BAD trooper

Wake up !!! No matter what we say and what we do, this Trooper was BAD. He knowes how to use the system just like the criminals, wait he is a criminal.

  6     September 27, 2007 - 9:02am | debie2

Tammy Barile

Spitzer was the same trooper who beat Tammy Barile and then filed charges against her for assualt because he bit his tongue while he was giving her the beating of her life. And I'm sure there are several others who have filed complaints against him if someone was to investigate deep enough they'll find them. If he was acting properly and in line with his training maybe its time to take a closer look at the training. What happened to peace officers, why have they been replaced with law enforcement paramilitary employees? Its easy to say "ya go get em boys," until it is you or someone you love.

  5     September 27, 2007 - 7:53am | f_sarren

laughing my fucken ass off

I'm looking to get fucked up by cops now!! Bling Bling damn it!! I'm going 300 hunnert miles an hour on my 3 wheeler!! I'm robbin banks, I'm killing musk ox, I'm looking to get fucked up now!! Shit....with all the money i'm gonna get from that shit, I'll grab the billy and fuck my own shit up.

  4     September 27, 2007 - 7:08am | chumlee

State pays in Prisoner/trooper abuse

This case is typical of the State of Alaska, Department of Law's ability to handle a case. I worked for the attorneys there for about 5 years. After working for private attorneys for 12 years and then the attorneys in the Department of Law, I really did not classify them as attorneys. Most of them could not do a simple pleading, or remember the court rules. Some had been there for many years. Most never went to court. The ones that did could not win a case. Settle was the key word, even if it was a case to win, or they would contract a case out to a private trial lawyer. There were no incentives to win a case, they still got paid. If they worked private they would not have a job. It is sad to see the state pay these cases off and I feel for the trooper involved.

  3     September 27, 2007 - 6:30am | johnnye

AST Pays

And the Troops wonder why they have to go outside to get recruits. Seems like all police admins are willing to throw their people under the bus. Now Spitzr has to live with this and every time he makes an arrest he will have to wonder...

  2     September 27, 2007 - 6:21am | AlaskanbyCHoice

nice

pay yp to a felon who should be in prison for escape and assault. ummm, bethel jury, where everybody is related......

  1     September 27, 2007 - 6:15am | akcop

sold out again by the alleged leaders

It is nice to see the DPS still sells out its Troopers, when any action claiming excessive use of force is made. Or was it some AG who decided not to back the Trooper? But hey what do I know I was only a Trooepr for over 34 years and had 2028 arrests and quite a few false accusations against myself as well.

I certainly hope it gets better under Walt Monnegan.