Upstate Cop Caught On Dashboard Camera Appears To Be Planting Drugs

This video obtained by the Utica Phoenix upstate seems to show a policeman taking a bag of white powder out of his pocket and planting it inside a vehicle while searching it for drugs during a routine traffic stop. If this is what it appears to be, it's got to rank up there among the more boneheaded Barney Fife moves in idiot cop history (and there's a LOT of history), because the incident was captured on the cop's own dashboard camera. Watch for the 1:02 mark, where the officer produces a small bag from his pocket before leaning into the car then, 30 seconds later, comes out holding the same bag... like he just found it.

The Utica Phoenix website is currently down, likely because the video has gone viral and crashed their servers. But an excerpt from the Phoenix article, posted on The Complex, says "this video has been widely distributed through the Black community, being shown in barbershops, and other public places. Its viewing has fueled the renewal of complaints long charged against the Utica Police of the planting of evidence and other abuses by the local force."

The Utica police department is investigating the incident, and the tape has been forwarded to the FBI for further review. But hey, if things don't work out for this cop's career in Utica, something tells us he'd be more than welcome in New London, Connecticut.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on January 3, 2012 4:32 PM

Comments [rss]

jiffipop

how do we know it's not an evidence bag he's pulling out of his back pocket?

Guest

This is the reason that ALL drug possession cases that go to trial should be nullified by the jury.
It looks like UPD is getting trained by the criminals of NYPD.

crusher153

wow! what a moron

Yishai

Scum

Alex Trust

he totally planted it

Dead Himmler

It really must take a tortured soul to so nonchalantly ruin somebody's life like that.

Inconcievable de Impublishable

The Black Community should lynch that cop.

Gothamistriss

I agree, it looks suspicious.

But, how do we know he didn't find it when searching the front or drivers side of the car first, put it in his pocket, and then move on to the back? Or it could be an evidence bag. I mean the cop obviously knows he is on camera, it's not like its a bystanders hidden cam.

If he did plant it, he should be fired, no doubt about it.

Jereremy

"But, how do we know he didn't find it when searching the front or drivers side of the car first, put it in his pocket, and then move on to the back?"

Evidence doesn't go in one's pocket, plain and simple.

Unkle_Bob

Fired is the least of it. He should go to jail, and all previous arrests be *very* closely examined.

tnturner

Why'd he go through all that work? We all know you just have to sprinkle some crack on 'em.

Jereremy

Open and shut case, Johnson.

Roger_the_Shrubber

Sadly, there must be a lot of people in jail on bullshit drug charges.

This bozo cop needs to be locked up.

nicemarmot

Is there any other kind of drug charge?

ktinnyc

Quotas! They're not just for NYPD any more.

"Tim Osman"

That was extremely suspicious

Kit O'Connor

I'm not exactly sure what this shows. Could the cop be taking an evidence bag out of his pocket and then putting something into it? Is there an accompanying police report?

azlefty

While it could be an evidence bag it creates an uncertainty as to the validity of the evidence and creates a mile wide hole in the prosecutions case. More so since right before this takes place he has the other officer escort the suspect so that they are both or unable to see his actions.

At worst it is a dirty Cop, at best it calls into question the officers training and his ability to carry out his duties.