City Considers Implementing Martial Law To Clean Up Policing
City Considers Implementing Martial Law To Clean Up Policing
National Guard touted as transitional replacement for overly corrupt police force
Steve Watson Infowars.net Thursday, March 19, 2009
A New York State city is considering implementing martial law and replacing the local police force with National Guardsmen, in an effort to clean up law enforcement in the area.
The remarkable idea comes in response to a rise in police corruption and illegal activity in Schenectady, according to a Capital News 9 report.
City officials are reportedly considering scrapping the entire police force in response to the actions of a small selection of officers who have been accused of assaulting citizens.
While other options have been raised, such as a consolidated county-wide police force diverting authority to the State Police, Mayor Brian Stratton has indicated that he believes the Governor could declare martial law during a period of “transition”.
“It may be that as a stopgap measure, that you would need military forces - State Police, National Guard.” the Mayor said.
“It’s a contrived scenario,” said the mayor. “But it’s not beyond the realm of possibilities if you go that particular route.”
Schenectady’s Corporation Counsel John Van Norden said, “If you abolish the police department you still have a need - not an obligation - but a need to police the community. You would need something in transition. Declaring martial law would be one way to bridge the gap.”
It is a well documented fact that the use of military for law enforcement violates the Posse Comitatus Act.
Section 1385 of the Act states, “Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.”
The original text of the Insurrection Act of 1807 also severely limits the power of any federal or state representative to deploy troops within the United States.
For troops to be deployed, a condition has to exist that, “(1) So hinders the execution of the laws of that State, and of the United States within the State, that any part or class of its people is deprived of a right, privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law, and the constituted authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection; or (2) opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws. In any situation covered by clause (1), the State shall be considered to have denied the equal protection of the laws secured by the Constitution.”
Only in times of major disaster or emergency, do governors have the authority to call out the state’s contingent of the National Guard. Using active duty U.S. Army in law enforcement operations inside America absent such conditions is completely illegal.
The indiscretions of five or six Schenectady police officers hardly constitutes such a major emergency, particularly given that the police forces of major cities such as New York and L.A. are mired in corruption to a degree hundreds or thousands of times more pressing than that of Schenectady.
Schenectady officials are expected to make a decision on what course of action to take in early April.
Wow, Stratton, Quail and Gardner and that group have really been passing around the joy juice, haven't they?
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
The "feel good" story ... trying to intimidate the police department.
The problem is, any SPD officer fired/dissolved - has seniority and must, as I understand it, be hired by the new policing authority (their first opening) - be it the sheriff, NYSP, etc.
I'm not sure if that's a union deal, or if it's under the same state "constitution" that Raucci is getting his pension under.
Well, if they constitute martial law, we'll surely make a mark on CNN and FOX news. (joke)
But I still don't understand why they would even consider going to that extreme when the state already has state police. We are paying for them already now any way. So use them. And if they have to hire the then unemployed cops first, so let them. I hardly think that the state police force would put up with any of their nonsense.
Look at it this way, the good cops would welcome a job they love and trained for. The bad ones, if there were any left, wouldn't stand a chance.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Well, if they constitute martial law, we'll surely make a mark on CNN and FOX news. (joke)
But I still don't understand why they would even consider going to that extreme when the state already has state police. We are paying for them already now any way. So use them. And if they have to hire the then unemployed cops first, so let them. I hardly think that the state police force would put up with any of their nonsense.
Look at it this way, the good cops would welcome a job they love and trained for. The bad ones, if there were any left, wouldn't stand a chance.
Think of where the current Commissioner came from ... tell me there wont' be any nonsense?
I guess I'm turning cynical in my old age. But I hope to God you're right Bumble.
Schenectady Mayor Stratton Responds To Prison Planet “Martial Law” Report
Paul Joseph Watson Prison Planet.com Friday, March 20, 2009
Yesterday we reported on how a New York State city is considering implementing martial law and replacing the local police force with National Guardsmen, in an effort to clean up law enforcement in the area.
City officials in Schenectady are reportedly considering scrapping the entire police force in response to the actions of a small selection of officers who have been accused of assaulting citizens.
While other options have been raised, such as a consolidated county-wide police force diverting authority to the State Police, Mayor Brian Stratton has indicated that he believes the Governor could declare martial law during a period of “transition”.
Mayor Stratton today sent us a statement clarifying his comments, which were originally made to Capital News 9. Stratton writes that though martial law is not a “permanent remedy” to the problem, the use of state militia to oversee a transitional phase is being seriously considered.
We don’t feel in any way that our article “misinterpreted” the Mayor’s comments as he claims. Indeed, our subheadline emphasized the fact that the use of national guard was a “transitional” issue. The main thrust of our report was to express alarm that the extreme measure of declaring martial law was being considered in response to a relatively minor problem.
We were also trying to make the point that for authorities to be able to declare martial law so readily and on such a flimsy pretext sets a dangerous precedent for the entire country.
In addition, the use of military assets in civilian law enforcement is still illegal under Posse Comitatus, unless a clear state of emergency exists.
However, for the purposes of Mr. Stratton’s right of response, we are happy to post his statement in full below.
————————————————————
Dear Mr. Watson:
Your recent posting of an article on http://www.prisonplanet.com (“City Considers Martial Law to Clean Up Policing”) is misinterpreting the nature and intent of comments I have made to local media regarding the potential use of martial law in the City of Schenectady.
As reported on the local cable news channel, Capital News 9, I have said that martial law might be a necessary but temporary interim measure if in fact our city were to abolish its police department and transition over an extended period to a county-administered force or other option.
The very fact that many officers in our 166-member police department may choose to retire, leave city employment or seek employment elsewhere were the city to plan to ultimately move to that option, could result in a sudden exodus of personnel. Our responsibility to provide continued public safety through adequate numbers of police officers could mean a temporary assignment of State Police, other local law enforcement personnel, or even state militia only as an emergency and temporary measure until such time as a new department is formed and fully staffed.
Contrary to what your readers may believe, the City of Schenectady is not considering the implementation of martial law as a permanent remedy to the ongoing personnel and administrative problems within our police department. We are addressing those challenges internally, as we continue to investigate all realistic, long-term options available should we decide to dissolve or consolidate the department with another non-military law enforcement agency.
I hope that this email will clear any confusion over the recent report on Capital News 9.
Wow, Stratton, Quail and Gardner and that group have really been passing around the joy juice, haven't they?
This is got to be the most idiotic idea yet. Son of Sam appointed Commis Bennett to clean up the SPD. How's that working?
How about this idea: Replace the Mayor. Get to the root of this problem. The Mayor who voted for the union contract. The Mayor who is clueless on how to lead any department. The Mayor who constantly demands more salary and perks for poor work. Now we wants to waste millions trying to fire a couple of cops. Only in Schenectady would this be tolerated.
Look....I am clearly not a fan of Stratton....AT ALL! But this bad behavior with the SPD has been going on long before he came on board. The city is corrupt from top to bottom and has been for decades. I really don't think that changing majors (which I support) is going to make a big difference here.
I still stand on...abolish the police force as it stands and bring in the state troopers. Changing mayors has never made a difference historically and it won't even now.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The only way to tear up the union contract (that Stratton, Allen and McCarthy all voted for) is to declare bankruptcy. This is all a waste of time and diversion. Stratton has done nothing to reform the Department. He put in Commis Bennett and then looked the other way. He refuses to admit we have a violent crime problem and gang problem. This is all posturing and grandstanding by a complete failure who should have never beaten Peter G.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
All these folks,,,GM,Schenectady city etc.......they all lobbied and had rules and regs legislated in place for such issues......yet, they posture to public as if they are the God of eternity(wouldn't that be scary), and demand we follow their prices, taxes, rules, regulations, advertisements, smoke and mirrors dog and pony shows etc......and yet, they fear the rules they made to fix what they have not followed themselves.......
the law is a hard master,,,,these systems are the pushers/punishers and yet they have no scales of justice for themselves.........they should fear the beast they have made......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Logged
This is got to be the most idiotic idea yet. Son of Sam appointed Commis Bennett to clean up the SPD. How's that working? 
