Innocent Men Assaulted By Florida Cops While Waiting For A Ride To Work

Apoka, FL – Apparently police officers in Apoka have nothing else better to do, than to racially profile citizens and harass them for going to work.

Keith Niblack and his friend, Branden Ocasio, were simply waiting on a ride to work when approached by Apoka a police officer.  Niblack explained to the officer what they were doing, but the officer wouldn’t let it go. In true police-fashion, the officer quickly escalated the situation into something more serious. Within minutes, 6 police officers were on scene and Niblack was assaulted and thrown to the ground and placed in handcuffs.

At one point, Niblack told the officer that he was a combat veteran, to which the officer responded:

No, you’re not a vet. You’re a punk. You’re a fu***ing, you’re a coward

Though police claim they were ‘just doing their jobs’, it’s easy to see that police insist on creating problems when there are  none. To somehow justify the civil-rights abuse, Apoka Police put out a statement that said:

The Apopka Police Department has become aware of a Facebook post with a video showing an exchange between

Another great place on the internet to show your CopBlock love.

an Apopka Police Officer and two citizens. The post is in regards to a suspicious person investigation, in which two individuals were sitting in front of the closed Cricket Wireless store located at 2434 E. Semoran Boulevard at 11:00 p.m. on 9/2/2015. It should be noted that across Central Florida there has been an increase in burglaries to cell phone stores. These two individuals were in a place and at a time that was unusual for someone to be, specifically in light of the increase in burglaries.

Upon learning of the Facebook post, Chief Mike McKinley ordered the swift commencement of an internal investigation, to determine the facts surrounding the encounter. The incident was partially captured by one of the two individuals, and there is body camera footage from Apopka Police Officers, which is part of the active internal affairs investigation. All of the evidence will be reviewed to
determine the outcome.

The Apopka Police Department would like to remind citizens, that when there is an encounter with law enforcement officials to remain calm and compliant. If you feel the encounter was unprofessional, there is a very viable complaint process. We take allegations of misconduct very seriously.

The Apopka Police Department will not be able to make further comment on this ongoing internal investigation. The body camera footage and investigation will be made available once the investigation is complete

I would like to point out one thing – Chief Mike McKinley would have you forgo any rights you have and be completely submissive to his officers. This is very similar to the Lake Charles Police PSA video demanding citizens behave when around their officers (below)

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, it is important that you know your rights. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions. Always ask the officer(s) if you’re being detained. If you are not, simply walk away. Below is an excerpt of the article, “Know Your Rights”. You can read the full article by click here.

Interacting with police employees

Always document exchanges you have with police or those that you witness, preferably via video, if possible. Even better, stream the interaction in real-time to the Internet using a free smartphone application, which prevents it from being erased or tampered with should your equipment be stolen by police. In addition, it can help get the word out should you need support.

Filming your interactions has several advantages. Most importantly, it will help to safeguard you at that moment, as it very-likely will deter potential aggression, and it will act as an indisputable, objective, transparent record of the incident.

The deck is usually stacked against you in cases which come down to just your word against theirs. Filming captures an objective record of the exchange, making it easier for those who may later view video of the interaction to clearly see just who is the aggressor.

If stopped by a police employee ask, “Am I being detained?”

This question is important for several reasons. One is that certain rules regarding evidence that can be collected are dependent on whether you have been officially detained and whether the person stopping you has sufficient cause to detain you in the first place. Getting them on record regarding these issues can aid you greatly in the future if contesting such evidence becomes necessary.

Another reason to ask this is that it will serve as an indicator to the police employee you are interacting with that you are aware of your rights. While this doesn’t always make a difference, letting them know that you understand those rights and are willing to assert them will sometimes make them less likely to disregard them.

If you’re told “No”, then you can leave the scene. Sometimes, discretion is the better part of valor.

If you’re told “Yes”, stay calm, cool, and collected. You can choose to remain silent or you can choose to engage.

Police employees default to being on the offensive. If you’ve not acted in the wrong remain confident in your actions. The police state thrives on fear and acquiescence.

Always strive to deescalate situations, and thus increase the likelihood you’ll leave under your own locomotion rather than under the control of a kidnapper. Again, if the interaction is streamed or video recorded you’re much better positioned to be able to share the facts of the situation.

Police employees can and do lie (something that their friends in legaland have claimed is perfectly acceptable) in an attempt to solicit information from you or to get you to admit to engaging in an action they believe gives them the right to kidnap and cage you or someone else (even though said action may not cause a victim). Be aware that such dastardly tactics may be employed and act accordingly.

In fact, police employees are actually trained in methods of deception designed to trick people into giving up their rights and/or cooperating against themselves and or their friends. They are taught to act friendly as if they want to help you in order to gather information, which eventually could be used against you or others. In addition, they are instructed to phrase questions in a way that they sound like statements (I’m going to _____, okay?) in order to trick you into giving consent.

If you do engage, answer questions with questions. Ask, “Where is the victim?”, “Why do you believe you have the right to prevent my freedom of movement?” etc. Treat the police employee no differently than you would someone not wearing the same costume who approached and questioned you.

Please contact the Apoka Police Department using the information below:

Main Office 407-703-1771
Fax 407-703-1780
E-mail: [email protected]
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Innocent Men Assaulted By Florida Cops While Waiting For A Ride To Work is a post from Cop Block – Badges Don’t Grant Extra Rights