2013
Good Cop for October 2013: Derek Huff
Why he deserves it: For the month of October, the Peaceful Streets Project has selected former police officer Derek Huff as the good cop of the month. Huff and his partner witnessed three cops viciously beat a handcuffed man who was down on the ground.
The beating was so brutal that Huff said it looked like the victim had gotten into a head on collision and smashed his face into the steering wheel. Huff said that while watching the beating he was reminded of the Rodney King incident. Huff and his partner Mike Furman agonized over what to do about the violent crime they had witnessed, and the next day they decided to come forward to expose the criminal cops.
However, like most instances where a “good” cop comes forward to expose criminal activity, the criminal activity by corrupt cops is covered up by corrupt cops in the department, and the good cops are run out of the department. That is exactly what happened in this incident, and three years later Huff resigned.
Constable Jack Redlick, the lead cop in the violent beating has a long history of abuse. In 2011, he shot and killed a 17-year-old aboriginal boy. Police claimed Cyrus Green, had fled the scene of a robbery and was threatening them with a knife and a baseball bat. Then, last year, Redlick picked up a man in his 50s who had been reported by his mother to the police. Redlick ended up walking the man to an area where they couldn’t be seen, and then put him face down in the snow and punched him repeatedly — while holding his head. In both cases the police also engaged in a cover up.
If only someone like Derek Huff would have come forward sooner, perhaps Redlick wouldn’t have had the chance to victimize (and kill) others. We honor cops who are willing to expose the crimes of their brothers and sisters in blue. We encourage them to do so, and we will stand with them when they do.
We still haven’t been able to find a Hero Cop of the Month because we haven’t found a cop willing to stand up to the thin blue line and arrest criminal cops within their ranks. However, we celebrate good and brave actions by cops and that is why we name Derek Huff our Good Cop of the Month for October.
So, what do you think?
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In The Press
- Austin City Council Unanimously Rejects Police Contract * KUT * December 14, 2017
- Antonio Buehler, Cop Watcher * The Progressive * December 1, 2017
- Founder of Peaceful Streets Project files suit against Austin, 9 officers * KXAN * August 2, 2017
- Cop-watching activist Antonio Buehler sues city, Austin police officers * The Statesman * August 2, 2017
- How do Austin police put suspects in cars? Not as Trump suggests * The Statesman * July 29, 2017
- Austin use-of-force cases highlight gap in police review * The Statesman * December 16, 2016
- Officer will not be charged for pepper spraying man during SXSW * KXAN * December 8, 2016
- Austin officer who pepper-sprayed handcuffed man could face charges * The Statesman * November 23, 2016
- 2 police supervisors suspended, demoted over pepper-spraying incident * The Statesman * October 24, 2016
- Austin cop suspended for stun gun use on handcuffed person during SXSW * The Statesman * September 13, 2016
- Austin Police Officer Suspended 45 Days for Pepper Spray Incident * Time Warner Cable News * August 30, 2016
- Cop Suspended for Pepper Spraying Handcuffed Arrestee * Austin Chronicle * August 30, 2016
- Austin cop filmed pepper-spraying handcuffed man suspended 45 days * The Statesman * August 30, 2016
- Disciplinary hearing set for cop filmed pepper-spraying handcuffed man * The Statesman * August 29, 2016
- Video’s role in tragedy: How snapping photos or shooting videos helps police and the public alike * Salon * July 10, 2016
- Citizen recordings of police interaction growing amid push * AP * July 9, 2016
- Copwatcher in Texas: “Polizisten sind Terroristen” * Kurier * July 8, 2016
- How Video Can Help Police — And The Public * The Huffington Post * July 6, 2016
- APA Chief Punches Horse-Molester; Union head unlikely to face consequences * Austin Chronicle * July 1, 2016
- Viral video of Austin Police Association President raises questions * KVUE * June 22, 2016
- Two to Tangle * The Statesman * June 22, 2016
- Appeals court rejects lawsuit by activist who filmed Austin police * The Statesman * June 2, 2016
- Activist filming police arrested over the weekend on Sixth Street * The Statesman * May 31, 2016
- Peaceful Streets member arrested on 6th Street * KVUE * May 31, 2016
- The First Amendment Hasn’t Stopped Police From Harassing Copwatchers * Truthout * April 23, 2016
- Austin Cop Arrested Cop-Watcher, Now Interview Video Emerges * PINAC * April 13, 2016
- Texas Cop-Watcher Arrested for Recording Austin Police Make Contentious Arrest * PINAC * April 11, 2016
- APD Chief Acevedo blasts Peaceful Streets comments * KVUE * April 4, 2016
- Man killed by Austin police officer identified * KXAN * April 4, 2016
- Shocking moment an officer pepper sprays a handcuffed prisoner at he sits in the back of a police van following his arrest at SXSW * Daily Mail * March 22, 2016
- Texas Police Officer Caught on Camera Pepper-Spraying Handcuffed Man Inside Police Van * The Root * March 21, 2016
- Cop Pepper-Sprays Handcuffed Suspect (VIDEO) * The Young Turks * March 21, 2016
- Shocking moment a cop pepper-sprays a guy in cuffs * New York Post * March 21, 2016
- Cop Caught on Video Allegedly Pepper-Spraying Handcuffed Suspect Who Claims ‘I Didn’t Do Nothing’ * The Blaze * March 21, 2016
- Austin Police Officer Caught On Video Allegedly Pepper-Spraying Handcuffed Man * The Huffington Post * March 21, 2016
- Cops Handle SXSW Revelers With Questionable Use Of Pepper Spray: VIDEO * Patch * March 19, 2016
- YouTube Video Shows APD Using Pepper Spray on SXSW Crowd * Time Warner Cable News * March 18, 2016
- Video of Austin cop pepper-spraying man prompts police investigation * The Statesman * March 18, 2016
- Video shows APD officer pepper spraying man in custody * Fox 7, KTBC * March 18, 2016
- Video appears to show APD officer using pepper spray on restrained man * KEYE * March 18, 2016
- Peaceful Streets Project partners with WeCopwatch to ensure police accountability during SXSW 2016 * The Austin Sentinel * March 8, 2016
- Sixth Street Showdown * Austin Chronicle * February 26, 2016
- Blocked by the Cops; @Austin_Police doesn’t want to hear your criticism * Austin Chronicle * January 29, 2016
- Austin police to deploy first body cameras to downtown officers * The Statesman * December 13, 2015
- Austin police body cameras discussed at public forum * The Statesman * December 1, 2015
- A New Breed of Activists are Turning Cameras on the Police * Playboy * November 26, 2015
- Authorities won’t prosecute activist Antonio Buehler for August arrest * The Statesman * November 13, 2015
- Officials not pursuing charges against local activist * KVUE * November 13, 2015
- Authorities not moving forward with charges against Peaceful Streets’ Buehler * Fox 7, KTBC * November 13, 2015
- APD drops August charges against Antonio Buehler * KXAN * November 13, 2015
- A cross-country network helps Reveal boost its investigative reporting power * NiemanLab * September 21, 2015
- Do police body cameras protect the public? * SiliconANGLE * September 14, 2015
- Gilbert Flores Shooting: Bexar Co. Sheriff Asks for Calm as Investigation Continues * Time Warner Cable News * September 2, 2015
- Killing of Harris Co. deputy sparks strong reactions in Austin * KVUE * August 31, 2015
- Local activist Buehler responds to Harris Co. deputy shooting * KVUE * August 31, 2015
- The Danger in Recording a Cop * CityLab * August 20, 2015
- Body cameras might illuminate right and wrong when recording police * The Statesman * August 14, 2015
- Buehler Arrested; Cop-watch activist releases video of his arrest * Austin Chronicle * August 7, 2015
- Austin Police Account of Antonio Buehler’s Arrest Disproven by Peaceful Streets Videos * PINAC * August 4, 2015
- Activist Antonio Buehler released after weekend arrest * KVUE * August 4, 2015
- Austin police, Buehler dispute events that led to activist’s arrest * The Statesman * August 3, 2015
- Austin Police Arrest Peaceful Streets Founder Antonio Buehler Again for Recording Cops in Public * PINAC * August 2, 2015
- Austin police arrest activist Antonio Buehler after recording officers * The Statesman * August 2, 2015
- Austin Activist Antonio Buehler Released From Jail * KEYE * August 2, 2015
- Charges in Buehler trial dropped * Gonzales Cannon * July 24, 2015
- Gonzales County drops conduct charge against Austin activist Buehler * The Statesman * July 21, 2015
- Jury split on first amendment trial * Gonzales Cannon * July 7, 2015
- The Right to Record Walter Scott’s Death * Reason.com * June 23, 2015
- Law and Disorder 2: Citizens, Cameras and Cops * NPR * May 13, 2015
- ‘Prende’ en Texas debate sobre videograbar policías * El Diario de El Paso * May 11, 2015
- Texas a flashpoint in debate over right to film police * Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting * May 9, 2015
- Texas a Flashpoint in Debate Over Right to Film Police * The Texas Tribune * May 9, 2015
- Body cameras roll through Public Safety Committee * Austin Monitor * April 28, 2015
- Austin Police Could Soon Wear Body Cameras * Time Warner Cable News * April 28, 2015
- APD looking at several different options for body cameras * Fox 7, KTBC * April 27, 2015
- Grassroots group: Everyone should film police activity * CW39 * April 9, 2015
- Group Encouraging Houstonians to ‘Film’ Law Enforcement * ABC-13 * April 8, 2015
- Right to film police under debate in Texas, across nation * The Statesman * March 30, 2015
- Texas lawmaker proposes bill limiting citizens’ ability to record police officers * Daily Texan * March 27, 2015
- Final Charges Dropped for Buehler * Austin Chronicle * February 19, 2015
- Charges Dropped Against Austin Activist * KEYE * February 19, 2015
- YouTube video alleges Austin police brutality on Sixth Street * The Statesman * February 16, 2015
- APD investigating downtown arrest caught on camera * Fox 7, KTBC * February 16, 2015
- Video shows police officer taking down man on 6th Street * KVUE * February 16, 2015
- Blowing the Whistle on Violent Police * Gil Gross * January 23, 2015
- As groups police the police, some add guns to the mix * CBS News * January 22, 2015
- David and Goliath * Stossel Show * January 15, 2015
- Buehler’s Case Dismissed * Austin Chronicle * January 5, 2015
- Sexist Comment by Austin Police Officer: Isolated Incident or Part of Broader Culture? * KUT * December 18, 2014
- Buehler Acquitted * Austin Chronicle * October 31, 2014
- Antonio Buehler Acquitted of ‘Failure to Obey’ * Time Warner Cable News * October 30, 2014
- Is Filming a Police Officer a “Domestic Threat”? Austin Activist on Trial for Videotaping an Arrest * Democracy Now! * October 29, 2014
- The fight for justice is being waged peacefully on American’s streets * NJToday.net * October 29, 2014
- Antonio Buehler Found Not Guilty After Austin Cop Breaks Blue Code of Silence, Testifying on his Behalf * PINAC * October 29, 2014
- Buehler acquitted of failing to comply with officer’s order * The Statesman * October 29, 2014
- Police Departments Retaliate Against Organized “Cop Watch” Groups Across the US * Truthout * October 2, 2014
- The Cop Watchers: Chasing (and Sometimes Trolling) Police in the Name of Liberty * Dallas Observer * October 1, 2014
- Austin Police Officer Tries To Paint Police Accountability Groups As ‘Domestic Extremists’ In FOIA’ed Emails * Techdirt * September 17, 2014
- Police Claim Cop Block, Peaceful Streets Project and Activists of America are an Imminent Threat * TheAntiMedia * September 15, 2014
- Texas Cops Attempt to have Peaceful Streets Founder Charged for Online Impersonation after Satirical Facebook Post * PINAC * September 11, 2014
- Texas reporters fight for access, public records * Columbia Journalism Review * September 11, 2014
- Documents Reveal Austin Police Department’s Attempt to Disrupt Peaceful Streets Project, Label Them Domestic Extremist Group * The Liberty Beat * September 10, 2014
- Three Cop Watchers Get Arrested for Videotaping Arlington Police * Dallas Observer * September, 8 2014
- Buehler Lawsuit Victory; Peaceful Streets Project founder can take his civil rights suit to trial * The Austin Chronicle * August 1, 2014
- Judge rules man had right to record Austin police * The Washington Times * July 26, 2014
- Judge rules man had right to record Austin police * Houston Chronicle * July 26, 2014
- Judge rules man had right to record Austin police * KCBD * July 26, 2014
- Texas Court Upholds the Right to Photograph and Record Police Activity * NPPA * July 26, 2014
- Federal judge: Citizens have right to film officers * The Statesman * July 25, 2014
- Federal Judge to Camera-Shy Austin Cops: People Have a Right to Record You. Deal With It. * Reason.com * July 25, 2014
- Federal judge upholds activist Antonio Buehler’s right to film officers * The Statesman * July 25, 2014
- Exactly how many tickets do police issue in the Cooper “Speed Trap”? * The Arlington Voice * April 7, 2014
- Antonio Buehler Lawsuit Could Revolutionize Filming Police * The AntiMedia.Org * January 18, 2014
- Activist sues Austin police for right to film arrests * Al Jazeera America * January 8, 2014
- Peaceful Streets Project Founder files suit over right to film arrest * Fox 7, KTBC * January 7, 2013
- Local activist Antonio Buehler sues Austin police, officers over filming arrests * The Statesman * January 3, 2014
- Civil Rights activist joins Austin police accountability summit * YNN * August 18, 2013
- Peaceful Streets Holds Police Accountability Summit * KEYE * August 17, 2013
- Group holds summit against police brutality * Fox 7, KTBC * August 17, 2013
- Seale and Balko Visit Peaceful Streets * The Austin Chronicle * August 16, 2013
- APD Chief Responds to Police Shooting Critics * KEYE * August 3, 2013
- Protestors Call for Acevedo Resignation * KEYE * August 1, 2013
- Activists: ‘Mistrust Has Deepened’ After Latest Austin Police Shooting * KUT * July 30, 2013
- Activists criticize city’s response to fatal officer-involved shooting * The Statesman * July 30, 2013
- Protestors gather at City Hall to denounce the shooting death of a black man by APD * KLBJ * July 30, 2013
- Arrest of San Marcos Cops Called Rarity * San Antonio Express-News * July 23, 2013
- Peaceful Streets Project rallies in support of San Marcos police chief * YNN * July 21, 2013
- Deadly Force and Threats Against Peaceful Activists Rise * Infowars * June 28, 2013
- Protestors push for officer indictment in death of double amputee * NewsFix Houston * June 25, 2013
- Crimewatch: APA fears group’s efforts to keep an eye on police may lead to violence * Fox 7, KTBC * June 24, 2013
- Jury finds APD officer not liable for Carter’s death * Fox 7, KTBC * June 11, 2013
- Campaña contra el abuso policial en Houston * Univision Houston * January 16, 2013
- Peaceful Streets Project expands efforts into West Campus * Daily Texan * October 28, 2012
- A New Lense for Arrest * Daily Texan * September 25, 2012
- Police filming guidelines criticized by attorney for photographers’ association * The Statesman * September 24, 2012
- NPPA criticizes APD policy on citizens photographing cops * YNN * September 24, 2012
- Austin Police Revealing Pattern of Abuse Against Citizens Who Record * Pixiq * September 24, 2012
- Man arrested for third time after shooting video of officers * The Statesman * September 21, 2012
- Peaceful Streets Project leader Antonio Buehler arrested again recording Austin police * Digital Texan * September 21, 2012
- Man Arrested Again After Videotaping Arrest * KEYE * September 21, 2012
- Austin Photo Activist Arrested Third Time for Recording Cops in Public * Pixiq * September 21, 2012
- Activist Antonio Buehler Claims Austin Police Targeting Him * Digital Texan * August 31, 2012
- Peaceful Streets Project to Film Activity Downtown * Fox 7, KTBC * August 30, 2012
- Activists Respond to Police, Plan Cop Watch * KXAN * August 30, 2012
- Peaceful Streets Founder Arrested While Filming Police * YNN * August 26, 2012
- Peaceful Streets Project Founder Arrested for Interfering with Police * The Austin Chronicle * August 27, 2012
- Attorney: Man Arrested a Second Time for Filming Police Officers * The Statesman * August 26, 2012
- APD Considers Policy Change After Activist’s Arrest Caught On Video * KEYE * August 27, 2012
- Antonio Buehler Again on Police Radar * KXAN * August 27, 2012
- Antonio Buehler Steps Up His Campaign on APD * Digital Texan * July 30, 2012
- Rally Against Police Abuse in Solidarity with Anaheim, CA * ZGraphix * July 30, 2012