Poll of the Day > Cop pulls gun on convenience store customer over pack of Mentos they'd paid for

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/buena-park-police-officer-gun-customer-mentos/

BUENA PARK, Calif. A simple convenience store purchase escalated into a potentially deadly dispute when an off-duty police officer pulled his weapon on a man over a $1.19 pack of candy, and the victim of the harassment says he doesn't want this incident to get swept under the rug. CBS Los Angeles reports security video clearly shows Jose Arreola paying for a roll of Mentos at a Buena Park convenience store.

A man later identified as a city police officer out of uniform walks in after Arreola puts the candy in his pocket, prompting the officer to tell him, "Hey, give that back. I'm a police officer."

At that point, the officer pulls out a handgun from his sweater pocket, stunning Arreola, who quickly puts the candy back on the counter. "Oh, I paid for it!" exclaims Arreola.

The officer then tells Arreola, "Get your cash and leave," before Arreola again protests, "I paid for it."

The officer asks the clerk if he did, in fact, pay for the candy. After he asks the clerk the same question multiple times, the officer says, "My apologies. My apologies."

"You know who I am, right?" the officer asks the clerk. "Yeah, I know," he responds.

They were tense moments Arreola feels were fueled by the officer's lack of respect for him.

"The hardest thing for me was, believe it or not, it wasn't really the gun," said Arreola, pausing as he seems almost overcome by emotion. "It was his arrogance, his way of talking to me. [] He treated me like a piece of trash."

The March 16 incident occurred while Arreola's wife waited in their car. The couple filed a complaint against the City of Buena Park the following day, which led to the discovery of the video.

We're not lying about what happened, 'cause that's how they've made us feel," Jackie Arreola told CBS2 News as she began to weep.

The Buena Park Police Dept. declined to comment on the case, saying the pending litigation prevented them from saying much, but they issued a statement from Chief Corey S. Sianez on Facebook, which read in part,

"I want you to know that after I watched the video I found it to be disturbing, as I'm sure it was to you. However, because there is an ongoing personnel investigation and potential litigation pending against the city, I am unable to discuss the details of our investigation."

The Arreolas told CBS Los Angeles they don't want the officer fired, but that they do want him to get better training.

"There's a lot of good people, officers, but when one or two do bad things, it just reflects on the whole department," said Jose.

The couple said the City of Buena Park would not give them the name of the officer, adding they hope to figure out a settlement out of court.

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Showed him who the top dog was ARF ARF ARF ARF!!!
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This is why I hate being law enforcement.

'The officer then tells Arreola, "Get your cash and leave," before Arreola again protests, "I paid for it.""

If... the cop knew that the guy had given the clerk cash.. why did he think the guy hadn't paid for the mentos? What did he think the cash was for..?
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Even if said officer truly believed Arreola was committing theft. Is pulling a gun on that situation necessary? I wouldn't want officers or anyone innocent to get hurt because said officers feels he/she is walking on egg shells but at the same time, there's gotta be a better logical approach to different situations.

It's not exactly a one-size-fit-all approach for every situation. Or should I be concern that if this is the officer's approach to stealing breath mint, what would his approach be to something more violent?
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Maybe it was the last pack of mentos and the cop wanted it
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You'll have to forgive me if I don't take some random guy's testimony at face value.

Unless that camera records sound, I'm not going to make any assumptions about the context.
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Basically this happened (can't believe after like 14 years I finally have a context for this video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on_fr7GCbc8" data-time="
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If it happened as stated, that's one bizarre misunderstanding. I'm also not sure why the officer would go for his gun rather than just grab the guy if he was behind him.
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Will be interesting to see how some of the posters here will justify this one.
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Krow_Incarnate posted...

Unless that camera records sound, I'm not going to make any assumptions about the context.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=W316slPMVQE&t=0m44s

Looking at that video again, I can see how there was some misunderstanding with Arreola reaching over the counter and grabbing the Mentos.
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InfestedAdam posted...

Krow_Incarnate posted...

Unless that camera records sound, I'm not going to make any assumptions about the context.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=W316slPMVQE&t=0m44s

Looking at that video again, I can see how there was some misunderstanding with Arreola reaching over the counter and grabbing the Mentos.

Yeah but even so the behavior of the cop was really weird.
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waterdeepchu posted...

Yeah but even so the behavior of the cop was really weird.

Aye, did seem excessive.
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Far-Queue posted...

The officer then tells Arreola, "Get your cash and leave,"

Was the cop trying to prevent the customer from buying the last pack of Mentos?
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The cop was totally in the wrong. Scary.

The guy in the plaid though...he walked up like he was going to buy something then just kinda left when the off duty cop came in. They both turned at the cop in a jittery way and looked at him up and down.

All of the action leading up to the incident was pretty strange.
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LOLIAmAnAlt posted...

They both turned at the cop in a jittery way and looked at him up and down.

All of the action leading up to the incident was pretty strange.

I'll agree Arreola did look nervous over something as simple as buying Mentos. The officer wasn't in uniform so don't know why they would feel nervous though.
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Krow_Incarnate posted...

You'll have to forgive me if I don't take some random guy's testimony at face value.

Unless that camera records sound, I'm not going to make any assumptions about the context.

Yeah he should have been shot instead since Mentos theft is a horrible crime.
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I love me some fruit flavored mentos
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Mead posted...

I love me some fruit flavored mentos

Honestly those are the candy equivalent of crack. If they're in the checkout aisle I select at the grocery store, RIP store stock.
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cops in California are crazy

He was acting kind of twitchy, like he was nervous. Put together with the what the above poster said about the other guy that was talking to him walking out without appearing to buy anything, and it's somewhat plausible the officer could have thought something was going on.

That said, Arreola's hands were clearly visible, to me he did nothing to present a threat (couldn't use sound to hear what was being said right now, assuming there even is sound) prior to the officer pulling out his weapon. As per my own training, he had no grounds to draw his weapon, indicating he either had poor training or ignored his training. I have to assume Arreola reached into his pocket to pull the Mentos out when he did because the officer told him to. Having his weapon out prior to that could be considered precautionary, in case Arreola pulled out a weapon instead of the candy, but that could be stretching. The officer would have to prove that he had reason to think Arreola might pull out a weapon. Though he at least never actually pointed the gun at Arreola.

That said, the very first thing the officer should have done was ask either Arreola or the clerk if he paid, to which they both would have said yes. That would have been the end of it. The officer definitely needs retraining for a few things.
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Talon5967 posted...

The officer definitely needs retraining for a few things.

If his answer to a suspected, non-violent offence that no one else even alleged had happened over a piece of candy is to escalate the situation to the point of drawing his service weapon, I don't think retraining is the correct answer; I think a new line of work is in order, because this man clearly has the wrong temperament and decision-making leanings to be trusted with law enforcement.
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Cops in bigger cities in other u.s. states they need to chill and calm the heck down

Was the cop high?

Nah, probably just an idiot.
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Hey that's close to where I live.

I'd imagine most have heard the saying that cops cover for each other. Still, I do wonder how many hear/read about certain incidents and just groan from the embarrassment it'll put on him/herself. I'm far from a good engineer but whenever there are bad designs leading to failures and/or deaths, I kinda feel ashamed a little. Same goes for whenever a Scout leader somewhere is convicted of some child abuse. It's a weird sense of guilty by association.
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That cop clearly overreacted.
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InfestedAdam posted...

Even if said officer truly believed Arreola was committing theft. Is pulling a gun on that situation necessary?

When you give somebody power at their own discretion, why wouldn't they use it all the time? It's not necessary to point a gun in virtually all circumstances, but it's certainly an efficient way to force compliance.
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Kyuubi4269 posted...

InfestedAdam posted...

Even if said officer truly believed Arreola was committing theft. Is pulling a gun on that situation necessary?

When you give somebody power at their own discretion, why wouldn't they use it all the time? It's not necessary to point a gun in virtually all circumstances, but it's certainly an efficient way to force compliance.

That's true. But that seems like the power went straight to his head. Pulling a gun for something like that is not the best way to do things...
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Do most of you think this cop will be fired?

AirJordan2345 posted...

Do most of you think this cop will be fired?

Probably not. Just retained, most likely...
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AirJordan2345 posted...

Do most of you think this cop will be fired?

Cops don't get fired unless they murder another cop, rape a child, or openly they admit they killed someone without cause and were in the wrong.

Punishment is usually moved to desk job at worst, temporary paid leave at best.

And if it comes to the point they have to leave, they "voluntarily resign" rather than get fired.
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AirJordan2345 posted...

Do most of you think this cop will be fired?

Over this? Probably a little extreme. Guess it depends on the bad PR and what happens with the lawsuit, though. I imagine he'll probably just have to take some mandatory training.
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Broken_Zeus posted...

AirJordan2345 posted...

Do most of you think this cop will be fired?

Over this? Probably a little extreme. Guess it depends on the bad PR and what happens with the lawsuit, though. I imagine he'll probably just have to take some mandatory training.

I think just training, but my mom(who is also a cop) said he should've got fired.

TigerTycoon posted...

AirJordan2345 posted...

Do most of you think this cop will be fired?

Cops don't get fired unless they murder another cop, rape a child, or openly they admit they killed someone without cause and were in the wrong.

Punishment is usually moved to desk job at worst, temporary paid leave at best.

And if it comes to the point they have to leave, they "voluntarily resign" rather than get fired.

As much as I hate to admit it, it's kinda true. That being said, my mom said they are firing people for more things now, like really racist remarks...

Also, around the time the other D.C. cop was fired(the one that slept with lying 14 year old), 2 other D.C. cops got in trouble. One was getting oral from a prostitute. I think he got suspended. And another was caught selling guns. He apparently got warmed once. Then he did it again, had a heart attack, died, and got brought back in the ambulance. The doctor told him he would have to retired, so he medically got retired. Then they found out he had sold guns where one ended up in the hands of a war vet who killed himself, one was used in a murder, and a couple in the hands of some D.C. criminals. He got 20 months in jail, but he's still collecting retirement from the military and the police force. Some punishment, right?
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The strawberry ones are great and then this Asian market near me has green apple those are really good too
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Yeah it does kinda depend on bad press that the cop or story may get. It's sad but if it's true then it's true.

While the cop was very clearly in the wrong by the sound of it, I hate that the automatic course of action is to sue.
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Rasmoh posted...

While the cop was very clearly in the wrong by the sound of it, I hate that the automatic course of action is to sue.

so? maybe most people in this situation would sue, and i really don't blame this guy for suing
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Smallville posted...

so? maybe most people in this situation would sue, and i really don't blame this guy for suing

It's a government body, not a private company, which means that funds that would typically be allocated elsewhere are now going to be used to pay off this suit. That means less resources for the community in some way, in addition to continuing the litigation-happy mindset that our society has adopted.
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Rasmoh posted...

Smallville posted...

so? maybe most people in this situation would sue, and i really don't blame this guy for suing

It's a government body, not a private company, which means that funds that would typically be allocated elsewhere are now going to be used to pay off this suit. That means less resources for the community in some way, in addition to continuing the litigation-happy mindset that our society has adopted.

well it ain't like the cop prob has much money to sue. So of course he's gonna sue his employer. Can't say i really feel sorry for his employer either. You don't want this to happen don't hire shitty employees. Sometimes this works and employers do do better hiring
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Smallville posted...

Can't say i really feel sorry for his employer either.

But the employer's money is provided by regular people, who did nothing wrong, who are the ones reliant upon the government body. It's a punishment that doesn't really harm the offender.
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If it is fair that the guy get's compensated then it's fair. I feel sorry for taxpayers but maybe this will cause change and better hiring.
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Smallville posted...

If it is fair that the guy get's compensated then it's fair. I feel sorry for taxpayers but maybe this will cause change and better hiring.

How do you determine a fair amount of innocent taxpayer money to compensate someone due to hurt feelings?

And how is this supposed to result in "better hiring"? What if this is the first time this officer has ever done anything like this? Do you genuinely think you can weed out every officer that might make a bad decision ever?
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Fair next. The cop was wrong that he was stealing but he did reach pretty damn quickly into his pocket when accused. And the cop didn't even point the gun at him. He just had it ready

Is it legal for cops in "Calif" to pull their gun without cause or threat or even providing identification?
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OhhhJa posted...

Fair next. The cop was wrong that he was stealing but he did reach pretty damn quickly into his pocket when accused. And the cop didn't even point the gun at him. He just had it ready

Lmao you are truly a piece of work

SkynyrdRocker posted...

OhhhJa posted...

Fair next. The cop was wrong that he was stealing but he did reach pretty damn quickly into his pocket when accused. And the cop didn't even point the gun at him. He just had it ready

Lmao you are truly a piece of work

yeah i was about to say the same thing, uh, bootlicker?
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AirJordan2345 posted...

Do most of you think this cop will be fired?

Should he? Yes. Will he? No.

Rasmoh posted...

Smallville posted...

so? maybe most people in this situation would sue, and i really don't blame this guy for suing

It's a government body, not a private company, which means that funds that would typically be allocated elsewhere are now going to be used to pay off this suit. That means less resources for the community in some way, in addition to continuing the litigation-happy mindset that our society has adopted.

I don't disagree - it sucks that suing the cop is, in essence, the guy suing all his neighbours through their tax dollars - but what other recourse is there? The only other option is making cops personally liable for their on-the-job decision (and perhaps their managers liable for insufficient training) and I'm not sure that's any better.
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Rasmoh posted...

Smallville posted...

If it is fair that the guy get's compensated then it's fair. I feel sorry for taxpayers but maybe this will cause change and better hiring.

How do you determine a fair amount of innocent taxpayer money to compensate someone due to hurt feelings?

And how is this supposed to result in "better hiring"? What if this is the first time this officer has ever done anything like this? Do you genuinely think you can weed out every officer that might make a bad decision ever?

Guy should get compensated. Fair. As a tax payer, this doesn't bother me. It bothers me that police officers act this way.

darkknight109 posted...

I don't disagree - it sucks that suing the cop is, in essence, the guy suing all his neighbours through their tax dollars - but what other recourse is there? The only other option is making cops personally liable for their on-the-job decision (and perhaps their managers liable for insufficient training) and I'm not sure that's any better.

He wasn't actually on the job at the time. So might not fall on the police for this if they want to swing it that way.
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