On the subject of an upcoming Black Lives Matter march scheduled for Martin Luther King Day in St. Paul, MN, someone who called himself “JM Roth” posted on Facebook. JM Roth had advice for people who were inconvenienced.
Don’t run them over
“Run them over. Keep traffic flowing and don’t slow down for any of these idiots who try and block the street. Here is the deal, you continue to drive and if you hit someone make sure you call 911 to report the accident and meet the cops a block or two away and you can justify stopping further away because you feared for your safety since in the past people in this group has shown a propensity towards violence. Since they are trying to block the street and/or cross where there is no crossing you should not be charged with anything. Now, these idiots could try and sue you in civil court, but remember that it will be jury trial and so most likely it will come out in your favor.”
Run them over.
People in the Twin Cities who monitor police evildoing (=misconduct) were familiar with the JM Roth persona. On various locally-oriented websites, JM Roth angrily attacked anyone who criticized police evildoing, saying they didn’t know anything about what it’s like to be a police officer. This wasn’t even the first time he had explicitly recommended running people over. (Think about that. “Run them over.”) Now he was offering advice on getting away with running people over.
Don’t run them over
It wasn’t very hard for activist Andrew Henderson to figure out that “JM Roth” was a nom de guerre for Sergeant Jeff Rothecker, a member of the St. Paul police for 20 years, and a vice-president in the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police. “I was concerned it was him inciting violence rather than just berating people,” Henderson said. He showed his evidence to Internal Affairs at the police department (and had himself filmed doing so).
Run them over? The St. Paul Police Department was unable to stand behind that advice.
Rothecker was put on leave while they investigate. Rothecker, reportedly with the help of a PR firm, issued this apology:
I am extremely sorry for posting what I did. I understand that the post was insensitive and wrong. My poor choice of words conveyed a message I did not intend and am not proud of. Shortly after submitting the post, I re-read it and deleted it. As a law enforcement officer, I would never intentionally encourage someone to commit a crime. I very much regret my actions.
I apologize to all the citizens of St. Paul, the department, my fellow law enforcement professionals and my family for the scornful attention my mistake has brought upon them.
I apologize for exposing all law enforcement officers to increased scrutiny, during this difficult time of ongoing conflict between officers and members of the community.
I apologize to the community members who participated peacefully in the protest. –Sergeant Jeff Rothecker
He “would never”? But he did.
A classic example of the “that’s not me” defense. What, you have an evil twin?
Don’t run them over.
It’s a terrible apology in many ways. He’s vague about what he did. You can tell it’s something about seeming to encourage some kind of crime, but there’s nothing about RUN THEM OVER. And he doesn’t address the fact that he gave ‘here’s how to get away with it’ advice.
He minimizes whatever it was. Insensitive! A poor choice of words!
It also looks like a lie. He says he didn’t intend that message, but it turns out this isn’t the first time he’s posted along these lines. “They should’ve ran them over…. It’s their fault and not that of the driver,” he posted in November. It’s not even the first time he gave legal advice on what to do after you commit the crime he suggests and how (in his (stupid) opinion) you can get away with it. I think he meant what he said.
Just to put a smiley face in the froth on the latte, there’s even a bit of “poor me” in the phrase about the “scornful attention” his “mistake” has produced.
You know what? We’re all sick and tired of having people block roads when we’re trying to get somewhere. But still don’t run them over.
Should have hired a better PR firm.
Let’s not speculate about Rothecker’s mental condition, let’s just glance at his record. He seems to be a mess of an officer, with a history of complaints and departmental discipline. And peeking at online records for no good reason. And three car accidents on duty. Which is relevant, because after the St. Paul police fire him, as I expect they will do, the state might want to consider taking away his driver’s license. Before he runs anybody over. Really.
What a pitiful sack of warm steaming poo this man is. And he is concerned about how police are maligned?
I’m kind of …not surprised anymore. Which is awful, but there you have it. No longer surprised by that type of person being in law enforcement, AND not at all surprised at the insincerity and ridiculousness of an “apology” that someone else made him write. He’s not sorry for anything but being outed personally and losing a paycheck. Why bother?
*she said, cynically*
I think he ought to be charged criminally. I can think of multiple charges that would apply. Further, I think he is a continuing menace to others, and certainly needs professional therapy.
If he is fired, and he certainly needs to be, does anyone think he will shrug this off with an “Oh well, my bad.” He sounds very much like the retaliatory type, and I am afraid to think what he might do.
I doubt he wrote a word of the apology, and he certainly does not sound the least bit sorry for doing what he did. He does, once again, sound sorry that he got caught.
And “scornful attention” is a real prize winner.
After thy fire him maybe he can become a lawyer for the sort of people he’s advising.
Oops–they
It occurs to me that among the things he is likely to blame for his situation is social media.
Rothecker resigned/was allowed to resign in February, 2016.
http://www.startribune.com/st-paul-police-officer-who-urged-drivers-to-run-over-protesters-resigns/369182111/
He should have been hammered, not allowed to resign.