What really goes on behind the scenes @ the Laguna Beach Police Dept.

Here is a TRUE and interesting story about the Laguna Beach Cops. Please read, this could have been you, a family member, or friend.

How can Laguna Beach Police
do this to a local community member?
This is absolutely mind-boggling!

What goes on behind the scenes at the Laguna Beach Police Station?

The most obvious way to start this letter to the editor is by saying that I have never experienced such inhumane treatment. I was pulled over for what the Laguna Beach Police called a “routine” stop. At first the stop was like any other, they asked me for my license and registration, and then asked me if I had been drinking. Doing there regular routine they asked me to step out of the car and perform some field sobriety tests.(F.Y.I. they have to tell you that these tests are optional). I did take the tests and they decided “I was not able to drive”. They slapped on the handcuffs and took me to the station. They never once read me the Miranda Rights.
Once I arrived to the station, the masquerade began. First they asked me to take a breath test. I did attempt the breathalyzer twice and was unable to get a clear reading. They then told me that I would have to take a blood test. In the state of California the police have to offer a urine test, which I was not given the option of. They asked me to sit down at this wooden chair and before I knew it a lady in a white medical coat came into the room and put a needle in my arm. There was NO warning. When I asked what was going on they said “we are taking a blood sample”. I did not fight back and feared the worst. First of all, the lady did not clean my arm before inserting what may have or may not have been a clean needle into my arm.(Just so you know, I ended up with a rash on my arm and a bruise so bad that I could hardly move my arm). Everyone who has ever received a blood test knows that before a needle is inserted into the patient one must HAVE CLEANSED THE AREA BEFORE INSERTING THE NEEDLE. They did not do that. They also have to move your arm in a straight position to the front or side of you, and they did not. They just stuck the needle into my arm while they were handcuffed behind me. Also, they never put on a ternakit to allow blood to flow gently into tube.
Don’t think for one moment that is where this story ends. The cops then began to ask me questions about what I done that night.“Did you have any alcohol”?“Where were you tonight”? ect… I looked at the cops and said that I would like to call my lawyer before answering any questions when I was told,“you do not have any rights”,“you do not have the right to an attorney”. I told them that I knew that I had the right to an attorney and they then said “you don’t have the right to an attorney until we are done booking you”. I said “ok, lets get this over with”. They then finger printed me and took my mug shot. When they were done I asked if I could call my attorney and they again said “you do not have the right to an attorney”. I’m sorry, I thought they said I could call my attorney and have them come in once booking was said and done? Silly me I believed the cops! They continued to ask me questions and when I did not answer them they told me I could make a few phone calls and then they would put me into the “Drunk Tank”.
The next day they released me four hours early, for what I perceived to be because I was on good behavior. So why did I deserve such bad treatment? I can not answer that, but I can say that for the first time in my life I felt scared, alone, confused, and raped of my rights! I ask you, was this situation handled correctly?

Thank you for your time,

If you are a lawyer and would like to take this case for me probone please e-mail me.
kkijanka@uci.edu

Damn girl you need to go see a lawyer

It won't cost you a cent

sue the b-tards

Cops s-u-c-k

Had you been drinking?

So Katherine.....What were the results of that blood test???

Could it be that you were drunk and don't remember what you were told? I have booked many DUI drivers into jail and the one thing that distinguishes them all is that they ask the same questions over and over again because they don't remember what you told them 5 minutes ago. Another distinguishing factor for Laguna Beach residents is that you most likely think the world revolves around you and you are more than likely a pain in the butt to deal with. Also, your concept of time must be off. The Police Dept does not have a nurse on staff to take blood tests. She must have come from South Coast Hospital and it probably took at least 30 minutes for her to get there. Again, by that time you probably forgot that you had agreed to a blood test because you were drunk. And I have the same question as "stork" above; So Katherine....What were the results of that blood test?

First, field sobriety tests are not optional. It is the Preliminary Alcohol Screening Test (breathalyzer) that is optional before your arrest.

Second, informing you of Miranda rights is only required when you have the union of 2 elements: custody and interrogation. While you were arrested (custody), you were not interrogated. And no, your field sobriety test conducted before you were arrested does NOT count as interrogation.

Now, regarding your breathalyzer AFTER you were arrested: per CVC 23612, you must submit to one of two chemical tests: blood or breath. If you opted for the breath test but were physically unable or unwilling to complete it, you would have been given the option of a blood test. If you would have refused a blood test, they would not have forcibly drawn blood for a non-injury DUI. However, per California law, if you refused you would have lost your license for at least one year. A urine test is optional and does not need to be offered unless both the blood and breath test are unavailable.

With respect to how your blood was drawn, I am not a medical professional so I cannot speak to how it's supposed to be done. However, most police agencies (LBPD is one of them) use a 3rd party lab called California Forensic Phlebotomy. All of their staff are properly trained certified phlebotomists and it's unlikely they violated any protocols.

Now for the last paragraph. The person "questioning" you about alcohol, etc...was most likely filling in a state-mandated medical questionnaire required in all jail facilities. He was not interrogating you regarding your DUI.

I hate to offer this "tough love", but the fact is, it appears the department did everything correctly.

The Laguna Beach Police are out of control! I moved after 30 yrs. I've seen them do horrible, unfair, and just plain mean things ! If you want to visit some where you can relax and enjoy yourself, DO NOT VISIT LAGUNA BEACH, CA. You have a very good chance of being engaged with the LBPD. My advice is to not even drive though this city, esp. if your a person of color. You will be pulled over. They only want the "RIGHT" people in their town. They put on a good face for the general public...but make no mistake, the LBPD does whatever they want to do .

Wow! Look how quickly these cops come to aide a fellow officer? Mob mentality. And look how people have been abused by cops just as quickly resort to their parallel claims. I feel compelled to write because I see that this world is laden with injustice. Their are people who are trying to make this a better place. I believe the police can be helpful and citizens are helpful too by making the choices to act humanely. It takes all of us. Collaboration is the key word! The more of us no matter what your field of expertise is creating the moment by moment. We are creating the news. The brokers, the parents, the government, the people and one thing we all have in common is to make the choice. I can see how a cop becomes frustrated dealing with people who make poor choices in life and its up to them to correct these behaviors as best that they can with the aide of our institutionalized behavior reform systems. Who's to say it works? And who is to say that maybe it starts at development of a child to adult. So maybe its the system as a whole at fault. The ones that breeds the socioeconomic status that delivers us all to our conclusions of faith and attitudes and choices that define our mob mentality. We are all at fault. We all need to take responsibility. We all should be the peace officers! And wow what a beautiful world to reside one where we are checked by our fellow neighbors and family and our community in decent and respectful way. However that is too burdensome when we are dealing with people that go to the edge and reside with evil and do terrible things...So do we have too many laws or are we lucky to have scary men in suits that protect us from the insane injustices that human beings sadly are able to commit. See thats why cops get away with this their are too many crazies that justify their handlings with the people who very well may be law abididing "good peole". My idea if I was president would be that of less police and promotion of healthy practices within the community to help people remember how to take care of one another. A less "me me" society and one that cultivated more love and respect within individuals. Just remember love conquers all. What if your neighbors were nice and the news was great and their was no war but aide and people threw away their selfish tendencies and created a an abundance of love for all! It would heal the sick and and then our socioeconomic background would evolve to higher virtues! And this women Katherine would have been treated with respect! But due to predecessors before her these people we call police are calloused and hardened with burdens that we as a people hand over to them...
Just the thoughts of a 25 yr old women living in Aliso Viejo... So say we all are responsible!

Thats funny,

I just got my Cell Phone back from the Laguna Beach Police Station.I had a swim
Club meetup which I was hosting in the North end of town.I left my Cell Phone in the
restroom at the Beach,It was there for over two hours.I called the Police Department and they found it for me and enabled me to come from Newport Beach and pick it up.That was above and beyond the call of duty,And by the way I don't drink and endanger everyone else including children by driving a motor vehicle.Drunk Driving is a "Violent Crime"Thats kills people including small children! I want to thank the Laguna Beach Police Department for all their good and kind work!!!