Caught on Tape: A Horrific Recording of the ‘Stop and Frisk’ Policy In Action

A recording of the much maligned Stop and Frisk tactic used by police in cities like San Francisco and New York has been shared with The Nation.

In 2011, a Harlem youth was stopped by officers.

He recorded the incident on his cell phone:

On June 3, 2011, three plainclothes New York City Police officers stopped a Harlem teenager named Alvin and two of the officers questioned and frisked him while the third remained in their unmarked car. Alvin secretly captured the interaction on his cell phone, and the resulting audio is one of the only known recordings of stop-and-frisk in action.

In the course of the two-minute recording, the officers give no legally valid reason for the stop, use racially charged language and threaten Alvin with violence. Early in the stop, one of the officers asks, “You want me to smack you?” When Alvin asks why he is being threatened with arrest, the other officer responds, “For being a fucking mutt.” Later in the stop, while holding Alvin’s arm behind his back, the first officer says, “Dude, I’m gonna break your fuckin’ arm, then I’m gonna punch you in the fuckin’ face.”

Read more at The Nation.

Check out the recording below:

The Stop and Frisk policy is not only racist but violates the civil liberties of citizens, especially black and brown youth.

Although the above mentioned recording is rare, reports indicate that what we hear isn’t. This tactic needs to be abolished.

What actions can be taken to end stop and frisk? After hearing this tape, are you willing to organize and pressure elected officials and police departments to stop this kind of harassment?

Do you have a stop and frisk incident to share?

Sound off below!