The arrest was legal according to state commitment laws.
Got a citation, there, Justice Cardozo?
The arrest was legal according to state commitment laws.
I would. IF the situation was as described, all this guy knew is that a bunch of SWAT team members had guns pointed at a home and he had been ordered to come out. My best guess, and it is only a guess, is that if he hadn't complied, SWAT would have broken into the home with weapons drawn and prepared to shoot. The fact that they had no problem breaking in without a warrant and confiscating legal private property shows me their mindset.


Sorry, in my last post, I was referring to this post.( Methinks not ) are the key words . How many here would have turned themselves in in the same situation without a warrant . I sure as hell of wouldn,t of![]()
No actually they claimed he was never arrested. He was tackled and hogtied and hauled off to a mental evaluation against his will. That may be kidnapping but it is not technically an arrest.
Yeah, I had to rethink that. He was not arrested, he turned himself in. If you turn yourself in for a mental evaluation, then chances are you will be handcuffed.
Got a citation, there, Justice Cardozo?
It's hard to see that happening. Joseph Bloom, a psychiatrist at Oregon Health & Science University and a specialist in civil commitment law, says the police who apprehended and detained Pyles were likely acting under the cover of Oregon law.
With that said this poor guy really had no choice unless he wanted to commit suicide by cop. I'm sure had he resisted he probably would of been killed, now though he can go after them through the courts if at all possible.

I would guess that this is the rule of unintended consequences. I can see how the police must on occasion make a judgment call based on an individuals actions. For instance, if a person is found wandering down the middle of an interstate, or walking in over their head into a pond, then it would be prudent for the police to have the right to detain the person. This is a far cry from showing up and behaving in the manner indicated in this situation.Here's atleast one law that was broken....even if you think this "committment law" is ok
Even if the apprehension of Pyles was legal, the seizure of his guns wasn't. Because civil commitment laws aren't criminal in nature, they don't carry authorization for the police to search a private residence. According to Pyles, he closed the door behind him as he left his home. Because the police didn't have a search warrant, they had no right to even enter Pyles' home, much less seize guns inside that he bought and possessed legally.
a litle side on the commitment law:
the police who apprehended and detained Pyles were likely acting under the cover of Oregon law. Bloom says the police are permitted to make a determination on their own to take someone in for a mental health evaluation—there's no requirement that they first consult with a judge or mental health professional. Bloom believes this is a wise policy. "It's important to remember that this is a civil process," he says. "There's no arrest, these people aren't being taking to jail. It's not a criminal action."
So SWAT teams, guns, and handcuffs...but not a criminal action? And what if Pyles had refused to "voluntarily" surrender to the police? "Well, yes," Bloom says. "I guess then it would become a criminal matter."
If what happened to Pyles is legal, in Oregon or elsewhere, we need to take a second look at the civil commitment power. Even setting aside the SWAT team overkill in Medford, there's something awfully discomfiting about granting government authorities the power to yank someone from their home and drag them in for a mental health evaluation based on a series of actions that were perfectly legal, especially with no prior oversight from a judge, or guidance from a psychiatrist.
too much doesn't make sence, and the Police definatly overstepped this guys rights.
Jimbo, I quoted the text and put it in your previous post as you intended.Sorry, in my last post, I was referring to this post.
You guys are fast
I just find it odd that so many here it seems would have turned theirselves in , rather then wait it out & see what happened . I may be a lot different then everyone but I will stand up for my rights at any cost .![]()
So much about this is all wrong ..... you can not be allowed to act on what YOU may think HE may do unless of course we can read minds now. He did nothing wrong and had no RAS a crime was or is going to be committed, end of story. If I buy a guillotine, does it say to YOU that I'm going to use it in some sick way and need a mental eval? If I yell out "I HATE THIS COMPANY" for all to hear, does it mean I'm gonna come shoot all co-workers? IF you hadn't figured it out the answer is NO!
BTW, yes and tell them to be prepared which frankly all of us should be as ready as possible ............ this is a lamb attitude.
Well I had an acquaintance in Florida that was sleeping in his truck before work one morning in Hialeah Florida. A local cop pulled up and tapped on the glass and told him to move along. He started his truck to pull away and the cops that had just pulled up opened fire on him hitting him several times, killing him. So what make you think that police aren't capable of breaking the very laws they are sworn to uphold if given the slightest provocation. They later claimed he tried to run them over which was proven to be a lie at their hearing. Meanwhile the guy left a wife and child behind. Being right won't guarantee you won't be shot if a cop wants to be a prick. My advise when dealing with any police to do what they say when they say it, they can call even questioning them a case of resisting arrest.

This has always been the procedures in regards to storage facilities. One place in Florida I worked the police would use our property from time to time for their dogs to train always after hours. Now they got a hit on for drugs in a space as was later told to me. 5 days later they made and arrest of the guy who owned the space at which point they came to use with a warrant. We was never asked as to who rented the space or any other information as we knew nothing about it till the warrant was served. Had a similar situation with counterfeiters and an insurance scam with the treasury and FBI.
I do believe making verbal threats can rise to the criminal level. Our resident lawyer can correct me if I am mistaken. Now, That said and assumed correct, what criticism would you have for the police if they had ignored the coworkers reports and fears and the guy actually showed up and slaughtered his coworkers?
I have not yet read the actual police report, only the media reports. Maybe the police had knowledge this guy threatened to kill his coworkers. Has anyone seen the actual complaint that led to the police action?
On edit: Not sure what you mean by your last line, BD, but if being prepared meant armed employees; most employers forbid weapon posession on their premisis. This was a governmemt employer, so we can be certain firearms are prohibited in their workplace
I think you are missing a couple of points. First, the police seem to be using the fact that this was not a criminal action as their justification for acting without a warrant. If the police had knowledge of a threat, then it would have been a criminal matter.I do believe making verbal threats can rise to the criminal level. Our resident lawyer can correct me if I am mistaken. Now, That said and assumed correct, what criticism would you have for the police if they had ignored the coworkers reports and fears and the guy actually showed up and slaughtered his coworkers?
I have not yet read the actual police report, only the media reports. Maybe the police had knowledge this guy threatened to kill his coworkers. Has anyone seen the actual complaint that led to the police action?
On edit: Not sure what you mean by your last line, BD, but if being prepared meant armed employees; most employers forbid weapon posession on their premisis. This was a governmemt employer, so we can be certain firearms are prohibited in their workplace
Shame on the proprietor for allowing his premises to be used as a training ground ............ I have issue with that unless it's in the agreement and the tenant is aware this takes place!
It's in the original post:
I do believe making verbal threats can rise to the criminal level. Our resident lawyer can correct me if I am mistaken. Now, That said and assumed correct, what criticism would you have for the police if they had ignored the coworkers reports and fears and the guy actually showed up and slaughtered his coworkers?
I can play the words game as long as you choose to continue. You can't defend what they did as legal, check the 4th and 5th.
It was NEVER stated that he threatened anyone. It was NEVER stated that he acted in a threatening way. It said he had a couple OUTBURSTS.
Well I've spilled coffee on my desk and had an outburst, but that does not constitute any sort of violent threat. We need to be very clear that there are ZERO reports of any threats.
easy easy...your use of caps can be construed as an outburst. Come out with your hands up
LOL Too funny Shep!!!!! 
I have been in workplace environments where a group of employees will ostracize a fellow employee (reasons are myriad), and make that person's life miserable at work. Sometimes even supervision is in on this mischief, especially if they are trying to get someone to quit so a friend or relative can get a job with the organization.
Remember, there is always more than one side to a story, so don't be too quick to judge someone or side with someone else. People are not always nice, and some are downright antagonistic ass holes who are relentless in their attacks on other people.
It sounds like Pyles was playing mind games with the folks he worked with. Something made the police act as they did. I have a feeling we do not yet know the whole story at this point.
Since Pyles had not committed a crime it does appear the authorities went overboard on him. No crime yet they had SWAT at this house and handcuffed him and took him away?
CB, you're right, we don't have all the facts. But to me, two facts make Pyle's side the compelling one. First, no criminal charges were filed. Second, and most compelling -- They gave his guns back.
I see and understand your logic. At the same time, it is compelling to me that Pyles was placed on administrative leave pending investigation by his employer for his behavior on the job, and that his coworkers were so afraid of him that they left their own homes because the believed Pyles to be a threat.