Officer “Spread-your-cheeks” convicted of Official Oppression

When I heard about the searches that this officer performed, initially it made me think of one of Dave Chappelle’s stand up comedy routines…(When talking about how the police treat black people) “You wouldn’t believe what they say to us! ‘Spread your cheeks and lift your sack!’ Hold on man, I don’t even know you that well!”

But in all seriousness, this is a good day for the justice system with regard to the police.  The conviction sends a message that police officers don’t have carte blanche to oppress citizens – in this instance by performing invasive and unwarranted searches of people’s body cavity. 

There may be some that argue…hey, well they have to do what they have to do.  They would not have to search people’s asses if they didn’t hide drugs up there. (Noted…this is NOT my opinion, just playing devil’s advocate).

Let’s put the actions of officer “Spread-your-cheeks” (DPS Officer Helleson) in some context.  It all started when the officer made a traffic stop for littering.   No drugs or other contraband were found in the searches. Prior to this conviction, the DPS previously settled civil claims made by the two women searched for $185,000.  Helleson was subsequently fired but is appealing.

Video of the stop and search