CLA TEST # 29 FIGHT ON AN INCOMING TRAIN (Combined Language Assessment) for UN AMS/SAAT Exam

COMBINED LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT (CLA)

(English) TEST # 29

FIGHT ON AN INCOMING TRAIN

FIRST PART of CLA (Reading)

SITUATION REPORT

At approximately 02:00 hrs on 01 January 2009, Police Station # 2 responded to reports from an unidentified person that up to 12 people were involved in a fight on an incoming train from the Paynesville - ELWA Low Station. The participants were drunk and stoned. Special Police Unit (SPU) officers Joseph Alba and Tony Pirone of the Liberian National Police (LNP) officers rushed immediately to the scene. They removed Grant from the train along with several other men suspected of fighting and detained them on the platform of Low Station. Pirone handcuffed Grant's friend which angered other passengers. Pirone then lined Grant and two other men up against the wall. Pirone confirmed with the train operator that the men detained were involved in the fight. Officer Pirone directed Officer Joseph Alba to arrest two of the individuals who had not been handcuffed, one of whom was Oscar Grant. On hearing Officer Pirone’s direction to Joseph Alba, Grant attempted to stand up, but was forced to the ground face first. Both Officer Alba and Officer Pirone attempted to restrain Mr. Grant and to seek his compliance by ordering him to put his hands behind his back, but Mr. Grant resisted and refused to submit to being handcuffed. Officer Alba was pulling on Mr. Grant’s right arm, which remained under his torso near his waist. Mr. Grant had not been searched by any officer for weapons, either prior to his initial detention or after being seated near the wall. During the restraint with Grant, Officer Alba stood and, according to witnesses, said: "Get back, I'm gonna tase him." Officer Alba then un-holstered his gun, a SIG Sauer P226 and fired a shot into Grant's back. At 02:15 hrs on 01 January 2009, Oscar Grant, 31, was fatally shot by Joseph Alba in Low Street, Manrovia Liberia. Immediately after the incident, Alba appeared stunned, put his hands to his head and exclaimed, "Oh, my God!"  Spectators at the scene believed it to be a nightmare, but soon became aware that they were, in fact witnesses to the catastrophe. The UNPOL Team rushed to the scene to assess the situation and to prevent further escalation.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT # 1

Grant was then immediately rushed to the John F.Kennedy Hospital in Manrovia for treatment. The doctor instructed Mr. Alba to take Grant to the operating theatre because of his serious bodily injuries. The point-40-caliber-bullet from Alba's semi-automatic handgun had entered Grant's back, exited through his front side and ricocheted off the concrete platform, puncturing Grant's lung. During his treatment at the hospital Grant requested his friends to take care of his four-year-old daughter, Mary Grant. He was pronounced dead, about two hours later, at 04:05 hrs due to over-bleeding and subsequent cardiac arrest. Grant's family claimed that Joseph Alba threw Grant against a wall and kneed him in the face but the subsequent autopsy showed that Grant's body had no injuries other than that from the bullet wound.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT # 2

The Police action was captured on multiple digital video and cell phone cameras. The footage was disseminated to media outlets and to various websites, where it was watched millions of times. Peaceful protests began the next day. On 03 January 2009, protests over the shooting and administration of justice began peacefully about 09:30 hrs with about 500 people gathering at the Police Station # 2. Police set up road-blocks and diverted vehicle and foot traffic. Protesters became violent and caused over $200,000 in damage while breaking shop and car windows, burning cars, setting trash bins on fire, and throwing bottles at police officers. Public buildings such as the Monrovia Police Internal Affairs office and the Paramount Theatre were heavily vandalized. Damage to the Theatre was preliminarily estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. The rioting wound down later in the evening and resulted in at least 80 arrests for riot, vandalism, assault on a police officer and arson.  Two of the arrested people were charged. Police recovered two handguns from the rioters. Grant's family pleaded for calm and spoke out against the violence at a press conference the next day.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT # 3

The shooting has been variously labeled as involuntary manslaughter and summary execution. The UNPOL Police Commissioner commented that it was an unprofessional, excessive and disproportionate use of force and his office would investigate the case and take appropriate disciplinary and/or criminal proceeding against the misconduct. There was broad public perception that LNP and UNPOL were not conducting an effective investigation. The UNPOL Commissioner held multiple public meetings to ease tensions.

FOLLOW-UP REPORT # 4

The shooting and subsequent riots were covered in regional, national and international news. Video images of the shooting were widely broadcast and streamed online in the days following Grant's death. Several hundred thousand viewed the videos in the first few days after the incident. Widespread dissemination of the direct evidence of the shooting led to public outrage, protests and fueled riots.

FIRST PART of CLA (READING)

QUESTION PAPER -A

Family Name:…………First Name………Test Serial #:………….

Country:…….…………Date:…………………………………………

Q 1.     What injuries did Grant sustain?

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Q 2.     Which unit did Tony Pirone belong to?

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Q 3.     What was Grant's cause of death?

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Q 4.     Where did the brawl take place?

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Q 5.     Which public buildings were vandalized during the protest?

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Q 6.     What did Grant's family allege Officer Joseph had done?

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Q 7.     What act was vowed by the UNPOL commissioner?

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Q 8.     How did the news of the shooting incident spread?

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Q 9.     How did Joseph Alba react after he had accidently discharged his service gun?

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Q 10.   Who did Pirone ask to confirm that the men detained were involved in the fight?

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QUESTION & ANSWERS

MATRIX – A

Q 1.     What injuries did Grant sustain?

A bullet entered from Grant's back, exited through his front side and ricocheted off the concrete platform puncturing Grant's ling.

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Q 2.     Which unit did Tony Pirone belong to?

Special Police Unit (SPU) of LNP

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Q 3.     What was Grant's cause of death?

Due to over-bleeding and subsistent cardiac arrest

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Q 4.     Where did the brawl take place?

On an incoming train to ELWA- Low Station from the Paynesville

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Q 5.     Which public buildings were vandalized during the protest?

Monrovia Police Internal Affairs Office and Paramount Theatre

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Q 6.     What did Grant's family allege Officer Joseph had done?

That Joseph Alba threw Grant against a wall and kneed him in the face.

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Q 7.     What act was vowed by the UNPOL commissioner?

Take appropriate disciplinary/ criminal proceeding against the misconduct.  

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Q 8.     How did the news of the shooting incident spread?

(Captured through digital video and cell-phones and), spread through media outlets and various websites

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Q 9.     How did Joseph Alba react after he had accidently discharged his service gun?

Got stunned, put his hands to his head and exclaimed "oh my God"

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Q 10.   Who did Pirone ask to confirm that the men detained were involved in the fight?

Train Operator

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FIRST PART of CLA (READING)

QUESTION PAPER -B

Family Name:…………First Name………Test Serial #:………….

Country:…….…………Date:…………………………………………

Q 1.     What was Grant's cause of death?

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Q 2.     Where did the brawl take place?

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Q 3.     What injuries did Grant sustain?

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Q 4.     Which unit did Tony Pirone belong to?

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Q 5.     Who did Pirone ask to confirm that the men detained were involved in the fight?

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Q 6.     How did the news of the shooting incident spread?

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Q 7.     How did Joseph Alba react after he had accidently discharged his service gun?

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Q 8.     What did Grant's family allege Officer Joseph had done?

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Q 9. What act was vowed by the UNPOL commissioner?

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Q 10.   Which public buildings were vandalized during the protest?

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QUESTION & ANSWERS

MATRIX – B

Q 1.     What was Grant's cause of death?

Due to over-bleeding and subsistent cardiac arrest

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Q 2.     Where did the brawl take place?

On an incoming train to ELWA- Low Station from the Paynesville

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Q 3.     What injuries did Grant sustain?

A bullet entered from Grant's back, exited through his front side and ricocheted off the concrete platform puncturing Grant's ling.

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Q 4.     Which unit did Tony Pirone belong to?

Special Police Unit (SPU) of LNP

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Q 5.     Who did Pirone ask to confirm that the men detained were involved in the fight?

Train Operator

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Q 6.     How did the news of the shooting incident spread?

(Captured through digital video and cell-phones and), spread through media outlets and various websites

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Q 7.     How did Joseph Alba react after he had accidently discharged his service gun?

Got stunned, put his hands to his head and exclaimed "oh my God

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Q 8.     What did Grant's family allege Officer Joseph had done?

That Joseph Alba threw Grant against a wall and kneed him in the face.

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Q 9.     What act was vowed by the UNPOL commissioner?

Take appropriate disciplinary/ criminal proceeding against the misconduct.

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Q 10.   Which public buildings were vandalized during the protest?

Monrovia Police Internal Affairs Office and Paramount Theatre

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FIRST PART of CLA (READING)

QUESTION PAPER -C

Family Name:…………First Name………Test Serial #:………….

Country:…….…………Date:…………………………………………

Q 1.     Who did Pirone ask to confirm that the men detained were involved in the fight?

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Q 2.     How did the news of the shooting incident spread?

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Q 3.     How did Joseph Alba react after he had accidentally discharged his service gun?

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Q 4.     What did Grant's family allege Officer Joseph had done?

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Q 5.     What was Grant's cause of death?

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Q 6.     Where did the brawl take place?

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Q 7.     What injuries did Grant sustain?

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Q 8.     Which unit did Tony Pirone belong to?

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Q 9. Which public buildings were vandalized during the protest?

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Q 10.   What act was vowed by the UNPOL commissioner?

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QUESTION & ANSWERS

MATRIX – C

Q 1.     Who did Pirone ask to confirm that the men detained were involved in the fight?

Train Operator

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Q 2.     How did the news of the shooting incident spread?

(Captured through digital video and cell-phones and), spread through media outlets and various websites

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Q 3.     How did Joseph Alba react after he had accidently discharged his service gun?

Got stunned, put his hands to his head and exclaimed "oh my God"

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Q 4.     What did Grant's family allege Officer Joseph had done?

That Joseph Alba threw Grant against a wall and kneed him in the face.

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Q 5.     What was Grant's cause of death?

Due to over-bleeding and subsistent cardiac arrest.

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Q 6.    Where did the brawl take place?

On an incoming train to ELWA- Low Station from the Paynesville

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Q 7.     What injuries did Grant sustain?

A bullet entered from Grant's back, exited through his front side and ricocheted off the concrete platform puncturing Grant's ling.

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Q 8.     Which unit did Tony Pirone belong to?

Special Police Unit (SPU) of LNP

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Q 9.     Which public buildings were vandalized during the protest?

Monrovia Police Internal Affairs Office and Paramount Theatre

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Q 10.   What act was vowed by the UNPOL commissioner?

Take appropriate disciplinary/ criminal proceeding against the misconduct.

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SECOND PART OF CLA (Report Writing)

INTRODUCTION

            This is the Audio component of the UNPOL Combined Language Assessment. The Audio is divided into two parts. In the first part you will hear a script concerning the mission-related topic you have just read about – it will be introduced as the Narrative. In the second part of the Audio, you will hear a conversation between two people who will talk about the same mission-related topic – it will be introduced as the Dialogue.

Take careful notes of both the Narrative and the Dialogue. Pay attention to the important facts and key information and record them on the sheets of paper you were given. You will hear the recording only one time.

Once the Narrative and Dialogue are finished, you will be asked to use your notes from both the Reading and the Audio components to write your own complete police report. You will have 30 minutes to produce a report. The instructor will indicate when these 40 minutes starts. You will be informed when it is 5 minutes left and when it is 1 minute left.

Good Luck!

NARRATIVE

Following the death of Oscar Grant, community members and activists decried the shooting incident as yet another case of police brutality. There was broad public perception that LNP and the Attorney's office were not conducting an effective investigation. Protests against SPU-LNP continued everyday with scattered events of stoning, vandalism and arson; and at times blocking motor vehicle traffic at the intersection of 14th and Broadway. Some of the protesters lay face down at the intersection, in a symbolic act of solidarity with Grant, who was killed in the same position. Others shouted at the Police and chanted in unison. Some carried signs that read, "Your idea of justice?" and "Jail Killer Cops" and lit candles in memory of Grant. In an interview with UNPOL, Joseph Alba said that Grant had a criminal background and had served two state prison terms for various felonies including a conviction for drug dealing. In 2007, Bushroad Island police stunned him with a Taser to subdue him after a traffic stop, during which Grant threw his loaded pistol into the air and ran. He was sentenced to 16 months in state prison and at the time of the shooting he was still on parole. UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko saw video evidence that showed Grant did not raise his hands above his head when instructed to surrender. It was also clear from the video that Grant appeared to be trying to snatch Alba's weapon from his hip where he often kept it.

While there have been previous cases where police officers have confused guns with Tasers, modern Tasers weigh half as much as handguns. It was arguable that the position of Alba's Taser, in relation to his duty weapon, combined with the different 'feel' and color of the two weapons makes it highly unlikely that he would have mistaken one for the other.

UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko also interviewed several people to investigate the incident. Grant's family alleged in their civil claim against Joseph, that he threw Grant against a wall and kneed him in the face. However, the subsequent autopsy showed that Grant's body had no injuries other than that from the bullet wound. Alba said that Grant resisted the arrest and provoked him by trying to knee him in the groin and by hitting Officer Pirone's arm when he attempted to handcuff one of Grant's friends.

The UNPOL investigation concluded confirming that Joseph, 31, committed a crime inherently by shooting Grant; the actions indicated recklessness on Alba's part. On 10 January 2009, Monrovia County prosecutors charged Joseph Alba with murder for the shooting. Alba resigned and pleaded not guilty. The trial began on 10 February 2010. Michael Rains, Joseph Alba's criminal defense attorney, argued that Alba mistakenly shot Grant with his pistol, intending to use his Taser when he saw Grant reaching for his waist seemingly to take out his sidearm. Pre-trial filings argued that his client did not commit first-degree murder and asked the judge to instruct the jury to limit its deliberations to either second-degree murder or acquittal.

DIALOGUE

UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	State your name and date of birth for our reference.
Joseph Alba	My name is Joseph Alba. I was born in 1982 and I am 31 years old now.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	How long have you been with the SPU-LNP service?
Joseph Alba	I joined LNP in 2006. I was inducted from the Special Police Unit with the LNP and it's been more than three years now since I joined
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	Do you know the reason why you are here?
Joseph Alba:	Yes, I know. I have been detained for the reckless killing of Mr. Oscar Grant whom I had confrontation with on a fateful morning of 01 January 2009.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	Could you explain what happened?
Joseph Alba	Well, on 01 January 2009, my Station was informed of fighting on an incoming train from the Paynesville - ELWA Low Station. The people were drunk and stoned. Apparently, they were coming to the train station from Paynesville after celebrating New Year's Eve. Myself and my supervisor, Tony Pirone rushed to the scene where up to 12 people were involved in the fight. Pirone lined up Oscar Grant and two other men against the wall and confirmed with the train operator that the men detained were involved in the fight. When I was about to arrest Oscar Grant, he resisted and refused to be handcuffed.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	Then, what happened?
Joseph Alba	I warned him to get back, un-holstered my Taser and used it. But to my dismay, Oh, my God! I shot from a Point 40 caliber SIG Sauer P226 into Grant's back at 02:15 hrs on 01 January 2009. Oscar Grant, 31, was fatally shot. He was immediately rushed to JFK Hospital in Monrovia where he was pronounced dead at 04:05 hrs in the morning.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	Did he say anything to you or to anybody else?
Joseph Alba	He asked his friend to take care of his four-year-old daughter. With that wound, he knew that he was dying.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	What was the wound?
Joseph Alba	The bullet had entered Grant's back, exited through his front side and ricocheted off the concrete platform, puncturing Grant's lung.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	What happened then? How did the people react to the incident?
Joseph Alba	The events were captured on multiple digital video and cell phone cameras. The footage was disseminated to media outlets and to various websites, where it was watched millions of times and the subsequent days saw both peaceful and violent protests. The media highlighted the incident and the community members and activists decried the incident. People came in the streets with placards and posters reading "Jail killer cop", and lit candles in Grant's memory. Some of the protesters lay face down at the intersection, in a symbolic act of solidarity with Grant, who was killed in the same position.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	Were the public protests peaceful?
Joseph Alba	No, the protesters became violent and caused over $200,000 in damage while breaking shop and car windows, burning cars, setting trash bins on fire, and throwing bottles at police officers. Public buildings such as the Monrovia Police Internal Affairs office and the Paramount Theatre were heavily vandalized. Damage to the Theatre was preliminarily estimated at $10,000 to $15,000.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	Did the Police take action against the violent protesters vandalizing public and private property?
Joseph Alba	Police arrested about 80 people for rioting, vandalism, assault on a police officer and arson and two of them were charged. Police recovered two handguns from the rioters.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	What prompted you to use your gun? Were you confused?
Joseph Alba	Well, I intended to arrest Oscar Grant for public safety as he has a criminal background. He resisted by fighting and punching me. I used the taser to calm him down as he was not complying. During the quickly evolving situation, I was confused between my handgun and the Taser that I was carrying.
UNPOL Officer Josephine Dziko	Do you have anything else to say?
Joseph Alba	I have been accused of committing a crime of shooting by recklessness. I have resigned and due to the increasing threat, seek refuse in my friend's house. I shot Grant mistakenly, without intention and I plead not guilty to what happened.

 

SECOND PART OF CLA (Report Writing)

LIST OF 20 KEY FACTS

Type of Incident	1.      Fight on an incoming train from Paynesvilla-ELWA Low Station
Info/Date of Incident	2.      02 hrs on 01 January 2009.
Responding Officer	3.      Officers: Joseph Elba & Tony Pirone from SPU-LNP
Origin of incident	4.      Grant's restraint to handcuffing/arrest - fight back
Alba's action in the incident	5.      Verbal order to get back before tasing. un-holstered gun, used his SIG Sauer P226 and fired into Grant's back
Alba's reaction after the incident	6.      Appeared stunned, put his hands to his head and exclaimed "oh my God!"
Hospital for Treatment	7.      John F. Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia
Victims injuries	8.      Bullet entered Grant's back, exited through the front side and ricocheted off the concrete platform, puncturing Grant's lung
Weapon & Bullet	9.      SIG Sauer P226, a point 40 caliber bullet.
Victim's cause of death	10.  Over-bleeding and subsequent cardiac arrest (at 04:05 hrs., same day)
Victim's allegation to Joseph	11.  That Joseph Alba threw Grant against a wall and kneed him
Dissemination of information	12.  Through media outlets and to various websites
Public demand/Demonstration	13.  For the the shooting and administration of justice.
Damage from public protests	14.  Cars broken, arson to buildings; Police Internal Affairs office and the Paramount Theatre vandalized with estimated damage amounting to 200,000 $.
Arrests and cases	15.  80 arrests for riot, vandalism, assault on a police officer and arson.  Charges to two people.
UNPOL Commissioner's Commitment	16.  disciplinary and/or criminal proceeding to Joseph Alba for excessive use of force
Protester's slogan	17.  "Your idea of justice?" and "Jail Killer Cops"
Grant's history description	18.  Had a criminal background with two prison terms service for various felonies including a conviction for drug dealing. tasered in 2007.
Protester's action for solidarity	19.  Laid face down at the intersection
Allegation against Joseph	20.  That he committed a crime inherently by shooting Grant; the actions indicated recklessness.