Then surveillance video of the episode emerged—and proved that nearly every detail of the NYPD’s account was false. Parham had immediately cooperated with Daverin; he did not resist arrest.
My father was just telling me about a similar case in my old hometown. Where a video completely contradicted the officer's sworn account of not just resisting arrest but that the suspect had attacked him.
And I tossed the term testilying my father's way.
A big problem is the police know what the proper testimony should be and often just lie and say they smelled marijuana to justify say a vehicle search, that someone resisted arrest to justify beating the crap out of them and/or tasing them, etc.
Lying by the police is a big part of the job, from questioning to suspects on the street, interrogating them at the station, to testifying in court. Police lying is built into most aspects of the job and pervades the culture.
And I agree, police shouldn't be rewarded for being honest, but should be punished for lying and basically fraudulent policing, and hiding violent behavior.
Body cams are important to make sure police do their jobs properly and don't lie about what happened. Also, security cameras and bystanders recording with their phones. If we're going to live in a surveillance society, let's record what the folks with the power of state violence are up to.