LAPD was quick to answer Scientology’s call to detain former cop at weekend protest

Bryan Goland, 48, tells us that in 2021 he left the LAPD after nearly 20 years to get a job he enjoys much more: Providing security to high-profile celebrities like Elton John.

And on Saturday, he agreed to help out Alexa Nikolas, an actress Goland has worked for in the past who is known for the Nickelodeon series Zoey 101. She’s become an activist who has held numerous protests about abusive Hollywood figures. This time, she was aiming at Scientology celebrity and convicted rapist Danny Masterson, whose victims testified that the church protected him from prosecution for years.

Dozens of protesters showed up for the demonstration outside Scientology’s Hollywood Celebrity Centre, and Goland says he enjoyed meeting the people protesting Masterson and the church.

He admits that he was not really aware of the long-running controversy about Scientology’s cozy relationship with the LAPD’s Hollywood Division, which we have documented here over the years, and which became an issue in the Masterson prosecution. (Goland spent most of his career in South Central, as well as stints in West LA and West Valley.)

Saturday, Goland said he got a first-hand lesson in how quickly the LAPD answers Scientology’s call.

As a former LAPD officer, Goland is licensed to carry a firearm, and he had a sidearm on his belt as he approached the protest. He says he was wearing a blue short sleeve shirt, black slacks, and black shoes, a pretty standard look for someone working security at such an event.

But as he neared the group of protesters, he says someone with Scientology shouted out that he had a gun, and apparently called the LAPD. Within seconds, he says, officers pulled up and detained him, slapped handcuffs on him, and stuffed him in the back of a patrol car, where he remained for the next hour and forty minutes.

 
“I have a gun card. They had that in their possession. And after an hour I’m still in the back of a patrol car,” he complains. And he was in some significant pain, as well.

“They did the twist technique on the wrist bone with the handcuffs. You do that to someone who is acting up. I was not acting up,” he says. “The only smart-ass thing I said to them was I worked at LAPD longer than all of them combined.” (He sent us the photo above to show that the handcuffs had left marks on his wrists.)

But the most disconcerting part, he adds, was that they began accusing him of carrying a stolen gun.

It wasn’t stolen, but after they finally released him, he wanted to know why they had told him that it was.

“No one would answer the question,” he says.

From their behavior, he surmised that they knew they had made a mistake.

“I can tell you they were embarrassed because they fucked up,” Goland says. “I threatened kidnap charges if they took me to the station. I know my laws.”

We asked him if, based on how quickly the officers answered Scientology’s call, he thought that the church was getting special treatment.

“The fact that they were there that quick, and that they then kept circling around was mind-blowing to me. There’s definitely something going on,” he says.

Three years ago, we published emails between former Hollywood Division commander Captain Cory Palka and Scientology officials which demonstrated just how cozy the relationship was between the police force and the controversial church. Palka is now the target of multiple investigations about how he used his position to shield former CEO of CBS Les Moonves from a sexual assault investigation, and Leah Remini has called for a thorough investigation of Palka, the Hollywood Division, and Scientology.

Goland’s experience seems to suggest that the LAPD is still at Scientology’s beck and call.

 
——————–

Technology Cocktail

“In a 2-12A package you have to have 2 terminals and two oppterms, opposing and cross opposing. Otherwise you’ve goofed and will the pc hedge and ARC break! Oh, my!” — L. Ron Hubbard, 1962

 
——————–

THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON

We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links as Danny faces a potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison. NOW WITH TRIAL INDEX.

 
——————–

THE PODCAST: How many have you heard?

[1] Marc Headley [2] Claire Headley [3] Jeffrey Augustine [4] Bruce Hines [5] Sunny Pereira [6] Pete Griffiths [7] Geoff Levin [8] Patty Moher [9] Marc Headley [10] Jefferson Hawkins [11] Michelle ‘Emma’ Ryan [12] Paulette Cooper [13] Jesse Prince [14] Mark Bunker [15] Jon Atack [16] Mirriam Francis [17] Bruce Hines on MSH

— SPECIAL: The best TV show on Scientology you never got to see

[1] Phil Jones [2] Derek Bloch [3] Carol Nyburg [4] Katrina Reyes [5] Jamie DeWolf

— The first Danny Masterson trial and beyond

[18] Trial special with Chris Shelton [19] Trial week one [20] Marc Headley on the spy in the hallway [21] Trial week two [22] Trial week three [23] Trial week four [24] Leah Remini on LAPD Corruption [25] Mike Rinder 2022 Thanksgiving Special [26] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part One [27] Jane Doe 4 (Tricia Vessey), Part Two [28] Claire Headley on the trial [29] Tory Christman [30] Bruce Hines on spying [31] Karen de la Carriere [32] Ron Miscavige on Shelly Miscavige [33] Karen de la Carriere on the L’s [34] Mark Bunker on Miscavige hiding [35] Mark Plummer [36] Mark Ebner [37] Karen Pressley [38] Steve Cannane [39] Fredrick Brennan [40] Clarissa Adams [41] Louise Shekter [42] John Sweeney [43] Tory Christman [44] Kate Bornstein [45] Christian Stolte [46] Mark Bunker [47] Jon Atack [48] Luke Y. Thompson [49] Mark Ebner [50] Bruce Hines [51] Spanky Taylor and Karen Pressley [51] Geoff and Robbie Levin [52] Sands Hall [53] Jonny Jacobsen [54] Sandy Holeman

 
——————–

Source Code

“You know, a fellow’s walking down the street and a thought flashes through his mind that maybe some of his behavior is not entirely masculine, maybe it is slightly effeminate. In other words, the datum is there ‘Maybe I’m a girl.’ Well, it’s, you see, it’s very nebulous. You know, maybe he’s just playing a game with himself of worry, something. We come along, we pat him on the shoulder, he tells us what he’s worried about. We don’t even have to tell him ‘You’re not a girl,’ see? I mean, he just tells us what he was worried about, he — boom! See, it’s gone that quick.” — L. Ron Hubbard, October 25, 1956

 
——————–

Avast, Ye Mateys

“In the exact place Christopher Columbus, returning from his first voyage, got blown off that bay just like we did. He had anchored and half the crew went ashore to give thanks in a church-hermitage at that place and were seized by the islanders. Columbus, still aboard the Nina, his smallest ship, lost both his anchors and with only 3 sailors and some ships boys had to get out of there as a gale struck. He came up to where we are now, rode out the gale, went back, PRed his crew out of the goal, recovered an anchor and sailed on to Lisbon and into history.” — The Commodore, October 25, 1970

——————–

Overheard in the FreeZone

“You know, with more and more of us dying and coming back (Revenimus?), I wonder if you could actually get away with a business catering to this need? Somebody’d have to store your crap for a couple of decades, and then you’d have to give your passphrase to get it back. ‘Theta-Store Inc.’ Motto: ‘We got your crap. Come get it back.’ Yeah, I’m definitely on to something here!”

 
——————–

Past is Prologue

1997: Gerry Armstrong reported that Scientology is threatening the producers of a UK TV documentary on L. Ron Hubbard. “As is probably well known 3BM Television has produced for Channel 4 a documentary biography of Hubbard. Scientology representatives have been threatening Channel 4 to prevent the airing of the program. The threat is of obtaining an injunction based on the charge that 3BM induced me to breach the 1986 settlement ‘agreement’ and the Marin County California judgment which prohibit me from speaking about Scientology, Hubbard and so forth. 3BM did not induce me to breach any agreement or judgment. The fact is I am willing to communicate to anyone about Scientology or Hubbard and my experiences therewith at any time and require no inducement. But even if I had been induced, the ‘agreement’ was obtained illegally; and even if it had not been obtained illegally it is illegal on its face.”

 
——————–

Random Howdy

“I’ll have you know I read each and every comment very carefully and that there are a myriad of reasons for why I may upvote them…or not.”

 
——————–

Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker

Criminal prosecutions:

Civil litigation:
— Leah Remini v. Scientology, alleging ‘Fair Game’ harassment and defamation: Complaint filed August 2, Scientology submitting anti-SLAPP response Oct 26.
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Forced to arbitration. Plaintiffs allowed interlocutory appeal to Eleventh Circuit.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Discovery phase.
— Jane Doe 1 v. Scientology, David Miscavige, and Gavin Potter: Case unsealed and second amended complaint filed. Scientology moves for religious arbitration.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Ordered to mediation.

 
——————–

SCIENTOLOGY: FAIR GAME

After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.

LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH

An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.

SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z

Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!

 
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?

 
——————–
THE WHOLE TRACK

[ONE year ago] The Shaun Fabos Factor: What happens when a Scientologist is called to testify
[TWO years ago] Religion professor complains that no one wants to hear the good news about Scientology
[THREE years ago] Leaked from Scientology social media: Incredible beings joining the winning team!
[FOUR years ago] We have a Scientology document (we think) Priscilla Presley doesn’t want us to show you
[FIVE years ago] A Scientology ‘Fair Game’ tactic from way back: Sexually degrading harassment
[SIX years ago] Chris Owen: How one country, at least, is savaging Scientology’s privacy nightmare
[SEVEN years ago] Until the spaceships arrive, Scientologists measure cosmic success in framed glory
[EIGHT years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology’s ‘past lives’ don’t pass the giggle test
[NINE years ago] Jon Atack: Scientology and hypnotism — even some ex-members can’t admit its central role
[TEN years ago] Scientology Moves to Dismiss Garcia Fraud Lawsuit On a Question of Jurisdiction
[ELEVEN years ago] Tom Cruise Sues, UK Scientologists Sue, Narconon Is Sued: It’s a Legal Free-For-All!!
[TWELVE years ago] Scientology Responds in Typical Fashion to South Park Investigation Documents

 
——————–

——————–

Posted by Tony Ortega on October 25, 2023 at 07:00

E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.

Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.

The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2022 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2022), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)

Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ

Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…

Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.

Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele

 

Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast

 

Tony Ortega at Rolling Stone