Officer Friendly

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34516682/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/?gt1=43001
D.C. chief slams cop over gun at snowball fight
Cop brings gun to snowball fight
Dec. 21: Young adults in Washington, D.C., are outraged after an off-duty officer brandishes a weapon during an organized snowball fight.
WASHINGTON - The city's police chief slammed a veteran detective Monday for pulling a gun during a mass snowball fight that had been advertised on Twitter.

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said she watched video clips from the confrontation and has no doubt the off-duty detective pulled his gun after snowballs hit his personal car during Saturday's record snowfall.

"Let me be very clear in stating that I believe the actions of the officer were totally inappropriate!" Lanier said in a statement after the videos made the rounds on YouTube. "In no way should he have handled the situation in this manner."

Lanier said the detective, whom she did not identify, did not deny the accusations. He is on desk duty until an investigation is complete.

Hundreds of people gathered for the snowball fight on a major street after organizers used social networks such as Twitter to advertise it.

One video posted on YouTube showed a man holding what appears to be a gun in the snowy street. Another video shows the same man telling people he is "Detective Baylor" and he pulled his gun because he was hit by snowballs.

At one point, the crowd begins to chant: "Don't bring a gun to a snowball fight!"

Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham told reporters Monday that the detective's badge and weapon have been withdrawn. He said the detective has more than 25 years of experience and a good reputation.

Newsham said the internal affairs division wants to complete its investigation as quickly as possible.

"We have to put the whole incident into context," he said.

There could be a recommendation to discipline the detective, which could range from a reprimand to removal, he said.


Police have at least two videos of the incident, and Newsham said there could be more as the footage shows other people with cell phones and cameras. Police are working to obtain any additional material and will continue to speak to witnesses. He asked people to contact police if they have more footage.

There were no arrests, he said.

The videos also show a uniformed police officer holding his gun by his side before holstering it. Police said in a statement Sunday that he was responding to a call about an armed man, acted appropriately and did not point his weapon at anyone.

Newsham praised the work of other officers who arrived at the scene and de-escalated the situation.

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[BZ770]

Damn, some more anti NRA cannon fodder.

[Buzz Killington]

That just goes to reinforce the old adage...never bring a snowball to a gun fight.

[War Eagle!!!]

That dude was an idiot. He got his feelings hurt because his car got hit so he wanted to act like a bad ass...

He needs to be on permanant desk duty. He shouldn't be allowed to carry a gun any more in my opinion...

[Godfather]

On a side note I actually thought the other cops did a pretty good job of handling the situation.  While I agree that the officer that pulled his gun was MONUMENTALLY stupid.  There were some idiots in the crowd egging on the situation.

[War Eagle!!!]

On a side note I actually thought the other cops did a pretty good job of handling the situation.  While I agree that the officer that pulled his gun was MONUMENTALLY stupid.  There were some idiots in the crowd egging on the situation.

I agree. The other officers just looked like, "what the fuck". They didn't take up for the people and didn't take up for the officer. They looked like they knew he was fucking up, but they let him do it by himself...

Good job on their part...

[Token]

I disagree.  At least one of the other officers should have taken the investigator away from the crowd to find out exactly what happened.  Furthermore, IF someone had to be taken out of the crowd for either questioning or to be arrested, the investigator should not have been the one doing it. 

Also, that guy was in his personal vehicle, so it's not like they knew he was a cop when they hit his car with a snow ball.  He needs to get the fuck over himself. 


And I'm not even going to get into the aspects of how this would be viewed if a white cop would have pulled his gun on a bunch of black kids having a snowball fight. 

[Godfather]

I disagree.  At least one of the other officers should have taken the investigator away from the crowd to find out exactly what happened.  Furthermore, IF someone had to be taken out of the crowd for either questioning or to be arrested, the investigator should not have been the one doing it. 

Also, that guy was in his personal vehicle, so it's not like they knew he was a cop when they hit his car with a snow ball.  He needs to get the fuck over himself. 


And I'm not even going to get into the aspects of how this would be viewed if a white cop would have pulled his gun on a bunch of black kids having a snowball fight. 

Well of course it would have been handled correctly if you had been there. 

[Token]

Well of course it would have been handled correctly if you had been there. 

Damn right. 

I would have pistol whipped at least 5 juveniles, slapped the bitch asking how to spell my last name and pissed on the asshole with the camera.

[Snaggletiger]

Damn right. 

I would have pistol whipped at least 5 juveniles, slapped the bitch asking how to spell my last name and pissed on the asshole with the camera.

THIS is how you handle a situation. +4

[Jumbo]

Damn right. 

I would have pistol whipped at least 5 juveniles, slapped the bitch asking how to spell my last name and pissed on the asshole with the camera.

That's some Hill Street Blues shit!