A Montgomery, Alabama officer has resigned shortly before being fired after the release of a video shows him drag racing another motorcyclist. The other man, Lawrence Lee Spillers, recorded the encounter on his helmet camera and says that he never thought the officer would be fired in releasing the video.
The officer released a statement that said “I don’t have any hard feelings against the department. All my life and throughout my career I have tried to be humble and reserved, but I’m not perfect. If I could start over I would have never done what I did. I appreciate everyone’s support. I can’t believe how everything has turned around for me. I guess it’s the will of God.”
What is astonishing is that the officer raced Spillers twice from light to light on the city street. The officer could still be charged.
The resignation was clearly filed shortly before termination. Do you think that this incident is serious enough to fire the officer?
“The resignation was clearly filed shortly before termination. Do you think that this incident is serious enough to fire the officer?” – JT
No.
Here you go OS, I was already reading this this morning.
I used to not care for Roberts, but he came to his senses a few years back.
http://www.prisonplanet.com/what-is-the-real-agenda-of-the-american-police-state.html
An important consideration as to the propriety of discipline is what was done to officers engaging in other misconduct. If he the department takes a hard line as to all misconduct reasonably likely to result in harm, I don’t have a problem with it. If they treated this more seriously than beating the crap out of someone who was rude to an officer, then I have a big problem with it. I believe that a department taking steps to maintain high standards for the judgement and conduct of its officers is a good thing. One issue as to desk jobs–many departments use all such jobs they have available to accommodate officers working with physical restrictions.
**One of those motorcycles cost upwards of $20K.**
OS,
How much will all those lives lost because of the gestapo type policies being put into place across the country?
They’ve already killed thousands/harmed millions!
But thanks to stats I can see the likely outcome. If society survives this current police state rape/slavery mentality then most likely we’re headed back towards something that looks more like a Sheriff Taylor model.
“Some people just never “get it,” a phenomenon we have seen here on this blog over the years. ” (OS)
Hey, it’s not very polite to talk about me like that … I can read you know.
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The Montgomery Police Department is currently allocated 524 sworn officers and I would suspect lots of lawyers in their Administrative Division and a fairly large union presence.
I’m going to opine that his jacket was reviewed and the decision to terminate was based on more than this incident. We will never know that for certain as the Department would not release such sensitive info but the fact that he was given the opportunity to resign and, more importantly, that he took the opportunity to do so, leads me to that speculation.
One of these days Americans have to pull the heads out of the arses & stop firing the right kind of people & instead promote them.
Yes, if you’re going to race, take it a track, but sometimes sheeets going to happen.
Now look at all the good PR the cop made is flushed. Yet most all those involved with all those rape/anal rapes, etc., they’re still on the payroll.
I understand very clearly the message leadership is sending to the US communities everywhere: Bend Over & don’t you dare clench.
Suspension, then return to a desk job. Extremely poor judgment, but I guess he couldn’t harm anyone behind a desk, hopefully.
Ok a cop with a sense of humor….. We all to often put them in good bad category….. This was in some part a human relations issue….. Most police agency’s are disasterious in this are…..
Was it smart….. Probably not….. Imprudent…. Maybe….. A reprimand maybe…. To be fired for this when cops get away with beating people…. Not so sure this reaches that state…..
Reblogged this on Brittius.com.
OS:
You’re right about not everyone being amenable to teachable moments. I’d look at his jacket, too, and make my decision based on the man and not some department policy meant to cover everything.
mespo,
Point well taken. If it were one of the departments I consult with, I would have to take a long and hard look at the guy to see if he is even teachable. Some people just never “get it,” a phenomenon we have seen here on this blog over the years. At any rate, if there is department policy on the subject, it may have been an open and shut case. We saw an example of that a couple of weeks ago when an officer discharged his sidearm at a squirrel loose in a store.
nick:
Are you nuts? A guy who rides like that! It’s Easy Rider all over again. 😀
I would suspend him for 30 days and take him off cycle patrol.
OS:
I agree with your first premise but not your second. Potential harm is not actual harm and while it merits consideration most anything an officer does carries potential harm to himself and others even when he’s acting within policy. While I agree that a certain amount of immaturity was shown, I wouldn’t waste all that training and experience just because of one lapse. it’s a teachable moment in my view. It’s also a question of considered judgment to which reasonable men can disagree — as you and I have done here.
Drag racing on public streets is serious business, and has resulted in death. Recall the dashcam video story on this blog about police officers drag racing, which ended tragically.
My take on it is that it is a firing offense. This is my reasoning. If he is that immature and willing to flaunt laws he should know by heart, he has no business working as a law enforcement officer. Pursuit driving is taught at the law enforcement academy. Driving fast in response to an emergency call or pursuing a fleeing felon is one thing. Racing, which puts both motorists and pedestrians at risk, is quite another.
The second point is, if he had an accident and was injured or killed while on duty and riding a department bike, they would be on the hook for his medical bills–for lifetime if he is permanently disabled. Also, if he wrecked the bike, he has just cost the department and their insurer a lot of money. One of those motorcycles cost upwards of $20K.
Good Ol’ Boy with Badge having some fun. I’d rather have him on patrol than the Tasering Troopers in Fredericksburg, VA. I’d give him two weeks off and some community service working ER security detail when the accidents come in on Saturday night. We’ve all hit the gas a little fast at the stop bar just to see what ours would do ag’in theirs
No not at all. Sometimes men will be men regardless of their position and title. We have become a society of perfect people, ridiculous!
I THOUGHT IT WAS 2 DRAG QUEENS RACING!
HA! HA! HA!
No. I think he should be punished somehow. Maybe he should have been given a ticket. Not loose his job. People do stupid stuff everyday of their lives. Give me a break.
They do have desk Sargeants why cannot they have desk privates? Keep him on in some capacity. Perhaps as chaplain.