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I Fear My Government

If I were to go out, get drunk, and shoot some people because I had a problem with their sexual orientation, I’d be thrown in prison. If you’re a cop with a history of alcohol abuse while on the job, you get paid leave

Charging documents released Monday described how Kenneth Furr crashed his Cadillac into another vehicle early Friday morning, stood on the hood of the victims' vehicle and shouted, "I'm gonna kill all of you."

There were five people in the other vehicle, police said. One person suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the arm and hand, and two others were hurt in the attack.

…

Furr's attorney said he could not comment about the case or Officer Furr, who police say is on paid leave.

It wasn't the first time Furr has gotten into trouble.

He was arrested in 2004 for driving while intoxicated and operating while impaired, according to court records. He pleaded no contest and the charges were dropped after he completed a diversion program.

He was suspended for between 30 and 90 days in that case, according to city records.

On Christmas Day 1996, Furr and another officer were on duty when they got into a drunken argument with a mother and son. Police brass placed Furr on administrative leave and tried to fire him, but he was reinstated in 1998 after a change in police chiefs.

Where the rest of us would have been thrown in jail, this thug got to keep his job. He’ll probably get a stern letter of reprimand and then put back on the streets so he can kill someone next time. Then he’ll get a REALLY stern letter and possibly lose a stripe.

Hat Tip WizardPc

posted @ 8/31/2011 2:28:08 PM

Incoming Links

SSCC #51-DC police | The Minuteman on 8/31/2011 10:04:46 PM

Comments

Jake says:

on 8/31/2011 3:04:55 PM

Looks like he is actually still in jail, at least.

He remains held on charges of DWI and assault with a deadly weapon.

The bit that really pisses me off is this:

The CVS officer determined that Furr was an "off-duty officer, and therefore no further action was necessary," the charging document said.

He pulled a gun. I don't care if he's another cop or not, "further action" - like actually investigating whether brandishing was justified - certainly is bloody well necessary!

The 'thin blue line' attitude should be punished hard every time it rears its ugly head. Period.

Jake says:

on 8/31/2011 3:08:35 PM

Also, I have to wonder how much of that CVS officer based his determination on the identity of the victims? Sadly, there is a reason for the almost universal distrust the LGBT community still has for the police.

Mad Rocket Scientist says:

on 8/31/2011 3:44:51 PM

The whole paid leave, I bet that is a union rule. Now, IMHO, if the union wants the cop to be paid while he is on leave while under investigation for misconduct, the union should have to pay him.

Of course, I also think the union should have to pony up at least half of any judgement &/or settlement that results from officer bad behavior.

I mean, you can have a PD with the best, most responsible, most accountable leadership out there, but if the union over-rules his/her decisions regarding discipline & accountability, nothing will get better.

Chris says:

on 8/31/2011 4:11:13 PM

A monopoly always provides the lowest possible quality for the highest possible price.

Government "services" are not immune from this basic law of economics.

mike w. says:

on 8/31/2011 4:43:47 PM

And what do you think would've happened if one of his victims had been a CCW holder who drew and shot the cop?

Oh right, he'd be in jail for a long time for shooting a "good cop" who just happened to be threatening to kill him.

Stuart the Viking says:

on 8/31/2011 4:53:59 PM

"The victims later saw Furr driving his Cadillac and followed him in their car, police said."

Not nothin, but if some drunken asshole, cop or not, pulls a gun on you. DON'T FOLLOW HIM! Thank your lucky fucking stars that you are still alive, and drive the other direction. You can then call the police and file a report from somewhere safe.

Jake, I couldn't agree more. There is no way the officer at the CVS should have let this guy drive away. Instead, because he was a fellow officer, and the complaintants were merely serfs (and freaks at that) he let him go. You know, because it isn't aggrevated assault with a deadly weapon when they do it.

Chris: I've heard that line from some Liberitarian friends, and none of them could really come up with a workable alternative. If you say "private police forces" I'm just going to laugh at you unless you can seriously explain how that would work and can explain how it would be any better.

s

TBG says:

on 8/31/2011 8:51:00 PM

Regarding "Only Ones"...

There are prohibitions against gun ownership if you any type of domestic violence infractions...unless you are a LEO.
Look up "domestic violence by police officers" in Teh Google- it's an epidemic, but it's not something you can get taken off active duty for...
But let a neighbor hear you and your SO argue about something and call the police- Voila! no more 2nd Amendment rights.

Divemedic says:

on 8/31/2011 10:26:09 PM

Paid leave is a constitution thing. The government cannot deprive you of anything without due process, and even cops and other government employees have constitutional rights. The Supreme court has ruled that a public employee like a cop or a firefighter does not lose their constitutional rights merely because they are at work.

Since the police department is a government agency, they must collect evidence, allow the accused to have representation, and have an administrative hearing, where evidence is presented, and the accused has the right to legal representation and the right to confront witnesses.

Since keeping an accused officer on duty is not wise, they are placed on leave while the investigation is being conducted. If the investigation concludes that there is reason, the employee is then suspended without pay, or terminated, whichever is appropriate.

Standard Mischief says:

on 9/1/2011 12:55:55 AM

>I mean, you can have a PD with the best, most responsible, most accountable leadership out there, but if the union over-rules his/her decisions regarding discipline & accountability, nothing will get better.

Oh, did you hear what happened to the DC pig that brought a gun to that snowball fight?

Did you happen to hear what Police Chief Cathy Lanier had to say as soon as the video of the incident hit YouTube?

And did you hear how she talked about and handled the incident just a few days later?

Can you guess which DC pig only got a stern talking to and still has a job?

(for the record, I'm not a fan of the anti-freedom, anti-RKBA Ms. Lanier, but she is head and shoulders above Charles Ramsey)

Comments have been closed on this topic.