Posted on 05/04/2006 1:54:08 PM PDT by The Old Hoosier
Thursday, May 4; 4:16 pm
By John McArdle,
Roll Call Staff
Police labor union officials asked acting Chief Christopher McGaffin this afternoon to allow a Capitol Police officer to complete his investigation into an early-morning car crash involving Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.).
According to a letter sent by Officer Greg Baird, acting chairman of the USCP FOP, the wreck took place at approximately 2:45 a.m. Thursday when Kennedy’s car, operating with its running lights turned off, narrowly missed colliding with a Capitol Police cruiser and smashed into a security barricade at First and C streets Southeast.
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“The driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering,” Baird’s letter states. Officers approached the driver, who “declared to them he was a Congressman and was late to a vote. The House had adjourned nearly three hours before this incident. It was Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy from Rhode Island.”
Baird wrote that Capitol Police Patrol Division units, who are trained in driving under the influence cases, were not allowed to perform basic field sobriety tests on the Congressman. Instead, two sergeants, who also responded to the accident, proceeded to confer with the Capitol Police watch commander on duty and then “ordered all of the Patrol Division Units to leave the scene and that they were taking over.”
Baird said he had been advised that after the officers departed, Capitol Police “House Division officials” gave Kennedy a ride home.
Kennedy’s office did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
“If the events unfolded as they have been reported to me, and I believe they did, a complete and immediate investigation into them is required,” Baird wrote to McGaffin. Baird asked the acting chief why officers on the scene were prevented from completing the appropriate investigation “into violations of law they witnessed. This appears to be interference with their duties as U.S. Capitol Police Officers and may have prevented the collection of evidence of such violations."
“My members were attempting to carry out their duties with the professionalism and objectivity their oaths require. They should have been assisted in those duties by every level of supervision and command. Instead these circumstances call the integrity of our organization into question by creating the appearance of special favor for someone who is perceived to be privileged and powerful,” Baird wrote.
While a Capitol Police spokeswoman could not be reached for comment, Baird said in an interview this afternoon that McGaffin had contacted him about his letter.
“I want the public and those who we protect to know that we are fair and impartial when it comes to enforcing the laws on capitol grounds and the officers are doing their jobs in accordance to the laws and D.C. code and U.S. code,” he said.” That’s really why we want this addressed.”
Had to be drinking somewhere (and I doubt it was home) with someone...and served by someone. Receipts...
Patches told the cops he was late for a vote because it is illegal for any officer to detain a Member of Congress if he is on the way to the Capitol to carry out his official business.
Article 1, Section 6: The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place.
Clear enough for you?
There is no justice for regular people but for the rich Democrats
There is no justice for regular people but for rich, drunk, drug addicted, whore chasing democrats.
Now that's better.
Didn't Patrick also have an incident with the TSA a while back? I'll go look...
I hold no such illusions.......
If by uncle you mean Sen. Ted Kennedy, Patrick is his son, not his nephew.
Such cynicism is not the road to happiness...
Just picked up on the fact it was a 2:45 AM crash, which makes his announcement that he was "late for a vote" highly unlikely. Or else he was very late.
Ted Kennedy is Patrick's father, not his uncle. I enjoy skewering The Swimmer as much as anyone, but at least we should get the facts about Kennedy relations right.
Lawyer for Repr Patrick J Kennedy says that settlement has been reached with security guard Della Patton at Los Angeles International Airport; Patton charged that Kennedy shoved her during confrontation about luggage two years agoI remember the video. He was yanking his luggage/bag.
A typical Kennedy
This will be the Dem talking points:
Nothing happened (deny)
This is a private, family matter (change the issue)
He has an illness and is getting treatment (excuse)
Shame on anyone who would attack this poor man (attack)
The Capital police are trying to get back at the Dems over the Cynthia McKinney matter (attack)
all your drinks are belong to Patrick .
Oh I'm not overly cynical about my personal life...but in the political sense...I've found cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth.
Here..you will like this quote:
I once said cynically of a politician, 'He'll doublecross that bridge when he comes to it.'
Oscar Levant (1906 - 1972)
Best FRegards,
The last page is Kennedy's drunken chicken-scratch description of the accident.
Been kind of a tough Spring for the Capitol Hill Police, eh?
do I really have to say it???
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