Lou Cannon of of the Fraternal Order of Police for the District of Columbia said there are questions about whether Rep. Patrick Kennedy received special treatment. (ABC News)
Posted on 05/06/2006 1:43:39 PM PDT by SkyPilot
Investigation Continues as Congressman Enters Mayo Clinic
May 5, 2006 — Capitol Police have taken disciplinary action against a watch commander for the handling of Rep. Patrick Kennedy's car accident, acting Capitol Police Chief Christopher McGaffin said.
Lou Cannon of of the Fraternal Order of Police for the District of Columbia said there are questions about whether Rep. Patrick Kennedy received special treatment. (ABC News)
McGaffin said the incident was improperly delayed due to "poor judgment" on the part of police managers and that a field sobriety test should have been administered to Kennedy after his car hit a barrier near the Capitol at 2:45 a.m. on Thursday.
The police report said Kennedy was speeding and his eyes were "red and watery." It also stated that his speech was slightly slurred and that upon exiting his vehicle his balance was "unsure."
Kennedy announced earlier today that he would enter the Mayo Clinic for treatment for addiction to prescription pain medication.
There are questions about why Kennedy was not given a sobriety test immediately after the accident.
"I would say within law enforcement that there is probably … concern that consideration was given a member of Congress that would not be afforded a normal citizen on the street," said Lou Cannon, president of the Fraternal Order of Police for the District of Columbia.
McGaffin would not elaborate on the disciplinary actions, but he did say "significant administrative and personnel corrective action has been taken." Other officers may be disciplined. No one has been fired at this point.
The report indicates alcohol may have played a role in the crash, but officers from the Capitol Police on the scene were apparently told by their supervisors to simply drive Kennedy home. Kennedy has said that he did not ask for special treatment.
A police officer in Los Angeles said it appears that standard procedures, which would include a field sobriety test if the driver was found to have bloodshot eyes or slurred speech, were not followed.
LAPD Detective Felix Padilla said if an officer suspects driving under the influence he has an "obligation to do that."
"We have a duty to the public to protect the public, and to ignore that would be neglect on our part," he said.
Kennedy has said he was not drinking but had taken the sleeping pill Ambien and another drug that can cause drowsiness. Experts say Ambien has been linked to so-called sleep driving — where users are not even aware they are behind the wheel.
Kennedy has long struggled with depression and drug addiction and now the congressman admitted that he once again needs help.
What I don't get is that if this was simply bad reaction to Ambien and Phenergan, why is he rushing off to rehab? People don't go to rehab for adverse drug reactions, they go to rehab for alcohol and drug abuse.
I know. It is an outrage. The poor sober peasant gets cited, and yes, RI will raise his rates to the roof.
Little Fruit of the Loom Pants Patrick walked away from that on Scot Free also.
Good Lord.....we all need to be medicated after seeing that.
I've seen Webb Hubbell with the same exact look on his face...
Yeah when Hillary said she was late
Demanded, expected, but did not ask.
Good question.
My guess (and it is a very good one) was that they chose Rehab because it is supposed elicit public and legal sympathy. Going to Rehab is supposed to make a statement saying you have a problem, and are trying to lick it.
Many, many addicts and alcoholics who do go to Rehab are sincere, and honest. I applaud them.
I don't give "Patches" the same kudos. He is trying to cover his arse, and it is patently obvious.
B.S.!
There are thousands of prescriptions written for Ambien and we fill hundreds of prescriptions a week for it. I don't know anyone who has 'sleep driven' because of it. These 'reporters' will believe anything an 'expert' tells them or they just make it up. They must think we are as stupid as they are.
I don't remember these 'reporters' making up such nonsense for Rush Limbaugh's problem. He was just 'sleep doctor shopping'. I bet he doesn't remember anything either. /sarcasm
Yet another example of pathetic police(yes I'm painting with a broad brush they all suck). It goes on everywhere, not just in DC. If you are slightly above the average citizen the police let you go, and sometimes even give you a lift home lol. The average person will continue to get harassed in traffic for increased tax revenue, all in the name of public safety. Meanwhile there are real criminals walking the streets unfettered.
The MSM is in full Arse Cover Mode (ACM) for the Kennedy family - again.
The front page on Yahoo News is the sympathetic headline:
Is There a Kennedy Curse? - "Along with a record of public service....."
Blah, blah, blah...
She was out viewing Chappaquiddick bridge, with Teddy. He told her how to read between the lines. I think she got the "message." LOL
I just had an inspired flash on how we might handle this. We'll do the same thing we do with gun control, punish the innocent. Let's make all high school students sit through at least 1 hour of class on the dangers of sleep driving on Ambien.
Old St. Pat can lead the charge for this when he gets out of rehab. I'm sure Katie Curic and the rest will be happy to go along.
Problem solved! :^)
Well, I had to go read up on Ambien. It is only to be used for 7 to 10 days without being closely monitored by a doctor. It is not to be used at all by anyone suffering from depression. Never to be mixed with alcohol. Does he now sue the doctor, because of his depression and admitted alcoholism? How many doc's prescribed? We'll never know.
Yes, to anyone that is unfortunate enough to be near them when they break the law again.
SkyPilot:
Where did you find that pic of Kennedy's crash report??
I looked all over!
Sort of like a late night swim from a car accident. That girl sure was smart to stay out of a Kennedy car.
Yep. That's your new Speaker in the fall if many in our camp aren't able to get their minds right and in proper perspective.
Oh, you mean that Mystery Woman in DC who reportedly won the lottery Thursday and just hasn't come forward yet, so she can talk with her financial planners first?
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