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.
Nobody likes the spawn of Ted less than I - but it's not exactly news if the Capitol Police are giving breaks to Members - more like dog bites man, eh?
But I did it on another thread.........LOL.
We think alike then.........
I agree 100 percent.
But I'm afraid they will find their retribution in the lower ranks.
Were those experts saying that before Thursday?
Probably knew that "Moose" goofball as well somewhere in his past.
And we think there will be firings? NOT. Did anyone get fired over the Vince Foster case? So why would anyone get fired over this. More likely a promotion.
Actually, that was my very first thought as soon as I heard the Fox reporter say it, along with, "Where was she Thursday and Friday?"
Lord knows what we'll hear next.
"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."
Who is that watch commander? Any name or pictures? He should be outed all over the internet!!
Can one of our super-spy FReepers dig this info up?
I wonder if Fat Teddy went to the compound and then to the basement vault to extract some of Old Joe's cash.
there was a threat of a full force revolt by the rank and file.
Something must be up. These cops are acting like the Swiftboat Vets. That's not typical behavior of police, in my experience. Anyway, someone in D.C. seems to have sprouted a backbone.
As Howlin and I were discussing, the whole homosexual angle didn't matter much in this before - and I really don't care. But, now that his handlers are bringing forth a woman he was supposedly "with" that night to vouch for him so he cannot be placed at the Hawk and Dove and the other bar, it becomes relevant, doesn't it?
I don't think the Kennedy spin team thought that through.
If "Patches" has a hole in the bottom of his Fruit of the Looms, then his "I was was with a woman" defense could become an even bigger problem for him.
Has anyone seen the Kennedy handwritten statement from two weeks ago when he ran into a Coast Guard Commander in Rhode Island?
Providence Journal published the report in Sat 5/6/06 edition, but it's website excludes the handwritten report. The handwritten report is barely , just barely legible, and he can't even sign his name!
Unbelievable that they let this drunk off the hook two weeks ago, much less on last Thursday!
Well, I don't know about that...I was making a joke, a very lame joke at that....
"Agreed,....no way now to prove he had been drinking..other than his bar tab..."
Are you kidding? That's already been handled.
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