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.
The crime is that the criminal walks while a stupid mistake costs this police officer a career. It reminds you of Bubba and his secretary and others who lied for him and got nailed. the criminal walks, Thats is the bad part.
You would think Kennedy would be ashamed or at least apologise to the cops taking the fall. Dont wait for it these bastids have no shame, they have no integrity they have no conscience. Rotten Sons of Beaches.
Are you kidding? That's already been handled.
I think the cops got to that before Kennedy had the chance...that's why he's at Mayo...
DeLay and Scooter get indicted on trumped up charges by politically motivated prosecutors and these charges will be tossed out of court. Mckinney and Kennedy commit crimes on camera for the whole nation to see and nothing happens. The stupid DUmmies are sealing their fate for the mid terms. They will gain nothing. Rove will hang these two around the neck of every Democratic candidate for all the world to see. Can someone help me here or is it just my imagination that there seems to be a double standard.
Cooking up an alibi is not always a smart thing to do. If you do that and they break your alibi you are dead meat.
Hello! He already confessed to DUI. He openly admitted to driving under the influence of Ambien. The prosecution rests.
And don't give me that crap about "I wasn't conscious to what I was doing. Anyone who blacks out from drinking liquor, gets in a car, and drives is just as guilty of DUI.
Perhaps what is saddest of all, is what this says about the intelligence and morals of those in RI who keep electing him to office.
People need to be help to task for the societal dregs they insist represent them in the halls of government.
I can only assume that if a state/district elects such as little Patty, it is a reflection upon the electroate as much as upon the representative.
Quite true. Most would not admit it, but we ALL have a price.
What's amazing to me is that this train wreck of a person keeps getting re-elected.
Sooner or later he'll kill someone, maybe himself. Will his enablers think, Gee, I should've let him take the punishment last time? No, we'll hear more nonsense about 'the Kennedy curse'.
Wow - I learned something today. Thanks. Pretty pathetic, isn't it?
I'd struggle with depression too if I was a flaming liberal!
And Ambien is prescription pain medication???? This stinks of course....but then.... he's a Kennedy
I can't wait to see that.
ROOOOOOOvvvvvvvEEEE!!!!!
It is very pathetic, and you would be surprised how often this goes on. I knew a Police Lt that always had a beautiful Girl on his arm in Public, and he was boyish,but I was dumbfounded when I met his Lover's roommate under other employment circumstances and found out it was a guy. He told me things that were disturbing especially things I had been wondering about, like being off the air and unavailable for hours because he was meeting the Lover on duty in another City. Yikes, the possibility of blackmail....was horrific.
You're right. The Privildeged never pay.
But I hope it isn't the cops who get hurt - just that Ba$stard watch commander.
LOL about post 44!
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