Posted on 01/11/2012 7:34:45 AM PST by TSgt
A city police officer at the center of a controversial traffic stop involving a man with a permit to carry a concealed handgun has been fired.
Bill Adams, president of the Canton Police Patrolmen’s Association, the union that represents Patrolman Daniel Harless, confirmed that city Safety Director Thomas Ream ruled that Harless is no longer a member of the city’s police force.
Ream issued a three-page ruling dated Tuesday.
“It is quite clear that (Harless’) actions represented a pattern of behavior where inappropriate verbal abuse and threats of death or great bodily harm of the various complainants occurred,” Ream wrote.
“This escalating pattern of potentially dangerous behavior cannot be justified or excused and clearly illustrates the seriousness of the departmental infractions.”
Harless plans to appeal the decision, Adams said.
Harless was accused of violating police department rules during the June 8 traffic stop during which police cruiser video shows Harless berating and threatening a man pulled over around 1:30 a.m. on Newton Avenue NW.
Harless unleashed a flurry of profanities at the driver, shouting he should have gunned down the driver, William E. Barlett, for being stupid.
The cruiser video went viral after it captured the attention of Ohioans for Concealed Carry, which posted the video online.
The police department’s internal affairs division launched an investigation, examining Harless’ behavior during the June 8th arrest and two unrelated traffic stops, each captured on a police cruiser dash camera.
In the June 8 stop, he was accused of violating the department’s rules and regulations for cooperation with the public, deportment and treatment of persons in custody. For that, he faced being suspended or fired.
Harless was placed on medical leave and other officers donated their sick days to him when his paid sick-leave time ran out.
The union had asked for an extension for the disciplinary hearing due to Harless being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Obviously, it’s an unfortunate set of circumstances that transpired,” Adams said. “We feel that due to the fact that (Harless) has PTSD, that nobody realized it for eight-plus years, for it to come to light the way it did ... this is not a way we wanted this to play out. PTSD is obviously a disease.”
Adams said that the incident that sparked the disease occurred in 2003 when a suspect nearly bit off Harless’ finger while trying to get the officer’s gun.
“Here’s a guy who was in a life-and-death situation,” Adams said, adding that since the June 8 incident came to light, Harless has been diagnosed several times with PTSD.
“Most people that have a bad day on their job can go home, put their legs up and relax,” Adams said. “We can go home from our jobs in a body bag or with a serious physical injury from the hospital.”
He noted the recent incident in which Officer Tim Marks was brutally attacked by a suspect.
“It affects people in different ways. Unfortunately, (Harless) had PTSD, and it wasn’t realized for eight years. Unfortunately, he was fired, and we will address that situation at a later time.”
The cop should be in prison!
Licensed Conceal Carry Threatened w/ Execution by Canton OH Police
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG2TSCpSEVw
I’m willing to wager a blood test would point to ROID.
It could happen. But, if you're not up for it, GET A DIFFERENT JOB.
Sadly it is just the opposite in many places...
Correct. Regrettably, though, there almost seems to be a trend among police departments of actively recruiting those types of people.
It’s about time.
Yup, it is, and if in fact the officer is suffering from PTSD, then he needs treatment.
However, he does not need to be put in a position of authority behind a gun, ever. Police force took their time, but eventually did the right thing in firing the guy. They should just be thankful that no one got hurt while they were dragging their feet.
Whoever should have spotted an armed thug with PTSD and didn’t for eight years should be fired as well. PTSD may be a reason but it is not an excuse. If Harless wants to plead PTSD he’s essentially stating that he is not fit for the demanding role of a police officer. If he’s saying he should get his job back he’s stating that he does not have PTSD. He and his lawyer need to decide which “ truth” is true.
statistically there are many jobs which are more dangerous than being a cop.
Not being a Doctor, by any chance does PTSD, stand for Pistolwip The Stupid Driver(s), just asking. :-) end of sarc>
>>Another reason to HATE unions!
Don’t you mean, Another reason to HATE cops?
If I as a mere serf had threatened to murder someone during a profanity laced tirade, would I be walking around free or would I be up on felony charges?
He got PTSD from one incident? BS, he was coached on the symptoms and diagnosed by union quacks.
He should be in jail, as those who allowed him to be on the street when this happened.
He got PTSD from one incident? BS, he was coached on the symptoms and diagnosed by union quacks.
He should be in jail, as those who allowed him to be on the street when this happened.
Dollars to donuts Harless ends up with a full disability pension resulting from his "job related" condition.
I agree that the cop needs to do time. The PTSD excuse is no different than the ones the perps always use "I was on drugs"; "I was abused as a kid", etc. Just shows that the cop is cut from the same cloth as other perps.
The support he has received form fellow officers shows that Canton is not a safe place in which to be a citizen.
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