TexasCHLforum.com

gigag04 wrote:

seamusTX wrote: I realize that Texas does not have reserve LEOs per se

This is odd...my department has reserves...that are sworn and commissioned, with guns and arrest powers...

Yes, many small cities utilize reserve officers that are TCLEOSE certified. Also, Richardson has a reserve unit that is active, Andi believe they are all TCLEOSE certified and just like any regular officer.

seamusTX wrote:

Keith B wrote:I thank that was the intent Jim, but the way it is written will apply to anyone who would know that the crime was being committed but turn their backs and walk away without reporting it.

That would be essentially like prosecuting the people who ignored Kitty Genovese, if the incident had really happened the way that urban legend made out.

I never heard of it being used that way.

Now we have almost the opposite problem: When something like a robbery or assault occurs, 10 or 20 calls to 911 come in within seconds. Almost anything that makes a loud report, like firecrackers, results in reports of gunshots.

What people are arrested for often has nothing to do with what they are prosecuted for, if they are prosecuted. The point is only to get the person in custody. The victims were not in a position to file assault charges.

- Jim

Totally agree with the fact stuff gets reported quickly these days. With cell phones a person is rarely ever out of touch and can quickly dial for help. However, you might be surprised at the number of people who witness something and are so dumbfounded that they don't even think to pick up the phone and call. This is usually on non-violent crimes or incidents, but it does happen on higher levels of crime.

Young people are also VERY quick to video something with their smart phone and post it on YouTube or send it to the media. We have more and more normal landings that somehow get twisted around on a slow news day and show up on a news website or even the television news as 'a balloon crashed...'. I'll almost bet there is video out there somewhere of the incident with former Officer Dumas.

As for the law, there are a lot of those types of statues out there that are rarely enforce, but can be handy if needed to detain someone for a bit.

seamusTX wrote:Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but this offense is used to prosecute people who were involved in a crime but did not commit the main criminal act. The guy who was arrested was not simply a bystander. He was allegedly involved in the fight.

Think of the mopes who make cell phone video of crimes and put them on YouTube without bothering to tell the police. Usually these people know who the perpetrators are and other material information.

- Jim

I thank that was the intent Jim, but the way it is written will apply to anyone who would know that the crime was being committed but turn their backs and walk away without reporting it.

Well, the ofifcers name is Dumas. Yep, pretty well think that is close to fitting him.

seamusTX wrote:Maybe I'm just a knee-jerk liberal at heart, but here's how I look at it:

—A habitually drunken mope who gets into a bar fight and stabs someone goes to prison maybe for a year. It's not his first time. It won't be his last. The taxpayers house and feed him for a while, and he gets out and does it again. Everyone knows that is all life holds for him.

—A cop who is convicted of a felony loses his job and any possibility of being a cop or holding any position of trust, ever. He's left with a bunch a legal bills and no income. Probably he loses his house. Maybe his wife dumps him. His family treats him like the proverbial black sheep. Probably most of his former friends are "busy" if he calls them.

That's a lot worse than just spending some time in the slammer.

- Jim

The mope didn't take an oath to uphold the law; the LEO did. That is where I think he deserves more. Sure, the LEO MAY have more to lose, but maybe not. The LEO could be unmarried, living in an apartment and have rich parents that would pay all of his legal bills, so speculating on that part is hard to say. And when he gets out he can find a job mowing lawns or flipping burgers. The price you have to pay.

seamusTX wrote:Keith, if, I repeat if, he is found guilty of aggravated assault, he does not deserve to be brutalized and killed by hardened gang members and career criminals in prison.

As I stated in another thread somewhere, if convicted of a felony his future career will involve a lawnmower or dirty dishes.

- Jim

Yeah, I agree Jim, but I really loath a LEO gone bad. If he is found guilty, he needs to do harder time IMO than the non-LEO. But that's just my opinion.

seamusTX wrote:I doubt they would put a former cop in Huntsville. He would be sent home in a box.

- Jim

And your point on this guy if he is found guilty is?

Personally, I have WAY less tolerance for a cop that does something like this than a non-LEO.

seamusTX wrote:I think it was a joke, Keith.

We all know a convicted felon cannot legally touch a firearm, let alone be a licensed LEO.

However, when you look at the pattern of conduct in some agencies, it seems there are a lot of unconvicted felons with badges. I'm talking about the places where cops are caught taking protection money from drug dealers and that kind of thing.

With an aggravated assault charge and two people hospitalized, I would say this guy has an uphill legal battle. The DA here is all business.

- Jim

I knew it was a joke, just pointing out the law as it reads.

And, he will be lucky if he doesn't end up in Huntsville.

recaffeination wrote:If he's convicted, his HPD job is over but is he still eligble to work as a cop in Dallas?

Not if he is convicted of a felony; he will lose his TCLEOSE Certificaiton.

From http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/78 ... 02762H.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...under current law, TCLEOSE can immediately revoke a the license
of a peace officer convicted of a felony.....

seamusTX wrote:According to a story reported in Tuesday's Galveston County Daily News, a 24-year-old white male Houston police officer was arrested shortly after midnight Wednesday and charged with aggravated assault and indecent exposure.

The suspect allegedly exposed his "privates" to patrons in a bar on the Strand. When patrons and bar staff "escorted" the man outside, he allegedly stabbed one man and hit another with a pistol.

The victim who was struck required surgery for a broken jaw. The stabbing victim in still in the hospital.

A friend of the suspect was also arrested and charged with failing to report a felony. Another suspect is being sought.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/311894" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The report does not state whether alcohol was involved.

- Jim

They must have decided to save bits and not post the obvious.