Posted on 05/04/2006 1:54:08 PM PDT by The Old Hoosier
Thursday, May 4; 4:16 pm
By John McArdle,
Roll Call Staff
Police labor union officials asked acting Chief Christopher McGaffin this afternoon to allow a Capitol Police officer to complete his investigation into an early-morning car crash involving Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.).
According to a letter sent by Officer Greg Baird, acting chairman of the USCP FOP, the wreck took place at approximately 2:45 a.m. Thursday when Kennedy’s car, operating with its running lights turned off, narrowly missed colliding with a Capitol Police cruiser and smashed into a security barricade at First and C streets Southeast.
 File Photo |
|
| Rep. Patrick Kennedy |
|
|
|
|
“The driver exited the vehicle and he was observed to be staggering,” Baird’s letter states. Officers approached the driver, who “declared to them he was a Congressman and was late to a vote. The House had adjourned nearly three hours before this incident. It was Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy from Rhode Island.”
Baird wrote that Capitol Police Patrol Division units, who are trained in driving under the influence cases, were not allowed to perform basic field sobriety tests on the Congressman. Instead, two sergeants, who also responded to the accident, proceeded to confer with the Capitol Police watch commander on duty and then “ordered all of the Patrol Division Units to leave the scene and that they were taking over.”
Baird said he had been advised that after the officers departed, Capitol Police “House Division officials” gave Kennedy a ride home.
Kennedy’s office did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
“If the events unfolded as they have been reported to me, and I believe they did, a complete and immediate investigation into them is required,” Baird wrote to McGaffin. Baird asked the acting chief why officers on the scene were prevented from completing the appropriate investigation “into violations of law they witnessed. This appears to be interference with their duties as U.S. Capitol Police Officers and may have prevented the collection of evidence of such violations."
“My members were attempting to carry out their duties with the professionalism and objectivity their oaths require. They should have been assisted in those duties by every level of supervision and command. Instead these circumstances call the integrity of our organization into question by creating the appearance of special favor for someone who is perceived to be privileged and powerful,” Baird wrote.
While a Capitol Police spokeswoman could not be reached for comment, Baird said in an interview this afternoon that McGaffin had contacted him about his letter.
“I want the public and those who we protect to know that we are fair and impartial when it comes to enforcing the laws on capitol grounds and the officers are doing their jobs in accordance to the laws and D.C. code and U.S. code,” he said.” That’s really why we want this addressed.”
If you believe that I have a Bridge for sale. Cheap.
Fire those sergeants!
I don't care if I were a rookie, I'd make it my life's mission to catch that SOB or his uncle driving under the influence. 'Course, I might not last long as a policeman afterward.
So should we chack that link d'ya think? ;-)
Pinz
At least dear Patrick didn't run over his mother passed out on the curb in front of her mailbox!
That's true. Thank God...
I'm okie dokie. Glad to see you!
I like this guy, Baird.
OMG, we have a cadre of really honest cops in DC I am so impressed with these men. Do you have any idea how much guts it takes to be honest in that town?
Did he say there were no drugs either?
What is odd about this..
Crashing into a police barrier.
Doing it at 3 in the morning.
Telling police officers you did this because you were late for a VOTE in the House.
Go ahead- explain it to me:)
I doubt you'll see Wee Patrick in your lounge tonight. Looks like he's sleeping one off....(been there !)
Just for the sake of accuracy, Patrick is the son of Teddy, not a nephew.
No blood, no foul. :-) You usually can't go wrong to think an errant Kennedy is one of Bobby's....
Pinz
Oops, Teddy's his dad, not his uncle. Sigh, don't blame me, I can't keep those Kennedy gangsters straight; there are just too many of them!
Of course they did....of course, it is a mute point since he didnt test positive. Right out of the Kennedy playbook. Did they check the trunk for a dead intern?
Hiccup. I was just trying to avoid the pink elephant in the road, officer. Honest, I saw one, didn't you? Hiccup.
Yea, so what was he doing out at that hour...working on the Paper Deliverer vote...?
I believe this wreck occurred near the Republican Headquarters.Maybe he was looking for really GOOD LOOKING CHICKS.
Please see post 77
Interesting link. I notice that Kennedy was driving a Ford Crown Victoria and the owner was Friends of Pat Kennedy Inc. It must be good to be a Congressman and charge all your expenses to your PAC.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.