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.
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“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.”
William Jefferson, alleged bribetaker!
Alan Mollohan, alleged perjurer and taker of earmark kickbacks!
Cynthia McKinnney, alleged cop hitter!
John Conyers, alleged slavemaster!
Frank Ballance, convicted tax dodger!
Jim Traficant, convicted Racketeer!
and now Paddy Kennedy, alleged drunk driver!
Like uncle...Like nephew!
I'll drink to that
Well, on the bright side, at least a campaign worker wasn't killed in the crash. /s
This "Democrats are immune from the laws" schtick is getting old...
Related threads:
Local news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1626875/posts
The Hill reports "brass interfered" with investigation by Capitol Police: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1626877/posts
I knew I smelled a Rat!
Uncle Teddy = The Swimmer.
Patrick = The Driver.
If he said he was late for a vote and knew that would get him off but there wasn't a vote then that's lying to the police and obstruction.
We'll drive off that bridge when we get to it.
Just playing "car polo"?
Sorry - I meant to link to local news and CNN report threads, but they got locked.
Runs in the family!
At least the Kennedys have stopped killing women everytime they drive drunk.
As someone brilliantly noted on a thread that was yanked out from under our feet.
Chappaquiddick II
Reached for comment Kennedy responded, "Hickup! What do you mean I've had enough. I'll tell you when I've had enough."
Patrick Kennedy was out drinking again, eh?
Is this alcohol dependency something genetic, or is it acquired by observation of older generations of the family?
Kennedys - just another bunch of shanty Irish.
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