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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| Rep. Patrick Kennedy |
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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.”
Those Kennedy's just can't leave a stopper in the bottle, now can they.
Why isn't this on FOX news or have I just sat here today and missed everything going on around me.
Those 3AM votes are tough on everyone
LOL
He just had another accident in Rhode Island about a month ago.
The "Drunk Kennedys" would be a good name for a rock band.
Late for a vote. And the House had adjourned 3 hours earlier. LOLOL
Exactly. I am so sick of it.
Kennedys should come with a warning label not to let them operate heavy machinery.
The police did the right thing by letting him go for a "vote" and now they've got him on lying to police and obstruction.
Mega-lol.
Pat K fails Rhode test: Boy blunder didn’t have right—or write—of way
Will Democrats raise a furor over how long it took to disclose this incident to the public.
Indeed. If someone with the surname Kennedy is seen driving, BAM! Instant probable cause.
Why did it take so long (14 hours) for the Press to learn about this? Why didn't the Congressman's staff call the AP ASAP? Why did...? Aw, never mind.
Google search Results 11 - 20 of about 4,570,000 for drunk+kennedy. (0.08 seconds)
LOL One of the best lines in years.Still laughing,thanks.
Karl Rove spiked his drink!
Caution: Kennedy at Wheel
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.
“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.
Check out another recent accident that Patches Kennedy was involved in - and hushed up by the media - here: HowieCarr.com
**Don't miss Patches' chicken-scratch writing on page 6!**
LOL...just as I was reading this, John Gibson's show started reporting it!!!
What a hoot!!!
I am SO glad no one was injured...so we CAN laugh at it!!
BUT, he darn sure better get prosecuted for it!!!!
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