Sure, there were allegations of excessive violence. And departmental violations in approving the Rainbow Lounge raid. But the Ft. Worth Police Department will clear itself of any wrongdoing in the much-anticipated report that will be released tomorrow. And it's 1,000 pages of excuses.
Yes, that's three zeroes. The lengthy conclusion from an internal investigation will say the only thing police did wrong was write up their report late; it was filed the next day after gay rights groups got involved, not immediately after the cops' shift. Nope, no findings of excessive violence.
Which means nobody is going to be fired! Though, there might be some ceremonial wrist slapping for good measure, just so Chief Jeff Halstead can look like he levied some punishments.
It sure is curious that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission admitted it violated policy, but FWPD are completely innocent of tossing anyone to the ground! (On Thursday, TABC will also release results of an investigation into whether the two agents — one of whom has homosexual friends! — it already fired used excessive force.)
As for Chad Gibson, who spent weeks in the hospital recovering from his brain injury during the raid? It's going to be a hard time arguing the police should face criminal charges when their own department puts them in the clear.
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Hmm, do students in Ft. Worth schools get to grade their own papers too?
Donut mess with these coppers!!!
My friend Captain Obvious thinks this is totally fucking bullshit and is outraged that yet another blatant act of homophobia by a police force is going to get swept under the carpet.
And I agree with her.
Next time: Surveillance cameras on the Pigs!
An ancient piece of wisdom:
"It does not take many words to speak the truth."
(Young Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe)
When I hear or read a large number of words, many more than would be needed to speak the truth, I interpret that as indicating the lack of truth.
Ft. Worth is right next door to Dallas, the supposed new center of gay rights. Hell, you cant tell where Dallas and Fort Worth end unless you happen to notice the sign near TX-360 saying "Now entering Dallas County". What a farce.
—
They shouldn't be fired, they should be thrown in fucking jail. And why a lawsuit hasn't been filed in this case is also fucking disgraceful.
I think it shows why federal hate-crime laws are a good idea. Too bad the Mathew Shepard act was passed after this incident, not before it.
Good point, B. But the FBI may still be able to be made to get involved. I am betting that the provisions of that portion are retroactive.
I lived in the DFW area for 6 years.
6 L-O-N-G years, really. I'm not from Texas. I never want to be, and it's because of things like this.
I can tell you this, though: I know what the politics are like in Dallas and some of its suburbs, and I know what the politics are like in Ft. Worth.
They are setting themselves up for a nice, big, fu**ing riot.
They suspenmded three cops. Two for one day and a third for three days. Read the story for why they were suspended. In most cases, it was for turning in reports late and/or bringing bad publicity to the FWPD. Nevermind the kid that they damn near beat to death.
http://cbs11tv.com/local/rainb.....94082.html