TexasCHLforum.com

http://kxan.com/investigative-story/tex ... d-him-off/

A Texas Ranger stationed in Austin exercised "poor judgment" in an incident where he pulled over and pointed his gun at a driver who flipped him off in traffic according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

DPS also wrote: "Our employee acted inconsistent with policy, exercised poor judgement, and conducted himself in an unprofessional and discourteous manner - all of which are unacceptable...The department has taken corrective action with this employee regarding the policy infractions.

"corrective action"?

If anyone else did that they would be in deep legal trouble. Sounds like he still even has his job!

The state issued pickup truck is not equipped with a dash camera, so it's the Ranger's word against the driver in this incident last February.

That part concerns me. State issued vehicle to a Texas Ranger, and no dash cam?

#1> Flipping the bird is covered under 1A

#2> I grew up in the era of the Colonial Parkway murders. If someone out of uniform in an unmarked car pulled me over and then exited the car with a gun, the day would have ended poorly for all involved.

#3> This officer should be fired. He has proven through his actions that he does not have the proper temperament to be a Texas Ranger.

I love it when a govt agents break the law, but it's really just a "policy infraction". If ANY of us drew a weapon during a traffic incident, it's against the law and immediately marked "road rage". This Ranger will violate policy again, lets hope no one ends up dead because of it.

Cordell Walker would have handled that differently. The driver would have learned to keep his finger in his pocket and the wayward Ranger would have ended up helping a bunch of kids at risk. The lady DA would have been victim of overacting that would make Shatner blush, but you just can't help some people.

treadlightly wrote:Cordell Walker would have handled that differently. The driver would have learned to keep his finger in his pocket and the wayward Ranger would have ended up helping a bunch of kids at risk. The lady DA would have been victim of overacting that would make Shatner blush, but you just can't help some people.

His finger would have simply shriveled up and fallen off, if that had been Ranger Walker!!

I personally don't blame the Ranger. If folks would keep their hands to themselves, don't cuss out others, don't be flipping them off, then probably most of all problems would be corrected. I have been in the car with my wife and grandchildren and people show off their anger. They know that I cannot respond. I believe there was a reason why they say the Old West was polite. Someone is mad enough to flip someone off or cuss them, they probably are mad enough to physically harm them. Leave folks be, is my take.

DEB wrote:I personally don't blame the Ranger. If folks would keep their hands to themselves, don't cuss out others, don't be flipping them off, then probably most of all problems would be corrected. I have been in the car with my wife and grandchildren and people show off their anger. They know that I cannot respond. I believe there was a reason why they say the Old West was polite. Someone is mad enough to flip someone off or cuss them, they probably are mad enough to physically harm them. Leave folks be, is my take.

No excuse for the Ranger's actions. He should be an example of behavior.

DEB wrote:I personally don't blame the Ranger.

I personally blame anyone who threatens deadly force in response to hurt feelings.

DEB wrote:I personally don't blame the Ranger. If folks would keep their hands to themselves, don't cuss out others, don't be flipping them off, then probably most of all problems would be corrected. I have been in the car with my wife and grandchildren and people show off their anger. They know that I cannot respond. I believe there was a reason why they say the Old West was polite. Someone is mad enough to flip someone off or cuss them, they probably are mad enough to physically harm them. Leave folks be, is my take.

When I was a LEO, we were trained that we could not be offended. While obscene gestures are considered disorderly conduct, if the officer is the only one who sees it, and there is no complainant, it's no harm no foul. If I had reacted, to every gesture, or insult directed towards me, as a LEO, I would not have had a job, very long. Since most Rangers drive, unmarked vehicles, and wear no uniform, it's very possible the guy was unaware that he was showing his stupidity, and ill manners to a LEO, but even so, the Ranger, should not have reacted in that manner. If there was another violation, to pull the guy over, then I can understand the stop. But unless there was a threat to his safety, he was out of line, by drawing his gun. Every Ranger I have been associated with, always displayed the utmost in professionalism, and decorum, and I have the highest respect for the job they do. But as they say about one bad apple...

steveincowtown wrote:#3> This officer should be fired. He has proven through his actions that he does not have the proper temperament to be a Texas Ranger.

DEB wrote:I personally don't blame the Ranger. If folks would keep their hands to themselves, don't cuss out others, don't be flipping them off, then probably most of all problems would be corrected. I have been in the car with my wife and grandchildren and people show off their anger. They know that I cannot respond. I believe there was a reason why they say the Old West was polite. Someone is mad enough to flip someone off or cuss them, they probably are mad enough to physically harm them. Leave folks be, is my take.

Sticks and stones may break bones but names and gestures don't hurt. Threatening deadly force over a gesture is extremely poor judgement. The Ranger should be fired.

1911 10MM wrote:

DEB wrote:I personally don't blame the Ranger. If folks would keep their hands to themselves, don't cuss out others, don't be flipping them off, then probably most of all problems would be corrected. I have been in the car with my wife and grandchildren and people show off their anger. They know that I cannot respond. I believe there was a reason why they say the Old West was polite. Someone is mad enough to flip someone off or cuss them, they probably are mad enough to physically harm them. Leave folks be, is my take.

Sticks and stones may break bones but names and gestures don't hurt. Threatening deadly force over a gesture is extremely poor judgement. The Ranger should be fired.

I wouldn't fire him, but I'd send him back thru the academy any he would be wearing a DPS Officers uniform again. And I mean rookie.