LA: Three New Orleans officers sacked for various foibles

[seamusTX]

In New Orleans, Louisiana, today, the firing of three police officers was announced.

Officer #1 left an agency-owned Belgian Malinois dog in a police vehicle. The dog died of heat stroke. NOPD internal affairs cleared him, but he was indicted for felony animal cruelty and pled to a misdemeanor.

Officer #2 pled to animal cruelty after one of her dogs died of severe malnutrition.

Officer #3 allegedly discharged a firearm into his own vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

The officers had 8 to 13 years of service.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20 ... al-cruelty" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aside from the moral aspect, does everyone know the value of a Belgian Malinois trained for police work? It's over $10,000.

Laissez les bons temps rouler.

- Jim

[Oldgringo]

Laissez les bons temps rouler, indeed.

Nice touch, Jim.

[C-dub]

I'll tell you what's outragous. The NOPD IA clearing officer #1. How does that happen?

I'm glad some DA stepped up and charged that officer. The only thing I don't understand is allowing them to plead a felony down to a misdemeanor. I know some of the reasons why that happens, but why bother charging someone with a crime you can't prove?

[Keith B]

I wonder if it was a K9 unit vehicle? I think most of the ones around here have a system that either rolls the windows down part way or start the engine and roll the windows up with the air on if the vehicle gets above a certain temperature inside.

[seamusTX]

The only thing I don't understand is allowing them to plead a felony down to a misdemeanor. I know some of the reasons why that happens, but why bother charging someone with a crime you can't prove?

Since a felony with its life-long penalties is infinitely worse than a misdemeanor, people will fight a felony in court. Their defense attorney will usually advise them to take a plea on a misdemeanor, likely with probation in a first offense. The fired officer will never work in law enforcement again. Everyone goes home in time for dinner.

Keith, I don't know. The details may be on some law-enforcement forum.

New Orleans is a chronically poor city and may not be able to afford such modern cars. The dog may have been bought using some kind of grant.

The police here had a Belgian Malinois. I met the dog. He looked like a German Shepherd on steroids. Unfortunately he was injured while subduing a criminal and retired.

- Jim

[mkosmo]

New Orleans is a chronically poor city and may not be able to afford such modern cars. The dog may have been bought using some kind of grant.

Usually, those same grants for the dogs will cover the expenses to properly outfit the handler and appropriate equipment for the dog, including vehicle environment systems.

[TxKimberMan]

I wonder if it was a K9 unit vehicle? I think most of the ones around here have a system that either rolls the windows down part way or start the engine and roll the windows up with the air on if the vehicle gets above a certain temperature inside.

I was not aware of this type of vehicle temperature control system. Every summer, I dread hearing the news of another child dying in an unattended vehicle. I hope some day that further tragedies could be averted by incorporating this type of system into all vehicles.

Edit: I realize this won't eliminate STUPID NEGLIGENT PARENTS, but it could save some lives.

[ELB]

...

New Orleans is a chronically poor city and may not be able to afford such modern cars. The dog may have been bought using some kind of grant.

...
- Jim

I rather suspect that New Orleans is "chronically poor" the same way that Mexico is "chronically poor;" there is actually plenty of money to go around, but the political/social system is so corrupt that it turns it into a basket case.

[seamusTX]

You won't get an argument from me.

- Jim

[TexasRedneck]

I was not aware of this type of vehicle temperature control system. Every summer, I dread hearing the news of another child dying in an unattended vehicle. I hope some day that further tragedies could be averted by incorporating this type of system into all vehicles.

Edit: I realize this won't eliminate STUPID NEGLIGENT PARENTS, but it could save some lives.

With all due respect, if there's 2 children per month per state that die under these circumstances, that's 1200 per year. If the equipment to do this costs $1500 per vehicle, you're asking, in effect, for EVERY person to pay this increased cost for the benefit of a (relatively) few idiots.

Sorry...no more Nanny state laws!!!!

[KD5NRH]

I rather suspect that New Orleans is "chronically poor" the same way that Mexico is "chronically poor;" there is actually plenty of money to go around, but the political/social system is so corrupt that it turns it into a basket case.

+1; just the tourism money in NO could, no doubt, cover the annual budget of most similar sized cities.

[seamusTX]

Tourism is either the first or second biggest industry in New Orleans (the other being shipping). However, most of the tourism profits go into private hands.

- Jim

[jamisjockey]

I was not aware of this type of vehicle temperature control system. Every summer, I dread hearing the news of another child dying in an unattended vehicle. I hope some day that further tragedies could be averted by incorporating this type of system into all vehicles.

Edit: I realize this won't eliminate STUPID NEGLIGENT PARENTS, but it could save some lives.

With all due respect, if there's 2 children per month per state that die under these circumstances, that's 1200 per year. If the equipment to do this costs $1500 per vehicle, you're asking, in effect, for EVERY person to pay this increased cost for the benefit of a (relatively) few idiots.

Sorry...no more Nanny state laws!!!!

But
it's
for
the
children....




And it won't be through a law. Congress doesn't write laws anymore. They create Agencies that then write regulations.
When they come for our guns, it won't be through laws, but regulations. EPA and consumer safety regulations.

[jguzman75]

Where is Steven Segal when you need him!

[OldSchool]

I was not aware of this type of vehicle temperature control system. Every summer, I dread hearing the news of another child dying in an unattended vehicle. I hope some day that further tragedies could be averted by incorporating this type of system into all vehicles.

Edit: I realize this won't eliminate STUPID NEGLIGENT PARENTS, but it could save some lives.

With all due respect, if there's 2 children per month per state that die under these circumstances, that's 1200 per year. If the equipment to do this costs $1500 per vehicle, you're asking, in effect, for EVERY person to pay this increased cost for the benefit of a (relatively) few idiots.

Sorry...no more Nanny state laws!!!!

For once, TR and I are exactly on the same side of this issue!!!