Idaho driver says Ore. police capt. showed weapon

Idaho State Police spokesman Lt. Chris Schenck says Portland police Capt. Todd Wyatt was stopped on Aug. 13 in a personal vehicle in Washington state for the incident in which a driver reported Wyatt brandished a gun near the Idaho-Washington border

Not much information yet but the "comments by 2shinyshoes" made me laugh out loud


http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/08/23/1769946/idaho-driver-says-ore-police-capt.html#disqus_thread

He wasn't arrested. Of course not, cops are above the law. Now in Vice, he can shake down some hookers and low level dealers.

Gunslinger said:

He wasn't arrested. Of course not, cops are above the law.

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This.

These types of stories really help to illustrate that we are considered mere peasants who live at the mercy of the state's praetorian guard.

Hmmm, you are the same guys who believe in the Constitution thingy right?

Innocent until proven guilty, due process and all that old-fashioned stuff?

Of course, it seems extreme to brandish the firearm while rolling on a public road. That would be inappropriate in a marked car in his own jurisdiction for pulling over someone for a traffic stop much less being in another state.

BTW, I would not be expecting to "spend the night in jail" if I was cited for misdemeanor brandishing. Felony menacing would be a different story of course, but not simple "brandishing". He has some witnesses in his car, no mention of how many were in the other guy's vehicle, more to the story I am sure, so let's not overstate or over-react to the situation.

He's a simple citizen with a CWL (although he's under administrative punishment at his place of employment) accused of brandishing and it seems to be running its course as far as I am concerned.

ecocks said:

Hmmm, you are the same guys who believe in the Constitution thingy right?

Innocent until proven guilty, due process and all that old-fashioned stuff?

Of course, it seems extreme to brandish the firearm while rolling on a public road. That would be inappropriate in a marked car in his own jurisdiction for pulling over someone for a traffic stop much less being in another state.

BTW, I would not be expecting to "spend the night in jail" if I was cited for misdemeanor brandishing. Felony menacing would be a different story of course, but not simple "brandishing". He has some witnesses in his car, no mention of how many were in the other guy's vehicle, more to the story I am sure, so let's not overstate or over-react to the situation.

He's a simple citizen with a CWL (although he's under administrative punishment at his place of employment) accused of brandishing and it seems to be running its course as far as I am concerned.

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At the minimum it was VERY VERY poor judgement. He should be held accountable but will probably skate.

As a police Capt. no less he could have called ISP, 911, of showed his badge but not his gun. Wait showing his gun would have been exposure; I mean his weapon. "This is my weapon...this is my gun....this is for fighting....and this is for fun.

ecocks said:

Hmmm, you are the same guys who believe in the Constitution thingy right?

Innocent until proven guilty, due process and all that old-fashioned stuff?

Of course, it seems extreme to brandish the firearm while rolling on a public road. That would be inappropriate in a marked car in his own jurisdiction for pulling over someone for a traffic stop much less being in another state.

BTW, I would not be expecting to "spend the night in jail" if I was cited for misdemeanor brandishing. Felony menacing would be a different story of course, but not simple "brandishing". He has some witnesses in his car, no mention of how many were in the other guy's vehicle, more to the story I am sure, so let's not overstate or over-react to the situation.

He's a simple citizen with a CWL (although he's under administrative punishment at his place of employment) accused of brandishing and it seems to be running its course as far as I am concerned.

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We never said he was guilty; only noted that he was not arrested, which is typical in cases where police are charged with crimes that citizens would be arrested for.

I wouldn't expect to spend the night in jail for brandishing either, but it is more than likely that I, as a mere citizen, would be charged with felony aggravated assault, and then the prosecutor may or may not have reduced it to brandishing.

I like the comment left by Trouble2011. Makes a lot of sence .

ecocks said:

Hmmm, you are the same guys who believe in the Constitution thingy right?

Innocent until proven guilty, due process and all that old-fashioned stuff?

Of course, it seems extreme to brandish the firearm while rolling on a public road. That would be inappropriate in a marked car in his own jurisdiction for pulling over someone for a traffic stop much less being in another state.

BTW, I would not be expecting to "spend the night in jail" if I was cited for misdemeanor brandishing. Felony menacing would be a different story of course, but not simple "brandishing". He has some witnesses in his car, no mention of how many were in the other guy's vehicle, more to the story I am sure, so let's not overstate or over-react to the situation.

He's a simple citizen with a CWL (although he's under administrative punishment at his place of employment) accused of brandishing and it seems to be running its course as far as I am concerned.

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Do you honestly think 'you' would have just driven away in this situation? His department takes it seriously enough to change his duty status. That should tell you something.

Gunslinger said:

Do you honestly think 'you' would have just driven away in this situation? His department takes it seriously enough to change his duty status. That should tell you something.

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As I plainly said, charged with simple, misdemeanor "brandishing", yes.

Most every department I have heard of routinely reassigns officers under investigation until they are cleared, reprimanded, fired or indicted.

And the lesson learned is:

Keep your cool when your are driving, driving and carrying, or just carrying. It isn't worth it.

The real dangerous thing here is allowing your emotions to run away with your common sense.

I don't know how this came about, but the only time I ever "displayed" (if you want to call it that) my weapon was in a road rage insident. The guy tried to push me off the road, so I pulled over to let him by. He pulled in behind me, jumped out of his truck and jerked my door open and wanted to fight....all of a sudden he had better things to do...wonder if the Colt (still in it's holster, but very visible) had anything to do with his quick change of mind?

Anyway, we don't know if this Portland Police officer was like me? or if he was the guy pulling the other guys door open? or if he just pointed it out of the window while driving down the road? or whatever? correct??? Until we hear "the rest of the story", I, for one, am willing to withhold judgement.