Gothamist: Off-Duty Cop Who Fired Gun Was Drunk

HowBoutDemCowboys

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:45:51 -0500

It's already been shown twice within the past year that the NYPD is above the law. First, they emptied a few clips into an unarmed Sean Bell and then there was the off duty cop who killed someone in a fit of road rage because he wouldn't let him merge into traffic. Unless people are willing to stage a true revolt, this will continue to happen.

Dave Hogarty

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:57:12 -0500

It's my understanding that NYPD cops are not required, but allowed, to be armed at all times. A .10 BAC sounds pretty reasonable--he wasn't stinko and he wasn't driving, he came upon a life-threatening situation and used his weapon to save another person. If I was being beaten by a mob, I'd want a cop with four beers in him after work to come to my rescue. [4] Correct. One shouldn't draw and fire unless it's a lethal situation. If you don't want to kill a person, don't fire a pistol at them. [9]There may be a nickel-plated Tec-9 (which is normally semi-auto, not an automatic) in existence, but I've never seen one or even seen one portrayed. The only thing nickel about that pistol is that it's a nickel-and-dime piece of sh*t.

JacqueMehoff

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:54:43 -0500

hey, we don't make the laws, we just enforce them. take it up with the judge.

UnrepentantFenian

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:46:19 -0500

@ Sundial. I know. It's ridiculous. At the .08 BAC you a re not drunk. You are almost approaching buzzed. Not to mention the fact that the human body is rather complicated and that not everyone reacts the same way to alcohol which makes the measurement of blood alcohol content inaccurate and the .08 an arbitrary number.

sundial

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:01:14 -0500

@UnrepentantFenian .10 hardly drunk?? see what happens if you get pulled over with a BAC of .10 JAIL

VanessaNYC

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:00:51 -0500

I agree. Good job by the cop. Even though his blood alcohol level was above the the legal limit, he seemed to know what he was doing and (as another commenter mentioned) he possibly saved a life. I don't think this is anything for us to be worried about. 50 shots on an unarmed man, now that would be something to worry about.

JacqueMehoff

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:55:52 -0500

that's what I thought, I've read somewhere that some new rookies don't carry off-duty. (and, some are pissed at them for that) the dept. would accuse one of Cowardice, what the heck is that? I know many cops who moonlight and the last thing they want to do is get involved in any situation. Just not worth it.

justanother

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:50:00 -0500

are NYPD required to carry their weapons when off duty? No. I think at one time they were, but not now.

Billiamsburg

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:42:16 -0500

Great! Sounds like a talented cop and a good shot. Where's his parade?

hungryghoast

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:28:04 -0500

Regulations like this are alright, but zero tolerance enforcement makes my skin crawl... especially in a case like this where the cop did nothing wrong and possibly saved a life.

sweatyelectric

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:01:19 -0500

Just curious - are NYPD required to carry their weapons when off duty? I know that Baltimore PD have to carry their weapons all the time, even when off duty.

JacqueMehoff

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:53:55 -0500

Tec-9's are so eighties. get rid of that nickel plated sissy pistol, and get yourself a Glock 18.

kcin122

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:44:21 -0500

"Per the Post, he had "fired five times, hitting the suspect in the arm and leg," after Stephen Allston fired three times with a Tec-9 automatic handgun." seems pretty life or death to me.

gamblor

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:39:51 -0500

There's no such thing as using your gun to fire "non-lethal" shots. Once you start firing, anything can happen. Police are only allowed to discharge their firearms (i.e. use lethal force) in life-or-death situations.

MFer

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:36:53 -0500

Now if he did something wrong, that would be one thing. But he did right. So that's the end of it. Good job. Let the criminals bring up a complaint to the review board. I'd like to see that.

takethecanoli

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:34:47 -0500

Do people expect cops to live like mormons? Non lethal shots to perp who was firing a fully auto weapon, after a warning, and only hitting the armed perp (out of 4 perps, plus the victim or any bystanders) ? This cop deserves a medal.

UnrepentantFenian

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:43:49 -0500

.10 is hardly drunk, and I doubt the guy he was protecting cares.