10/16/2008
Gay Bashing Colorado Police Officer Reinstated
Kell Hulsey, a sergeant in the police force in Greeley, Colorado who reportedly threw the first punch in a bar fight back in July, has been reinstated to his job.
If you'll remember, Hulsey and his son Daniel went after a man, Brian Carter, they thought was gay because he was looking strangely at Daniel in the bar. Turns out the man just had a lazy eye. Following the brawl, Kell Hulsey and his son fled the scene. The younger Hulsey was later arrested and the elder Hulsey reportedly fired from the force pending an investigation.
There were plenty of witnesses.
Now, the Greeley Tribune reports: "While his fate in an assault investigation is still unsettled, Greeley police officer Kell Hulsey has been reinstated to his job after he appealed his firing last month. According to sources, Hulsey has been reinstated as a patrol officer, and could earn his sergeant rank back within a few months. Meanwhile in Larimer County, Sheriff’s spokeswoman Eloise Campanella said they completed their investigation of the Hulsey case had turned it over to the Larimer County District Attorney’s Offices for charges. That investigation included DNA samples from the scene."
The city's HR director won't comment, and the DA is reviewing evidence in the case.
Posted 9:54 AM EST by Andy Towle in Colorado, Gay Slurs, Law Enforcement, News | Permalink
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Reinstated?!!!!!?? Fucking ridiculous!!!!
Posted by: Zo | Oct 16, 2008 10:22:01 AM
And they wonder why the gay and lesbian and the people of color communities around this country fear the police more than a regular thug on the street, disgusting, but, I hope the tax payers of Greeley pay big bucks for this poor decision to let this guy carry a gun again.
Posted by: Sebastian | Oct 16, 2008 10:39:06 AM
Typical fucking bullshit. Protect the redneck trash cop.
Sebastian, that first comment is quite a reach. Stay off the drugs.
Posted by: Shane | Oct 16, 2008 10:55:17 AM
It's sick. This cop is guilty of assault and battery!
OK, Log Cabin troll please tell us about why hate crimes legislation is not needed because it gives "special rights" to gays?
People, this is why we need federal hate crimes legislation. Federal law would allow federal prosecutors to step in smack down this local old-boy crap. He needs a lawyer to sue this corrupt cop!
What about the victim here? He has a congenital birth defect, lazy eye, and gets assaulted. What permanent damage was done to him?
Posted by: noah | Oct 16, 2008 11:39:17 AM
Sorry, "Shane," no drugs, merely an opinion, no need to get catty if you disagree, but, then again, that's par for the course for some. Try being gay in a small town USA, and, see if you are treated "fairly" by the police, on or off the job, or ask any person of color if they are ever treated fairly, and, then get back to me.
Posted by: Sebastian | Oct 16, 2008 11:56:41 AM
I have acutally been to that bar. It is actually a really fun place to go. The bar is about 20 minutes away from Shambhala Mountain Center, a Buddhist retreat center. The people at the bar were really nice, considering that people form the center were Buddhist, hippies, and some of us were gay.
I sang many Cher songs during their karoke night and I was never bothered. It is just some stupid cop who probably just is just jealous b/c all he can ever get is his night stick.
Posted by: Thad | Oct 16, 2008 12:15:13 PM
Sebastian: I think your observation is spot on. And it's not just small towns where calling a cop might result in harassment or worse. I could tell you of experiences friends have had in Miami, FL, as well as Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, with cops and sheriffs who would rather beat the crap out of you than lift a finger to assist. I have no great affection or trust of the police. And I'm no young gay man, but a sexy senior citizen who has seen enough hate and homophobic cops in my lifetime.
Posted by: Bob R | Oct 16, 2008 2:33:14 PM
Cops are the worst because there is no legal recourse if they gaybash- only more beatings.
Posted by: Rodney | Oct 16, 2008 5:43:44 PM
First I truly feel for the victim in this case and I do hope he takes legal action. However, that being said, as a gay cop I see both sides of this arguement everyday. I live with the fear of being gay and someone attacking me because of it, but additionally I am looked down upon because I am a police officer. If this guy was a banker or accountant or manager of a local store would you be calling for him to be fired?? NO I seriously doubt it. I don't condone his actions in anyway, but firing him for something that happened on his own time not in uniform is just wrong. It is a form of discrimination from a certain point of view, you are degrading him and putting him down soley because of his choosen occupation. I can tell you plenty of times when someone I have pulled over has claimed I only did so because I am a racist, because I am white and they are black. Or I treated them unfairly because they are female or whatever else. The point is no one likes police, most of the time when you encounter an officer it is a negative situation, he is giving you a ticket, etc. How many people go up to their local officer standing in line somewhere for a drinking and just say "Hi, how is your day going?". I can tell you from personal experience rarely. It is a par tof the job, I expect it, people hate me soley because of my job, but they don't even no me, no matter how you look at it, that is discrimination.
Posted by: Lee | Oct 20, 2008 11:35:48 PM
i hope the community do something about this cop, and the attitude that gave him the job back. dont stand for it.
Posted by: joey | Oct 21, 2008 12:52:55 PM