11/06/2009
Fort Worth Officers Receive Inadequate Suspensions for Gay Bar Raid
At a press conference yesterday, Fort Worth police chief Jeff Halstead announced that a chapter was being closed in discussing investigations related to the June raid on the Rainbow Lounge:
"Speaking at a news conference across from the bar, chief Jeffrey Halstead acknowledged officers were overaggressive, creating an atmosphere of 'fear and confusion' in the bar. But he said none crossed the line in how they handled people or went into the bar because of its clientele. 'It was very clear from this inquiry that there was no malice or ill will on the part of any officers who entered the Rainbow Lounge,' he said."
In August, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission fired three agents for their participation in the raid. Halstead's discipline to the Fort Worth force can only be described as insulting to those targeted in the raid:
Suspended for a variety of policy violations were Fort Worth police Sgt. R.M. Morris, and Officers K.Q. Gober and J.M. Back.
• Morris, who joined the force in 1995, received a one-day suspension for "poor judgment" in the way he conducted the bar check on the Rainbow Lounge. "The decision to utilize a total of nine law enforcement officers to check a newly established club was excessive," his suspension letter states. The investigation also found that he failed to follow procedures, such as checking liquor licenses or other permits.
• Gober, a nearly three-year veteran, received a one-day suspension after he arrested two bar patrons for public intoxication but failed to complete his police reports by the end of his shift. "This negative media attention could have been averted had Officer Gober completed the required offense report," his suspension letter states.
• Back, a nine-year veteran, received a three-day suspension after he arrested a bar patron for having a "drunk look," which does not meet requirements for a public intoxication arrest. Back released the patron to a friend after learning the friend was Fort Worth police employee. Back violated department policy by not issuing a citation to the patron before releasing him. "Officer Back’s conduct in releasing the patron gave the appearance of favoritism and that he did not have sufficient cause to arrest the person," his suspension letter states.
Watch Halstead's press conference, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 9:15 AM EST by Andy Towle in Fort Worth, Gay Bar, Law Enforcement, News, Texas | Permalink
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I agree...not only was it simply a slap on the wrist for the officers but a slap in the face to gay community.
Dave, WGB
Posted by: Wicked Gay Blog | Nov 6, 2009 9:23:00 AM
So they admit that using 9 officers to investigate a bar is excessive. Yet this was just a random occurrence that had nothing to do with the fact that it was a gay bar? Give me a break.
The topper is that they didn't even check liquor licenses or other permits. That's one of the major functions of these raids. In other words, the ONLY reason these 9 officers showed up was to interrogate and assault gay people. Which is exactly what they did.
Posted by: David in Houston | Nov 6, 2009 9:54:20 AM
I think the officers got exactly what they deserved: "a firm talk, light suspensions and cues on how not to deal with things again"...that was enough in this case!
Posted by: diiferingview | Nov 6, 2009 10:18:58 AM
One more reason never to visit Texas again. Let alone spend any $$ there.
Posted by: chasmader | Nov 6, 2009 10:55:53 AM
Houston is very different that Fort Worth. We're about to elect an openly lesbian mayor. Don't paint all Texans with the same brush.
Posted by: walt | Nov 6, 2009 11:07:34 AM
So remember, the next mother-fucking time the pigs walk into your bar, stop being a bunch of pussies and pull a Stonewall on their asses or just keep your fuckin faggoty mouths shut.
It's pathetic that homosexuals have become such a bunch of whiny cowards.
GROW A FUCKIN' SPINE YA FAGS!
Posted by: You get what you deserve! | Nov 6, 2009 11:19:12 AM
Wow! Just wow!
Posted by: Marc C | Nov 6, 2009 11:21:54 AM
David Mixner has a point when he says it's time for civil disobedience. I'm fed up with waiting for rights when others are lining up to take away the ones we fought so hard to get. Stonewall queens had balls. Let's grow some in 2009.
Posted by: kb | Nov 6, 2009 11:58:22 AM
What. A. Relief. For a moment there I thought the brutal gay-raid might embarrass the top police brass. I forgot this was Texas. Now we know that it was all above-board and any bruises were the side-effect of late paperwork, I think we can put this silly bagatelle behind us and get back to race-baiting the Moozlims and Bleks.
Posted by: Donovan | Nov 6, 2009 12:17:07 PM
@WALT: "We're [Houston] about to elect an openly lesbian mayor."
I didn't realize that electing someone on their merit in spite of their sexuality was something to be overly pleased with.
You elect the best person for the job and if that's a lesbian, so be it. I'll applaud cities and their people when they elect someone without regard of their sexuality.
Until then, Houston and Fort Worth (and just about every other major city in this country) are identical to me.
Posted by: Tommy | Nov 6, 2009 1:08:20 PM
@ You get what you deserve!
Do us all a favor and shut the fuck up.
Posted by: Ryan | Nov 6, 2009 4:05:23 PM
Ryan! You're growing a spine, that's wonderful! Now how about channeling some of that anger into someone who really deserves it instead of one of your brothers?
Or do you only have courage behind html?
Posted by: YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE! | Nov 6, 2009 6:44:35 PM
They got off with a slap on the wrist because we didn't keep the heat on them. Sounds to me it's time for another round of Civil Disobedience.
Let 'em know how you feel about this shit:
Ft.Worth City Attorney: David Yett
817-392-7600
Mayor Mike Moncrief
817-392-6118
mike.moncrief@fortworthgov.org
Council District 9 Joel Burns
District9@fortworthgov.org
Council District 8 Kathleen Hicks
District8@fortworthgov.org
Council District 7 Carter Burdette
District7@fortworthgov.org
Council District 6 Jungus Jordan
District6@fortworthgov.org
Council District 5 Frank Moss
District5@fortworthgov.org
Council District 4 Danny Scarth
817-392-8804
District4@fortworthgov.org
Council District 3 W.B. 'Zim' Zimmerman
District3@fortworthgov.org
Council District 2 Sal Espino
District2@fortworthgov.org
Ft. Worth Chief of Police Jeffrey Halstead
fwpdweb@fortworthpd.com
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
complaints@tabc.state.tx.us
Posted by: Wheezy | Nov 7, 2009 12:40:03 PM
WOW....Another white homophobe. I thought they were more accepting than other races?
HMMMMMMMMMM I guess not!
Posted by: And I thought it was safe | Nov 9, 2009 5:43:07 AM