[DeltaElite]

It seems that the brass is seperating themselves from Officer "Cutter" Johnson.

"The department has no policies and procedures that would cause an officer to use a knife to make an arrest," Deputy Chief Gary Brown said. "We don't issue knives. We don't conduct any training that would involve a knife in the arrest of a subject."


A $100 Million law suit has been filed.
Somebody is gonna be looking for a job real soon, I hope.

Detroit Bosses Don't Back Cop (http://www.detnews.com/2003/metro/0301/11/metro-57343.htm)

[Tamara]

Man, if I was in their shoes, I'd be acting like I had no clue where he got the badge from... "Officer Johnson? Never heard of him. He had a badge? Must've found it on the sidewalk someplace..." :eek:

[ojibweindian]

About time the rogue cops started getting reined in.

[Greg L]

Good. Hopefully the attitude will spread a bit to other departments that need a cleansing.

Greg

[Cal4D4]

Didn't follow policy and training, insurance carrier won't foot the bill. This guy is out in the cold unless some smart lawyer can show that superiors were aware of his conduct and somehow condoned it.

[DeltaElite]

Yup, he's up the creek without a paddle.

Out of training, out of policy, out of luck.

[4v50 Gary]

Can't say I blame them. Cutting a finger off is extremely negligent and the agency is trying to disavow the actions of the officer so as to reduce its liability.

[Ed Brunner]

They can disconnect all they want, but if he belonged to them when it happened, it's still just talk.

Who loses? Taxpayers.

[Mustang]

Yup, he's up the creek without a paddle.
He doesn't even have a canoe! Or a lifeline, or a cell phone, or an AAA card, or a "Get Out of Jail Free"Card...

[Coronach]

Would this be another one of those "cops can do whatever they want" situations?

Oh, wait...he's being hung out to dry? Uhm...wait, this isn't fitting with our preconceived notions...

;)

Mike

[Boats]

He must have seen Officer Alonzo Harris and his Spyderco during one too many viewings of Training Day.

[Blackhawk]

Geoffrey Fieger is a pit bull of a lawyer. It doesn't what the City of Detroit does to "unring the bell," it's not going to get any break on this one. :fire:

[gwalchmai]

I kinda feel that if he works for you and he's not breaking any established rules or laws you ought to support him if he screws up. I agree he was way out there using a knife, but there were probably other indications he wasn't a good cop, and they kept him on.

Was there a writtten department policy that said not to use knives?
Did they immediately start disciplinary actions? Or did they wait to distance themselves until the lawsuits hit?

Municipalities that can distance themselves from bad employees when the SHTF have less incentive to maintain good employees, IMHO.


Resp.,
g ;)

[modifiedbrowning]

The department said they don't issue knives, but cops don't carry knives as matter of course? Are cops in Detroit not allowed to carry knives if they choose to do so?

[KMKeller]

Officer Johnson, you ARE the WEAKEST link.

[Byron Quick]

Preconceived notions, Coronach? Sure he's going to get reamed in civil court but what about criminal court? Want to give odds on what happens there?