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Sheriff revokes concealed weapon license of former challenger
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Sheriff Lee Baca revoked the concealed weapons license of a retired captain from his department who ran against him unsuccessfully in the June 6 election.
Capt. Ken Masse, a 35-year veteran of the sheriff's department who retired last year, was notified two days after the election that his license had been revoked.
Undersheriff Larry Waldie notified Masse of the move, saying that his campaign "may have damaged the public's confidence in this agency."
Masse's lawyer called the revocation "blatant retaliation."
Law enforcement officers are generally given a concealed weapons license after retirement in California, but the credentials can be revoked after a showing of "good cause," usually for criminal misconduct.
"It happens when there's dangerous conduct, not when somebody is engaged in politics," Masse's attorney Dieter Dammeier told the Los Angeles Times . "I think it's absurd in this day and age that you'd have a public official who'd think you can retaliate against someone who opposed you. It's something you'd expect in junior high, not the L.A. Sheriff's Department."
Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said the decision was justified.
"This has nothing to do with retaliation or curbing one's democratic right to freedom of speech," he said. "This has to do with misusing department data and mechanisms."
In a letter revoking the permit, Waldie said Masse unlawfully sought contributions from deputies, and that he inappropriately used department data to contact them at home.
Masse acknowledged soliciting the donations, saying he was unaware of state campaign law prohibiting candidates from seeking contributions from those who would work under them.
Officials warned Masse during the election that he may have violated the law, but did not file charges.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/14842701.htm
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Sheriff Lee Baca revoked the concealed weapons license of a retired captain from his department who ran against him unsuccessfully in the June 6 election.
Capt. Ken Masse, a 35-year veteran of the sheriff's department who retired last year, was notified two days after the election that his license had been revoked.
Undersheriff Larry Waldie notified Masse of the move, saying that his campaign "may have damaged the public's confidence in this agency."
Masse's lawyer called the revocation "blatant retaliation."
Law enforcement officers are generally given a concealed weapons license after retirement in California, but the credentials can be revoked after a showing of "good cause," usually for criminal misconduct.
"It happens when there's dangerous conduct, not when somebody is engaged in politics," Masse's attorney Dieter Dammeier told the Los Angeles Times . "I think it's absurd in this day and age that you'd have a public official who'd think you can retaliate against someone who opposed you. It's something you'd expect in junior high, not the L.A. Sheriff's Department."
Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said the decision was justified.
"This has nothing to do with retaliation or curbing one's democratic right to freedom of speech," he said. "This has to do with misusing department data and mechanisms."
In a letter revoking the permit, Waldie said Masse unlawfully sought contributions from deputies, and that he inappropriately used department data to contact them at home.
Masse acknowledged soliciting the donations, saying he was unaware of state campaign law prohibiting candidates from seeking contributions from those who would work under them.
Officials warned Masse during the election that he may have violated the law, but did not file charges.
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/14842701.htm
