Police Officer Charged With DUI After Crash Involving Cruiser -...

Hector wrote:

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But anyway, here's to your safe ending of your shift, here's to many more!

And I want to see officers (I am a citizen) end their shifts safely. It is not that I hate and/or disrespect, but they are going to have to come to Earth at some point.

The fact is, too much power has been given to enforcement and too many civil rights have been lost, as evidenced by the charades known as The War On Terror and Drugs.

Officers are recruited from population and I assure you, many are put on the street that have no business being there. But on the other hand, how many people in their right mind would want the job?

My problem is with the few that come onto a venue such as this and think they are the saviours of the American citizenry. This civilation is failing, and most police forces do not prevent that and in some cases actually encourage it.

Maryland State Trooper Charged With Growing Marijuana

Thursday , July 10, 2008

WOODSBORO, Md.—

A Maryland state trooper has been charged with manufacturing a controlled substance after police found a cultivated marijuana plant growing outside his home.

State Police spokesman Gregory Shipley says Trooper First Class Steven Spoonire was suspended without pay after his arrest Wednesday night. The 36-year-old trooper is a 16-year veteran road patrol officer, working out of Westminster.

Shipley says the plant, less than 2 feet tall, was found growing just outside the back door of a house in Woodsboro where Spoonire lives with his wife and two stepchildren. He says investigators also found marijuana seeds and drug paraphernalia inside the home.

Spoonire is also charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was released on his own recognizance.

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story...

Here you go-

http://www.gazette.net/stories/10092008/montn...

" A Montgomery County Police officer who crashed his take-home cruiser on Interstate 270 on an early morning in May pleaded guilty last week to driving under the influence at the time.

In an Oct. 3 plea agreement, the state dropped two lesser drunk-driving charges and District Court Judge Stephen P. Johnson gave Officer John Distel, a first-time offender, the disposition of "probation before judgment" — meaning the DUI guilty plea will never appear on his permanent driving record if he meets all probation criteria for one year.

Montgomery County Police conducted the police investigation, involving alcohol and collision investigation units after Distel claimed he was a victim of a hit-and-run collision.

They charged Distel, who lives in Germantown and previously worked in the 6th District in Gaithersburg, with driving under the influence, driving under the influence per se, and driving while impaired, according to court records.

Johnson placed Distel on one year supervised probation, which means he must check in periodically with a parole and probation officer on a schedule determined by the county's Department of Corrections and is banned from drinking alcohol for one year. Distel had enrolled in and is completing alcohol treatment, Taylor said in court. Johnson also fined Distel $307.50, to be paid within 31 days and restored Distel's driver's license.

In May, Lt. Paul Starks, spokesman for county police, said that Distel would be handled in the legal system "like anyone else," but said department policy stipulates that once the court process is complete that the officer would likely face an internal investigation to determine administrative violations and his fate with the department."

Let's see, DUI, destroying County property (that means you get to pay for it) and uttering false statement to investigators (I was ran off road).

A PBJ and 300.00 fine and he returns to duty.

Return to duty. Maybe an internal affairs investigation, a dog and pony show.

You gotta love it.

Gary wrote:

Here you go-
http://www.gazette.net/stories/10092008/montn...
" A Montgomery County Police officer who crashed his take-home cruiser on Interstate 270 on an early morning in May pleaded guilty last week to driving under the influence at the time.
In an Oct. 3 plea agreement, the state dropped two lesser drunk-driving charges and District Court Judge Stephen P. Johnson gave Officer John Distel, a first-time offender, the disposition of "probation before judgment" — meaning the DUI guilty plea will never appear on his permanent driving record if he meets all probation criteria for one year.
Montgomery County Police conducted the police investigation, involving alcohol and collision investigation units after Distel claimed he was a victim of a hit-and-run collision.
They charged Distel, who lives in Germantown and previously worked in the 6th District in Gaithersburg, with driving under the influence, driving under the influence per se, and driving while impaired, according to court records.
Johnson placed Distel on one year supervised probation, which means he must check in periodically with a parole and probation officer on a schedule determined by the county's Department of Corrections and is banned from drinking alcohol for one year. Distel had enrolled in and is completing alcohol treatment, Taylor said in court. Johnson also fined Distel $307.50, to be paid within 31 days and restored Distel's driver's license.
In May, Lt. Paul Starks, spokesman for county police, said that Distel would be handled in the legal system "like anyone else," but said department policy stipulates that once the court process is complete that the officer would likely face an internal investigation to determine administrative violations and his fate with the department."
Let's see, DUI, destroying County property (that means you get to pay for it) and uttering false statement to investigators (I was ran off road).
A PBJ and 300.00 fine and he returns to duty.
Return to duty. Maybe an internal affairs investigation, a dog and pony show.
You gotta love it.

Well everyone wanted him treated the same way as a normal citizen and it looks like he was. Montgomery County Judges don't hold ANYONE responsible for ANYTHING.

Steve wrote:

<quoted text>
Well everyone wanted him treated the same way as a normal citizen and it looks like he was. Montgomery County Judges don't hold ANYONE responsible for ANYTHING.

This is true. First time DUI's with no injuries to other people are almost always PBJ's in MoCo. The key here is that he has to abstain from alcohol. He won't do that, especially near the end of the probation. SOMEONE needs to catch him drinking.

It's so frustrating for us, as officers, to have some POS like Distel STILL working here.

Fire his Azz

Instead, they'll give him a brand new 08 Charger because his "other" cruiser was wrecked. And he'll be driving that home on a DR-15a

John wrote:

Sober by the grace of God and AA retired Montgomery Cop sober for 29 years. Remember well a breathalizer technician who would come to work reaking of Granddaddy. He was one of our better more sober ones.

This is what happesns when you are too american and if he come to langley park and use our ms-13 training courses, he will be like us and will live right. For $600 we can enroll him in a training course that will be good for the country. Our ms-13 langley park crew are good teachers. We have family that are from al-quaida that work with us in cleaning up america and teaching them the good and right way to do things. If interested, come here to langley park or the ticktock place to enroll in our training course. We have a special rate of $600.

Mo Co Officer wrote:

<quoted text>

It's so frustrating for us, as officers, to have some POS like Distel STILL working here.

Fire his Azz

Instead, they'll give him a brand new 08 Charger because his "other" cruiser was wrecked. And he'll be driving that home on a DR-15a

It is nice to know that there are honest cops on the force. The Gazette article pumps him up to be some type of hero.

It just seems to me that a person should not be put in the position of enforcing law when he himself cannot/will not obey it. But, that is Mont. Cty.

I remember this thing called the FOP Weboard...I remember COWARDS like you Mo Co Officer that went on that page and pasted sly commentary about your fellow officers.
Just because he made a mistake...
I wish I knew the in's and outs of this case...I don't and I don't want to know...
I know him personally and I know he has made strides towards fixing his life...
Where was the Montgomery County Police when his marriage failed??
Where were such stand out officers like YOU Mo Co Officer when his problem was recognized??
Obviously YOU have forgotten about LOYALTY, BROTHERHOOD, and FRATERNITY!!!
Guess what...20 years ago this never would have happened...
We would have caught this problem before it became one....
I see you have your address listed as Montgomery Village....Always nice to send posts from a County Police Computer in the 6th District Station...I bet Alan would love to hear about that..it's not like they couldn't ping you IP address and find out who was signed on to that computer...
Violating Departmental Directives and speaking out on an open investigation.....you might be looking for new employment
If he gets a new Charger....B.F.D.....you whiners are always like...someone got this before me or someone got this spot before me...YOU MAKE ME SICK AND ASHAMED TO BE A FELLOW LEO

To Gary....where do you get the right to judge him or make life impacting decisions...be a judge if that is your perrogative...
Police Officers are HUMAN BEINGS that make HUMAN ERRORS!!! Just like YOU!!!
Gary, you obviously have a personal agenda against the police...I am sorry that in the 60's they busted you for smoking grass or something like that....Guess what...you want oppression...Go to China where you don't have the RIGHT to make incredulous statements on a webboard.

I just checked my old citations and this guy pulled me over! Poetic justice.

This officer Distel was the officer who arrested the man suspected of the home invasions.

Dwight Chocolate...

Where did you hear that??

Inquiring minds wrote:

Dwight Chocolate...
Where did you hear that??

It's true.

You are cowards wrote:

Gary, you obviously have a personal agenda against the police...I am sorry that in the 60's they busted you for smoking grass or something like that....Guess what...you want oppression...Go to China where you don't have the RIGHT to make incredulous statements on a webboard.

I have no agenda, other than tiring of government squandering my money.

How can a police officere, sworn officer now, enforce law when he himself cannot comply? Who the hell is he (and MCP) to enforce law on the populace and turn its' head when one of their own is corrupt?

Oh...I did try it once but did not inhale...

Moron.

Fellow Officer wrote:

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Ah this is one officer out of 1200. I guess the media does't publish when we come to your house when you call 911 and help you out. Yes, this officer messed up and he will pay the price but I do not see this reflecting the entire department. HE WAS ARRESTED JUST LIKE ANY CITIZEN WOULD BE IN THIS SITUATION.

I believe the gentleman was referring to the recent article that stated around 114 cases of MPD gettting nabbed by speed cams and then refusing to pay by claiming that they didn't own the cars! In one or two cases the "officers" were flipping the bird. NICE! I think that your comment about "one officer out of 1200" might be a tad out of touch. I know from personal experience that MPD takes advantage of the HOV lane (solo) with no lights, bells or whistles. Just riding above the law. Also, flipping on lights/sirens to get though a changing light only to go nowhere fast. If this one guy is doing all of this in multiple locations, thats very impressive. Otherwise, it just looks like a bunch of arrogant hypocrites.

Inquiring minds wrote:

Dwight Chocolate...
Where did you hear that??

I read it on one of the local news sights. Dont remember which one.

Think b4u speak wrote:

<quoted text>
I believe the gentleman was referring to the recent article that stated around 114 cases of MPD gettting nabbed by speed cams and then refusing to pay by claiming that they didn't own the cars! In one or two cases the "officers" were flipping the bird. NICE! I think that your comment about "one officer out of 1200" might be a tad out of touch. I know from personal experience that MPD takes advantage of the HOV lane (solo) with no lights, bells or whistles. Just riding above the law. Also, flipping on lights/sirens to get though a changing light only to go nowhere fast. If this one guy is doing all of this in multiple locations, thats very impressive. Otherwise, it just looks like a bunch of arrogant hypocrites.

If you know so much you would realize it's not MPD you are talking about. It is MCP. And if you have a problem with the officers driving in the HOV lanes then you obviously have other issues.

MOCO wrote:

<quoted text>

And if you have a problem with the officers driving in the HOV lanes then you obviously have other issues.

What issues? He wants to know why your kind is above the law, that's all. He's the one footing the bill. Why so defensive? The system is obviously on your side.

How can you expect a citizen to repect the law when he sees you clowns disregarding it everyday?

Gary wrote:

<quoted text>
What issues? He wants to know why your kind is above the law, that's all. He's the one footing the bill. Why so defensive? The system is obviously on your side.
How can you expect a citizen to repect the law when he sees you clowns disregarding it everyday?

You're right Gary, he is "footing the bill" Would you rather have your taxes pay for an officer to sit in traffic instead of go somewhere productive or actually get there on time with some spring in his step?

We can either hold calls and waste YOUR taxpayer dollars or we can drive in HOV and get to the destination.

Second, don't you think that just by mere presence of the police car in the HOV lane keeps other violators in check? I think it does. Because when I'm in it, theres always single drivers moving back to the normal lanes.

Did you know that motorcycles were ok? Why don't you complain about that?

Why don't you join up w/ a department so you can enjoy the "rights" above the law that you think we have?

No matter what the police does, some people will never be satisfied. I'd be that if we had a bunch of cruisers stuck in traffic, and you and your wife passed us in HOV, you'd say "Jeez, that's our taxes just sitting there being wasted".

We can never win.

Dwight Chocolate wrote:

This officer Distel was the officer who arrested the man suspected of the home invasions.

It's not that Distel is any sort of "hero" for arresting the home invasion guy, it's because he's on a temp in the detective bureau in Bethesda. That's what they do there. He wrote a couple of warrants that produced information and the rest is history. It's not like Distel caught him red-handed. Just regular detective work.

You are cowards wrote:

I remember this thing called the FOP Weboard...I remember COWARDS like you Mo Co Officer that went on that page and pasted sly commentary about your fellow officers.
Just because he made a mistake...
I wish I knew the in's and outs of this case...I don't and I don't want to know...
I know him personally and I know he has made strides towards fixing his life...
Where was the Montgomery County Police when his marriage failed??
Where were such stand out officers like YOU Mo Co Officer when his problem was recognized??
Obviously YOU have forgotten about LOYALTY, BROTHERHOOD, and FRATERNITY!!!
Guess what...20 years ago this never would have happened...
We would have caught this problem before it became one....
I see you have your address listed as Montgomery Village....Always nice to send posts from a County Police Computer in the 6th District Station...I bet Alan would love to hear about that..it's not like they couldn't ping you IP address and find out who was signed on to that computer...
Violating Departmental Directives and speaking out on an open investigation.....you might be looking for new employment
If he gets a new Charger....B.F.D.....you whiners are always like...someone got this before me or someone got this spot before me...YOU MAKE ME SICK AND ASHAMED TO BE A FELLOW LEO
To Gary....where do you get the right to judge him or make life impacting decisions...be a judge if that is your perrogative...
Police Officers are HUMAN BEINGS that make HUMAN ERRORS!!! Just like YOU!!!
Gary, you obviously have a personal agenda against the police...I am sorry that in the 60's they busted you for smoking grass or something like that....Guess what...you want oppression...Go to China where you don't have the RIGHT to make incredulous statements on a webboard.

"You Are Cowards"...wow!

It seems there's more than just Distel sipping on the sauce.

Your statement: "COWARDS like you Mo Co Officer that went on that page and pasted sly commentary about your fellow officers"

YOU ARE DOING THE SAME THING RIGHT HERE. I DIDN'T F-UP, DISTEL DID. YOU ARE BERATING ME. YOUR STATEMENT IS HYPOCRITICAL.

Your statement: "I know him personally and I know he has made strides towards fixing his life..." and "Where were such stand out officers like YOU Mo Co Officer when his problem was recognized??"

WELL, I'M NOT HIS FRIEND LIKE YOU ARE. WHERE WERE YOU!!!! YOU OBVIOUSLY WEREN'T THERE FOR HIM. WHAT KIND OF "FELLOW OFFICER" DOES THAT MAKE YOU? THINK ABOUT IT JACK-A-2-2!

Your statement: "Where was the Montgomery County Police when his marriage failed??"

IS THAT MCP'S PROBLEM? WE HAVE THE EAP. DID HE USE IT? DO I WANT MY SERGEANT TO BECOME MY THERAPIST? HE SHOULD HAVE LEANED ON HIS FRIENDS. BUT NOW WE KNOW THAT'S NOT REALLY YOU.

Your statement: "Obviously YOU have forgotten about LOYALTY, BROTHERHOOD, and FRATERNITY!!!"

YES THIS MEANS THAT WE ALL LOVE EACH OTHER AND ARE BEST OF FRIENDS. ALSO, WE SHOULD SWEEP ANY PROBLEMS UNDER THE RUG, SO AS TO "LOOK GOOD" IN FRONT OF THE PUBLIC.

IF DISTEL CALLED OUT W/ A S-13, ID BE THERE IN A SECOND. I'D GO AS FAST AS I COULD. YOU ON THE OTHER HAND, ONLY SEEM TO CARE IF IT'S CONVENIENT.