FAST FACTS:
(Memphis, 7/1/09) Two high ranking police officers were demoted Wednesday for violating policy during a run-in with a councilwoman's son.
An argument broke out last month between Councilwoman Wanda Halbert's son and his girlfriend. Responding officers say they found marijuana on Kelvin Burrus and that he was argumentative. But instead of charging him with resisting arrest and hauling him to jail, he was given a misdemeanor citation.
After hours of administrative hearings, Lt. Col. L. Jamison and Major R. Cunningham are accused of using poor judgement.
Lt. Col. Jamison was demoted to major. Major Cunningham was demoted to lieutenant. Both also got 20-day suspensions.
"It's pure punishment, it's harsh punishment," said J.D. Sewell, President of the Memphis Police Association.
He doesn't believe the officers were given a fair hearing.
"To demote them when they've given as much as they have to this city," he added.
Jamison joined the force 35 years ago. Cunningham more than 20.
Their bosses ruled they did not follow policy during an incident involving Councilwoman Wanda Halbert's son. An investigation found Jamison and Cunnigham wrongfully overruled the responding officers who wanted to charge Buress with resisting arrest.
Instead, he was issued a misdemeanor citation for marijuana possession.
"The officers voiced their opinions strongly to supervisors, but supervisors overruled them," said Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin. "Officers made the call, it happened in their presence."
He also says there was nothing unusual for a council member to be called that her son was in trouble.
"It's not uncommon for elected officials to say 'Hey, just want to let you know, your son's being transported, your son's under arrest, or I stopped him for this, I wanna let you know.,'" said Godwin.
As for the officers who were both disciplined, they are both appealing the ruling with the civil service. We're told that hearing probably won't happen for at least 3 months.
- 2 veteran officers demoted
- Police Union says officers were treated unfairly, punishment is too harsh
- Incident that sparked investigation involved councilwoman's son
(Memphis, 7/1/09) Two high ranking police officers were demoted Wednesday for violating policy during a run-in with a councilwoman's son.
An argument broke out last month between Councilwoman Wanda Halbert's son and his girlfriend. Responding officers say they found marijuana on Kelvin Burrus and that he was argumentative. But instead of charging him with resisting arrest and hauling him to jail, he was given a misdemeanor citation.
After hours of administrative hearings, Lt. Col. L. Jamison and Major R. Cunningham are accused of using poor judgement.
Lt. Col. Jamison was demoted to major. Major Cunningham was demoted to lieutenant. Both also got 20-day suspensions.
"It's pure punishment, it's harsh punishment," said J.D. Sewell, President of the Memphis Police Association.
He doesn't believe the officers were given a fair hearing.
"To demote them when they've given as much as they have to this city," he added.
Jamison joined the force 35 years ago. Cunningham more than 20.
Their bosses ruled they did not follow policy during an incident involving Councilwoman Wanda Halbert's son. An investigation found Jamison and Cunnigham wrongfully overruled the responding officers who wanted to charge Buress with resisting arrest.
Instead, he was issued a misdemeanor citation for marijuana possession.
"The officers voiced their opinions strongly to supervisors, but supervisors overruled them," said Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin. "Officers made the call, it happened in their presence."
He also says there was nothing unusual for a council member to be called that her son was in trouble.
"It's not uncommon for elected officials to say 'Hey, just want to let you know, your son's being transported, your son's under arrest, or I stopped him for this, I wanna let you know.,'" said Godwin.
As for the officers who were both disciplined, they are both appealing the ruling with the civil service. We're told that hearing probably won't happen for at least 3 months.
