Posted: 2/14/2005 5:41:22 AM EDT
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www.wbns10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2941166&nav=LUERWJxg Police Chief Leaves Loaded Gun In Library Police Chief Jeanne Miller was studying at the Reynoldsburg Library. As she drove off, she remembered she left something very important behind -- her gun. Now she's waiting to find out if she'll be disciplined for the mistake. "She has a very fine reputation in law enforcement and I think the city is blessed to have her," Safety Director Sharon Reichard said defending the police chief. Reynoldsburg Police Chief Jeanne Miller admits she left her loaded gun inside the Reynoldsburg library on January 3rd. Reichard headed the investigation, and is convinced no one touched the bag, when the chief left the library. "She left, She forgot to take the bag with her. She got in her car as soon as she hit main street, she darted back," Reichard said. The chief did not respond to our request for an interview, but told Reichard she was only gone five minutes before she drove back to get her purse. "She did something very honorable she got on the phone she called the dispatcher and said if somebody from the library called that's my handbag that's my weapon and I'm heading back," Reichard said. The safety director says she isn't sure if the police department has a policy regarding how weapons should be secured while officers are off duty. But, according to Reichard -- that could change. "It's something we could consider but that's for another time." Safety Director Reichard expects to have her recommendation for discipline on the Mayor's desk by the end of business on Monday. |
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I know Jeanne from the Chief's association. She's good people and treats her employees well. She also truly cares about her community. Shit happens and no one is perfect. The difference with a Chief is that one oh shit whipes out every atta boy/girl anyone ever had in their lifetime. All I can say is that whoever leaked this one had better not expect any slack for their next mistake of any sort either. The net result is that people will fail to report their own mistakes and try to fix them on their own, even when it is apparent that more immediate action than they can provide might be needed. The Chief could have simply gone back and got it. If a librarian spotted it in the mean time, she could have simply said she was nearby and responding to the call or some other hokey story. Instead she held herself to the higher standard of taking responsibility for her own actions or errors. |
So would the po po cut me any slack if that was me????? Doubt it. She should be held to the same standards as any citizen. No wonder people hate cops. |
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1. Carrying her gun in a bag rather than on her person: Dumbass. 2. Leaving the bag with the gun it unattended: Dumbass. 3. Telling people she left the bag with the gun it unattended: Dumbass. 4. Shotar's impression from actually meeting her: good people. Conclusion: good people, but a bit of a dumbass. |
Exactly what would they charge you with? We don't really have a statute in this state that covers this situation. |
Oh, come on. You don't have an omnibus "Knee-Jerk Imputation of Elitism to the Cops" statute that would explain Skpp108's post? Oh, wait. Now I see. . . . Fact is, unless you live someplace where guns are treated like heroin, or you left it someplace where you knew kids were hanging out, I think the very worst you'd get would be a lecture. |
Mistakes happen. she knew the weapon was unsecured in an area where a minor might have access. Best action is to secure the weapon immediately. TRG |
I agree she deserves credit for calling the library, can't swear that I wouldn't've thought- Shit I better run right back there and get it before I get caught! Course she won't lose her right to carry a gun over this and I would. |
Good point. Unless she's some kind of three-wheeled bitch (and Shotar says she isn't) there's nothing in the story that would justify embarrassing her like that, given that she doubtless felt about 3" tall when she realized what had happened. |
Best guess is that someone, who did not make Chief, might have blabbed. She has however been Chief I think since 98 or so. Kinda hard to hold a grudge that long just waiting for a mistake to happen. Kinda petty too. |
CHL holders do this all the time. The problem is, They don't tell anyone. "Found Firearms/Ammunition" is a daily call around here. Apparently a lot of these rocket scientists can't keep track of magazines either. The kicker is, The CHL holder leaves his pistol on the toilet and calls a week later to report it "stolen". Oh yeah, we believe that one. 
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Ouch! That's gotta be quite a moment for the CHL, when he calls to report the "theft" and the officer says "Uh, yeah. We already recovered it. Do you know anyone who might have stolen your gun and then left it in the shitter at your regular hangout just to make you look like a dumbass?" 
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I was just kidding. I'd cut her slack and give her either a verbal admonishment or a written reprimand. She should not suffer any carreer-ending penalty, although some her have suggested that. People may not understand what we go through to get where we are. It's not just a job at the local market. People make mistakes. Does anybody think after all this she'll ever make the same one again? |
I have been to those calls myself. Want to really get a major Police response? Accidentally leave your CHL handgun in the crapper at a bank. Hilarity ensues as EVERYONE important form several Divisions and agencies makes a "low-profile" response. Hey, everyone is human. One of my co-workers at a former agency left his duty weapon in the bathroom at a nationally recognized bulding. It was turned in at the help desk. That was probably a decade ago and he still (deservedly) catches grief for that. Of course, that particular person is also certifiably insane, but that is another issue entirely. |