Baltimore Police Officer Fired for Roughing Up a 14 Year Old in 2007.

ThePepsiSyndrome · Aug 26, 2010

I could have sworn there was a thread on this incident from a couple of years ago but I couldn't find it.

City police officer who berated skateboarder fired

City police officer who berated skateboarder fired
Incident from three years ago shown on YouTube
August 25, 2010|By Peter Hermann, The Baltimore Sun

Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III overruled a disciplinary panel's recommendation Wednesday and fired a veteran officer who was caught on video berating and pushing a 14-year-old skateboarder at the Inner Harbor three years ago.

A trial board consisting of three officers of varying ranks heard evidence at a hearing last month and cleared Officer Salvatore Rivieri of the most serious administrative charges: using excessive and unnecessary force and uttering discourtesies.

The panel instead ruled that the 19-year veteran deserved a five-day suspension for failing to file a report. A department spokesman said Bealefeld disagreed and called Rivieri into his office Wednesday and told him he had been fired. The spokesman declined to explain the decision further, pointing to confidential personnel rules.

The chief's decision — while not unprecedented — drew immediate condemnation from the union representing the city's 3,000 police officers. The union leaders accused Bealefeld of bowing to public pressure in a case that attracted national attention and became a sensation on the Internet.

Hundreds of thousands of people on YouTube watched Rivieri confront Eric Bush as he tried to stop him and his friends from skateboarding on the waterfront promenade, sparking a debate over police tactics, parenting and apathetic teens. They were drawn to the officer's rage when the youth repeatedly called him "dude" and by the officer's incendiary rant, during which he screamed, "Obviously your parents don't put a foot in your butt quite enough because you don't understand the meaning of respect."

Robert F. Cherry, president of the city's Fraternal Order of Police lodge, likened Bealefeld's move to a "jury coming back with a verdict of acquittal and the prosecutor saying, 'Hell no, put him in the chair and electrocute him.' That's what he just did."

Police chiefs have the right to overturn trial board decisions. But Cherry said it was not fair for the commissioner to use that power to fire an officer for a routine violation of the rules. He said the union would appeal the decision in Baltimore Circuit Court.

"It's outrageous," Cherry said. "It's well beyond the punishment that should've been meted out. … This is the mechanism to police the police. The trial board is judge and jury. They have seen this video over and over again. Officer Rivieri took the stand and testified and was cross-examined by city lawyers."
Click to expand...

More at link^^

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GgWrV8TcUc"]YouTube- Baltimore cops V.S. skateboarder

Most people around here think the officer did not deserve to be fired but I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he was. Even though he will probably sue the city now, and win.

hotwater · Aug 26, 2010

Well now he can get a job as a mall cop and harass teenagers loitering in front of J.C. Penny

Hotwater

Heat · Aug 26, 2010

This is a statement termination. Public opinion ruled. I think this is going to open up a real can of worms. That he was terminated for this and yet other cases that have happened that officers were not is going to bring a storm of opinions from the public.

Explain to families why their case did not warrant an officer being dismissed.

If he does sue he is going to win. He will sue. He may even be reinstated.

The followup should be interesting.

rak · Aug 27, 2010

ThePepsiSyndrome said:

I could have sworn there was a thread on this incident from a couple of years ago but I couldn't find it.

City police officer who berated skateboarder fired

More at link^^

YouTube- Baltimore cops V.S. skateboarder

Most people around here think the officer did not deserve to be fired but I was pleasantly surprised to hear that he was. Even though he will probably sue the city now, and win.
Click to expand...

In 2007!? It was high time that he got punished for that, now that it is 2010.

mmg · Aug 27, 2010

what a fucko... that dude deserved it for having such a bad attitude. he can't even handle himself with a few 14 year olds without using force and bad language. it seems he has the maturity of a high school bully.

sure he has a badge, but he has no respect for it the way he conducts himself. if i were an LEO i'd be embarrassed to conduct business with him.

whimbrel · Aug 27, 2010

womp womp woooomp

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Baltimore Police Officer Fired for Roughing Up a 14 Year Old in 2007.

ThePepsiSyndrome Member

hotwater Senior Member Lifetime Supporter

Heat Smile, it's contagious! :) Lifetime Supporter

rak Senior Member

mmg fish out of water

whimbrel Wasteland Soldier

Log in or Sign up

Baltimore Police Officer Fired for Roughing Up a 14 Year Old in 2007.

ThePepsiSyndrome Member

hotwater Senior Member Lifetime Supporter

Heat Smile, it's contagious! :) Lifetime Supporter

rak Senior Member

mmg fish out of water

whimbrel Wasteland Soldier

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