Our Eyes have been busy this weekend covering the often looked over details of APD’sChief Schultz’s greatest timed caper. It seems once again “the Terrible” that continues to plaque Albuquerque can’t just get enough attention.
On the opening day of the state fair a driver, trying to get through the parade,forced himself and created a giant stir and glanced some pedestrians. Rushing in to save the day was none other than Chief Schultz and Deputy Chief Banks. As stated by PIO Officer Rob Gibbs, Chief Schultz and Deputy Chief Banks could “smell alcohol coming from the car, saw blood shot watery eyes, and heard the driver communicate with slurred speech.” After the driver stopped for the two Segway mounted officers, according to Officer Gibbs, he refused to roll down his window at which point Chief Schultz shattered the driver’s window with his baton and attempted to extract the driver from the car. Mr. Gandara was booked into MDC and charged with Aggravated Eluding a Police Officer and Tampering with Evidence.
As with anything Chief Schultz touches, this entire incident seems shattered.Despite the fact that Mr. Gandara had stopped his car, our Eyes tells us Chief Schultz induced jeopardy by attempting contact with the driver of a motor vehicle from the Segway’s moving platform. Despite the fact that the car was surrounded by other APD and NMSP officers, Chief Schultz escalated the event with a use of force that left many scratching their heads. Many of our Eyes tell us there was a lot of discomfort as it was unclear if the chief had even tried opening the car door himself. The media seems focused on whether or not the chief and deputy chief operated their lapel cameras…well the obvious answer is of course not. An interesting precedent these two department leaders have put forward…
Below is a picture emailed to us by one of our Eyes…we also find it disturbing that Deputy Chief Banks (and Chief Schultz we’re told) were not wearing helmets while operating their Segways. Thankfully APD’s motor unit officers wear helmets, and according to OSHA it’s a requirement to wear helmets whether on horses, bicycles, or Segways. As usual once again, our leaders do NOT lead by example. We’re still trying to figure out how Chief Schultz and Deputy Chief Banks were able to discern the drivers lack of sobriety without seeing him drive in an impaired manner. Given that they could smell the alcohol (don’t you mean alcoholic beverage Officer Gibbs?), see the driver’s bloodshot watery eyes, and hear slurred speech, we’d think two of APD’s most senior leaders would want to protect themselves and model proper behavior before all of the children watching the fair. Of course, with APD’s command, it’s better to look good than to be good.
We look forward to reading Chief Schultz and DCOP Bank’s reports. We hope that the officers who got saddled with having to clean up this mess didn’t get stuck too long with a call that, frankly, was unnecessarily complicated by Mayor Berry’s police chief.
22 comments:
Is that Banks giving a high five? Or perhaps a belly bump with is buddy Ray?
State Fair, State Fair, State Fair.
Is it not obvious that the administration is taking advantage of the fair to take away the attention from themselves? It's funny how they are contacting the news with all of the operations they are conduction. The brain surgeons just gave up the bait car operation, along with telling the bad guys there are DWI check points. I enjoyed the humbleness in Bank's interview with the news where he told them there could be fatalities. It's nice to know we have humble bosses who give a little recognition to the gang of backup officers who really did the work. That is the difference between a real cop who's been there and done it compared to posers who need to feel like he have done some police work. The street real cop would have made little of his actions being thankful that nothing bad happened. The poser inflates what could have happened when it didn't. There could have been fatalities!!!! There can always be fatalities when motor vehicles are involved. Then they ger a state police officer to say that in 20 years he's never seen anything like it. Where did that guy work for 20 years? You can't make this shit up.
Up next, the Balloon Fiesta, where for years there have been no problems, but this year the super commanders responsible for it will save the entire human race. Lapel cameras optional. (for commanders that is)
Just for the record, how can Gibbs make an excuse for Banks when from the photos, it looks like Banks wasn't even wearing his lapel camera. But like true APD tradition, "It was there. Didn't you see it? Look again. It's there. You just have to look hard. Well, it was there. He must have taken it off right before the photo." Yea ok.
Our heroes strike again. Thank you Lord for having your servants protect us. Schultz and Bank's action surely will mean the world will not end in 2012 as stated by the wise ones.
The charges seem not to make sense. was the man arrested for DWI ? I was not there, but by reading this story it seems the charges are for CYA. Of course the non camera would of helped so we could look at the non video. Now what would schultz and banks do to a rank and file officer for no camera, no helmet, and we will see if no report.
Paul,
...not to mention breaking the glass on the vehicle. Didn't he try to imply that that sort of thing is an unlawful entry when he threw those officers under the bus for chasing a drug dealer?
I have a question for the EYE and all it's readers: Has anything changed since the EYE began reporting on APD's leadership issues? It seems like everytime the EYE points out the Chief's outrageous behavior, the Chief just one-ups himself and does something even crazier. There isn't a single organization, other than APD, in which it's membership would allow this behavior to continue to occur at the leadership level. I guess the real question I'm asking is "Who is really at fault? Three people at the top of the ladder, or hundreds of people at the bottom of the ladder that could tip that ladder over very easily? I think the dummies at the bottom of the ladder are to blame...sorry.
Don't get me wrong, I read the EYE regularly to stay in tune with whats happening at APD. Every now and again, one of the commentors will share info that is helpful to me and my assoiciates, so I definitely encourage the open forum.
Why did "they" not charge DWI, careless or reckless driving (contingent on circumstances), and refusing to obey or resisting an officer (also contingent on circumstances). It sure seems like these baffoons are stacking charges to over-glamourize what took place. Aggravated fleeing an officer and tampering with evidence, OMG!!! Just about any defense attorney, public defender for that matter, will chew this case up and spit it back on APD's face. Officers who work out in the field that diligentlty enforce traffic and DWI laws handle incidents like these almost routinely, without the need of over-charging the suspect. This is a dangerous precedent of applying criminal charges that was just established by APD's top bosses. Not to mention the basic safety infractions of helmets and reflective vests and the foolish actions that created a greater jeopardy to the officers, citizens, and suspect, no use of issued video recorder (no use, heck these guys weren't even wearing them), over-exuberant celebration displaying lack of professionalism and conduct unbecoming (when is arresting and appropriately charging a suspect not enough, now we have to high-five, chest bump, and maliciously over-charge?). WOW, BIGTIME FAIL YET AGAIN...
It looks like the editorial board at the journal get all of their material from other people. They must read this blog with their Mall Cop comment in the paper today. At least the eye is consistent in their actions because the journal flip flops like a stranded sardine on a hot sidewalk. I have never seen more hypocrisy lies and outright swaying with the wind with one rag of a newspaper. Now they say how the chief is such a great leader because he was riding a segway? What's the matter with walking? That takes too much effort. It is obvious that the journal is a worthless paper only interested in playing political games. Since they are bringing up civil rights violations, it is the ones by this chief that are being questioned. Ethics in reporting is a major concern. Comparing previous articles by this rag concerning this topic and the chief is a prime example of yellow journalism and ethical misconduct. That paper is useful for lining chicken coops, that's it.
The journal beter remember their statements when they try to condemn an officer for doing the same thing when it's on video. Then again, it doesn't matter, this is Albuquerque where everyone just says what they want regardless of the truth and what they said the day before.
"We need to restore public trust, public confidence and reach out to the community."
—APD Chief Ray Schultz, May 27, 2005.
Maybe they should ride te segways thrugh the evidence building and they can see for themselves all the violations going on. May even get an invite into the vault.
post at 0714....it's a sad reality but your point has merit. the dummies at the bottom are not just the cops though, ultimately its the citizens as well....
According to the ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL Adolph Hitler was an economic stimulus to Europe.
what the heck is going on with this webpage? spelling errors are all over. Expedite, not expidite. spectacle not specticle. spell check seriously, it will help form credibility.
Hey Schultz I hear you have ROP following some Officers. Maybe they should start with the 57 Sgt who everyone including the Commander knows that he goes out drinking almost everynight in his SID car.
Everyone beware.
Ficke needs to go. His antics will catch up with him very soon.
I think the headline was meant to say TESTICLE of himself... The parade crasher will end up with a plea bargain which will consist of NO DL, Failure to sign vehicle registration.. All other charges will be dropped..
Ok EYE why do I keep hearing the following.
1. Two civilian females on the 4th floor doing mary jane all he time. That one of their female relatives was caught with MJ and let go because of her PD connections and the 5th floor is aware of it all.
2. The sexual activities in the evidence room was viewed as a porn show and the 5th floor did nothing.
3. A former DC pulled a gun on his girlfriend while on the 5th floor and poweres to be did nothing.
All of this stuff is not cool.
Since Schultz is an active chief I totally expect him to volunteer for calls in the SE when there is more than 3 holding which is everyday every shift. Don't forget your camera you will have to fire yourself on the 2nd offense. Isn't that what you released to the media?
If Shultz were in town maybe he would! But once again he's OUT OF TOWN!!!
Wait...how did they smell alcohol coming from the car if the window was up?
Is it just me, or did that not make sense?
And segways? Really? Have they not checked how retarded they look on those? LOL, sorry guys, your boss is a sped.
Shocking news! The crimcmplt from Schultzoid"s big arrest is all fucked up. I guess he didn't do any of the things GIBBS said he did! Shocking!!!
Any criminal complaint or investigation connected with the chief may as well come from the land of make believe.
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