Police commanders say veteran officer violated policy.
Dawn Tongish The 33 News
July 6, 2010
DALLAS, TX - A Dallas police officer is under investigation and will likely be disciplined, after commanders say the cop fired a pepper ball gun without permission.
"He made a mistake and we have to learn from it. He understands he should have made a better decision," Deputy Chief Vincent Golbeck, said.
Commanders say the officer was on Lower Greenville Avenue when he deployed the pepper dust, firing about 13 rounds against a building. Witnesses describe the incident as frightening.
"People under it were screaming and one woman was wiping tears from her eyes," Avi Adelmann, who saw the ordeal, said.
Adelmann says it just after the bars closed early Sunday morning, when the officer fired above the smal crowd.
"There was no fight. It was just a means of getting people to move faster and it was so wrong," Adelmann said.
Merchants of the nightlife area worry the incident could scare away business. Bar and restaurant owners have worked to rebuild Lower Greenville's image, amid concerns of safety.
"We were making progress and now eight customers have told me they won't come back," Carl Priggre, the general manager of the Sugar Shack said.
"This will kill business, when patrons see police going too far."
Police commanders say there are specific rules regarding the deployment and use of the pepper ball gun. A top-ranking supervisor must give permission for the device to be used. The officer involved did not have approval. Officials say he is newly-trained to use the pellet spewing gun.
"We apologize to those innocent bystanders who may have been affected," Deputy Chief Golbeck, said.
http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-greenville-dpd-pepper-ball-use-story,0,1454954.story
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