7 July 2015
20 Tammuz 5775
Back in May I wrote about how the use of profanity by law enforcement officers diminishes moral authority. Read: A Word to Law Enforcement Officers – F-ing Isn’t a Proper Adjective
This afternoon a story from WFAA-TV reinforces that earlier admonition to abstain from the use of profanity in the line of duty. But, there is more culpability on the part of this officer.
Apparently Dallas Police Department officials call this officers misbehavior “a mistake”. I call it a terroristic threat, as defined by the Texas Penal Code, Title 5, Chapter 22 which states: “A person commits an offense if the person: intentionally or knowingly threatens another with imminent bodily injury”
I truly appreciate the teens courage in response to officer Rossi demands the teen “look me in the eye”. “The teen then tells the officer to remove his sunglasses and look him in the eye.”
“If I were you, son, I’d shut the f*** up, cause I’ll break your f***ing neck. You understand me?” – Dallas police officer Terigi Rossi threatening a 14-year-old boy
I’m not a lawyer. I just read and study the Constitutions of these United States and the State of Texas. Very plainly, this was a case of official misconduct: (a) betrayal of moral authority through verbal abuse of a minor who, by the way, was never either charged or arrested and (b) violation of the above cited criminal statute.
Apparently, the Dallas Police Department operates above the law, as evidenced by restoring this rogue officer to duty, instead of following due process of law.
The first duty of all government is to secure the rights of people.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men…
John White
Rockwall, Texas
Vox Populi Non Peri 