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January 8, 2011 in City
Change in DUI law means fired cop can be rehired
Thoma
(Full-size photo)
A former Spokane police sergeant fired after a drunken hit-and-run crash has been offered a spot as a detective after a change in state law lifted his driving restrictions.
City officials notified Bradley N. Thoma on Friday that he can return at the demoted level immediately after he obtained an unrestricted driver’s license this week, said Marlene Feist, city spokeswoman.
Thoma, a 20-year police veteran, has not yet accepted the position, which pays between $74,000 and $82,000 annually. He made about $91,000 as a sergeant.
Bob Dunn, a lawyer who filed a $4 million wrongful termination claim against the city on his behalf, was not available for comment Friday afternoon.
Thoma left the Spokane Police Department in December 2009 after Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said he wouldn’t be able to work as long as he was required to drive with an ignition interlock device. Thoma had entered a five-year deferred prosecution for a drunken driving arrest, which mandated that he drive with the device at all times.
Kirkpatrick had told Thoma he could try to qualify for a noncommissioned job with the city after she refused to sign a waiver that would have allowed him to drive a city vehicle without the interlock. Thoma didn’t accept the offer.
He appears to have been the first police officer in Washington to face job sanctions because of the requirement. But the state Legislature adjusted the law effective Jan. 1, and Thoma no longer has to drive with the device, Feist said.
Kirkpatrick said he could return as a detective once the ignition interlock condition was removed, which, under the old law, would take about two years. But with the device no longer required, Thoma is welcome back immediately, Feist said.
“He’s now obtained a valid license without those restrictions, and we are prepared to move forward,” Feist said. “(City officials) have been working with him all week.”
Kirkpatrick was not available for comment on Friday.
Dunn previously said his client was discriminated against because of his alcoholism, for which Thoma is required to seek treatment under the deferred prosecution program.
Thoma was off duty in his personal pickup when he rear-ended another pickup on Sept. 23, 2009, then drove away. He was arrested at a nearby grocery store parking lot and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal driving limit of 0.08.
The hit-and-run misdemeanor was dismissed, and the drunken driving charge will be dismissed if Thoma completes the deferred prosecution program.
The city’s job offer to Thoma came the same day a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy was sentenced in Spokane County District Court for drunken driving for an April incident.
Darin M. Schaum pleaded guilty and was ordered to spend 15 days on electronic home monitoring, be on probation for two years and perform 24 hours of community service. He’ll be required to drive with an ignition interlock device on his car for a year.
Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said he will sign a waiver to allow Schaum to drive a patrol car without the device but won’t sign them for any future DUI arrests for any employees.
“Because of the seriousness of DUI, I’m just not willing to sign waivers anymore,” Knezovich said.
Schaum refused to submit a blood sample for alcohol tests after his arrest but retained his driver’s license after a hearing with the state Department of Licensing. He’ll lose it for 90 days because of the DUI conviction but will have an occupational license allowing him to drive during work, Knezovich said.
Schaum was suspended for three weeks last summer because of the arrest, Knezovich said. Lt. Stephen Jones, who was cited for drunken driving after a crash in Liberty Lake last January, was suspended for two weeks. His DUI charge has not been resolved.
Human trafficking suspects released 
BitofBacon on January 08 at 12:28 a.m.
Let the whining begin.
saveyourtatas on January 08 at 1:24 a.m.
Dear Bacon,
You have to admit this does seem a little fishy. No whining, but a reality check means that a drunk driver who leaves the scene of a crash is a defacto criminal. That is called intellectual honesty. If Thoma had a sterling 20 year career with no major problems or reprimands, he might well deserve a second chance. However, the public perception is not the best right now when you consider that new cops are trained by the likes of Karl Thompson, who killed Otto Zehm and was rewarded by Verner and Kirkpatrick as if he were a heroic soldier. Fairness and objectivity seem to be rare these days. All cops tend to think all cops are innocent of everything. On the other hand, the general public, which used to revere and admire police, well, they are increasingly suspicious of cops who seem to shoot first and ask later. Thoma did something wrong, right? Can you admit that? If a normal citizen has a drunk driving arrest after leaving a crash site, they likely get 2 years behind bars. While you will respond to this with all the defensive nature of a blue blooded cop, I simply ask you to think before you type. Every once in a long while a bad cop comes along. Say, for example he gets hammered and smashes up a car and drives off. Do you have the honesty to admit that one out of ten cops is less than perfect? I suppose you will call this whining, but just for a moment….don”t shoot the messenger….Think before you type and really give it some thought…as opposed to hyperbole. Cops are not prone to phiosophy, but you, “Bacon”, can write and communicate better than most, so I am hoping for a pensive response.
Dazzeetrader11 on January 08 at 2:09 a.m.
He broke the law. A change in the law is lucky for him but it’s hard to square a officer who demands adherence to the law.being let out of a DUI because there is some fortuitous change in equipment.
Ask yourself what would be happening if ANY citizen had a DUI, had a wreck and drove off. There’s the answer. Equal under the law went where?
Seems to be a trend in the Spokane law enforcement world. Always some tactic or change in something to let these guys off the hook when a normal person might be in jail or at least have a record. Fitzpatrick, Nicks and Ozzie need to know and understand how these antics look to the taxpaying public.
drywitt99 on January 08 at 2:19 a.m.
“Perception is reality.”
And the perception…..of any fair-minded indiividual…..
is that this is simply WRONG.
Yet another self-inflicted wound by local law enforcement agencies.
Alfredo on January 08 at 2:46 a.m.
“Darin M. Schaum pleaded guilty”
I’m trying to figure out why the cannot just fire him. I’m guessing union.
Peace officers should be held to a higher standard. Any officer convicted (pleading guilty is a conviction) of anything other than a minor traffic offense should be rewarded with termination.
Alfredo on January 08 at 2:49 a.m.
“Thoma had entered a five-year deferred prosecution for a drunken driving arrest”
Can I just drive drunk, cause an accident, leave the scene and assume I’ll be given the same cushy option?
oneanddone on January 08 at 4:27 a.m.
I’ve never had a problem with the local LEOs using their weapons against those who choose to violate the law and threaten others with violence. There’s a fine line for an officer when he needs to protect himself or others. THIS however is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous. I no longer will feel empathy or support for any cop in Spokane. Hit and run is a felony and he should have been summarily fired.
ZagChuck on January 08 at 4:59 a.m.
1st, there is NO correlation between actions of on-duty officers that caused significant injury or death, and the actions of one off-duty officer.
2nd @ one-and -done, A hit and run is only a felony if there is an injury or death. a hit and run with property damage is a misdemeanor.
Having said that, I agree the officer should not be re-appointed to the position. Unfortunately for the citizens of the state of Washington, the law has not been on our side in this situation.
I can point to two incidents in Okanogan County in the last few years to show why this officer was “forced” back upon the department, and why fighting it would more than likely be a waste of time and money.
Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers fired a deputy a few years ago for an off-duty DUI he received in another county. An arbitrator determined the firing unlawful http://www.omakchronicle.com/archives/db_stories.asp?story=20071024A01-01 but the sheriff insisted. After taking it as far as the Court of Appeals, Sheriff Rpogers was forced to allow the Deputies return to service. http://www.omakchronicle.com/archives/db_stories.asp?story=20071205A02-02 as per the court order, the deputy was paid his full salary in back pay upon his return.
Additionally, a Tonasket Police Officer in was terminated May 7, 2007, after allegedly violating department policy by consuming alcoholic beverages while on duty April 18. She filed suit claiming she was unlawfully terminated. http://www.omakchronicle.com/archives/db_stories.asp?story=20071107A01-04 She was reinstated approximately 1 year later by court order. http://www.omakchronicle.com/archives/db_stories.asp?story=20080416A02-02
In both situations the municipalities spent unbudgeted tax dollars fighting a losing battle, and being forced to return the Officer/deputy to service. In this case, we can’t blame Ozzie, Anne, or Tucker for returning the Officer to duty.
Ron_the_Cop on January 08 at 5:07 a.m.
My two cents here. All of us our human including cops. A DUI is one thing but a hit and run is another. Chief Kirkpatrick should have fired him for the hit and run. This probably would have stuck.
ZagChuck on January 08 at 5:26 a.m.
@ Ron,
Only if it was at least a second offense, read the cited stories.
There are other municipalities that have installed ignition interlock devices in patrol cars. ( King County for example. )
DHF on January 08 at 6:27 a.m.
Equal Justice under the law (right). The public needs a reality check to know the laws are not allways applied equally and the results may vary. Thinking back over 2010 there vere many examples. Congress, Police, Public. If you happen to be in the majority (Public) you go to jail
opeled on January 08 at 7:04 a.m.
sure they can talk on their cell phones and on their radios and drive and get a dui get a job back and why, … they Are the law, if you don’t like it they have a gun and so can harass …equality ha
TheRoyLarsen on January 08 at 7:05 a.m.
Who is Fitzpatrick?
TheRoyLarsen on January 08 at 7:12 a.m.
If you believe that everyone who supported Obama’s plan to repeal the Bush tax cuts will go ahead and pay the higher tax this year anyway even though the law was NOT repealed have another thing coming. They will not do that because the law allows them not to. Accordingly, the law now allows Thoma to get his job back.
Both may not have been right. But both are allowable.
Lefty on January 08 at 7:23 a.m.
This guy has been drinking and driving for 20 years! Ignition lock or whatever for 2 years and he is cured??This guy will seriously hurt somebody in the future.SGT Alcoholic needs a lock on all of this vehicles for life.Lets put breathalyzers in the parking lots of bars-oops(good ole boy network) it ok to drink and drive (wink-wink) Nobody cares if you drink and drive! it is the good ole boy network, if this was not true, cops would sit outside of bars and pop em as they drive off, (wink-wink) good ole boys don’t do this to other good ole boys right??There are probably 20 blazing alcoholics that work at this paper and drive daily with a buzz on. Somebody write a real story about the alcohol problem we have in the good ole USA and screw these dirty cops
berrybestfarm on January 08 at 8:09 a.m.
WHOA! Reality check folks—the Hit and Run charge was dismissed—that means a judge determined he was innocent. This leaves the DUI charge for which he absolutely should be held to a higher standard. We just can’t have those charged with enforcing the law breaking the very ones they enforce without some public showing of real discipline. Not saying he should be fired but at least suspended for a time without pay. Many private companies are able to discipline employees for otherwise private conduct that detracts from the companies business.
lewis8457 on January 08 at 8:09 a.m.
Bits must need some new drinking buddies? What is wrong can’t Gamma hold her liquor?
Just what we need more hit and run drunks on the road and so what if they are cops?
We are seeing the transformation of our police into a bunch of sissy maries.
Coffee on January 08 at 8:10 a.m.
There is a waiting list of fine law abiding people wanting to pin on a badge and yet we have to settle for these scum suckers who have dishonored theirs.
bszottlinger on January 08 at 8:53 a.m.
Ron_the_Cop is right! The basis for termination should have been the hit and run. The DUI though unlawful is a product of his alleged alcoholism. The alcoholism is defined as a disability under the ADA act and any administrator should know that termination for a first offense DUI would not meet the progressive discipline standard. The city is well aware that they would lose the 4 million dollar wrongful termination law suit so this is their method of trying to settle that litigation without going to court by offering him his job back.
Had the basis for termination been the Hit and Run which involves a crime of blatant dishonesty the city would have been able to successfully defend a wrongful termination action.
As it stands now the Hit and Run charges were dismissed in a plea agreement, which makes it obvious that there was no communication between the prosecutor and Kirkpatrick regarding dropping the Hit and Run charges, and another big screw up by her not knowing how to terminate a police officer without running into indefensible legal problems.
This is simply a matter of the city trying to get out from under a litigation that would cost them several million dollars of our money in the end. Thoma may decide not to take the reinstatement offer because he and his lawyer know they will likely win and both end up with a chunk money.
If you go back and look at previous posts regarding this case, I think you will find a few folks predicted this would happen.
How would you like to have Thoma testifying against you in a criminal matter, or how can a prosecutor possibly trust an affidavit he submits under oath.
lewis8457 on January 08 at 9:01 a.m.
Can citizens still make arrests or is that fallacy? If he pulls someone over and the cop is drunk can the citizen file an arrest against him?
bszottlinger on January 08 at 9:02 a.m.
ZagChuck:
I disagree with your progressive discipline issue regarding the hit and run, misdemeanor or not it represents a dishonesty factor that would justify termination. False Swearing is a misdemeanor what do you do with a first offense conviction for that.
schleufer on January 08 at 9:05 a.m.
no love and forgivness here this morning. maybe he is just trying to set an example of what not to do. personally if i did something like this and it was smeared all over the papers like this i think id leave town and not be asking for my job back.
mayor west was a classic example of that. he got caught in the mayors office going to gay porn sites and playing with himself and instead of letting the embarasment humiliation and disgracing the mayors office - he not only wanted to keep his job but he right after that i saw him at some big event at the park waving and saying hello to everyone as they passed by.
what this guy is doing might be legal and all that but it dont help the credibility of the police dept. no matter what - a person needs to work and provide for them selves but this deal just dont pass the smell test.
bszottlinger on January 08 at 9:27 a.m.
Bits and Roy:
Whether all your members like it or not your Guild has to back him to protect a member who doesn’t deserve termination and is the victim of another one of her screw ups. The public won’t like that either. But I guess you know that.
BitofBacon on January 08 at 9:40 a.m.
Brad,
I am not a member of the Guild. But I do get tired of all the “if it was me that was caught drunk driving they would throw the book at me and the cops get off with nothing” rhetoric. And you’re saying the chief should have colluded with the prosecutor so that she would have a firing offense? Wow! Talk about manipulating the system. Here you have a guy who by most accounts was a pretty good officer so do you want to throw that all away? Even at this point he would still be demoted to detective, which is a pretty substantial pay cut, but it’s never enough, is it?
misjustice on January 08 at 9:55 a.m.
Since when does law enforcement have to have different laws than those they serve & protect?
Would any other person that had a hit & run & a DUI while not on the job be fired from their job? No, I think not. So why would you think this man should have been fired? What if it was a mailman? Would he be fired from his delivery job (after all he drives a government car also)? What about a school bus driver that was at a Christmas function & not on the job? Should that person lose their job (After all they are driving our children around. Don’t you want our children safe)?
Laws don’t — & shouldn’t — differentiate because of professions. Get over it.
Besides, dealing with idiots (like some of those on this site) every day should give them a pass to drink when off duty!!!
PlanB on January 08 at 10:17 a.m.
I don’t necessarily think law enforcement needs to be held to a higher standard than non-law enforcement.
Just being held to an equal standard would be fine. But once again, they get special treatment. The legislature has apparently changed a law to do so. When’s the last time a
hunternomore on January 08 at 10:23 a.m.
OK GRAMMA, exactly what kind of job have you had lately? There are plenty of jobs in this town that you would be fired from if you got a DUI, left the scene of an accident and lied about it. The bottom line is that the police Union has sewn up these kinds of behavior in their members so they can get away with it and others can’t. And about those idiots in Spokane you refer to, drinking and leaving the scene of an accident isn’t really an intelligent thing to do either.
liarsinnews on January 08 at 10:25 a.m.
Pure and simple double standards. Where is Mayor Verner, the chief`s boss? My eyes opened wide when I migrated to Spokane over 2 decades ago. The number of Judges picked up for drunken driving was unbelievable. At least 3 that I remember. For gosh sakes, one judge was driving drunk going the wrong way on the interstate and was slapped on the wrist. It might be time, but it will never happen, to enact Sweden drunk driving laws. That country has the fewest DUI arrests in the world. The citizens there know the consequence and do not drive under the influence. Its either 1 or 2 years in the slammer, for the first offense, no exceptions. Of course in our country, there are so many legislators and judges guilty of drinking while driving they are afraid they might get picked up themselves so they tip toe through the tulips. Alex Woods as a example in Washington and many others of the same ilk doing it.
Ron the cop, hit the nail on the head with his opinion, what Chief Kirkpatrick should have done. Verner`s lack of leadership again showed her wrinkles in her amour and should be impeached. Verner does nothing about her incompetent staff. She should have fired both the fire chief, Williams and her financial guru, Cooley but tolerates their wrong doings.
msterner on January 08 at 10:43 a.m.
Is it just me, or is there an obvious correlation between being offered the job and the pending $4million lawsuit?
Scoutster on January 08 at 10:45 a.m.
This is an action based on budgeting, not ethics or accountability.
liarsinnews on January 08 at 10:47 a.m.
msterner and Scoutster, learn the hard way then.
bszottlinger on January 08 at 11:30 a.m.
Bits:
Not collusion a simple matter of explaining to the prosecutor that the city’s position is that there should be no plea arraignment that takes the H&R off the table, with an explanation as to why. The ultimate decision is with the prosecutor. I don’t know what is in his personnel jacket. But I think you have to agree that the DUI termination basis was a mistake which can not be undone. Had the basis been the H&R there would have been no problem with the termination, even if the charges were plead away. The plea bargain dropping the H&R also means if Thoma were to take the witness stand he could not by any means be impeached regarding the H&R. On the other hand if there were a conviction for H&R there is a chance depending on the circumstances, and the judge, that he COULD POSSIBLY be impeached based on the Rules of the Court. That fact in and of itself would help to provide a defensible position in a wrongful termination suit. The question would be, is it dishonest to flee the scene of an accident in an effort to evade a DUI arrest?
Take Thoma out of the picture add any name you want and it is still all about money.
misjustice on January 08 at 11:33 a.m.
I was a Realtor for 20 years. Drove my car every day. Have been driving since I was 17 & have NEVER had an accident or ticket. I was, and am, a responsible adult that takes seriously what the laws state. The only time I have been behind bars is while in college I took a class trip to the mens & womens prisons in Missouri. Didn’t like what I saw & vowed not to ever be in a position to have to live there.
But, I will defend the officer. What he was doing in his off time should not result in his firing. You say there are plenty of jobs in ‘this’ town that would fire you from your position if you got a DUI. Please name those jobs & be specific. The charge of leaving the scene of an accident was dropped. Therefore it is as if it never happened. So, this man is doing what the judge ordered him to do & it’s not up to your boss to tell you that’s not enough. Even if it is the chief or mayor.
So, therefore he will get his job back. He will get his back pay. It will save taxpayers 4 million dollars. Lessons learned by everyone involved?
If you want to change things, then put it in their contracts that ANY DUI conviction will get you fired.
bszottlinger on January 08 at 11:44 a.m.
Come on Gramma, be honest just because those disorderly conduct and shoplifting charges were dropped against you doesn’t mean they didn’t happen. :)
Just kidding young lady.
liarsinnews on January 08 at 11:45 a.m.
Gram, The answer to your question, is railroads have the option to fire train crews of drinking while off duty.
GaryP on January 08 at 11:53 a.m.
Ron the Cop is right. Chief Kirkpatrick is incompetent for firing him for something where there would be an obvious loophole to get his job back. Why didn’t she fire him for hit and run? DUI is one thing but hit and run is a deception crime. Even though he wasn’t convicted for the hit and run, there was enough question surrounding the circumstances to fire him for it. How much money has Kirkpatrick costs the taxpayers? She either fires people that shouldn’t have been or gives people that should be fired an easy loophole to get reinstated. She should be fired!!
herewegoagain on January 08 at 12:05 p.m.
You have got to be kidding. How hypocritical, you mean to tell me this guy who has a DUI charge is going to enforce the law on others.
This is like letting someone who at one time stole mail work in a Post Office mail room.
When people that drive truck get a DUI do they get a chance to continue driving truck, do they get a 2nd chance and clean slate to drive for another company? No, that DUI stays on their driving record and pretty much makes it impossible to drive because of insurance coverage rates.
Here we have a public servant who supposedly should know better getting more or less sugar candied treatment at $75,000.00 for screwing up.
Is the city running away from the $4 million suit he filed, sure sounds like it, the way they’re kissing his a#% and welcoming him back with open arms.
Sadbuttrue on January 08 at 12:20 p.m.
You guys are all missing the point. Cops undergo superhuman training that few mortals can comprehend. During their exhaustive one- or two-day driving course in their ten whole weeks of cop school, they are specially trained to drive at superhuman levels.
Heck, merely driving while drunk wasted on your is lips not a problem for these heroes. And leaving the scene of an accident is a trifling offense best charged to ordinary citizens.
Would you charge Superman with destruction of property for tearing the sh!t out of a phone booth? Spiderman for speeding or wearing tights in public? Batman for having a loud exhaust on the Batmobile?
These heroes put their lives on the line everyday, most especially when their special training forces them into corrective action when they drive drunk. Think about it a bit, and the cop obviously swerved and hit the lighpole to avoid a minivan full of some poor slob’s kids.
We should be grateful for this hero and welcome him back on the job with open arms.
Sadbuttrue on January 08 at 12:21 p.m.
Cops cannot enforce the law if they have to follow it themselves.
drinkr23 on January 08 at 12:43 p.m.
He was guilty of hit and run….and dui…..and now he gets his job back???….I never got my job back!!!
Dazee on January 08 at 3:06 p.m.
Looks like one of my fellow tea baggers listened to the Grizzly Mom and her “locked and loaded” mantra….
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/politics/09giffords.html?hp
EdubU on January 08 at 3:16 p.m.
Dazee, shooter also went to SarahPac website, you know the one with targets and the list of politicians to go after and mame. Ya, that’s the one. Unbelievable.
misjustice on January 08 at 3:17 p.m.
But SarahPac tweeted that she is praying for everyone.
misjustice on January 08 at 3:23 p.m.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/sarah-palins-pac-puts-gun_n_511433.html
The map hasn’t been scrubbed from the above link, yet.
Dazee on January 08 at 3:43 p.m.
Interesting to note that the Spokesman is not allowing commentary about the shooting following the story they’ve posted on this website. Does anyone have an explanation?
lewis8457 on January 08 at 4:03 p.m.
Hard to believe anyone would defend someones right to drive drunk with all the deaths caused by drunk drivers.
What would you defenders tell the MADD mothers? Tough luck, get over it?
misjustice on January 08 at 4:04 p.m.
I called and e-mailed but the problem isn’t resolved. My guess, skeletal staff on weekends, honest oversight by whomever posted and then updated the story. But I’m merely speculating, it could also a conspiracy!
; )
Sadbuttrue on January 08 at 4:33 p.m.
Cops slaughtering other drivers while the cop is driving drunk is entirely different than when a civilian kills someone.
As I pointed out previously, cops have a superhuman driving ability after their grueling one- or two-day driving course at cop school. And because of their extensive experience in dealing with drunk drivers, they have a superior ability to deal with THEMSELVES when they also drive drunk. Comparing a cop driving drunk with a civilian is an apples and oranges thing.
Lastly, these heroes cannot enforce the law and obey the law at the same time. The last cop killed in the line of duty was only 30 years ago or so in Spokane. That tragedy is still uppermost in their minds as they go about their duties as sworn law enforcement officers. It is a very stressful job going around killing unarmed civilians. Oh sure, they get immediate counselling and have the unequivical support of their fellow officers and supervisors when they undergo the trauma of senselessly killing some dirtbag civilian who richly deserves it. But we can all cut plenty of slack when these heroes get drunk and deftly leave the scene of the resulting crash.
valleyman on January 08 at 5:27 p.m.
Sadbutlies,
No one was hurt or killed by Thoma, Jones, or Schaum, so saying cops are slaughtering people while driving is dishonest.
Additionally, you are sinking pretty low to say that the police in this area go around killing unarmed citizens - another intellectually dishonest statement. Heck, I’ll say it - you lie.
BigE on January 08 at 5:33 p.m.
There are so many reasons I do not venture into Spokane, it is a town filled with ignorance and corruption, I hope there is public outcry over this nonsense.
Dazzeetrader11 on January 08 at 6:03 p.m.
Oh I think there will be BigE. You know.Verner could stop this immediately. She’ll remain silent because she needs the unions to be re-elected. Nonetheless, she could solve this with one phone call to Fitzpatrick…who, herself , remains incompetent and pretty much spineless.
steveberde on January 08 at 6:41 p.m.
Here, in spades, is why citizens are so peed off by government,progressive or conservative.
Steve Berde
Alfredo on January 08 at 7:17 p.m.
Here is the reason they should be held to a higher standard: do as I say, not as I do.
Anyone arrested for DUI by this officer can laugh in his face and call him a hypocrite.
As I stated earlier, if it is a minor traffic offense, that’s one thing but anything else makes them a major hypocrite.
Their job is to protect the safety of the public, failing to do so should result in termination. Getting behind the wheel of a 2.5 ton projectile while intoxicated is against the law and causes a serious safety issue to the public, something their job requires protecting people from. Disagree?
Alfredo on January 08 at 7:41 p.m.
Misjustice, I do not think the Spokesman Review mistakenly forgot to turn on comments for that article. I seriously believe they feel there is potential for people to make ugly comments which are inappropriate for a tragedy that has taken the lives of 6 people.
west on January 08 at 7:56 p.m.
Hey, we are all human, whether we wear badge or are a normal citizen. We All make mistakes.
Alfredo on January 08 at 8:11 p.m.
West, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while drunk (more than twice the legal limit) then claiming its not your fault because you’re an alcoholic is no excuse and is no mistake. It could be called a lapse in judgment but as stated before in the comments, if your job requires driving, you’d lose your job but not if you’re a police officer.
What if he was arrested selling cocaine to your 14 year old son? What if he sexually assaulted someone? Would you feel he deserves second chances? Granted those are considered more “serious” crimes because for some reason our legislators feel drinking and driving is not so bad until you either kill someone or do it 6 times first.
Alfredo on January 08 at 8:24 p.m.
Come to think of it, if anyone claims they cannot help themselves because they are an alcoholic or chemically dependent, their license to drive a motor vehicle should be permanently revoked.
Every day we lock up sexual predators and say they cannot be rehabilitated, yet alcoholics are afforded protection under the law and allowed to continue driving. Habitual offenders or anyone claiming a disease as excuse should be treated accordingly, not given special treatment.
Disabilities that cost a person their license to drive includes the blind and those who suffer seizures, alcoholism (with one strike) and when used as a defense should be the last offense or all of our lives are in danger.
D Statler on January 08 at 9:10 p.m.
Just another corrupt spokane detective out on the streets.Not alot of difference between hit and run,DUI,passing crack out to informants,selling sex toys,having sex in our public vehicles,planting evidence,coercing testimony,etc,etc. Our Detectives in Spokane are all skirting the dark side.Crossing over whenever it makes their jobs easier or benefits them.
Face it Spokane, a major housecleaning is in order from top to bottom.Good leadership starts from the top.Turning your back on this corrupt and embarrassing behavior allows it to fester and grow into a cancer plaguing the whole department.
Mr Thoma may be the nicest man on earth,just add alchol and they all turn into idiots.This behavior is unworthy of a public employee.Condoning this behavior is why I and many others dispise the POLICE GUILD!! Police yourselves and clean up your public image.Even a drunken rocket scientist could figure this out!
I am surprised the Federal Marshals have not cleaned up this mess in Spokane :^(
ZagChuck on January 09 at 12:43 a.m.
@ Brad
I wasn’t being dismissive about the Hit and run, just clarifying it was not a felony. additionally, the charge was dropped, making it nearly impossible to use against him in a disciplinary or punitive manner.
Again, I don’t think he should still have a job in law enforcement. I also understand that the hands of the Dept are tied, based on past performance at the Supreme Court in this state.
Something for everyone to think about as they elect their justices.
Dazzeetrader11 on January 09 at 1:58 a.m.
FBI or some independent agency must come to evalaute lawenforcement in Spokane COunty. Continued discrepanices or certain tricks in how the law is applied continue to haunt the citiens.
Further though, it’s a long held tnant that if someone breaks a law, the sentence applies…even if the law is somwhow changed. The infraction at the time was ,indeed, an infraction with penalites generated at the time. Usually a sentence isn’t abrogated because the law is altered. It ( the penalty) still applies.
Bullet follows the intent. He should still be facing the music.
drywitt99 on January 09 at 2:36 a.m.
:Again, I don’t think he should still have a job in law enforcement”
Totally agree, Chuck.
Maybe what we need is a return to the terminology of our frontier days……when they were known as “peace officers.”
ZagChuck on January 09 at 4:36 a.m.
“Maybe what we need is a return to the terminology of our frontier days……when they were known as “peace officers”
That’s not their role anymore, they do MUCH more than just “keep the peace.” They are part lawyer, part historian, part EMT, part social worker, part babysitter, and part guidance counselor. Just to name a few of their expected duties
lewis8457 on January 09 at 8:45 a.m.
Valley man yes no one was killed thank god but if we allow cops to drive drunk someone will be killed sooner or later. Is it really in our best interests to have a drunken cop upholding the law?
If this drunk cop ran into your 16 year old daughter learning to drive and then ran, and only was caught by two CITIZENS who gave chase. Then after the cops arrive he is given a hug and a ride home. While you daughter is traumatized and has decided she doesn’t want to learn to drive. Would you still believe driving drunk was no big deal?
Or worse your daughter was killed still no big deal? I suppose you would send him a thank you card?
I can not believe anyone would defend someones right to drive drunk and then run from a accident. And a cop no less. This shows me why murder is legal for police in spokane the cops and their defenders have no compassion.
What is really sad life has no value in spokane anymore any one of can be killed by police at will, and you don’t even need to be pointing a gun at them. simply have a rock,soda bottle, hammer, knife, and gun and you will be dead, and guess what it will be justified.
valleyman on January 09 at 2:27 p.m.
Nice attempt to deflect my comment lewis… You really are the master at trying to put words in people’s mouths.
You don’t like the laws in this state, use the initiative process and make a change happen. You won’t though because the extent of your advocacy ends in putting down police and other people you don’t know.
How do you know my life hasn’t been impacted by someone driving drunk? You are one pathetic hypocrite…
The real issue here is that the city should have fired him for the hit and run not for the DUI. They screwed this up and they are reaping the consequences.
John_Fever_Richmond on January 11 at 10:45 a.m.
Too bad they didn’t find METH on him when he was searched … … . or did they and they’re just not saying anything about it? Hmmmmmmmmmm.