Post by KC on Mar 25, 2006 23:12:04 GMT -5
03/23/2006 - A Michigan State Police trooper will face disciplinary action after he left his off-duty service weapon in a rest room at the Burger King in Texas Township, authorities said.
The trooper, assigned to the state police post in Gladwin, was in the Kalamazoo area on family business March 12 and was returning home when he stopped at the fast-food restaurant on South Ninth Street about 2 p.m., said Inspector Chuck Allen, assistant commander for the State Police 3rd District headquarters in Saginaw.
Allen said state police policy requires troopers to carry an off-duty service weapon.
After leaving the restaurant, the trooper, who was not identified, continued his drive home and realized ``some distance away'' that he did not have his firearm on him, Allen said. The trooper then contacted his supervisor and made them aware of the incident.
In the meantime, Allen said, the gun was found by a manager at the Burger King who notified authorities in Kalamazoo County.
Allen said the incident is still under investigation. Disciplinary action could range from formal counseling and retraining to discharge. A final determination on discipline will be made by Allen after a review of the investigation, he said.
``You do not misplace your firearm without there being some consequences, pure and simple,'' Allen said.
``Thank God there was no tragedy, but operationally, this is an area you strive for perfection in.''
The trooper, who has been with State Police for 10 to 15 years, is still on active duty, he said.
The trooper, assigned to the state police post in Gladwin, was in the Kalamazoo area on family business March 12 and was returning home when he stopped at the fast-food restaurant on South Ninth Street about 2 p.m., said Inspector Chuck Allen, assistant commander for the State Police 3rd District headquarters in Saginaw.
Allen said state police policy requires troopers to carry an off-duty service weapon.
After leaving the restaurant, the trooper, who was not identified, continued his drive home and realized ``some distance away'' that he did not have his firearm on him, Allen said. The trooper then contacted his supervisor and made them aware of the incident.
In the meantime, Allen said, the gun was found by a manager at the Burger King who notified authorities in Kalamazoo County.
Allen said the incident is still under investigation. Disciplinary action could range from formal counseling and retraining to discharge. A final determination on discipline will be made by Allen after a review of the investigation, he said.
``You do not misplace your firearm without there being some consequences, pure and simple,'' Allen said.
``Thank God there was no tragedy, but operationally, this is an area you strive for perfection in.''
The trooper, who has been with State Police for 10 to 15 years, is still on active duty, he said.