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Some police say domestic violence law a threat to their jobs
January 6, 1997Web posted at: 11:50 p.m. EST
From Reporter Rebecca Rodriquez
DALLAS (CNN) -- A new federal law that makes it illegal for anyone convicted of domestic violence to carry a gun is threatening the jobs of dozens of police officers around the country.
Officers in Texas, Colorado, California, Minnesota and Michigan have been re-assigned or put on administrative leave as a result of their past arrests. The numbers are growing, and those affected are claiming the law is unfair and even unconstitutional.
"In some cases, these are cases from 10 or 15 years ago," says Mark Clark, representative for a group of officers opposing the law called CLEAT. "These officers have had no problems, have performed outstanding jobs, have contributed to society as outstanding servants."
In Dallas, an officer with 19 years experience was taken off the street and re-assigned to a job at the jail.
Dallas chief likes the law
Dallas Police Chief Ben Click says he's as concerned about the retroactive portion of the law as anyone else, but overall, thinks the bill is a good one.
"I don't want people on this police department that don't have the maturity or self-control that is necessary to do this job," Click said.
"And to be able to somehow say you're a different person off-duty when you lose your temper and slap someone around or assault them, I don't need someone like that on my police department."
The law covers crimes such as assault and battery as well as less violent crimes such as violation of a restraining order.
The people who work with victims of domestic violence think the new law is a good one and will go a long way toward keeping guns out of the wrong hands. But even they believe including peace officers is a mistake, but for another reason.
"If my husband hits me, and I call the police, it doesn't affect his job at all," says Jan Langbein of Dallas. "If my husband is a police officer and I know that they would also be involved, maybe I wouldn't make that call, maybe I'd stay in that violent home just a little bit longer."
Related stories:
- Gun control foes take Brady complaints to Supreme Court - December 2, 1996
- Concealed weapons OK in Texas - January 1, 1996
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window- Domestic Violence / Firearm Bill S1632
- Texas Conference of Police and Sheriffs
- Texas Street Beat - News for the Working Police Officer
- Domestic Violence Hotlines
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