Dean and Gaither not charged
As far as I can tell, Charles Dean (Horry County police department) and David Gaither (Myrtle Beach police department) have not been charged with any crime following the incident where they were alleged to have gotten drunk and exposed themselves on the intercoastal waterway in front of multiple witnesses including young children.
Don't get me wrong, I'm generally for less law enforcement, not more. And I could care less if these guys party on the waterway and take their clothes off. Except that they were police officers. And ordinary people are charged with crimes for less shocking allegations with much less evidence. Ordinary people are charged with indecent exposure for urinating behind buildings, with no witnesses. I have seen ordinary people charged with assault because someone says "he/she assaulted me," where there is no corroboration, no marks, no witnesses. Ordinary people are charged with public disorderly conduct or breach of peace for pissing off a police officer, although they have not disturbed any other person around them.
When two police officers, who are held to a higher standard (?), allegedly purposefully expose themselves in front of multiple witnesses in a crowded public place, in front of children, they should be charged and prosecuted like any other person. It may be that there are circumstances that justify not charging these officers - if so, there should be a public explanation because the public has an interest in the matter. It may be that if they are charged, they should complete pre-trial intervention and that jail is not appropriate for what allegedly happened. But when nothing is done with no explanation, the message sent is that the police are not accountable and that they are above the law.
Comments
They both lost their jobs. One of which was fired, one resigned. Neither will be able to work in law enforcement. They were both publicly humiliated by the media for, all practical purposes was a stupid, yet minor event.
Was there a clear cut violation of the law? I wasn't there and I'm going to assume you weren't either. Enough probable cause for an arrest? Tough...because it's a routine thing that occurs there, not just with those two but plenty of patrons.
And the big problem is, the promised pictures of them..weren't delivered. No picture proof.
At any rate, you're a typical person who didn't see past the fact that in this horrible economy, they lost their jobs. Something us normal citizens don't have to worry about.
Posted by: Bill Tomoha | August 31, 2009 5:12 AM
Normal citizens like myself would have to worry about losing our jobs. Because I, like police officers, am held to a higher standard, I would be facing a disciplinary action with the state bar as well as criminal charges.
Probable cause? Would that this standard of requiring photographic evidence were applied to every citizen. Any other person would have been jailed and would be facing prosecution.
Unable to work in law enforcement? Because there were no charges, these two are free to seek employment at other agencies, and if they do they will be hired.
Posted by: BFrederick | August 31, 2009 9:53 AM
I am in agreeance with the first comment. They are held to a higher standard. Not only that, but as that person mentioned, if a cop sees you urinating behind a building, even if no one else is around, you will likely be charged. These guys weren't just relieving themselves, they were mooning people.
What makes it even more despicable is the fact that Horry County has the GALL to put their officers on board DNR boats, with K-9 units, conducting illegal searches of boaters on the river....violating procedure and civil rights.
Yes, I was one of those victims of harassment, in fact, it occured right in the same area as the incident in question....and I currently have filed formal complaints against these agencies for harassment and violations of fourth amendment rights.
So, while it's perfectly fine for them to show their @sses (literally)....you had better not be out riding on the river, completely sober, minding your own business, or you will be subject to being stopped and illegally searched by these Nazis with badges.
I have ZERO sympathy for them. As far as I am concerned, "sympathy" is a word in the dictionary between "snot" and "syphillis"
Posted by: APatriot | September 8, 2009 8:49 AM