Gay-rights activists renew call for independent inquiry

Fort Worth Star Telegram -

Nov-06-2009

Gay-rights activists renew call for independent inquiry

(topic overview)
CONTENTS:

Morris was suspended for one day. (More...)
You idiots aren't using logic. (More...)
FORT WORTH -- A crowd of more than 100 protesters chanted "No more!" from the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse Sunday evening as they demanded an investigation into a police raid earlier in the day at a gay night club. (More...)
Less than a month later, commission Administrator Alan Steen told the Dallas Voice in an exclusive interview that state agents should not have participated in the police inspection and that rules were not followed. (More...)
Copies of the TABC's 74-page report are expected to be made available today, a spokeswoman has said. (More...)
Several officers could face up to a three day suspension for the Rainbow Lounge, but none will be terminated, sources said. (More...)
Gay groups immediately criticized the timing of the raid, which came on the 40th anniversary of a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, which led to yearly parades on that day and sparked the modern gay rights movement. (More...)
Halstead conceded the officers were disrespectful, over-aggressive and erred by showing up in force to inspect the bar in the first place. (More...)
A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission report, which is also due out Thursday, will also find no excessive use of force, a source said. (More...)
"Our city is putting so much effort into something that is morally wrong", says Rev. Kyev Tatum with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. (More...)
It's not surprising that there are homophobic comments since 52% of straights would like to see us forgo our constitutional rights and at least a few dozen of that number will wear a FT Worth Police uniform to commit violent criminal acts. (More...)
The change comes after The Associated Press reported in September that most of the excessive force cases handled by the agency haven't resulted in disciplinary action and that nearly every one was investigated by the accused agents' supervisors. (More...)
The agency fired Chapman and Aller in late August. (More...)

SOURCES

FIND OUT MORE ON THIS SUBJECT

Morris was suspended for one day. Gobert also received a one-day suspension because he made three arrests and did not complete the proper reports before the end of his shift that night. Back was suspended for three days because, Halstead explained, he arrested a patron for public intoxication on the bar'''s patio, placed him in flex cuffs and took him to the prisoner transport van. When the man'''s companion '''dropped the name''' of another officer and suggested the arrested man was a city employee, the officer released him without the approval of a superior officer, Halstead said. The chief said Back also failed to complete the required reports before the end of his shift. Halstead said Fort Worth officers '''used only their hands''' during the course of the raid, that '''there was no kicking or punching''' by officers and that witnesses who testified during the investigation said they saw no use of excessive force. Halstead also reiterated his earlier statements that Fort Worth officers did not injure Chad Gibson, the Rainbow Lounge patron hospitalized with a head injury after the raid, and was not in FWPD custody when his injury occurred. This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition November 06, 2009. [1] The bar check at the Rainbow Lounge in fort Worth last June left a customer with severe head injuries and sparked protests from the gay community. Fort Worth police, who assisted during the raid, announced today that its internal affairs investigation didn't find evidence of excessive force. Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead said he would institute new policies on bar checks and public intoxication arrests.[2] FORT WORTH -- Gay-rights activists have renewed their call for an independent investigation into a controversial bar check at the Rainbow Lounge, outraged that Fort Worth police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission have concluded that no excessive force was used. Many lashed out at Police Chief Jeff Halstead for giving three officers one- to three-day suspensions, which one person described as only a "slap on the hand," while the alcohol commission fired two agents and their supervisor. "It was what I expected the results would be; it wasn't what I hoped it would be," said Thomas Anable, who was in the bar during the incident and was among about two dozen observers who attended a morning news conference across the street from the Rainbow Lounge.[3] Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead announced the suspensions at a press conference Thursday morning, Nov. 5, on Jennings Street outside the Rainbow Lounge. Halstead also announced that two lengthy internal investigations conducted by his department had concluded that none of the Fort Worth officers used excessive force during the raid. Nelson, who also spoke at the press conference, said the FWPD report '''falls far short''' in terms of disciplinary actions, and reiterated his organization'''s earlier call for an independent investigation into the incident.'''[1] Nelson said TABC'''s finding, along with a similar one announced Thursday by the Fort Worth Police Department, likely will lead to renewed calls from the LGBT community for an independent investigation of the incident. '''There were 32 eyewitnesses to what happened at the Rainbow Lounge, and although the specific details may vary from patron to patron, it is clear from their statements that excessive force was used, that the officers and the TABC agents were overly aggressive and they did in fact instill fear in those patrons,''' Nelson said. Asked what he believes the LGBT community should do in response to the findings, Nelson added, '''We can do what we called for right after the Rainbow Lounge raid, and that is an independent investigation, because the question remains, both with the TABC agents and the Fort Worth police officers, why were they there? It'''s absolutely clear that they shouldn'''t have been.'''[4] '''It'''s disappointing, but you have to look at the overall picture,''' Nelson said of Thursday'''s TABC report. '''Those agents who perpetrated what happened at the Rainbow Lounge were fired, so the result is appropriate. I'''m disappointed that they didn'''t acknowledge the obvious, but overall the TABC still has taken positive steps to change the way they do business. ''' What action did the TABC take versus what action is the Fort Worth Police Department going to take? It'''s night and day.''' Carolyn Beck, TABC'''s main spokeswoman and the agency'''s newly appointed liaison to the LGBT community, said Thursday that based on the evidence in the report, the force used by the agents in arresting the three patrons, who all actively resisted, '''was necessary and reasonable given the circumstances and the split second decision that they had to make.''' Beck said the investigation didn'''t determine whether Gibson was injured while being taken into custody by Aller and Chapman, or whether he was injured when he fell in the parking lot outside, handcuffed and vomiting. Even if Gibson was injured during his arrest, Beck said, it wouldn'''t necessarily mean the agents used excessive force.[4]

Nelson said it'''s hard to say whether the agents and officers targeted the Rainbow Lounge because it'''s a gay bar. He said statements by Aller that were part of TABC'''s investigation released in August indicate that it was one possible motive. Aller said in the report that he suspected '''lewdness''' at the Rainbow Lounge based on the fact that he'''d seen a dancer in a thong outside the bar two nights before the raid. Nelson added that he feels TABC has done a more adequate job of responding to the incident than the Fort Worth Police Department. In addition to terminating three employees, TABC has appointed an LGBT liaison and begun LGBT diversity training for all of its 700 employees, and Steen has twice publicly apologized for the incident.[4] FORT WORTH -- Members of the gay community urged City Council members Tuesday to conduct an independent investigation into last month's incident at the Rainbow Lounge, a gay bar where six people were arrested and one was injured during an inspection by state and Fort Worth police. "I believe that this Police Department does a good job and that those who wear the uniform try to serve and protect us," said Jon Nelson, a Fort Worth attorney representing the newly formed Fairness Fort Worth.[5]

Just wanted to give you a heads up - the breaking news here in Dallas is that both the Fort Worth Police and TABC are releasing their internal investigations into the Rainbow Lounge incident today. Unsurprisingly, both the FWPD and the TABC are reporting that none of their officers used excessive force or inappropriately targeted a gay bar for a shakedown.[6] FORT WORTH -- Two state agents did not use excessive force against three bar patrons arrested during a June bar check at the Rainbow Lounge, an internal investigation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has found. Allegations that the Rainbow Lounge was targeted in the bar check by the TABC agents and Fort Worth police because it is a gay bar also were unfounded, according to findings of the investigation released by TABC officials this morning.[7] AUSTIN'''''' Agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission didn'''t target the Rainbow Lounge because it was a gay bar and didn'''t use excessive force against three patrons who were arrested during the raid, including one who was seriously injured, according to the findings of an internal affairs investigation released by the state agency Thursday, Nov. 5. The agents, Christopher Aller and Jason Chapman, were fired in August along with their supervisor, Sgt. Terry Parsons, based on the findings of TABC'''s first internal affairs investigation into the June 28 raid, which dealt with policy violations.[4] Agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission didn't target the Rainbow Lounge because it was a gay bar and didn't use excessive force against three patrons who were arrested during the raid, including one who was seriously injured, according to a report that will be released by the state agency later today. The agents, Christopher Aller and Jason Chapman, were fired along with their supervisor in August based on the findings of TABC's first investigation into the June 28 raid, which dealt with policy violations. TABC's second and final investigation clears Aller and Chapman of allegations that they targeted the bar and used excessive force against patrons Chad Gibson, Jose Macias and George Armstrong.[8]

TABC Agent Chris Aller and Agent Trainee Jason Chapman were accused of targeting the Rainbow Lounge on June 28 for a liquor license inspection because it was a gay bar. The agents also were accused of using excessive force when they arrested Jose Macias, George Armstrong and Chad Gibson during the bar check, in which Fort Worth police officers participated.[9] Three Fort Worth police officers involved in the controversial raid of a gay bar were suspended Thursday for a total of five days - a punishment gay activists immediately decried as "wholly inadequate." Fort Worth Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead announced he had suspended one officer and the sergeant who oversaw the raid at the Rainbow Lounge June 28 for one day. Another officer was suspended for three days.[10]

The Fort Worth gay community also lodged complaints about police using excessive force during the Rainbow Lounge "bar check" last June. Thursday, the Police Chief is to reveal results of his investigation into the incident.[11] The incident, which occurred on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, also became the focal point of local protests about gay rights. Both agencies have denied the bar's gender orientation played a factor, and officers were not aware of the anniversary. According to a source, both agencies have determined Gibson was injured outside while falling over, confirming what agents and officers have reported. Those briefed on the report expressed some concerns about the findings. "They are putting TABC under the bus," a source said. Others expressed concern about the lack of firings in the wake of a series of excessive use of force complaints during Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead's tenure. "There is some concern that he is too tight with the POA," another source said. Both reports are due to be released to the public on Thursday, but it is unclear whether the Fort Worth police department will release its entire report.[12] Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead today said police, who assisted in the raid, also will change policies on bar checks and public intoxication arrests. The TABC and Fort Worth police determined their staffs did not use excessive force.[13] TABC administrator Alan Steen said that, even though there was no finding of excessive force, the fact that policy was violated still is a concern. "I want to take another opportunity to say that this is not how we treat people, and we have been looking at this from every angle to find ways to make sure it does not happen again," he said in a prepared statement. Fort Worth police, who assisted during the raid, also announced Thursday that its internal affairs investigation didn't find evidence of excessive force, but that it would institute new policies on bar checks and public intoxication arrests.[14] 'Although the evidence did not show that our agents targeted the bar or used excessive force, it does not take away from the fact that the agents violated several policies that night,' said Administrator Alan Steen. 'I want to take another opportunity to say that this is not how we treat people, and we have been looking at this from every angle to find ways to make sure it does not happen again.' The agents, Christopher Aller and Jason Chapman, were fired by the agency in August for violating numerous policies, agency officials have said. Fort Worth police announced Thursday morning their findings from an internal investigation into the incident.[7] After a four-month internal investigation, the Fort Worth Police Department announced Thursday that it has suspended a sergeant and two officers in connection to a summer raid on a gay bar in which authorities clashed with hundreds of bar patrons. Though the investigation found that the officers had violated numerous department policies, the agency cleared them of allegations that they had used excessive force.[15] Fort Worth police planned to announce on Thursday that an internal investigation has cleared officers of excessive force in the controversial raid of a gay bar this summer, and no officers will be fired, said two city leaders briefed on the matter.[16] {"comments":,"media":{"isPublicTaggingAllowed":false,"uploadToAkamai":"","categories":"","pathToMedia":"396489_69077832","adminTags":"cid_69077832,ct_article,sid_396489,sid_396509,sid_396529,sid_522877,sid_522917,sid_522927","uploadedByPhoto":"116995/icons/defaultMember_116995_portrait.jpg?t=1248875781749","views":339,"uploadedByName":"nbc_editor","isAdultContent":false,"updatedAt":"6 Nov 2009 04:23:02 GMT","country":"","pathToPreview48X48":"user/defaultAudio_48x48_B.jpg","inappropriateFlagCount":0,"isRatedByMe":"F","tags":"bored,furious,intrigued,laughing,sad,thrilled","originalFileFormat":"","isFavorite":"F","userId":7918858,"name":"Cops Report: No Excessive Force in Rainbow Lounge Raid","description":"Fort Worth police planned to announce on Thursday that an internal investigation has cleared officers of excessive force in the controversial raid of a gay bar this summer, and no officers will be fired, said.[16]

Suspended for a variety of policy violations were Fort Worth police Sgt. R.M. Morris, and Officers K.Q. Gober and J.M. Back. Morris, who joined the force in 1995, received a one-day suspension for "poor judgment" in the way he conducted the bar check on the Rainbow Lounge. "The decision to utilize a total of nine law enforcement officers to check a newly established club was excessive," his suspension letter states. The investigation also found that he failed to follow procedures, such as checking liquor licenses or other permits. Gober, a nearly three-year veteran, received a one-day suspension after he arrested two bar patrons for public intoxication but failed to complete his police reports by the end of his shift. "This negative media attention could have been averted had Officer Gober completed the required offense report," his suspension letter states. Back, a nine-year veteran, received a three-day suspension after he arrested a bar patron for having a "drunk look," which does not meet requirements for a public intoxication arrest.[17] Jon Nelson of Fairness Fort Worth, an interest group formed in the wake of the raid, compared the disciplinary action to a child being called to the principal's office and being told, "Don't do that and have a nice day." "That's a joke, a slap on the hand," said Randy Norman, the Rainbow Lounge's general manager. Halstead said his action followed an investigation that came up with conflicting accounts of what happened in the bar. He also noted that the inquiry looked at whether excessive force was used from the perspective of law enforcement, not the public. "I did what I thought was fair, what I can prove and what I can live with," he said. Associated Press Writer Anabelle Garay in Dallas contributed to this report.[14] Noting that Fort Worth officers had met at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, to plan their inspections later that evening on three bars, Rainbow Lounge and two primarily Hispanic nightclubs located a few blocks away on Rosedale. The other two bars, Nelson said, had been open for some time and both already had been cited several times for numerous violations, while the Rainbow Lounge had been open only nine days and had no previous violations. '''And yet, they made the decision to use the same force, the same number on a bar that had never even been inspected for any reason. Someone in charge should have said, right then, '''No. We can'''t do that. ''' No officer, whether he is a rookie or a seasoned veteran, would think that was appropriate. They all had an ethical obligation to say, '''No, we can'''t do that.'''''' Halstead said he chose to '''respectfully disagree''' with Nelson on the question of the disciplinary actions and whether officers used excessive force.[1]

Many times, Halstead said, what citizens may perceive as excessive force '''is different from what the policy defines as excessive force.''' Gay Fort Worth City Councilmember Joel Burns said Thursday morning would not comment on the disciplinary actions handed down in connection with the Rainbow Lounge raid, saying only that such decisions are '''the police chief'''s prerogative.'''[1] State Sen. Wendy Davis, who previously represented south Fort Worth on the City Council, called for the police and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to continue their training and disciplinary efforts. "While I appreciate the work Chief Halstead and his department have thus far put into investigating the incident at the Rainbow Lounge, I am also hopeful that they will view today's report as a beginning of the process and not an end," she said. "The TABC must continue to hold violators of agency policy accountable for their actions and continue to take appropriate actions as any new information comes to light."[3] The Rainbow Lounge raid was conducted by Fort Worth police officers and agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on June 28, on the 40th anniversary of the police raid on New York's Stonewall Inn, an event often regarded as the launch of the modern gay rights movement.[15] Fort Worth police released a statement saying that the Rainbow Lounge was not the only bar targeted by six Fort Worth police officers and two agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and a supervisor.[18] An investigation by the Texas liquor board has cleared its agents of wrongdoing in a raid of a gay bar in Fort Worth that left a customer injured and led to protests. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said Thursday that it didn't find the Rainbow Lounge was targeted because of its gay and lesbian customers.[19] Texas' liquor board plans to change the way it conducts investigations into excessive use of force allegations after its agents were accused of wrongdoing during a raid at a Fort Worth gay bar that left a customer with severe head wounds, the agency said Thursday. The investigation by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission did not find that the bar was targeted because of its gay and lesbian customers and said agents didn't use force beyond what was necessary and reasonable.[9] FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Texas' liquor board said today that an internal investigation has found no evidence agents used excessive force during a controversial raid at a gay bar.[2]

In late August, the TABC announced several reforms, the firing of two agents and a supervisor and that it had taken disciplinary action against two other high-ranking employees after an internal investigation into the raid found policy violations. Both Fort Worth police and the TABC have cleared agents and officers of targeting the bar specifically because it served a gay and lesbian clientele.[17] During the raid a man, Chad Gibson, suffered a head injury during a fall. Months after the controversial bar inspection this summer, change may be on the way. Patrons of the gay bar claim they were roughed up by Fort Worth police officers and TABC agents because of their sexual orientation.[20] Agents Chris Aller and Jason Chapman were accused of participating in a bar check operation with Fort Worth police officers on June 28, 2009, which targeted the Rainbow Lounge specifically because of the bar'''s gay and lesbian customer base.[8] Despite there being no specific rules broken, the investigation determined the actions of the policemen were still outside the realm of what is considered proper conduct of a police officer. Members of the gay community, including the manager of the Rainbow Lounge, Randy Norman, say''they're disappointed that there wasn't harsher punishment for the officers.'' They say they've begun dialogue with the city that they feel in the long run will improve relations between the Fort Worth Police Department and the GLBT community.[21] Five of the department's seven employees who were linked to the raid were cleared in the department's report. Fairness Fort Worth is still calling for an independent investigation, and they are also calling for a citizen's review panel of the police department. "This report, because of the lack of proper and adequate disciplinary actions, does not set the standard for accountability, said attorney Jon Nelson of Fairness Fort Worth. The news of the report left some of those who were there the night of the Rainbow Lounge raid angered.[22] Five days suspension total is wholly inadequate for what happened that night at the Rainbow Lounge. ''' Five days ''' what message does that send to the LGBT community of Fort Worth? It'''s like a kid being told to go to the principal'''s office, and the principal just saying, '''Don'''t do that again,'''''' Nelson said. Halstead said during the press conference that he has given the entire report on his department'''s investigations and their findings to the Department of Justice for review. Nelson also said he was unhappy to learn that the investigation made no effort to explain why the raid happened.[1] We have had a couple folks contact us here at the Voice this morning saying that they had heard 1) that Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead's press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday (tomorrow) at Rainbow Lounge ''' to announce the results of his department's investigation into the Rainbow Lounge raid ''' has been canceled; and that 2) the actual report will not be released to the public. I called the FWPD to check and they tell me the press conference is still on.[23] "We had asked the police chief to have a thorough and transparent investigation. Its transparency will be made clear once it's released." He called the suspensions issued by Halstead "the police chief's prerogative." Lee Zollinger, Fairness Fort Worth president, said, "The department's continued failure to accept or acknowledge their responsibility for the events at the Rainbow Lounge makes the need for an independent investigation clearer than ever." Randy Norman, general manager of the Rainbow Lounge, said he holds both Fort Worth police and the state commission accountable for what happened in the bar. He said he'd like to see stronger discipline given. "I think this is a little weak.[3]

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - The Fort Worth Police Department will not fire any officers involved in the Rainbow Lounge incident, but they could face written reprimands or short suspensions, three anonymous sources confirmed.[12] Three of the officers involved in the surprise inspection June 28 at the Rainbow Lounge will be disciplined, according to civil service documents released Thursday morning by the Fort Worth police department. Sgt R.M. Morris received a one-day suspension for neglect of duty for his supervision that night.[7]

ORIGINAL POST at 7:20 a.m.: A Fort Worth police report has concluded that officers did not use excessive force during the June raid of the Rainbow Lounge, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.[24] The long-awaited 1,000-page report is expected to fault officers for not writing a timely report on the June 28 raid of the Rainbow Lounge, but conclude officers did not use excessive force or violate other operational policies. Officers are supposed to write reports by the end of every shift, but in this case the officer waited until the next day - after gay groups had launched protests, police said.[16] The inquiry faulted officers for not writing a timely report on the June 28 raid, but concluded officers did not use excessive force or violate other operational policies. Officers are supposed to write arrest reports by the end of every shift, but in this case their supervisors called them in the next day - after gay groups had launched protests, Halstead said.[10]

The internal investigation report, which is''more than 1,000 pages long, says the officers involved in the raid did not use excessive force on bar patrons. The letter''issued to Officer Back, notifying him of his suspension, said "Because of this delay, the Department did not have Officer Back's report available when responding to the ensuing public criticism the following day."[21] A separate diversity task force made numerous recommendations to the city council, including extending insurance benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. On Thursday, TABC announced that its internal investigation determined its agents did not use excessive force in arresting three patrons. The report also concluded that the allegation that the bar was targeted because of its gay clientele was unfounded.[10] The bar check at the Rainbow Lounge last June left a customer with severe head wounds and sparked protests from the gay community. In announcing the results of its internal affairs investigation into whether excessive force was used, the TABC said the charges against agent Chris Aller and agent trainee Jason Chapman were unfounded. The agency also said it could not find that the two men targeted the bar because of its customer base. However, the agency said it will revise its policy regarding excessive force cases so that all are investigated by internal affairs.[14] Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead has scheduled a press conference to announce the results of the investigation tomorrow (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at the Rainbow Lounge. TABC will also be releasing the findings in its investigation into its agents' possible use of excessive force tomorrow morning.[25] Nope, no findings of excessive violence. Which means nobody is going to be fired! Though, there might be some ceremonial wrist slapping for good measure, just so Chief Jeff Halstead can look like he levied some punishments. It sure is curious that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission admitted it violated policy, but FWPD are completely innocent of tossing anyone to the ground ! (On Thursday, TABC will also release results of an investigation into whether the two agents one of whom has homosexual friends! it already fired used excessive force.) As for Chad Gibson, who spent weeks in the hospital recovering from his brain injury during the raid? Its going to be a hard time arguing the police should face criminal charges when their own department puts them in the clear.[26] Police officials declined to comment Wednesday on the investigation's findings, saying Police Chief Jeff Halstead will announce the results at a news conference Thursday. Thursday, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is scheduled to issue its findings from an internal investigation involving two TABC agents who participated in the bar check. They were fired for violating numerous policies, agency officials have said.[27]

One customer, Chad Gibson, received a serious head injury and was hospitalized for a week. Investigators concluded he was extremely drunk and hit his head when he fell outside while vomiting, not in an initial scuffle with officers inside the bar. He was in the custody of a rookie agent for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. "Of the witnesses interviewed who claimed to observe the arrest of Mr. Gibson, none said they observed him strike his head on the step or floor," Halstead said. Following the chief's news conference, Rainbow Lounge manager Randy Norman said he told investigators exactly that. "No, I witnessed where he was pushed," Norman said. "I can show you the step where he hit his head." He said he described for investigators how it happened. "They need to listen to my statement one more time," he said. "Somebody left a little out or they had a skip in the tape."[10] Halstead stressed that officers did not violate departmental policies in place at the time of the raid on how to conduct bar inspections or make arrests for public intoxication. He noted that a new, detailed policy has since been implemented, effective Sept. 1. If the new policies had been in place on June 28, he said, '''the Rainbow Lounge raid would never have happened.'''[1] The remaining three were Sgt. Morris, a 32-year veteran, who was the supervising officers involved in the raid, Officer K. Gobert, who has been with the department less than three years, and Officer J. Back, a nine-year veteran. Morris has been deemed responsible for the decision to go into Rainbow Lounge with such a large number of officers carrying flex cuffs and for going to the bar with a prisoner transport van. He was also held responsible for not making sure that officers under his command completed their reports on the raid before the end of their shifts, as policy dictates, Halstead said.[1] '''Stonewall was and, I have learned, still is a very significant event,''' Halstead said, acknowledging that the Rainbow Lounge raid had created '''an atmosphere of fear''' among the city'''s LGBT residents. He also acknowledged that some of his comments made right after the raid, suggesting that male patrons in the bar had groped the officers, '''were viewed by many as insensitive, and I understand why. I want to extend another apology''' for those comments.'''[1]

The officers involved in the Fort Worth raid had no idea about the significance of the day in the gay community and did not target the bar because it catered to gay clientele, Halstead said. They also made arrests in two Latino bars earlier that night.[10] '''Although the evidence did not show that our agents targeted the bar or used excessive force, it does not take away from the fact that the agents violated several policies that night,''' TABC Administrator Alan Steen said Thursday in a statement. '''I want to take another opportunity to say that this is not how we treat people, and we have been looking at this from every angle to find ways to make sure it does not happen again.''' Jon Nelson, a spokesman for Fairness Fort Worth, the LGBT group formed in response to the raid, said Thursday he was '''disappointed''' to learn that the TABC agents had been cleared of the excessive force allegations.[4] '''Although the evidence did not show that our agents targeted the bar or used excessive force, it does not take away from the fact that the agents violated several policies that night," TABC Administrator Alan Steen said. "I want to take another opportunity to say that this is not how we treat people, and we have been looking at this from every angle to find ways to make sure it does not happen again.''' I'm told that TABC's full 74-page use of force report, which I haven't seen, will be available later today online, and we'll post the link as soon as it's available. You can read the full press release about the report, which was sent out first thing this morning, after the jump.[8]

The raid led to numerous protest marches and rallies by gay rights groups, which demanded independent investigations. The TABC cleared the agents of using excessive force in its 74-page report but also said they violated several policies that night, said TABC Administrator Alan Steen. Aller, Chapman and their supervisor Sgt. Terry Parsons were fired, the agency said in August. "I want to take another opportunity to say that this is not how we treat people, and we have been looking at this from every angle to find ways to make sure it does not happen again," Steen said.[9] "Although the evidence did not show that our agents targeted the bar or used excessive force, it does not take away from the fact that the agents violated several policies," TABC administrator Alan Steen said in a prepared statement. "I want to take another opportunity to say that this is not how we treat people, and we have been looking at this from every angle to find ways to make sure it does not happen again." The two agents and their supervisor were fired for violating various agency policies, and the agency has ordered diversity training for its employees statewide.[10]

A separate diversity task force made numerous recommendations to the city council, including extending insurance benefits to same-sex partners of city employees. The only openly gay member of the Fort Worth council, Joel Burns, said he would reserve his comments until after the chief's announcement. The TABC on Thursday also planned to announce its findings on whether its two agents used excessive force.[16] UPDATE: At a news conference this morning, the Fort Worth police chief said a sergeant and an officer will each receive a one-day suspension. A third employee will receive a three-day suspension. The chief says they violated department policies but were cleared of allegations of excessive force.[24]

FORT WORTH ' Police internal-affairs investigators have concluded that Fort Worth officers did not use excessive force during an inspection of a gay bar in June, three sources told the Star-Telegram on Wednesday.[27] "According to witnesses, Fort Worth police officers did not use excessive force," Halstead repeated twice, later adding, "what the community perceives as excessive force is different from a departmental standard where you're going to impact somebody's career."[3] Several patrons, including Gibson, made allegations of excessive use of force by Fort Worth police officers and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents.[12] The June 28 raid by Fort Worth police officers and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents triggered a tidal wave of criticism. Both agencies quickly announced policy changes and launched investigations in the aftermath of the raid, which included several arrests.[17]

FORT WORTH ''' The disciplinary actions handed down to three Fort Worth police officers for their part in the June 28 raid on the Rainbow Lounge were '''absolutely inadequate,''' according to Jon Nelson, spokesman for the LGBT community group formed in the wake of the raid.[1] The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that a task force formed in reaction to the Rainbow Lounge Raid in Forth Worth, Tex. this past June recommended on Tuesday that the city council vote for a series of reforms to give gays and lesbians equal rights. They recommend Fort Worth amend the city's insurance policy in order to implement diversity training for law enforcement and city officials. Other recommendations include extending the city'''s nondiscrimination ordinance to include gender expression.[28] FORT WORTH, TX (KERA) - Fort Worth's new Diversity Task Force is making 20 recommendations to address issues in the Gay and Lesbian community following the raid on the Rainbow Lounge.[11] FORT WORTH The City Manager's Diversity Task Force, convened this summer in the wake of the Rainbow Lounge raid to help find ways the city of Fort Worth could improve relations with the LGBT community, this afternoon presented a list of 20 recommendations to the City Council. Assistant City Manager Fernando Costa, who chaired the task force, presented the list of recommendations during the pre=council meeting this afternoon, noting that 18 of the 20 came with the "unconditional concurrence" of City Manager Dale Fisseler.[29]

FORT WORTH - The June raid on the Rainbow Lounge gay, which left one patron badly hurt, could prompt profound changes for Fort Worth city employees.[30] A June raid at a Fort Worth gay bar -- the Rainbow Lounge -- left a customer with head wounds.[13]

Posts deemed offensive will be removed. Big suprise, they found that excessive force was NOT used that night in the Rainbow Lounge. OMG I'm sick of tired ass Fort Worth!! Nobody gave a rat's ass about this crappy town until some gays got roughed up and then to everyone's surprise, this white trash mecca is kinda anti-gay.[23] The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has completed the use of force report related to the incident at the Fort Worth Rainbow Lounge occurring on June 28, 2009.[8] The officers have been faulted for not writing a timely report on the June 28 raid of the Rainbow Lounge, but the department concludes that officers did not use excessive force and none of the officers will be fired.[28] According to sources, the report will find that the six officers involved did not use excessive force or violate operational policies while arresting five people inside the Rainbow Lounge on June 28.[12]

Police ordered unpaid suspensions for three officers who violated policies. Rainbow Lounge manager Randy Norman says he's outraged at only a few days of suspensions for the Fort Worth officers.[13] The inspection's fallout The Rainbow Lounge inspection, one of three by Fort Worth police that night, resulted in five arrests for public intoxication and put one patron, Chad Gibson, in the hospital with a serious head injury.[27] The June 28 bar check, one of three by Fort Worth police that night, resulted in five public intoxication arrests and left one patron, Chad Gibson of Euless, in the hospital with a serious head injury.[3]

Gibson was cited for assault and public intoxication. Both state agents and Fort Worth police officers were accused of using excessive force, and protests erupted.[27] Associated Press - November 5, 2009 8:55 PM ET FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Texas' liquor board said today that an internal investigation has found no evidence agents used excessive force during a[2] Texas' liquor board said Thursday that an internal investigation has found no evidence agents used excessive force during a controversial raid at a gay bar.[14]

An internal investigation found that three officers, who received suspensions ranging from one to three days, violated department policies, but they were cleared of allegations that they used excessive force.[17] Once again, the police's internal investigation finds no fault with their officers with regard to excessive force.[24]

The internal investigation focused on seven Fort Worth police officers and one sergeant.[3] Fort Worth Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead spoke Thursday morning about the department's internal investigation.[7] The department is reviewing the internal investigation with city attorneys to determine how much should be released. Fort Worth police have scheduled a news conference for Thursday, but they have not said where or when it will be held.[12]

The commission had said it would release the second part of the investigation late last month, but it was delayed after the investigator asked for more time. The agency set a new release date of mid-November but announced Tuesday night that the findings and report will be available Thursday ' the same day Fort Worth police had planned to release their findings.[27] The findings of the investigation and the chief's disciplinary decisions brought swift condemnation from Fairness Fort Worth a group formed after the raid and the bar's management. "This report, because of the lack of proper and adequate disciplinary actions, does not set the standard for accountability," John Nelson, a Fairness Fort Worth spokesman, said during the news conference.[17]

"Whether it be a gay bar or a straight bar or any kind of bar, five days suspension is wholly inadequate for what happened," said Jon Nelson, spokesman for Fairness Fort Worth, a gay rights group that formed after the raid.[10] FORT WORTH Three officers involved in the controversial June raid of a gay bar in Fort Worth were suspended on Thursday, but there will be no terminations.[22]

As a result of an internal''Fort Worth Police Department''investigation into a controversial raid at a gay bar this summer, the department has suspended three police officers.[21] Police Chief Jeff Halstead said he wanted to close a painful chapter and start a new one as he stood in front of front of a gay bar Thursday to announce the suspensions of a sergeant and two police officers over a controversial raid conducted here in late June.[17] The police department found that the officers had, among other things, used poor judgment in conducting the check on the bar's liquor licenses and other permits; failed to complete police reports by the end of the shift; and inappropriately arrested a customer for a "drunk look" and later released the patron to a friend who worked for the police department. Police Chief Jeff Halstead told reporters Thursday that the department had instituted several policy changes -- including clarifying how officers conduct these "bar checks" -- to prevent future problems. The Texas liquor board also released a 75-page report on Thursday that cleared its agents of targeting the bar because of the sexual orientation of its clientele.[15] Halstead said that in the Police Department's inquiry of four formal complaints and 38 alleged policy violations, investigators found that officers used only the minimal amount of force needed to make arrests.[3]

Back released the patron to a friend after learning the friend was Fort Worth police employee. Back violated department policy by not issuing a citation to the patron before releasing him. "Officer Back's conduct in releasing the patron gave the appearance of favoritism and that he did not have sufficient cause to arrest the person," his suspension letter states.[17] The 74-page report takes into account statements by eyewitnesses, expert witnesses, TABC employees, and Fort Worth police officers.[8] A 74-page report of the raid is expected to be ready later Thursday. It was compiled from statements by eyewitnesses, experts, TABC employees and Fort Worth police.[19]

The Star Telegram said the city council will vote on one recommendation next week, but it will take time before considering other reforms. The Dallas-Fort Worth Local News reported this week that the Fort Worth police will announce on Thursday that no officers will be fired as a result of the June raid.[28] Did anyone realllllly believe that anyone was going to get fired, in Fort Worth, TEXAS for injury to or the hassling of gays by police officers. A friend had his ankle broken by Fort Worth police and they said that he "tripped and fell" and that is how he was injured. They will tell any lie to cover their treatment of those "awful queers and nasty fags".[28] Beck said Chapman but not Aller assisted with the arrests of Macias and Armstrong, who who were taken custody by Fort Worth police officers.[4]

The report found also that Fort Worth officers are not responsible for the head injury that occured during the incident. At a press conference on Thursday, Chief Halstead said, "Of the witnesses interviewed who claimed to observe the arrest of Mr. Gibson, none of them said that they observed him strike his head on the step or on the floor."[22] None of the officers involved from the FWPD will be fired; two TABC agents were already fired. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that some of the officers involved will be "disciplined" for such dire infractions as not turning in their incident paperwork on time.[6]

The Fort Worth and state agencies have implemented several changes after the Rainbow Lounge incident to improve relations with the gay community and enhance public trust. Changing the agency's five regional educational liaisons into community liaisons whose duties include reaching out to diverse groups such as the gay community and racial, ethnic and religious minorities.[3] Five people were arrested that night and one man was left with a head injury. "We had serious injuries," said Raymond Gill, who was among those detained when Fort Worth police and The Alcoholic Beverage Commission made a surprise visit to the Rainbow Lounge.[22]

FORT WORTH, TX - Rainbow Lounge manager, Randy Norman has waited for the city of Fort Worth to stretch out a hand, after a wild raid that he says was a slap in the face. "It was just crazy and a mess".[20]

The chief was working with city attorneys Wednesday to release at least a partial version of the review, said police spokesman Lt. Paul Henderson. He said releasing the full report is prohibited by the Texas government code, which protects officers from the public release of such internal reports, he said. City council member Kathleen Hicks, whose district includes the Rainbow Lounge, said she was under the impression the entire report would be released publicly.[16] As most others have said -- "surprise, surprise -- NOT!" I mean really, even the TABC is responding better and more honestly and appropriately. I have NO respect for the FW Police, especially it's new chief, who did in fact make a public statement soon after the incident saying essentially that the gays got what they deserved since they were groping his officers (the gay panic or self-righteous defense). The city of FW needs to FIRE the chief over this incredibly bigoted, botched incident and then his DEFENSE of it. How can we move on from this or expect ethical respect of the FW Police with this farcical sham of their finding? The Mayor and other powers that be who have decision-making power need to grow some and denounce this finding, and also insist on their OWN third-party investigation. Regardless of the findings, the very fact that the FW Police Chief made such a statement right after the raid, is reason enough for his FIRING.[24] The police & TABC were conducting a normal, pre-announced inspection at the bar & had conducted similar inspections at other predominantly heterosexual bars earlier in the evening. The owner of the bar knew in advance they would be conducting an inspection & even offered his cooperation. Why does anyone insist on referring to this incident as a raid? An independent panel has been in constant communication with the police department throughout their investigation & the testimony included in the reports was from actual witnesses who verified that they were actually there when the inspection occurred. Not surprisingly, the report didn't include information from the guy who had a friend whose cousin said he meant to go there that night & heard later that one of his friends saw something.[24] The officer that was suspended for three days, J.M. Back, was cited for handcuffing a person without probable cause,''for releasing that person without issuing a citation, bringing unfavorable criticism to the police department and for failing to complete offense reports the night of the arrest. Sgt. Morris was suspended for using "poor judgment in his tactics" to conduct the bar check. Officer Gober was suspended for making a conscious decision not to complete the required offense report before the end of his shift and did not complete the offense report until his return to work the following night.''[21]

Some verbally & physically threatened the officers & were systematically escorted outside on an individual basis & interviewed without others around to encourage or inspire bravado or outlandish behavior. One officer's report stated that patrons were verbally abusive, first, which naturally put him on guard. He & others witnessed a patron run away to a secluded hallway as if to flee or try to hide something. When someone acts suspiciously, then they should expect to be followed & questioned by the police. The officer was isolated from his colleagues in a crowd as he pursued a possibly guilty person into an area of the bar where he could become even more vulnerable. He reached the man who had run, subdue him as he resisted & became belligerent. Other patrons began taunting the officer & as he escorted the man outside to ascertain why he ran, the officer felt someone possibly trying to grab his gun & then another man intentionally rubbed his groin area with the back of his hand. The crowd was becoming bolder & he was in a threatening situation. His report also notes that although he felt that some patrons were acting in a threatening manner, possibly emboldened by the crowd inside the bar, when he was able to speak with them outside, calmly on an individual basis to evaluate them for intoxication, most were released with no citations or arrests. The statements of those directly involved, the officers, patrons, & employees of the bar, all meshed & the witnesses corroborated the officers' accounts. Why automatically assume that anyone involved is lying or exagerrating? It was a bar.[24] Officer K.Q. Gober received a one-day suspension for not filing an offense report in a timely manner, the documents state. Officer J.M. Back, meanwhile, received a three-day suspension for arresting a bar patron for public intoxication because he had a 'drunk look' and then releasing him without issuing a citation after the patron's friends informed him that he was a city employee.[7] Gober arrested two patrons on suspicion of public intoxication but failed to document the arrests until the next day, the documents state. Officer J.M. Back, a nine-year veteran, received a three-day suspension for arresting a patron on suspicion of public intoxication without sufficient cause, saying he had a "drunk look," the documents state. Later, Back released the patron to one of his friends after learning that the friend was a city employee.[3] Officer J.M. Back, a nine-year veteran, received the longest suspension -- three days -- for mishandling an arrest. He arrested one man for public intoxication without properly evaluating whether he was really drunk and later released him after he identified himself as a city employee, Halstead said. All three officers apologized for what happened and do not plan to appeal their suspensions, Halstead said.[10]

You idiots aren't using logic. The FWPD would be anxious to find their officers at fault for excessive force. It would mean that the officers violated internal policy and even state law. The employees acted outside their authority as a city employee, which would greatly lessen the city's civil liabilities when the inevitable lawsuits started. Heck, TABC did it and look how QUICKLY they did it. They put their agents out on the proverbial limb and started sawing away before they even put any time into investigating it. [24] The agency also says agents didn't use force beyond what was necessary and reasonable during the bar check operation June 28. TABC Administrator Alan Steen says that although evidence didn't show agents targeted the bar or used excessive force, they did violate several policies.[19] Administrator Alan Steen said, '''Although the evidence did not show that our agents targeted the bar or used excessive force, it does not take away from the fact that the agents violated several policies that night. I want to take another opportunity to say that this is not how we treat people, and we have been looking at this from every angle to find ways to make sure it does not happen again.'''[8]

The TABC also cleared Agent Trainee Jason Chapman and Agent Christopher Aller of using excessive force on three bar patrons, including Gibson. Aller and Chapman, along with their supervisor, Sgt. Terry Parsons, were fired in August.[17]

The allegation that the Rainbow Lounge was targeted for being a gay bar was unfounded. Agents Aller and Chapman were accused of using force beyond what was necessary and reasonable during their contact with Jose Macias, George Armstrong and Chad Gibson when they were placed under arrest at the Rainbow Lounge.[8] Six people were arrested for public intoxication duirng the Rainbow Lounge raid, and one, Chad Gibson, suffered a severe head injury while in the agents' custody. Aller and Chapman were dismissed in August after the TABC determined they had violated agency policy during the raid.[14] In August, TABC announced that Agent Chris Aller, Agent Trainee Jason Chapman and Sgt. Terry Parsons were terminated for various policy and procedural violations found in the initial Rainbow Lounge investigation report.[8]

The uproar led police to change the department's policy on bar inspections, requiring officers to get supervisor approval and to document a history of problems. The Rainbow Lounge was celebrating its grand opening.[10] Speaking at a news conference across from the bar, chief Jeffrey Halstead acknowledged officers were overaggressive, creating an atmosphere of "fear and confusion" in the bar. He said none crossed the line in how they handled people or went into the bar because of its clientele. "It was very clear from this inquiry that there was no malice or ill will on the part of any officers who entered the Rainbow Lounge," he said.[14] Halstead started the press conference by comparing the Rainbow Lounge incident to what happened at Stonewall. He said that initially he and his officers could not understand '''why such a seemingly routine bar inspection''' had sparked such outrage in the LGBT community and had drawn so much media attention, both locally and across the country. After researching the Stonewall Riots and seeing the parallels between the two incidents, he began to understand.[1]

Five other officers were cleared of any wrongdoing. "We did not provide service to the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) community with respect," said Halstead, adding that each of the three officers has apologized to the department for their actions that night. "It was clear from some of the 32 witnesses interviewed that some of our officers entered into the Rainbow Lounge in a manner that was perceived as aggressive, rude and unprofessional," he said.[17]

A diversity task force that formed after the Rainbow Lounge incident handed over new recommendations to the city council Tuesday, calling for sweeping changes in city policy when it comes to gays and lesbians.[20] An inquiry finds policy violations, but the department clears them of allegations of using excessive force at the June 28 clash at the Rainbow Lounge.[15]

No officers will be fired, the sources said, but some will likely be disciplined for infractions including not filing reports on time after the June 28 incident at the Rainbow Lounge.[27] Gober was also reprimanded for the negative media attention that "could have been adverted had Officer Gober completed the required offense report with the true and accurate details of events that occurred during the Rainbow Lounge bar check."[21]

Halstead appeared with other city leaders and activists at a news conference outside the Rainbow Lounge to announce the findings of a 1,000-page internal report.[10] In the days after the Rainbow Lounge incident, Halstead repeatedly objected to the characterization of the event as a raid.[1] While walking through the Rainbow Lounge, an "extremely intoxicated patron made sexually explicit movements toward the police supervisor," the statement said. This individual was arrested for public intoxication. Police said the raid was part of a routine inspection for alcohol beverage code violations and that they are investigating allegations of rough treatment.[18]

FORT WORTH -- A crowd of more than 100 protesters chanted "No more!" from the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse Sunday evening as they demanded an investigation into a police raid earlier in the day at a gay night club. [18] The Ft. Worth Police Department will clear itself of any wrongdoing in the much-anticipated report that will be released tomorrow. Its 1,000 pages of excuses. Thats three zeroes. The lengthy conclusion from an internal investigation will say the only thing police did wrong was write up their report late; it was filed the next day after gay rights groups got involved, not immediately after the cops shift.[26] Gee, another Ft. Worth internal investigation finding in their favor - like we knew this wasn't coming. Maybe some day these kind of investigations will actually be handled by impartial third-parties so the police can actually be held accountable for their actions.[24]

On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Fairness Fort Worth group discussed the findings of the city's internal investigation.[22]

The group Fairness Fort Worth says the measures by the police chief were not enough and are calling for an independent investigation into the matter.[21]

John, thanks for your level headed and responsible reporting. My reaction is this, when I visit Fort Worth GLBT bars am I to expect to be thrown to the ground and physically assaulted by the Ft Worth police should they enter the establishment? B/S. I am a entitled to all the rights and privileges as the person drinking there favorite beverage at the 19th hole. This is BS and we need to stand up and protest LOUDLY or we may find ourselves face down like the patrons of the Eagle in Atlanta and told to 'Shut the F### up. If this is the way you'all treat your bar patrons, then maybe I better stay away from texas. I was supposed to attend a convention there but this made me change my mind.[8] Jon Nelson, spokesman for Fairness Fort Worth, said the discipline issued by the chief "falls far short" given what took place inside the bar.[3]

Sources had told the Star-Telegram Wednesday that all Fort Worth officers also have been cleared of excessive force allegations and no officers would be fired.[7] FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - The Texas liquor board will change the way it investigates allegations of excessive force by agents.[13]

Nelson compared the discipline to a child being sent to the principal's office and being told, "Don't do that but have a nice day." Nelson said that while witness accounts may differ, he believes that their statements made clear that police and state agents were aggressive, used excessive force and instilled fear in patrons.[3] One patron was seriously injured in the raid, several protesters said, as police used excessive force in making seven arrests. Police defended their actions.[18]

How is it that they find they did no wrong, and yet "some officers are likely to be disciplined" over the raid. What then are the officers being disciplined for? It smells like FWPD knows they did indeed use excessive force, but think they can just handle it internally and put out a public report saying they bear no fault.[24] Chief Halstead conceded that officers were rude, but said there were no reprimands linked to the use of excessive force.[22]

Liquor board: Agents didn't use excessive force - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports.[2] The report also cleared agent trainee Jason Chapman and agent Christopher Aller of using excessive force at the lounge.[15] One of the most significant practical consequences of Thursday'''s report is that it increases the likelihood that Aller, Chapman and Parsons can find other jobs in law enforcement. Aller said Thursday that while he doesn'''t agree with the agency'''s decision to fire him, being cleared of the excessive force allegation is somewhat of a '''consolation prize.''' '''I'''m not being held hostage by the agency anymore, and I can try to continue on with my life now,''' he said.[4]

The firings came three weeks after the commission released an internal affairs report finding that Aller and Chapman violated a number of agency policies, including taking part in an operation without approval, failing to report use of force against patrons, failure to report that a patron was injured and disrupting business.[15] Aller and Chapman, a trainee, violated numerous policies, including participating in the operation without approval, wearing unapproved attire and failing to report that force was used against patrons or that one patron was injured, according to investigators. The agents' supervisor, Terry Parsons, was also fired, even though he had announced his retirement.[27]

The TABC report is the last of a two-part investigation. In August, the TABC released its initial report. That report determined several procedures and policies were violated during the inspection, including failing to report use of force and that one patron was injured.[12]

TABC said it will hire additional internal affairs investigators who will handle use of force allegations instead of allowing officers' supervisors to investigate. The agency also plans review its officer hiring process; revise its policy and procedure manual to increase supervisor oversight; and hire an inspector to monitor enforcement and compliance. It also wants TABC regional liaisons to reach out to various community groups.[9] I'''m here to work with the community to answer questions about TABC policies or about alcoholic beverage laws, and to continue to assist the agency in moving forward in the wake of the Rainbow Lounge incident.'''[8] The bar check at the Rainbow Lounge was the one of the three carried out that night, but it sparked national outrage after patron Chad Gibson, 26, was hospitalized for a serious head injury.[12]

The raid drew national attention when eight officers and two agents from the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission went into the bar at about 1 a.m. and arrested several patrons for allegedly being intoxicated in public.[10] Gay rights leaders said the Texas raid evoked memories of past conflicts with police. Seven people at the bar were arrested, and witnesses said one man had his head slammed into a door by agents.[15] No surprise that no officer will be fired. Since they had no policies to deal with raids on bars, no one could be expected to follow said, no existence policies. huh? If you don't consider prejudice and bias against gay people in your policies and procedures you can hold people accountable for being human.[28]

The FW police allege that one of them was groped- which is extremely hard to believe under the circumstances. Let's say you were in a bar being swarmed with red neck police officers, would you go up to one of them and grope them????? Sounds pretty stupid to think you would do that, and every witness there says it's a complete lie. This is a typical homophobic response to an egregious hate crime conducted at tax payer expense and I hope that the new federal hate crime law will find all of these narrow minded officers guilty as charged. They need to be fired, put in jail, and pay for their criminal, barbaric actions. The only inappropriate touching that took place was when these homophobic morons beat up a couple of bar patrons. Anybody who is naive or blind to this sad reality needs to grow up and accept the fact that this was a heinous crime that we should all be ashamed and embarrassed about.[24] The young man who was hospitalized was intoxicated, which is in violation of state law, & was not beaten or thrown down. He was handcuffed, because he was UNDER ARREST, & after the officers sat him down on the back of a vehicle to write the citation, he became nauseous from BEING INTOXICATED, lost his balance & fell on his face before the officer could reach out to break his fall. He is grinning like a Cheshire cat in the picture in the paper. He was laughing as the police called an ambulance for him. As for the "groping", these officers are trained to work with all types of people & to recognize when the behavior of a group of people is escalating. They know when circumstances are becoming dangerous to themselves & their colleagues. They also know how to diffuse such situations. Numerous patrons of the bar were intoxicated & using impaired judgement as the police officers conducted their inspection.[24]

Gay or straight, drunk people act foolishly & out of character, sometimes. Let's not make this into something that it isn't. It's ironic that so many commenting here are stereotyping police officers on one hand & decrying the stereotyping of homosexuals on the other.[24]

Nelson was the first of more than two dozen people scheduled speak before the council late Tuesday. Nelson also said there needs to be citywide diversity training conducted by experts outside the department, and called for an active police presence for the safety of the gay community where they socialize and congregate. Earlier in the meeting, council members Joel Burns and Kathleen Hicks who have been outspoken about the incident said they supported the call for an outside investigation. Burns said he believes the Police Department's investigation will be accurate, "but I do believe we need to answer to everyone who may have doubt."[5] '''We can'''t change what happened on June 28. What we can change, going forward, is how the city responds to its LGBT citizens,''' Burns said. Both Halstead and Nelson said that disagreements over the investigation'''s findings would not hamper ongoing efforts to improve relations between the police department and the LGBT community.[1] There are other major investigations going on, too,''' Burns said. He noted that the police department'''s policies '''have evolved''' since the raid, and that the city overall has already put plans into action to improve its relationship with the LGBT community.[1]

Joel Burns, among the City Council members who had initially pushed for an independent investigation, reserved judgment about the Police Department's investigation Thursday morning.[3]

Police officials declined to comment Wednesday on the investigation's findings, saying Police Chief Jeff Halstead would announce the results.[7] "When you have permanent unpaid suspensions that stay in your file for the rest of your career, that's pretty significant discipline," Halstead said. The chief said he was working with city attorneys to release a written summary of the investigation. He said there are legal problems with releasing the full report.[10] "Chief Halstead is working closely with city attorneys to make the investigation available to the public as soon as possible," Lt. Paul Henderson said.[27]

Less than a month later, commission Administrator Alan Steen told the Dallas Voice in an exclusive interview that state agents should not have participated in the police inspection and that rules were not followed. Halstead has since publicly apologized to those who perceived the bar check as a "raid," stating that "flawed policy" led to the incident. [27] Gibson, Macias and Armstrong were among six people arrested during the raid, but TABC agents weren'''t involved in the other three. Beck said she has no opinion about whether an independent investigation of the incident is needed, but she added, '''If another agency would like to come in and review this incident ''' we'''re happy to assist and provide whatever information we can.'''[4] State agents Christopher Aller and Jason Chapman were fired in August, shortly after the findings were released from the first part of a two-part TABC investigation.[27] TABC said agents Chris Aller and trainee Jason Chapman violated several policies. Both have been fired, along with their supervisor.[13] The police suspensions are viewed by some as insufficient. "That seems kind of minor in regards to the opinions of the TABC and the actions and disipline they took," Gill said. It hurt business, and it's a slap on the wrist at that." TABC admitted it violated policies and fired three of its agents in August.[22]

Copies of the TABC's 74-page report are expected to be made available today, a spokeswoman has said. A Fort Worth police spokesman said officials were not sure whether their report will be released today. [7] I hope all the real gays, the ones out in San Fran all carpool to Fort Worth and march around the Police Station like Joshua did with Jericho, except the homosexuals would be in drag with rainbow flags. Heck, they should even dress up as naughty homosexual cops and the sort.[24] Big time kudos to the City of Fort Worth and the FWPD for doing what was RIGHT even in the face of all the ridiculous threats coming from the gay community.[24] Fort Worth has worked to improve relations with the gay and lesbian community since the incident.[12]

A city manager's diversity task force, which was created after the incident, made 20 recommendations to the Fort Worth City Council Tuesday afternoon.[30] Task Force member Jon Nelson, of Fairness Fort Worth, said extending benefits to same sex partners would not cost a significant amount of money.[30]

"We don't want preferential treatment, we just want equal treatment", said attorney Jon Nelson, who serves on the diversity board. Tatum and others are planning a protest march in downtown Fort Worth this Saturday. They say if necessary they will call for an economic boycott of the city to convince leaders to stop using tasers.[20] And, the training for first responders will be put on the fast-track. Other proposals include: healthcare benefits for gay and lesbian domestic partners, including authorized family leave; stronger non-discrimination language on city documents; and marketing to promote gay and lesbian tourism. Council member Joel Burns says he's proud of Fort Worth.[11]

Two officers, including the sergeant in charge of the Fort Worth officers that night, were given one-day suspensions. A third officer was suspended for three days.[1] Sgt. R.M. Morris, a 32-year veteran and the supervisor in charge of the bar check that night, received a one-day suspension for neglect of duty and lacking good moral character, among other things. Civil-service documents say Morris exercised poor judgment when he used nine officers, an excessive number, to check a newly established bar. Morris also did not check the bar's liquor license or other permits and was outside while his officers were involved in physical confrontations, the documents stated.[3]

What bothers me about this is just because someone is gay they are supposed to get special treatment? All these investigations and suspensions because it is a "GAY" bar? If it was a regualar bar this would not have been such a big thing. All this hit the news becasue it is a gay bar - plain and simple. It is annoying.[24] "There is none and for that, whether it be a gay bar or a straight bar or any kind of bar, five days' suspension is wholly inadequate for what happened." Attorney Don Tittle, who is representing Gibson and George Armstrong, who was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication, said his clients' injuries speak for themselves. "It sounds to me like they are trying to thread the liability needle," Tittle said.[3]

Several officers could face up to a three day suspension for the Rainbow Lounge, but none will be terminated, sources said. [12] There the chief confirmed that''two police officers, Officer K.Q. Gober and Sgt. R.M. Morris,''will be suspended for one day and Officer J.M. Back received a three-day suspension.[21] Chief Halstead said that all of the suspensions are effective today and at the time of the incident there''were few guidelines in place to regulate the actions of the officer's.''[21] Countless people said the were being aggressive. They just concluded otherwise." Halstead defended his choice of discipline, later adding that the officers' chain of command had recommended that no suspensions be given. "They have permanent suspensions that will never leave their careers," Halstead said. "That's very significant."[3] Halstead said four people had filed formal complaints in connection with the raid, alleging 38 violations by officers. Of the seven officers involved in the raid, five had been cleared of all charges, he said.[1]

The department also appointed an officer to serve as a liaison to the gay community. That position is now permanent, Halstead said.[10] Mayor Mike Moncrief praised the chief and department for working with the gay community and the Diversity Task Force to address challenges going forward.[3] Costa said the city manager's office would ask that consideration of that change be included in the council's agenda for Tuesday, Nov. 10. Another recommendation that earned "unconditional concurrence" from Fisseler was that the city implement expanded diversity training for all employees, with specialized training for members of the''police and fire department, and encouraging even elected and appointed city officials to participate in the training. Mayor Mike Moncrief later said that he believes that council members should "set an example" by going through the training, a remark that earned him praise from openly gay City Councilmember Joel Burns and from Jon Nelson, a gay attorney who was on the task force.[29] Implementing new diversity and multicultural training for recruits and for every employee beginning in January. The chief and six other members of his department have joined the city manager's Diversity Task Force.[3]

Gay groups immediately criticized the timing of the raid, which came on the 40th anniversary of a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, which led to yearly parades on that day and sparked the modern gay rights movement. [10] The raid happened on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York which began on the night of June 28, 1969, as a protest by gays against police harassment and helped trigger the modern U.S. gay rights movement.[18]

The Rainbow Lounge happened on the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York, an event considered the birth of the modern gay rights movement.[1] Advocates of the same-sex changes say the new proposals are not about special treatment, but righting wrongs exposed by the Rainbow Lounge raid.[20] Speaker after speaker demanded an inquiry into the late-night raid at the Rainbow Lounge on South Jennings Street.[18] Departmental violations in approving the Rainbow Lounge raid.[26]

The investigators then went to the Rainbow Lounge, where seven arrests were made, the police statement said.[18] Thursday morning FWPD Chief Jeff Halstead held a press conference in front of the Rainbow Lounge to announce the disciplinary action.[21]

Halstead conceded the officers were disrespectful, over-aggressive and erred by showing up in force to inspect the bar in the first place. [10] The officers were suspended for a violation of police procedures during the inspection of the bar.[21] The statements of those directly involved, the officers, patrons, & employees of the bar, all meshed & the witnesses corroborated the officers' accounts. Why automatically assume that anyone involved is lying or exagerrating? It was a bar.[24]

Department policy calls for officers to write reports at the end of each shift. They arrested several people.'' Club patron Chad Gibson''was hospitalized for a week with a serious head injury he claims he received at the hands of the law enforcement officers.[21] The Dallas Police Department has long been reputed to be one of the most corrupt law enforcement agencies nationwide. Officers break the law or act unbecomingly, they keep their jobs, get a pat on the back and they don't even so much as get their hands slapped.[25]

The department announced that three of the eight officers involved in the raid will receive brief unpaid suspensions for violating policy.[14] Officer K.Q. Gober, who has been with the department less than three years, received a one-day suspension for not making an offense report in a timely manner.[3] Officer K.Q. Gober, who joined the department three years ago, was suspended for one day for failing to write a timely report.[10]

A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission report, which is also due out Thursday, will also find no excessive use of force, a source said. [12] The Use of Force Report form was revised to provide TABC's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR / internal affairs) with an improved ability to collect valuable data and identify trends.[8]

"Our city is putting so much effort into something that is morally wrong", says Rev. Kyev Tatum with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Tatum says the city is catering to gay interests, while ignoring another brewing controversy regarding the use of tasers. 24-year old Michael Jacobs' death was ruled a homicide after a female officer used the taser on him for at least 49 seconds. [20] Halstead has told city officials none of the officers will be fired but at least one may receive written reprimands or short suspensions, the officials said.[16]

Fort Worth's city manager has already concurred with 18 of the recommendations, although several will still have to go to other committees for review.[30] I hope the guy that got hurt is compensated, but I don 't believe Fort Worth will become progressive anytime soon. That city feels like it's in a time warp. I asked my friend in Chicago about this and he didn't know anything about it. He didn't even know where Fort Worth was. Maybe it's just the local media beating this story to death, but I've lost interest too, and am ready to move on.[23]

Isn't that where our movement needs to be? Why give up and move on when we can make a difference. There are many, many people living in Fort Worth who are afraidafraid that they are ignoredafraid to hold hand with their partener in their back yards. We need to act on this.[23] Hell, you cant tell where Dallas and Fort Worth end unless you happen to notice the sign near TX-360 saying Now entering Dallas County.[26]

It's not surprising that there are homophobic comments since 52% of straights would like to see us forgo our constitutional rights and at least a few dozen of that number will wear a FT Worth Police uniform to commit violent criminal acts. Must be at least one of those 2 dozen bigots who are capable of reading and commenting. It's also not surprising that LGBT people in FT Worth have lost confidence in the PD since this affair makes me afraid to venture into FT. Worth. [24]

Police need to remember that they have an honorable job that requires honorable behavior and honorable internal investigations.[24] Do blacks and latinos seriously get hospitalized by police brutality "all the time"? If so, that is truly unfortunate. I'm thinking you don't actually realize the extent of the violence in this case. If a police officer was inappropriately groped, it would have been a simple matter to subdue and cuff the offender, and bring him in.[24]

The change comes after The Associated Press reported in September that most of the excessive force cases handled by the agency haven't resulted in disciplinary action and that nearly every one was investigated by the accused agents' supervisors. [14] Administrator Alan Steen said, '''The obvious disconnect between TABC and the gay community in North Texas was a wake-up call to our agency that we need to make a more conscious effort to reach out to all of the diverse groups that we serve and to promote open lines of communication.'''[8] Steen has appointed TABC'''s Director of Communications and Governmental Relations as the agency'''s liaison to the GLBT community in an effort to improve communication around the state. Steen said, '''Carolyn Beck played a key role in representing our agency to the public during some tough times this summer and immediately began making contacts in the North Texas GLBT community. As soon as the recommendation was made that we appoint a GLBT statewide liaison, she volunteered, and I think she will do a great job.''' Carolyn Beck commented, '''It'''s important that the GLBT community have a direct point of contact at TABC if they have recommendations for our agency, or concerns that they don'''t feel comfortable addressing with their local TABC office.[8]

The agency fired Chapman and Aller in late August. Their supervisor, Sgt. Terry Parsons, who was not at the bar during the incident, was also fired. [15] However, the chief said that after reading, several times, testimony from witnesses at the bar that night, '''I understand. I agree with them. It gave them the appearance that this was a raid.[1]

SOURCES

1. Dallas Voice :: FWPD sanctions called '''absolutely inadequate'''
2. Liquor board: Agents didn't use excessive force - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo -
3. Gay-rights activists renew call for independent inquiry | Local News | Star-Telegram.com
4. Dallas Voice :: TABC:'''Agents weren'''t guilty of excessive force
5. Gay rights activists want Rainbow Lounge incident investigated | Related Story Assets | Idaho Statesman
6. Fort Worth Raid Update - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan
7. TABC, Fort Worth police didn't use excessive force at Rainbow Lounge, inquiries find | Local Ne.
8. Instant Tea » Blog Archive » TABC clears agents of excessive force, says they didn't target Rainbow Lounge
9. Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas/Southwest
10. Three Officers Suspended in Rainbow Lounge Raid | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
11. KERA: Fort Worth Diversity Task Force Recommendations (2009-11-03)
12. Fort Worth finds no excessive force, officers won't be fired - KDAF
13. TABC to make changes after gay bar raid - KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com |
14. Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas/Southwest
15. Fort Worth police suspend 3 officers in gay bar raid -- latimes.com
16. Cops Report: No Excessive Force in Rainbow Lounge Raid | NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
17. Fort Worth police suspend officers after Rainbow Lounge investigation | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News
18. 1969? Fort Worth police raid gay nightclub, sparking protest | Related Story Assets | Idaho Statesman
19. Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas/Southwest
20. Skeptics criticize the actions of diversity task force formed after raid on Fort Worth gay bar. - KDAF
21. FWPD Suspends 3 Officers For Gay Bar Raid Conduct - cbs11tv.com
22. Police issue report into raid at Fort Worth gay bar | Texas Cable News | TXCN.com | News for Texas | Local News: TV
23. Instant Tea » Blog Archive » FWPD press conference still on
24. CRIME Blog | The Dallas Morning News
25. Instant Tea » Blog Archive » NBC report: No excessive force used by FWPD in Rainbow Lounge raid
26. Ft. Worth Police Let Themselves Off the Hook in Rainbow Lounge Raid / Queerty
27. Fort Worth officers cleared in Rainbow Lounge report | Fort Worth | Star-Telegram.com
28. A Fort Worth Task Force Demands Reform for Gays and Lesbians | News Story on 365gay.com
29. Instant Tea » Blog Archive » Fort Worth Diversity Task Force recommendations released
30. Proposals for FW gay rights spur mixed reactions | Latest News | WFAA.com

GENERATE A MULTI-SOURCE SUMMARY ON ANY SUBJECT
Enter your search query below. WAIT 10-20 sec for the new window to open.
Get more info on Gay-rights activists renew call for independent inquiry by using the iResearch Reporter tool from Power Text Solutions.

Above is the automatically generated multi-source news digest.
Its main content has been compiled basing on the fair use of snippets from original news stories (initially clustered by the Google News) by applying our multi-document summarization technology. The title has been excerpted from this article, and the top image was found

PinkNews.co.uk

Gay-rights activists renew call for independent inquiry

Fort Worth Star Telegram - here.

Give Us Your Feedback!

How did you like this article?