CA Police Chief left service weapon in restroom and it disappeared. UPDATE

Try to imagine the Chief lecturing her officers on anything. How will any of them ever take her seriously?

“Hi, I’m your Chief; do as I say, not as I do”. :confused:
I get that, but Im curious his thought since it wasnt a simple mistake but lacking 'sense'
 
What are your thoughts on people who 'dont have enough sense to retain your firearm' but arent police chiefs? Like, what about a normal person?
They don't work for the safety of the public so you cant fire them but you can take away their CCW. Can you imagine the news story if the person that took it committed a robbery and killed someone in the process? I had Soldiers lose their weapon in a combat zone. The consequences are terrible. Would you want to share a foxhole or fighting position with one of them? I saw a CSM do an ND into a discharge barrel at KAF, the look on his face was priceless! He was a dumbass to start with and the commander fired him on the spot, sent home and retired. I would expect the same from any public servant, I hold them to a higher standard, especially a higher grade public servant. Responsibility starts at the top ! As to civilian who leaves a weapon in a public restroom or anywhere else it can be picked up by anyone to include a child, they should be charged with public endangerment or something similar. As I said, my son is a Policeman, as is a couple of my best friends and I'm as proud as can be of them! If I weren't so long in the tooth, I would be as well. Cops have my utmost respect for the hard jobs that they do!
 
I get that, but Im curious his thought since it wasnt a simple mistake but lacking 'sense'
But that wasn't a mistake. I've carried a weapon for the job and as a CCW for years. It's the first thing I put on in the morning and the last thing I take off at night. It's also something that I check several times during the day to make sure its still attached to me. Its a mistake if it falls out of the holster in the performance of duties, its a lack of common sense if you leave it laying in a public bathroom. I carried an M-4 carbine and an M-9 pistol everyday for over a year. I turned them both in to my unit when I left Afghanistan and flew home. I fell asleep in the Atlanta airport and when I woke up, the FIRST thing I looked for were my weapons! It should be automatic for anyone who carries on a daily basis.
 
If she was wearing a batbelt with all the cop toys on it, she had to take it off. And she forgot to put the belt back on?
 
If she was wearing a batbelt with all the cop toys on it, she had to take it off. And she forgot to put the belt back on?
I’d say, and I’m just guessing, she had just a holster and took it out to keep from dragging it on the nasty floor, laid it somewhere and forgot it. Regardless, mistake or common sense, SHE is the head honcho at the Department and it should reflect on her performance. She is, or should be held to a higher standard than anyone on her force. How would it look if nothing but a warning was given to her and the rookie that did it was fired? And then again, it’s speculation and I wasn’t there.
 
As to civilian who leaves a weapon in a public restroom or anywhere else it can be picked up by anyone to include a child, they should be charged with public endangerment or something similar

More laws is just what we need. :rolleyes:
 
More laws is just what we need. :rolleyes:
Not more laws but I’m sure there’s something already on the books. We have thousands of laws now, already on the books that are not enforced and yet the Congress critters seem think more is what we need. Just use what we have, I’m sure there’s something out there, but they need to to be accountable as well. I know if my family member was killed with someone’s gun that was irresponsibly left somewhere and picked up by some who is just as irresponsible, I’d be irate!
 
Y’all can all relax. Her sidearm has been found! It has been returned by the brother of the man accused of stealing it. Of course as should be, the man that stole it is going to be charged for the crime of stealing it. The chief said she is expecting disciplinary actions to be taken against her as well. She stated that will come form her bosses in the city. So, in reading the articles on Facebook and the Dept page specifically many of sheeple support her and are not upset one bit by her actions.

https://www.keyt.com/news/san-luis-...ief-s-gun-found-suspect-identified/1094441152
 
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Back in another life when I lived in NY, I visited a gunshop/range that catered to mostly cops. I walked in, and there right in front of me at the counter , was the local chief sweeping everyone in the shop with an AR.
Needless to say I never went back. I’ve seen doofuses on the range with better skills than that.
 
So when you find something left somewhere, it is theft???? So, I walks into the bathroom and find a $100 bill on the floor and NOBODY is in there, is that theft????

His brother reported him and made him turn the gun back in. It has serial numbers on it that would be traced back to show it being stolen. The guy knew it was immoral to take a gun like that. A hundred bucks is different in that it has no identifying markers on it and please spare us all the bullshit of saying you know the serial numbers on each of your paper currency.
 
His brother reported him and made him turn the gun back in. It has serial numbers on it that would be traced back to show it being stolen. The guy knew it was immoral to take a gun like that. A hundred bucks is different in that it has no identifying markers on it and please spare us all the bullshit of saying you know the serial numbers on each of your paper currency.

1st off, where the hell is "all the bullshit of saying you know the serial numbers on each of your paper currency" posted in my post? Where did I say that??? And he did not steal it. He found it. And I'm sure 99.9% of people would have turned it in, but he chose the wrong path. The theft charges are there to pull heat off the chiefs ass.
 
1st off, where the hell is "all the bullshit of saying you know the serial numbers on each of your paper currency" posted in my post? Where did I say that??? And he did not steal it. He found it. And I'm sure 99.9% of people would have turned it in, but he chose the wrong path. The theft charges are there to pull heat off the chiefs ass.

So if I am at your house and “find” your gun in the closet then it’s free for the taking?

I do apologize for my language and tone it was not meant directed to you I was making the broad statement that no one knows the numbers on their currency but most know or have record of firearms serial numbers...if you do not then you should.

I also read where the Chief is not facing disciplinary action by the city since it was reported and has been recovered. Since she is not, the guy shouldn’t either.
 
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So if I am at your house and “find” your gun in the closet then it’s free for the taking?

That’s the problem no one has respect for other people. The chief should face disciplinary actions, but I read today on another article she won’t be facing any. SO, the guy should not either being as he DID return it albeit with his brother in laws urging. No harm no foul for the Chief, then no harm no foul for him

If you are in my PRIVATE residence, and you take something, you have committed burglary. This was something left out in a PUBLIC place. There was no theft.
 
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So your car is on the PUBLIC street corner does that make it free for the taking?

No it doesn’t and it doesn’t make taking a gun found in the public bathroom anymore legal or moral.

Aside for It being Commifornia which by merely possessing the gun he would likely be charged for something under their stupid laws.
 
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So your car is on the PUBLIC street corner does that make it free for the taking?

No it doesn’t and it doesn’t make taking a gun found in the public bathroom anymore legal or moral.

Really? You are going to equate a parked car parked on a street to some assclown leaving an inanimate object in a bathroom?
 
Really? You are going to equate a parked car parked on a street to some assclown leaving an inanimate object in a bathroom?

Yes I am indeed


She was wrong by leaving the gun and should be disciplined, the guy that found it stole it. Two wrongs don’t make a right
 
How is it theft????? Did he go into her purse, bag, jacket pocket and take it??? NO. He walked in and seen it there. UNATTENDED and took it. The theft charge is bullshit.
 
OK, let me try this. I go out to eat. I hit the bathroom and for what ever reason, pull my wallet out and lay it on the sink. I finish up and head back to the table. Here comes the check. I figure, "I got this" and proceed to get out my wallet. But I have left it in the bathroom. I go back in and it is gone, Somebody has taken it. Is that theft?
 
OK, let me try this. I go out to eat. I hit the bathroom and for what ever reason, pull my wallet out and lay it on the sink. I finish up and head back to the table. Here comes the check. I figure, "I got this" and proceed to get out my wallet. But I have left it in the bathroom. I go back in and it is gone, Somebody has taken it. Is that theft?

1) did they pick it up and turn it in to management then no it’s being respectful and courteous

2) if they just took it and left then yes it is.

Theft is taking property that does not belong to you
 
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1) did they pick it up and turn it in to management then no it’s being respectful and courteous

2) if they just took it and left then yes it is.

Theft is taking property that does not belong to you

So in your opinion, if you find a pack of gum on a sidewalk and put it in your pocket, you have then committed theft?
 
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So in your opinion, if you find a pack of gum on a sidewalk and put it in your pocket, you have then committed theft?

Yes in my opinion. It’s not mine and I didn’t buy it.

Plus it’s found on the sidewalk no thanks!

@grungewehr39 i respect you and your views as it is ok to have differing opinions and views on this. My opinion is the guy knew he was doing wrong and was wrong in doing it. The Chief should be held responsible but if she isn’t then he should not either. The whole point is had she been more responsible then he would not have had the chance to get the weapon
 
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I do not. I think it is wrong to not turn in something you find to the proper channels. But to charge someone with theft, especially in this case. is wrong.
 
So when you find something left somewhere, it is theft???? So, I walks into the bathroom and find a $100 bill on the floor and NOBODY is in there, is that theft????

If an item is serialized, "finders keepers" isn't exactly applicable. If I find a set of car keys, am I entitled to the car I also found in the parking lot? Where is that line?
 
If an item is serialized, "finders keepers" isn't exactly applicable. If I find a set of car keys, am I entitled to the car I also found in the parking lot? Where is that line?

Most anything is serialized to some extent these days, and I do not see the relevancy of that. If you find a set of keys, then you have found just that, a set of keys. Assuming that you should be able to then steal the car (which would have proof of ownership via a title) is ridiculous in comparison here. The point here is that he stole nothing. He did not enter a private residence and commit burglary. He did not pick pocket it. He did not break into any locked container to take it. He found it.
 
Most anything is serialized to some extent these days, and I do not see the relevancy of that. If you find a set of keys, then you have found just that, a set of keys. Assuming that you should be able to then steal the car (which would have proof of ownership via a title) is ridiculous in comparison here. The point here is that he stole nothing. He did not enter a private residence and commit burglary. He did not pick pocket it. He did not break into any locked container to take it. He found it.

Sorry, I was taught that taking something that didn't belong to you was stealing. I wasn't aware that there was a caveat that I first had to trespass in order to commit theft. Guess others think differently.
 
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Sorry, I was taught that taking something that didn't belong to you was stealing. I wasn't aware that there was a caveat that I first had to trespass in order to commit theft. Guess others think differently.

Don't get me wrong. I think it is wrong. You find something, either leave it be or turn it in. But it is not theft.
 
Don't get me wrong. I think it is wrong. You find something, either leave it be or turn it in. But it is not theft.

When is it theft vs not theft? If my back is turned for a minute? If I walk back out to my car? If I leave the premises? The very definition of theft is taking property that is not yours. A misplaced item does not "legally" become yours because you found it. You think it is wrong because you know it is theft, but you are bastardizing the definition because your bias towards freedom/police/whateverelse wants whomever stole it to not be officially charged with theft.
 
So. I walk out front of my house, place $10,000 in cash, a radio, a bag of groceries, etc. in the street, come back in, close the door and go to sleep. And somebody walking by finds it unattended and takes it, is that theft. No. That's someone being an irresponsible DUMBASS (me) and a douchebag (the other guy). He did not trespass, force open a locked container, pick a pocket. It was an inanimate object left unattended in a publicly accessible place. Again, it was wrong to take it. Morally it was wrong, but it is not theft.
 
So. I walk out front of my house, place $10,000 in cash, a radio, a bag of groceries, etc. in the street, come back in, close the door and go to sleep. And somebody walking by finds it unattended and takes it, is that theft. No. That's someone being an irresponsible DUMBASS (me) and a douchebag (the other guy). He did not trespass, force open a locked container, pick a pocket. It was an inanimate object left unattended in a publicly accessible place. Again, it was wrong to take it. Morally it was wrong, but it is not theft.

If it's in the street or curb it's fair game man. That's called curb alert and i wouldn't say that's immoral to take. If it's obvious that someone accidentally left or dropped something that could easily be given back that is theft. It is the difference in finding a 20.00 bill in the store with no one around vs seeing some drop a 20.00 bill while standing in line and picking it up.
 
Currency is a bearer instrument and a firearm is not, same for your car or bicycle.
 
He should have declared salvage rights on abandoned property. ;)

The whole, mea culpa, I was wrong statement makes me think of that line in Top Gun.

You're writing checks your body can't cash.
 
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I was in San Luis Obispo last week , but no it wasn't me!
 
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