Retired Philadelphia police captain Ray Lewis arrested at OWS in uniform

[MikeG]

What is up with this? A Philly police captain doesn't have enough contacts within police circles that he has to go out in full uniform and get arrested? My guess is this isn't his first time running afoul of professional courtesy.

I wouldn't mind it if he were just protesting as a private citizen in civilian clothes. Wearing his uniform to call attention to his view of police misconduct is extremely disrespectful to the officers in uniform doing their job.

I suspect the officers that arrested him showed him more courtesy than he showed them. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that discussion within NYPD and the lowdown they got from philly about this guy. I also hope the newspaper actually checked whether he was a former philly police captain. The headline incorrectly calls him a police chief so I wouldn't be surprised if he weren't.

Retired police chief arrested in full uniform at Occupy Wall Street demo after branding fellow officers 'obnoxious, arrogant and ignorant'

[Cat_Doc]

I saw this clown being interviewed. He is intentionally drawing attention to himself to support his protest attempts on an entirely different issue near his home. Something about "fracking"...underground drilling or something. He kept trying to talk about that issue but the media doing the interview kept focusing on the occupy crap.

I strongly suspect he thought if he went in uniform and did his best to get himself arrested that he would get a larger forum to complain about the "fracking."

So, I say, "Frack him."

[McNulty]

What a disgrace. What I want to know is why he still has a uniform if he's retired?

[marinepilot]

What a disgrace. What I want to know is why he still has a uniform if he's retired?

Maybe his agency is like the military where we get to keep our uniforms when we retire, even the issued ones. As long as we retired in good standing, we can continue to wear the uniforms to military functions such as the Marine Corps Ball, as long as we don't bring disgrace to them as this jackwagon did!

[ChesCopPodz]

Since he's retired, it probably doesn't matter to him, but I'd get in deep crap if I wore my uniform to bring attention to a political issue. I'm allowed to alling myself with whatever political group I want when off duty, but I'm not allowed to display any allegiance to a political organization in uniform.

[retdetsgt]

Since he's retired, it probably doesn't matter to him, but I'd get in deep crap if I wore my uniform to bring attention to a political issue. I'm allowed to alling myself with whatever political group I want when off duty, but I'm not allowed to display any allegiance to a political organization in uniform.

I suppose you could be arrested for impersonating a police officer, but my old agency couldn't do a thing to me for wearing mine outside their jurisdiction. What are they going to do, fire me?

I had to turn in the number of uniforms I was originally issued, but over the years I picked up some extra. I have one old uniform in the attic, but I seriously doubt it would fit me any longer......

[MikeG]

I had to turn in the number of uniforms I was originally issued, but over the years I picked up some extra. I have one old uniform in the attic, but I seriously doubt it would fit me any longer......

Come on, you didn't get taller. They'd fit just fine. Lots of seniors think they got taller as they aged but it's really because they try to hike their trousers up to their armpits and use a white belt to fasten. Resist that urge and it will fit just fine. ;)

[retdetsgt]

Come on, you didn't get taller. They'd fit just fine. Lots of seniors think they got taller as they aged but it's really because they try to hike their trousers up to their armpits and use a white belt to fasten. Resist that urge and it will fit just fine. ;)

Actually, I got shorter. That changed my height/weight ratio considerably.....

[Norm357]

That guy is a douchbag. I hope he gets hit by a bus.

[Joeyd6]

He F'd himself good!!!!! He had his gun with him when collared he was carrying under HR218. NYPD took the gun and from all accounts, he just lost hs right to carry now. We will see what happens but he was complaining when they refused to give his gun back when he got out.

The job is hard enough without our own, active or retired making it harder. He is on the 2011 disgarce list as is Miami PD and FHP.

[MikeG]

He F'd himself good!!!!! He had his gun with him when collared he was carrying under HR218. NYPD took the gun and from all accounts, he just lost hs right to carry now. We will see what happens but he was complaining when they refused to give his gun back when he got out.

.

Oooh. Was he carrying openly like part of the uniform? I bet they could get a prosecutor to argue that even a hidden firearm while in a police uniform is not "concealed."

And the park is private property with public access. If they posted a "No Weapons" sign, I think that would trump HR218 anyway, wouldn't it?

I would love to see what the police forwarded to prosecutor regarding this guy and what charges they recommended. later interviews with this guy made it sound like the police on scene liked and supported him. The memo to prosecutors would be more telling.

[Joeyd6]

I don't know if it was in plain view or concealed, but disobeying a lawful order to move from a police officer is a felony, along with a few other charges.

He was not arrested or charged with any weapon related crime, as he was legally carrying. I know he was charged with multiple felonies and the DA's office is not considering his defense of "I didn't know." He has pissed off the DA's office enough that from what I understand, there will be no plea bargin...he will take a hit for a felony, which they plan to use to have his right to carry removed in PA (as a convicted felon).

Once at the processing area, he asked to be removed from the general pop....all other protestors. His requested was granted but only in the cell next door. He was asked why even in a cell and about courtesy.......one of the NYPD guys infomred him courtesy is not coming to NYC and "crapping" on the NYPD.

Not sure how it will play out. Will be interesting.

[Big Sexy]

Not sure how it will play out. Will be interesting.

Most definitely keep us informed.

[Cat_Doc]

Did any of you notice that the little punk in the "protesters attacked" thread also mentions "fracking?"

[retdetsgt]

Reminds me of that black police Sgt down in S. California that would go to other cities in civilian clothes and try to bait the police officers so he could sue them. I think that was in the 80's.