sparkys4
07-18-2008, 01:32 PM
After reading a little investigative reporting my ARN on this cop in Winters, turns out he has had many run ins with the law himself, passing hot checks etc.
After reading this, is anyone willing to at least admit the Ortiz families charges against him now have some merit?
ARN Story below.
Policeman involved in July 4 dispute
By Daralyn Schoenewald
schoenewaldd@reporternews.com
A Winters police officer accused of misconduct on the Fourth of July has had four formal complaints filed against him in the nearly three months he has been with the department, City Manager Aref Hassan said Thursday.
A background check shows he also has misdemeanor convictions for theft and fraud.
Three of the complaints against officer Gary Amburn stem from a July 4 incident during which he allegedly became aggressive with a family that was discharging fireworks on their property.
Hassan would not comment on the fourth complaint against the officer, stating that it is under investigation and that Amburn, a certified peace officer of nearly 10 years, remains on the force.
Criminal background checks into Amburn via PublicData.com and confirmed by Runnels and Harrison County law enforcement officials reveal that the officer has multiple misdemeanor convictions.
Runnels County Sheriff William Baird said a routine criminal check run when Amburn went to renew his driver's license this week also turned up a warrant in Harrison County for allegedly writing bad checks, a Class B misdemeanor.
Amburn has since paid off the value of the two bad checks he is accused of writing --a total of $27-- and the warrant has been cleared, an official from the Harrison County District Attorney's Office said.
Amburn previously has been arrested in Harrison County for theft and fraud, both class B misdemeanors.
Under state standards set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, a state regulatory agency that licenses peace officers, conviction of a class B misdemeanor or above is not investigated as officer misconduct.
Only Class A misdemeanor convictions and above are investigated, said Laura LeBlanc, a TCLEOSE employee.
Three of the four complaints against Amburn stem from a July 4 incident in which Amburn allegedly became aggressive with the family of John and Crystal Ortiz.
The Ortiz family had gathered with family and friends at their home on North Main Street and were shooting fireworks when Officer Amburn arrived.
Amburn recently told the Reporter-News he arrived at the home and told the family that they were not allowed to discharge fireworks because their property was within the city limits.
The family claims that Amburn became loud and aggressive when they tried to tell him their property is outside city limits.
An altercation followed that resulted in the arrest of John and Crystal Ortiz and their 14-year-old son. The couple was charged with assault on a peace officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Their son was charged with assaulting a police officer.
Although it was determined that the Ortiz home does not sit within the city limits, charges against the arrested family members are pending, Hassan said.
Hassan said he also believes Amburn is looking for another job because he asked for a letter of recommendation.
He hasn't put in his resignation and he hasn't been fired, he added.
After reading this, is anyone willing to at least admit the Ortiz families charges against him now have some merit?
ARN Story below.
Policeman involved in July 4 dispute
By Daralyn Schoenewald
schoenewaldd@reporternews.com
A Winters police officer accused of misconduct on the Fourth of July has had four formal complaints filed against him in the nearly three months he has been with the department, City Manager Aref Hassan said Thursday.
A background check shows he also has misdemeanor convictions for theft and fraud.
Three of the complaints against officer Gary Amburn stem from a July 4 incident during which he allegedly became aggressive with a family that was discharging fireworks on their property.
Hassan would not comment on the fourth complaint against the officer, stating that it is under investigation and that Amburn, a certified peace officer of nearly 10 years, remains on the force.
Criminal background checks into Amburn via PublicData.com and confirmed by Runnels and Harrison County law enforcement officials reveal that the officer has multiple misdemeanor convictions.
Runnels County Sheriff William Baird said a routine criminal check run when Amburn went to renew his driver's license this week also turned up a warrant in Harrison County for allegedly writing bad checks, a Class B misdemeanor.
Amburn has since paid off the value of the two bad checks he is accused of writing --a total of $27-- and the warrant has been cleared, an official from the Harrison County District Attorney's Office said.
Amburn previously has been arrested in Harrison County for theft and fraud, both class B misdemeanors.
Under state standards set by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, a state regulatory agency that licenses peace officers, conviction of a class B misdemeanor or above is not investigated as officer misconduct.
Only Class A misdemeanor convictions and above are investigated, said Laura LeBlanc, a TCLEOSE employee.
Three of the four complaints against Amburn stem from a July 4 incident in which Amburn allegedly became aggressive with the family of John and Crystal Ortiz.
The Ortiz family had gathered with family and friends at their home on North Main Street and were shooting fireworks when Officer Amburn arrived.
Amburn recently told the Reporter-News he arrived at the home and told the family that they were not allowed to discharge fireworks because their property was within the city limits.
The family claims that Amburn became loud and aggressive when they tried to tell him their property is outside city limits.
An altercation followed that resulted in the arrest of John and Crystal Ortiz and their 14-year-old son. The couple was charged with assault on a peace officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Their son was charged with assaulting a police officer.
Although it was determined that the Ortiz home does not sit within the city limits, charges against the arrested family members are pending, Hassan said.
Hassan said he also believes Amburn is looking for another job because he asked for a letter of recommendation.
He hasn't put in his resignation and he hasn't been fired, he added.