The Nebraska State Patrol trooper who is embroiled in controversy over his membership in a white supremacist group once had a complaint filed against him by KMTV (Cox Channel 5) weekend news anchor Devon Patton.
Trooper Robert Henderson is also married to KMTV photojournalist Jesse Coler. Both Patton and Coler are mentioned in a 48-page decision handed down by a New York arbitrator. The decision states that Henderson should be reinstated.
The lone complaint filed against Henderson in his 18 years on the force came from Patton, according to information contained in the arbitrator's report.
On Aug. 26, 2005, Nebraska State Patrol Lt. Todd Kinghorn received a complaint from NSP Captain Tom Schwarten alleging that Henderson "was abusing his authority and harassing a black man who was employed as a new (sic) anchor for a television station in Omaha, Neb."
The report says Henderson pulled Patton's vehicle over for displaying out-of-state plates. Nebraska law requires that persons residing in the state for more than 30 days must obtain Nebraska license plates.
Henderson did not ticket Patton, but did issue him a warning. Patton subsequently lodged a complaint against Henderson, which led to an internal investigation of the incident. Following a review of the in-car video of the traffic stop that was the genesis of the allegation - the State Patrol concluded that Henderson had not engaged in any misconduct.
The report goes on to say "there appears to have been some friction between" Patton and Henderson's then-fiancee Coler.
Patton was hired at KMTV in January of 2005. The report does not specify the exact date Henderson initiated the traffic stop. However, the complaint against Henderson was not filed until late August.
In its 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts Friday, KMTV anchor Greg Peterson acknowledged the station's connection to the case, saying Patton filed a complaint "several months ago" against Henderson and that the complaint is part of the abritrator's report. Peterson also revealed to viewers that Henderson's wife is employed by KMTV, but did not name her.
When reached by phone at the station Friday night, Patton said he could not offer comment on the events detailed in the arbitrator's report.
"I wish I could say something, but I can't comment," Patton said.
KMTV News and Marketing Director Ken Dudzik echoed Patton's reponse Saturday, telling The Reader, "We will not have any comment regarding the report."
6 comments:
There Devon Patton goes again--getting personally involved in the news.
Are we to understand that he filed a complaint because he received a WARNING for not having his vehicle properly registered in Nebraska? He was lucky! Most people receive a hefty fine! There's much more to this than we know.
Therefore, it is apparant that Henderson most likely said something (threatening) to Devon about his making advances toward Henderson's then-fiancee. Patton is well known in the business for his "hitting on" younger (usually blonde) caucasian women. Nothing illegal about that, but it isn't exactly behavior becoming of an on-air personality in a market this size.
Having said that, I will say that, if Henderson's actions involving Patton were racially motivated, he most definitely deserves (for that alone) not to be employeed as a trooper. As for Patton's "pursuits": those women being approach by him can just say NO. And if that doesn't work, perhaps a blast of pepper spray or the jolt of a taser will. But that's a whole other issue.
A sworn LEO should most definitely be held to a very high standard. If he (or she) does not sincerely believe in the basic principles upon which our system of laws are bases, such as equality for all, then he (or she) should not be on the force, period.
Can I file a complaint because I was caught under the same circumstances for not changing my plates? Oh wait, I'm white and I can't do that, they'll just laugh at me. Please people, fair is fair.
However, if indeed, the trooper was targeting Devon Patton for reasons other than that, yes, he should be dismissed. Devon Patton, though, also needs to realize that no means no to any race.
Screw up.... throw in the "race card."
Makes me wonder where the so-called "white privelege" is located. Sure doesn't do me any good.
It came to light that Trooper Henderson was associated with the KKK. As a result, he was fired.
Trooper Henderson's ties to the KKK:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/29432935/ns/us_news-life/t/court-upholds-firing-trooper-klan-ties/
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