An over-zealous police officer who reportedly told a Navy veteran he would love to break down his door and take his guns, is now on what the Branford, Conn., police department called an “extended Workers’ Compensation Leave,” according to a press release issued by the department on Monday.
The Branford Police Department said it has launched an internal investigation into the allegation that an officer, identified by Freedom Outpost as Joseph Peterson, while off duty, made certain comments during a conversation on Facebook.
“I give my left nut to bang down your door and come for your gun,” the officer wrote on Facebook, according to a screenshot posted by Freedom Outpost.
“We treat every allegation concerning our agency with the utmost of seriousness,” said Chief Kevin Halloran, who confirmed the allegation. “This, like any other allegation will be thoroughly investigated and if any law, departmental rule or regulation has been violated the officer will be held accountable.”
In the meantime, the officer has been placed on “extended Workers’ Compensation Leave.”
According to reports, Peterson allegedly made the comment to John Cinque, a Navy veteran who told lawmakers last year he would not comply with the new gun control law requiring registration of certain firearms deemed “assault weapons.”
“I live in Branford, and his words straight out were ‘I cannot wait to get the order to kick your door in,'” he told Connecticut gubernatorial candidate Joe Visconti in a video posted Friday.
Peterson, Tim Brown said at Freedom Outpost, has served for a number of years and is said to be “a long time friend” of Cinque’s.
At one point in the conversation, Peterson accused Cinque of making borderline threats after the Navy vet said a “break in no knock raid” would not be well received.
“Hey [J]ohn (sic) if you insist on making borderline threats about a gun battle I guarantee my friend you will be on losing end,” Peterson wrote, according to a screenshot Brown posted.
“Last time I checked I still have my First Amendment rights,” Cinque said, “unless you want those also.”
The Blaze added:
Police Capt. Geoffrey Morgan confirmed the allegations against Officer Joseph Peterson to TheBlaze. He said the officer has been on extended workers compensation leave since before complaints were made against him for the Facebook post.
“We want the people to know he is off the street,” Capt. Morgan said.
So far, no disciplinary measures have been taken because the investigation is not complete.
“We pride ourselves on being completely transparent,” Morgan added. “That’s how we do things here.”
Below is a screenshot of the comment made on Facebook. (Warning: Strong language.)
Related:
- Vet: Conn. Cop said ‘I cannot wait to get the order to kick your door in’
- Navy veteran to Conn. lawmakers: ‘I will not comply’ with gun control law
- Oregon man arrested after allegedly talking about guns on bus
- Pro-gun blogger warned: Cops and politicians in Connecticut ‘want you dead’
- Conn. officer says woman sounds ‘anti-American’ for questioning gun control law
- Civil disobedience: Thousands refuse to register ‘assault weapons’ in Conn.
- Sheriff warns of second American revolution if gun confiscation laws pass
- Legal immigrant on gun control: ‘Few saw the Third Reich coming until it was too late’
