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Was cop in shop shopping on city time?
WARREN — Police Chief John Mandopoulos has ordered an internal investigation to determine whether Patrolman Frank Dascoulias violated departmental policy Sunday while on duty in the Lowe’s store on Niles-Cortland Road.
Mandopoulos said he received a complaint alleging that Dascoulias, who is also an official with the patrolman’s union, was shopping while he was on duty at the home improvement store.
Mandopoulos said he encourages officers to spend time in Warren businesses while they are on patrol as a form of community policing and to make their presence felt.
“They love to see a uniformed cop in there,” Mandopoulos said of Warren businesses.
But if Dascoulias was purchasing items while on duty, he will be charged with a violation of departmental policy, Mandopoulos said.
As for whether it is permissible for officers to look at merchandise while on duty, that is a bit more of a gray area, Mandopoulos said.
“Do they look? Yes,” he said, but if an officer is spending too much time, like hours, looking, that would be a problem, he said.
The store has security cameras inside, so it shouldn’t be hard to determine whether Dascoulias made a purchase or how much time he was there, Mandopoulos said.
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Comments
And the local cops wonder why the public has such a poor percetpion of them?
Warren is a bit stiff on regulations. Shoplifting was at a standstill when he was seen there. At least he wasn't in a bar. I hear that Pal Joeys is a field office for some officers.
Whoooooooooooaaaaaaaaa.............Police officers aren't able to buy anything while on duty???? Doesn't he get a break or a lunch? Maybe he was there during his break time.
Where would that rule stop? Can't buy meals, snacks, etc?
Who in the hell would complain that an officer was inside a business that is in his own jurisdiction. And yes, Lowes is in Warren City limits.
People really have nothing else to do in their lives? Really!!??
get real people! first of all, this building shouldn't even be in the WPD jurisdiction (I realize that it is, but it should never have been land-grabbed from Howland years ago). That being said, GET OVER IT! What is wrong with a police officer being seen inside of a business in their jurisdiction while on duty? Haven't you clowns ever heard of "police presence"? Parked in a no parking zone for no legitimate reason? fine, discipline him. Shopping at the mall? (in Niles - OUT of his jurisdiciton) - fine, discipline him. You same clowns don't get all bent out of shape when they are seen in the donut shop or the hot dog shop or walking around courthouse square?
Some people need to look back a little and learn about what walking a beat and police presence truly mean (GOOD) for the community.
Meanwhile, the real solution to problems like this? Give this land back to Howland where it belongs, then your policeman will never have to come WAY OUT THERE to be visible in their own jurisdiction? Kind of funny so much of the bad-rap the WPD gets has to do with the poorly-annexed territory out in Howland??? (think Up A Creek???)
justice has a good point. all hate the police till one day when they need them,then they could do no wrong!
Nacho wants us to believe that the cop was walking a beat inside Lowes!
When Warren is experiencing shootings galore I think walking Lowes shouldn't be a priority.
More shenanigans from our LE community, priceless!
I find it funny that THIS is the story picked up by the papers, and NOT the big drug raid in Warren yesterday that happened after a year-long investigation. Some nosy nobody hunting down a cop at a store for 20 minutes (probably on lunch break) and sending this oh-so-scandalous photo to the Tribune. If you were a concerned citizen, why not go straight to his boss? Why not question it.. or could it be that somebody wants a distraction from the real issues in Warren, like the other departments are getting INcreased budgets while the Polie and Fire were slashed 25%? Why 31 of 154 Police & Fire were chopped while only 9 of 352 'other' city jobs stayed on, many with increased budgets. Drug Raids, gangs and shootings take an army of cops to fight. A lone officer patrolling the streets leaves an open door for crime to continue and keep moving in. Warren laid out the pink slip carpet for crime to grow.
They didn't say how long he was in Lowes but the fact that they are investigating it tells me that he had to be in there for and hour or more.
The fact that they are investigating only means they received a complaint so they are doing their JOB! If indeed he was buying something they could easily check to see if he radioed in for a break (lunch, etc) if not, get off his back. It may be on the fringe of Warren city but it is Warren city!
To say he should be on the other side of town detering voilence only shows the lack of knowledge about defined patrol areas.
Police are constantly asked to do more with less. I doubt any of you naysayers have ever had to experience what they go thru on a daily basis. Are there bad cops, sure, but the vast majority pour their life and soul into their jobs.
Slap him on the wrist if he did wrong and move on. If it happens agian he should get a stiffer penalty.
Who the heck cares? If he shopped while he was on the clock, he was wrong. Fine him, suspend him for a few days and move on. I'm sure he'll learn his lesson! This should have just been handled internally upon receiving the complaint. How does this stuff make the paper?
i think the one that sent the picture in was a shoplifter that didnt want to steal while the cop was there
I think your absolutely correct hillbilly!!!