Austin: traffic stop, CHL holders, stupidity ensues

[RACER X]

now you guy's know i'm not one to bash cops.......but this is pretty sad and stupid........on the cops part.

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/mobile/Traff..._APD_complaint


Traffic stop ends in APD
complaint
Updated: Tuesday, 08 Sep 2009, 10:22 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 08 Sep 2009, 9:13 PM CDT

Shannon Wolfson
AUSTIN (KXAN) - A former Central Texas police officer has filed a complaint against an Austin police officer after a Labor Day traffic stop that involved two guns.

Steve Ou was a passenger in a car pulled over on Monday for entering an intersection and getting stuck in a line of traffic when the light turned red. He and the driver were both licensed to carry a concealed handgun.

"It was interesting to me that this one officer immediately decided to handcuff us and take our weapons from us because I've never encountered that from any other law enforcement agency," said Ou.

Ou is a former Elgin police officer who was fired from the force in December 2008 for allegedly using a club to break a suspect's car window after a high speed chase. He had 10 years of law enforcement experience.

The driver of the car involved in the traffic stop recently graduated from a Central Texas law enforcement training academy. He refused to allow the officer to search his vehicle, telling Austin News off camera that he had recently purchased ammunition that was in the vehicle.

"I can hear my friend say I don't have any guns in the car, don't have any drugs in the car, don't have anything illegal in the car, but I don't want you to search my vehicle," said Ou.

While the officer was writing a ticket, Ou called APD dispatch to request a supervisor come to the scene.

"I wanted to file a complaint against how he was treating us," said Ou.

Then, Ou claims the officer refused to return the men's guns unless they left before the supervisor arrived. Texas law allows an officer to take a person's firearm, but they are also required to return it if the person is not detained.

"He refused to give it back to me citing officer safety and saying that if he gave it back that we may kill him or harm him," said Ou. "I thought that was kind of strange because I called and asked for another officer- a supervisor."

Ou claimed even with the supervisor present, the officer wanted to secure the guns in the trunk. They again refused him access - and suggested he leave the guns near a fire hydrant about 30 yards away, then drive away so he did not feel threatened. He said that is exactly what the officer did.

Ou filed a complaint with the Police Monitor's office which means Austin police will conduct an internal investigation.

An APD spokesperson said they take all complaints seriously, but the cannot comment on an any active internal investigation.

Ou said he believes the officer's in car camera captured the incident on video.