March 11, 2010

DC 'snowball cop' faces suspension for pointing gun

Detective Michael Baylor drew his weapon after snowball fighters targeted his car

By Bill Myers and Freeman Klopott
Washington Examiner

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A D.C. police officer who made international headlines after drawing his gun during a snowball fight should be suspended for 10 days, internal investigators have recommended.

Detective Michael Baylor didn't fill out the correct paperwork after he stopped a man who he thought had tossed a snowball and "engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the reputation of the police force," according to an internal police report of the incident.

Baylor attained international notoriety during a snowstorm Dec. 19 when he passed through an Internet-organized snowball fight among residents. Driving home in his Humvee, Baylor's vehicle was pelted with snowballs near the intersection of 14th and U streets NW.

Baylor told investigators he "believed the group were anarchists," according to the report. When a snowball struck Baylor in the face, "he got scared and drew his weapon, keeping it by his side pointed down."

Someone in the crowd videotaped the incident, turning a neighborhood frolic into a forum on police conduct.

When officers responded to Baylor's call for backup, the crowd's anger intensified and people began to shout: "You don't bring a gun to a snowball fight," the report said.

Amid the conflict, Baylor grabbed environmental lawyer Daniel Schramm and briefly snatched his identification, thinking he had tossed an offending snowball. Schramm was quickly released without charge, but Baylor is now being disciplined for failing to file a report on Schramm's detention.

At the time, Police Chief Cathy Lanier was quick to comment on Baylor's conduct, calling it "totally inappropriate." She vowed "swift action" and "discipline."

Police union Chairman Kris Baumann said Baylor was unfairly ridiculed.

"People were manipulated by this story," he said. "Everybody rushed to judgment, including the chief. And you can't do that if you're the police."

Police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said she could not comment on personnel matters. City Attorney General Peter Nickles did not respond to requests for comment.

Schramm, the lawyer whom Baylor briefly detained, said he's glad police recognized Baylor's behavior crossed a line. "But," he added, "I'm disappointed that the report did not explicitly recognize that drawing a gun at a snowball fight warrants discipline."

When Baylor met with investigators, the report says, he told them "he would not do anything different the day of the incident."