OFFICER X IS INVOLVED IN OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING (2014):
EXAMPLE OF E-MAIL SENT TO LOCAL MEDIA AFTER INCIDENT:
RESPONSE FROM THE REPORTER AT THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD:
LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO INVESTIGATES ALL OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS (2014):
April 11, 2014
To Whom It May Concern (Attorney General):
My name is Jennifer Norris and I had the unfortunate experience of dealing with Officer X when I reached out for help for my husband in 2008-2009 (my husband is a veteran with PTSD who was feeling suicidal that particular night). This officer not only used intimidation tactics (abuse of authority) but his aggressive actions compounded the PTSD. His actions escalated my fight or flight response because he used the opportunity to seek revenge and charged me with a felony charge to discredit me, I guess. It was later thrown out. I have been discussing the incident with this officer to this day with counselors at the VA because of the fear that it instilled in me. I no longer feel safe contacting the PD if either my husband or I are in crisis because of what Officer X did to us. The other officer attempted to comfort me while Officer X used his badge and gun to intimidate me. For years I was fearful of even driving to town from my home because this police officer had so much control over my life.
I was going to report him to the Town but quickly realized that under new management nothing would be done. I also experienced severe retaliation from anonymous cyberbullies AND at the courthouse after I requested his police officer complaint history (see attached). I decided not to move forward with the complaint because of one thing someone said that confirmed that I was indeed unsafe. I got a message from someone that said, “Why don’t you just kill yourself like your father did.” Only the local PD knew that my father had committed [died by] suicide. I ended up locked up in a psychiatric ward after they published the charge in a local newspaper. My family did not know that I had PTSD nor did they know why. I was a victim of military sexual assault while serving hence the reason that a police officer who abuses their authority puts me right in a panic. They have the same control over our lives that our superiors do in the military, and usually there is no one there to hold them accountable.
Both my husband and I are willing to testify about the damage that Officer X did to both of us as a result of his decisions to exploit two veterans with PTSD. We reached out for help. And it was the first time that we had finally reached out for help after losing our military careers. It was also the last time we will reach out for help and this decision has been cemented by Officer X’s latest actions. We were calling for help. All he has to do is say we escalated, after he actually pushed the buttons, and then he is justified in shooting us? This man should not be a police officer but for some reason the Chief takes care of him at the other officer’s expense.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Jennifer & Lee Norris
“Do the right thing even when no one is looking.” – US Air Force
OFFICER X COMPLAINT HISTORY (2005):
DISCIPLINARY ACTION:
December 22, 2005
Dear Sgt:
Please be advised that, after the hearing at which you appeared with the President of Local 000 and your attorney, I have decided that the following disciplinary action shall be taken: demotion to Patrolman I and a suspension of seven days without pay.
You acknowledged at the hearing that you acted wrongly in recently reported incidents and incidents which came to light as a result of the investigation performed by the Lieutenant You asked for an opportunity to show that you can make adjustments to improve your conduct. From reviewing the information presented at the hearing, I find that you have been provided numerous opportunities in the past to improve your conduct and attitude, yet you continue to demonstrate conduct and attitude which is unacceptable for an officer of the Police Department.
The position of police officer is one with great power over our citizenry. The position should be handled with politeness, consideration, competence and discretion. On repeated occasions, you have been rude to the public and other officers and displayed behavior unbecoming an officer. With persons being detained by the Town, you have not shown them the consideration that is due them and have, in fact, acted aggressively and in an intimidating manner. The Town wants its officers held in respect, not in total fear. In the past you have been given written and verbal reprimands by the Chief:
•June 2000-you received a verbal reprimand regarding your failure to perform your required duties by answering the radio for other towns’ officers;
•November 2001- you received another verbal reprimand for your failure to attend to the physical condition and medical needs of a prisoner who went into a diabetic coma;
•February 2002-you were given a written reprimand for discourtesy and conduct unbecoming an officer regarding the use of intimidation tactics of a minor prisoner;
•October 2004-you received yet another verbal reprimand for discourteousness and conduct unbecoming an officer;
•September 2005-you were given still another verbal reprimand for improper supervisory methods while interacting with subordinates and for bringing a 15year old female into the office space for long periods of counseling.
The Chief stated at the end of the hearing that a mere two weeks before the events that lead to the hearing on December 19, he had warned you to use more appropriate language when talking with female employees and members of the public after he heard your comments while speaking on the phone with someone. The Chief deemed your comments to be inappropriate to your position. Despite this warning, you admitted at the hearing that you made statements at the Elementary School which had sexual insinuations and connotations which offended at least one of four female employees of the school and which made the other women feel uncomfortable. Telling four women that you handle tattle talers by “kissing and licking them” while representing the Police Department is totally unacceptable. Your statement to PERSON A a week prior is also totally unacceptable and unprofessional. Rubbing your chest and telling PERSON B that “…this is all me baby” while you were at the school representing the Police Department for its DARE program is deplorable.
Your comments to the wife of your subordinate, regarding her appearance were inappropriate and made her feel very uncomfortable. Taken alone, the incident would not warrant severe punishment, but when viewed with your conduct at the Elementary School, it further demonstrates your continued disregard of the Chief’s warning to you to “smarten up” regarding your comments to the public.
In regards to your fellow officers, you have failed on numerous occasions to show them the respect that is warranted. You show a lack of respect for authority in that you have been provided many opportunities to improve your conduct and yet you continue to act as you wish. Shortly after being advised by the Lieutenant regarding supervisory issues and receiving a verbal reprimand from the Chief in October of this year, you admit making the statement to Patrolmen Y and Z that, “I was told that I have to change the way I supervise. Well, I only know one way to supervise and I am not going to change the way I supervise.” While your explanation at the hearing was that this was said because you “believed in keeping channels open”, I did not find this explanation to be credible given your past history and given the fear of retribution which concerned the Patrolmen. You also admitted at the hearing to referring to the person who reported the incident to your supervisor as a “piece of shit.” This demonstrates your inability to lead others, to accept constructive criticism from a superior officer and to act in a professional manner. Despite the fact that the officers stated that you conformed your behavior for a short period of time, it was still apparent to me from their testimony that they were concerned about retribution for cooperating in answering the Lieutenant’s questions posed to them in the investigation.
I have reviewed the letters that you provided and considered your statements at the hearing that you will make efforts to conform your conduct. I seriously considered termination at this time; however, you are being provided that opportunity you requested to show that you can be a good officer. You are warned, however, that in the event of any future documented conduct violations, your position with the Police Department will be subject to termination.
You will not be given any additional opportunities. I will be monitoring your conduct. I truly hope that you take advantage of this opportunity.
You may appeal this decision to the Board of Appeals pursuant to Chapter 36-A, section 4. Your written request for the appeal must be received by me within five (5) business days of today.
Sincerely,
Town Manager
cc: Chief, Police Department
In-coming Chief,
Police Department,
Union President,
Union Representative
Town Solicitor
RESPONSE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
RELATED ARTICLES:
Red Flags: 2005 Disciplinary Action History from Office of Town Manager for Officer Involved in Shooting of Suicidal Woman with Mental Illness in March 2014 (December 22, 2005)
Air Force TSgt. Jennifer Norris Testified Before the House Armed Services Committee in Washington DC (January 23, 2013)
Jennifer and Lee: Until Death Do Us Part (January 31, 2024)
“I Just Want to Disappear”: The End Result of a Lifetime of Dehumanization and Abuse (February 5, 2024)
Parental Alienation: I Watched What Happened to My Father Happen to My Husband & It Broke Me (April 26, 2024)
Red Flags: The Repeating Patterns of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida That Escalated to an Officer Involved Shooting of an Innocent Airman (March 20, 2024)
Socials:
Facebook: @ftoxicpeople
Twitter: @ftoxicpeople
Instagram: @ftoxicpeople
YouTube: @fktoxicpeople
Other websites: Military Justice for All
Jennifer and Lee 