Las Vegas Cop Who Beat Videographer Fired ... Finally

December 13, 2011 @ 4:54PM

Las Vegas Cop Who Beat Videographer Fired ... Finally

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It what should have been an open-and-shut case, a Las Vegas police officer who beat and arrested a man for video recording him was fired – eight months after he was first placed on paid administrative leave.

In other words, an eight-month paid vacation at the expense of taxpayers.

Derek Colling already had a history of violence – having shot and killed two people in just over five years - when he confronted Michael Crooks who was video recording from his front yard last March.

Colling ordered him to stop recording. Crooks asserted his right to continue recording.

After a few words, Colling pounced on him, arresting him for battery on a police officer and obstruction of justice, claiming that Crooks had attacked him.

Fortunately, Colling did not have enough sense to delete the video that proved he was a liar.

But it’s still alarming that it took eight months to fire him.

Comments

Infophile

5 months ago

Even though it's good that he was fired, he still deserves to be arrested for battery and false arrest. The fact that he gets off with just losing his job means that he's still being treated far better than anyone else who might have done this.

Frank

5 months ago

False arrest? Try kidnapping.

False arrest implies that the "officer" acted in the mistaken belief that he had probable cause for an arrest. He had NO probable cause. None. Nada. Zero.

It's kidnapping.

DavidForthoffer

4 months ago

You obviously do not know Nevada law, Frank.

Try reading Nevata Revised Statute 200.310 on Kidnapping, and you'll see that the officer did NOT commit that crime.

Try also reading Nevada Revised Statute 200.460 on False Imprisonment, and you'll see that the officer committed THAT crime.

Try also reading Nevada Revised Statute 200.481 on Battery, and you'll see that the officer committed THAT crime, too (as well as the lesser included crime of assault).

I could not find a statute criminalizing False Arrest, though Nevada Revised Statute 171.104 does authorize arrests: "An arrest is the taking of a person into custody, in a case and in the manner authorized by law." Maybe the Nevada legislature intends the deterrent to false arrest to be the crime against False Imprisonment.

Guy Fawkes

5 months ago

Every cop involved with that incident, not just Colling should have been shitcanned; it would have sent a very strong message to the other assholes on the force.

Elliott

5 months ago

I agree, 8 months is outrageous. This was obvious within 10 minutes. Why it even took a month is beyond me. It was probably because of his union..

Fascist Nation

5 months ago

The union will appeal. In a couple of years some admin judge will reverse his firing with back pay. Dats duh way it works.

Tijuana Joe

5 months ago

You thought this dude was pissed and looking for a rumble before,just wait till that badge comes off and those
candy-ass Constitutional rights are no longer any concern...

Frank

5 months ago

Works both ways, Buckwheat. And no enhanced penalties for beating the shit out of a protected government employee.

nigmalg

5 months ago

What's the big deal?

You mean you guys don't get 8 months of paid suspension while you're employer decides whether to fire you?

As a good theoretical question here:

What would have happened had the victim defended himself? Lets say he fought back and stopped the police officer. Would we be seeing the same story? Don't say "handle it in court"; the game changes when you're getting your face caved in.

Yea I know. That question is almost rhetorical.

Murray D

5 months ago

I rarely agree with any of the comments posted here. But this one, I agree 100%. This guy not only should have been fired, but he should have faced criminal charges. Bad cops like this give a black eye to the entire law enforcement community.