It’s Easier to Charge a Cop than to Fire Him

On January 21, 2021 DeWitt, Michigan police officer Chad Vorce decided that a black man in a gray van was suspicious, so he chased him down and drew his gun on him TWICE.

Needless to say this was probably this young black man’s (of course he was black, bigots gotta bigot) worst day ever delivering papers.

He was fired, but he got reinstated through arbitration, so the state Attorney General charged him with assault with a deadly weapon, comitting a felony with a firearm, and official misconduct.

This is a big surprise, a very welcome surprise, but a surprise nonetheless.

Were it not for the George Floyd protests, this officer would doubtless still be on the force harassing black people:

An off-duty police officer who pulled a gun on a Black teen working his paper route in 2021 has been charged with three felonies by Michigan’s Attorney General.Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a press release that DeWitt police officer Chad Vorce, a White 18-year-veteran, was off-duty when he drew his firearm twice on 19-year-old Alexander Hamilton, a Black newspaper delivery driver.

“Our assessment of this incident showed dangerous behavior exhibited by Mr. Vorce,” Nessel said. “Those who swear to protect and serve must do so responsibly. We will not hesitate to hold accountable those who violate that oath.”

Vorce is charged with the following:

• assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison and/or $2,000;
• weapons — felony firearm, a felony punishable by two years consecutively with and preceding any term of imprisonment imposed for the felony or attempted felony conviction; and
• misconduct in office, a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or $10,000. Vorce is scheduled to appear before a judge on April 28.

The incident took place shortly after 7 a.m. on January 14, 2021, when the off-duty officer saw a gray van in his neighborhood. Vorce said he found the vehicle’s presence suspicious because of recent break-ins in the area.

He approached the van in his personal vehicle while not in uniform and asked Hamilton if he needed directions. Unhappy with Hamilton’s response of “I’m just doing me,” Vorce began following the van and called 911.

“Black male hanging out in the area” who “needs to be checked,” he told police dispatchers in a recording of the call. “The plate’s covered up with dirt so I can’t get it.”

Off duty officer Chad Vorce pulled his GUN on a teen who was delivering newspapers and said “when I see a Black guy … I think you’re doing stuff like this.” This use of force & bias is DISGUSTING. Thankfully, the teen was not hurt and Vorce was fired! 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/V8hb0rnmkG — Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) November 15, 2021

………

The DeWitt Police Department said that Vorce was placed on administrative leave almost immediately for violating city and police department policies.

“The city of DeWitt then conducted an internal investigation of the incident involving the off-duty police officer. We have the utmost confidence that the city of DeWitt has taken appropriate action in this matter,” the city government told the AP.

Vorce was fired in May for violations, including excessive force and failing to de-escalate the situation involving Hamilton.

………

Arbitrator Reinstates Fired Officer

Vorce won his appeal of his firing and was reinstated to the police force the same year.

The reasoning of the arbitrator, basically that he was really sure that the officer had learned his lesson, is complete and unadulterated bull sh%$.

Unfortunately, this state of affairs continues.

Thankfully, there are attorneys general out there who want to make a criminal case out of this.