A photo captured on a cell phone has gotten a Trenton police officer in trouble. The man who took the photo got a shot of the officer in uniform, asleep in his patrol car, then posted it on Twitter. But there's more to this story than what appears.
Rick Takach knows the photo doesn't look good. Takach is the cop asleep behind the wheel. Takach says he's not allowed to talk to the media, so he let his lawyer explain what happened. Wednesday morning, the 13-year veteran parked his police cruiser at the intersection of Front and Warren, where he provided traffic control for utility crews. It was a last-minute side job, okayed by the police department. The officer's lawyer, stuart Alterman, told Fox 29, "He was asked to do this. He did not really want to do it."
Takach had already worked a 15-hour shift for the police department, and four more hours on the side job. When a passerby took the photo, he had finally gotten some down time. "He was on his own time, he was taking a break," Alterman insisted. "He was doing nothing other than what he would be doing if he were on his lunch hour, on his dinner break."
The officer's boss, police director Ralph Rivera, suspended him without pay, and without getting his side of the story. Rivera told a local newspaper the sleeping officer and his gun posed a danger. But Alterman says the doors were locked.
The lawyer says Takach, who once pulled an old lady from a burning building while on the job and received a commendation for it, doesn't deserve the punishment he's getting. Alterman has represented other police officers for the Police Benevolent Association, and says he's "never handled a case where an individual was suspended on the spot, without an investigation, received a punishment without an investigation."
Takach says he's never been caught sleeping on the job before. He'll get a hearing at the police department on Monday, and is hoping he won't lose his job over this, especially because he's got a sick wife at home who's unable to work. He is their sole support.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
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