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Fall of a woman in blue: Tucson police arrests one of its own on domestic violence, assault, deadly weapon charges | Ryn Gargulinski: Rynski Life
by Ryn Gargulinski | Blogski Archives, crime, danger, gross stuff, life, police, fire, law, stupidity | 24 comments
With 16 years as a Tucson police officer, Michelle Preiss was only four short years away from early retirement.
That retirement, alas, may come even a bit sooner than expected as she faces a trio of domestic violence charges – including assaulting a minor and playing around with a deadly weapon, according to a news release from the Tucson Police Department.
The charges stem from an alleged incident while she was off duty and inside her home.
TPD heard about the alleged incident Aug. 6 and its Office of Internal Affairs immediately sprung into action to investigation the allegations. The findings of its “comprehensive investigation” were presented to the Pima County Attorney’s Office Aug. 24.
The Pima County Grand Jury indicted Preiss, 46, Nov. 8 on three domestic violence felony charges: aggravated assault of a person under 15 years of age; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; and disorderly conduct for recklessly handling, displaying or discharging a dangerous weapon or dangerous instrument.
The only additional details TPD provided was that the minor was part of Preiss’s household and Preiss allegedly “recklessly displayed” a handgun, although she did not shoot it. Police were alerted of the incident by a concerned citizen who “provided limited preliminary information.” No one was injured during the incident.
In addition to a summons inviting her to court for her Nov. 15 arraignment, Preiss also received a Notice of Intent to Terminate from her Tucson police position as an officer.
In the meantime, she gets to sit around making money, thanks to department policy, as she’s on “imposed leave with pay” until her Nov. 17 termination hearing.
While these alleged actions are more than allegedly atrocious, TPD assures us this is an anomaly, not the norm.
The Tucson Police Department treats all allegations of criminal acts or misconduct by employees, whether civilian or sworn, as serious. Each of these investigations is thoroughly investigated by our Office of Internal Affairs, and if criminal violations are found, the cases are then presented to the appropriate prosecutorial entity for review. Ms. Preiss’ actions are not representative of the nearly 1,000 men and women with the Tucson Police Department who serve the community and put their lives on the line each day.
We believe them. We’ve met too many fine men and women from the Tucson Police Department to think otherwise.
POLL RESULTS as of 5 a.m. Nov. 11 (in case updates erase poll results):
Have you ever personally witnessed a police officer acting illegally or inappropriately?
Yes, both on and off duty.
I’m not sure. The victim may have deserved it.
Other – Please explain in comment section of post.
I’m not sure. The victim may have deserved it.
Other – Please explain in comment section of post.
What do you think?
Are you a fan of “imposed leave with pay” while everyone waits for hearing dates?
Rodney King video aside, have you ever seen a police officer act illegally or inappropriately?
OSCAR THOMPSON on 11/10/2010 at 8:26 am
BIGGEST GANG IN TOWN. UNLESS YOU NEED ONE.
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Rynski on 11/10/2010 at 10:05 am
thanks for input oscar – but i’ll reiterate i’ve had good relations with tucson men and women in blue. the police force in new york city, on the other hand…
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leftfield on 11/10/2010 at 8:46 am
Picture reminds me of Julia Sweeney’s “Pat” from SNL.
…have you ever seen a police officer act illegally or inappropriately?
If we can’t ask Rodney King, we could always ask Abner Louima or any of the San Francisco 7.  Unless, of course, torture is in the manual, listed under “appropriate”.  I know, let’s go straight to the source and ask Sheriff Joe for a definition of “inappropriate”.  I think you’ll find if you go to the dictionary and look up “inappropriate”, his portrait will appear.
We’ve met too many fine men and women from the Tucson Police Department to think otherwise.
I’m sure that the majority of folks in TPD are great people; the sort who never forget Mother’s Day and are kind to animals.
It is part and parcel of the conservative personality type to revere authority.
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azmouse on 11/10/2010 at 9:12 am
I used to love that ‘Pat’ character…good memories leftfield! HAHA
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Rynski on 11/10/2010 at 10:10 am
yaay! azmouse had a moment to chime in! thanks, grandma!
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Rynski on 11/10/2010 at 10:02 am
sorry to get the feeling you’ve had some very awful experiences with local law enforcement. they’ve been kind to me, can’t tell you what you might be doing wrong.
p.s. isn’t your apparent blanket disdain for law enforcement the same type of blanket disdain against which you preach that some others have for criminals?
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leftfield on 11/10/2010 at 9:07 pm
p.s. isn’t your apparent blanket disdain for law enforcement the same type of blanket disdain against which you preach that some others have for criminals?
I think I know what you mean here.  By way of explaining: I do recognize the need for a domestic police force.  I also tend to consider an organization such as the police like a Venn diagram with two partially overlapping circles.  One circle represents the institution itself: the organization, institutional past behavior, mission purpose, etc.  The other circle represents the individuals involved in the organization.  On the institutional side, it is axiomatic for me that one of the institutional functions of the police force is to “control” excess labor populations (think South Central).  Another is to protect the property interests of the ruling class (this has priority over protecting the physical well-being of the working class).  Yet another is to make sure that any credible threat to the power and authority of the ruling class is dealt with rapidly and thoroughly.
You will find a wide disparity of opinions about the police force exists between the “haves” and the “have-nots” in this country.  Take a survey in Oakland and another in La Jolla, CA if you don’t believe me.
I think like a Marxist and with a level of class consciousness.  I also know the story of the San Fran 7 and Abner louima.  This is why the same thing looks different to me.  Personally, no, I have had no more unpleasant dealings with the police than most I imagine.
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Rynski on 11/11/2010 at 9:28 am
thanks for explanation, lefty.
very interesting and insightful, for sure, and glad to hear you’ve not had horrid experiences.
“axiomatic” is an incredibly underused word, to boot! hahah.
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yayabrotherhood on 11/10/2010 at 7:37 pm
“It is part and parcel of the conservative personality type to revere authority.”
Yeah, Communist/Marxists don’t revere authority.
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leftfield on 11/10/2010 at 9:12 pm
“It is part and parcel of the conservative personality type to revere authority.”
Yeah, Communist/Marxists don’t revere authority.
In contrast to the liberal personality type.
I’m gonna go way out on a limb here and guess you know nothing more about Marxism than you have been told by the media, the government and right wing radio.  If so, perhaps you could define for me, in your own words, “dialectical materialism”?
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tiponeill on 11/10/2010 at 11:31 pm
Yeah, Communist/Marxists don’t revere authority.
It’s a study of liberal/conservative personalities. In Soviet Russia a strict Soviet functionary would be a “conservative”,the people who brought down the East German wall  would be “liberals”.
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RH on 11/10/2010 at 9:16 am
The biggest mistake anyone can make is putting anyone on a pedistal of human perfection, it does not exist, every human being on this earth is imperfect, mere wearing of a uniform does not pass on saint hood, I wore a US Marine uniform, it gives me no saint hood, don’t want it, don’t desire it, same with the religious community, one will find as many sinners in the pulpit as in the congregation!;-)
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Rynski on 11/10/2010 at 10:04 am
ha! thanks for input rh. yes, sinners all over the place. and i think it was my fave artist salvador dali who has the very cool quote about perfectionism as a big waste of time. nobody can achieve it ever.
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andrew farley on 11/10/2010 at 10:18 am
Salvador is my favorite too. Who else can take a turtle, turkeywing bone and a rotten banana, have it bronzed and call it art. Love Dali!
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Rynski on 11/10/2010 at 11:00 am
yaay! glad to meet a fellow dali-ian. …you’re so right on his oddball art…and we didn’t even START discussing his fabulous mustache… (i had two pet rats named after him, even…)
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aj01 on 11/10/2010 at 12:59 pm
In 2003 I was physically assaulted by an on duty officer named Ralph Marmion  he also was threatening  other younger guys in the neighborhood. Complaints were filed and what he got out of it was a promotion to lieutenant ! Wheres the justice  how can the police protect and serve if they are also committing crimes and getting away with it?
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leftfield on 11/10/2010 at 9:15 pm
Wheres the justice  how can the police protect and serve if they are also committing crimes and getting away with it?
Good question.  It could be that when they say, “Protect and Serve” they are talking about someone other than you and me.
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radmax on 11/10/2010 at 1:32 pm
If she is found guilty, put the screws to her. Nothing steams me like abuse of a position of authority for personal gain or power trips. Maybe that’s why I despise politicians and the folks who believe their candidate is different. Give a guy(or gal) a little supremacy over others and many get drunk with the stuff. Sickening.
BTW Rynski, I agree, almost all contact I’ve had with law enforcement in the sagging pueblo has been positive…since I quit breaking those vice laws anyway… 😉
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fraser007 on 11/10/2010 at 1:54 pm
Now I understand the SNL “Pat” comparsions. I didn't look that closely at the article until now! How un P.C. of me.
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James on 11/10/2010 at 4:21 pm
TPD is the most crooked and disgusting police force in the nation. Not only are all of the officers out of shape, and could not pass a basic fitness test, they literally do nothing all day and just try to steal money from hard working Americans. I have seen cops passed out in their cars, I have been pulled over without being told what I did and when the cops realized they had nothing they let me go, and I’ve seen the police search vehicles with no warrants and get told off in court, since what they did is illegal. Its just a bunch of fat men with guns who need to feel superior because their own lives suck. Why would we lay off teachers and not cops?  I see cops everyday on Kolb just sitting there, does anyone else get missing children notifications? Shouldn’t someone be looking for them? I suggest nobody pays there traffic tickets from those speed cameras, and stop funding TPD. Dont pay anything, theres nothing they  can do if they dont get money from the tax payer.
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grudax on 11/10/2010 at 4:41 pm
I’ve known officer Preiss for over 20 years and as this moves forward this case will be shown to be the twisted account from a very vindictive person.
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yayabrotherhood on 11/10/2010 at 7:28 pm
The lack of details is sketchy.  Perhaps a spoiled brat making up stories for our illustrious CPS?
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JoeS on 11/10/2010 at 6:53 pm
“I’ve known officer Preiss for over 20 years and as this moves forward this case will be shown to be the twisted account from a very vindictive person.”
Welcome to “small town” Tucson politics,  TPD,  and Barbera LaWall’s office.  Enjoy your stay…
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Anabelle on 11/11/2010 at 8:09 am
Officer Preiss is well known for victimizing, victims of domestic violence. Complaints about her have been directed back to her over and over so she could do on the job what she was caught doing off of it. Worse, I could of told you about the teachers that got busted of screwing kids long before it happened. In my opinion there’s a big swingers/perv group that is firmly estabished in Tucson. They cover for each other and they have deeply infiltrated the Tucson Police Department, schools, libraries (watch this one  close)  and other areas of public service. Take a good freakin look at her picture. In my opinion this perv colony needs to be rooted out but calling the cops only results in the victims being victimized.