Authorities: Ala. gunman had trained to be a cop

[derby378]

Source: Associated Press

Authorities say an Alabama gunman who killed 10 people and himself in a rampage had once trained as a police officer.

Alabama Bureau of Investigation Chief Jerry Connor said at a news conference Wednesday that 28-year-old Michael McLendon briefly went through officer training in 2003, but didn't complete the requirements to join the force.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i8CbzUeIBWcQ-VUtTTdTnlgX_oqAD96RTQR00

[T Wolf]

1. Why is this not surprising? Way to go, Amerika. Theonly saving grace in this is that there

DOES NOT appear to be any political issue involved, yet.

[pattmarty]

2. He wasn't crazy enough to qualify???

[norepubsin08]

3. Figures

All fucking cops are like that deep inside.

[hlthe2b]

4. Wrong......very wrong...

For the law enforcement folks on DU, I strongly disagree with this "broad brush" disparagement and I think most DUers would likewise.

[pattmarty]

5. I have to disagree. I can count on one hand how many cops............

..........that I have run into thru out my life (62 yrs) and having 5 kids. Most have what I call a "John Wayne complex", you know the cocky swagger. There have been a few over the years that I have respect for, but again, most are ass holes.

[benEzra]

6. The AL DPS press release says he did briefly serve as a Samson LEO

but was let go because he failed to complete the training.

http://dps.alabama.gov/appDocuments/Notifications/Urgent/NewsBriefing03112009.pdf

McLendon was employed at Kelley Foods of Alabama. We have identified that in 2003, he was
briefly employed as a police officer in Samson, but failed to complete required training at the
police academy in Montgomery.

FWIW, the Northern Illinois University shooter had also briefly been employed in a law enforcement position and dropped out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-fast/steve-kazmierczak-the-se_b_87031.html