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Policeman Accused Of Pointing Gun At Officer

Incident Occurred At Police Substation, Say Investigators

POSTED: 3:35 pm CST November 10, 2009
UPDATED: 7:38 pm CST November 10, 2009

A Metro police officer is leaving the department after an incident on Friday involving his gun and comments he allegedly made to co-workers a day after the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas.

Video: Officer Resigns After Alleged Fort Hood Comment

West precinct Officer Bruce Landes is at the center of a criminal and internal Metro police investigation after officials said he threatened another officer at roll call last week at the Edgehill police substation.

"During banter with Landes, he pulled the gun from the vicinity of his waist band and pointed it in the direction of another police officer," said police spokesman Don Aaron.

Police said Landes was carrying a personal semi-automatic pistol.

A letter issued Friday called the gun an "unauthorized firearm" and said he pointed the gun while verbally making veiled threats to the other officer.

Sources said his threats made reference to the shootings at Fort Hood.

Landes' wife said the incident was meant to be a joke, but the department didn't see it that way.

"Obviously, those in the roll call area were very disturbed by what had taken place," said Aaron. "When the police department administration learned of this Friday morning, Landes was immediately decommissioned, meaning his gun and badge were taken. He was ordered home and was directed not to come around any police department facility while this matter was investigated."

The officer's personnel file shows he has been reprimanded three other times in his eight and half years at the department

  • In 2004, he was suspended for three days after lightly tapping a suspect on the face while working a domestic situation.

  • In 2005, he was suspended for five days after an on-duty accident in which it was ruled he was negligence in the operation of a vehicle.

  • In 2006, he was suspended two days from vacation for discussing inappropriate topics while on duty with a woman leaving a restaurant.

    His latest performance evaluation, which was completed in May, called him "motivated and proactive."

    Tuesday, Landes issued a letter of resignation citing personal reasons for the decision.

    Police said the incident was totally uncalled for and that they don't know why Landes pulled the gun.

    Once a report of the incident is finished, it will be handed to the district attorneys office to determine if Landes will face any criminal charges.

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