UPDATE: Douglas Bruce just requested an internal affairs investigation against police Detective Matthew Hulett. Click here to read Bruce’s e-mail to Deputy Police Chief Pete Carey.
A Colorado Springs police detective struggled to explain today why he sent anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce an e-mail on Friday asking, “Punch any reporters lately?”
“Yes, it was me, and basically it was just dumb. That’s about the best thing I could tell you,” said Detective Matthew Hulett, who works in the Financial Crimes Unit.
“In fact, I tried to recall (the e-mail after sending it), but that was unsuccessful. You know, hindsight is 20/20,” he said.
Hulett, a 10-year veteran, e-mailed Bruce using his work e-mail.
“It was just poor judgment of me,” he said.
Hulett wouldn’t say what prompted him to send the e-mail in the first place.
“I really can’t give you a good reason,” he said.
Police spokesman Sgt. Darrin Abbink said the matter may warrant an internal affairs investigation.
“At this point, I can’t comment on something that looks like it would be an internal investigation,” Abbink said.
“But based upon what you’ve told me, I think we probably need to contact Mr. Bruce and find out from him what happened and see if he has a complaint that he wants to file,” he said.
Bruce, who shared a copy of the e-mail with The Gazette, called it a case of “genuine” misconduct.
“I don’t know to whom I should complain,” Bruce said in an e-mail.
Hulett said he had not yet notified his supervisor but planned to do so.
“My deepest apologies to everyone involved,” he said.
The question posed by Hulett in the e-mail – “Punch any reporters lately?” – could be in reference to a 2008 incident in which Bruce kicked a newspaper photographer during House prayer at the state Capitol. Bruce said it wasn’t a kick but a nudge.
“I made a mistake — I trusted a journalist,” Bruce told the Denver Post after receiving a formal censure. “I won’t do that again.”
“Bruce, who shared a copy of the e-mail with The Gazette …”
Were you guys planning to share the text of the email??
Erich,
Here’s the text of the e-mail:
Punch any reporters lately?
Matthew D. Hulett
Colorado Springs Police Dept.
Financial Crimes Unit
705 S. Nevada Av.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Put this story in a regular Gazette format that does not discourage comments so people can rip this idiot. If this were a anti Bruce story that is how it would be done.
LOL. Awww…did Dougie get his wittle feewings hurt? Hey Doug, if the shoe fits…
INFAIRNESS,
Anyone can comment on my blog, just as you have done.
Thanks.
Daniel Chacon
City Hall reporter
Ah, I figured there was more to the message than just that one line. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I’m beginning to believe those that say the PD is out of control.
Paid big bucks to sit around and create these kind of emails.
Wonder how they treat the unwashed masses?
It was dumb, and hilarious. This is also yet another attack on the PD by the Gazette (Bruce publicists) … another reason not to take this “paper” seriously.
I think the detective’s e-mail was fair, given Bruce’s antics in the past.
If the shoe were on the other foot and Bruce sent a police officer a email asking for instance “have you punched any citizen lately” a Gazette reporter would have picked up the story fluffed it up and crucified Bruce. This story launches what appears to be a pity party for the detective, who I am sure is a good man but so is Bruce.
Erich: I appreciate that you asked the question and that we were able to get it cleared up.
Amanda: Exactly how is this an example of The Gazette attacking the Police Department? We reported the facts: The police detective admitted sending an e-mail to Bruce using his work e-mail, and now the Police Department is considering an internal affairs investigation.
Daniel Chacon
City Hall reporter
LOL! That is hysterical. And no big deal. It is ridiculous to waste time with an “internal affairs investigation” over a one-line email.
Good point. True, you did include that the PD was responding to it.
So, why so much publicity for this man Bruce? Why are people walking on glass in your city around this guy? Man, wish I could get an article published for every little grievance I had!
INFAIRNESS says, “…..so people can rip this idiot.”
I agree, I think there is more than just a handful of people who wants to rip into that idiot Douggie! This example just goes to show that more people than you care to believe are sick of this clown and I’m sure this is true all the way up the Governer’s Office and beyond!
Daniel Chacon, This paper supports the Libertarian philosophy. It does not agree with any form of government of which the police department is one. The Gazette is notorious for lack of support for the police department. How can you question those of us who are just stating the truth.
The reason the detective is “struggling” to explain his actions is because a full explanation would require him to rat out the other cops who were behind it. And that is just unacceptable to rat out fellow cops.
elderstateswoman, you should do more homework. The Gazette’s editorial philosophy touts the benefits of limited government, that is, government limited to specific duties and roles in society. Public safety is one of the duties recognized by this philosophy as a legitimate function of government. Aloong similar lines, Daniel is a reporter, not part of the editorial page — the part of the paper that encourages limited government. Daniel doesn’t work for Wayne Laugesen and is not bound by the editorial philosophy. What many of you who believe The Gazette has it in for the PD are confused about the role of the Fourth Estate in relation to government. The press isn’t supposed to be cheerleaders; it is supposed to report on activities of government and its employees, both good and bad.
Uh-oh, here comes another lawsuit against the City by D. Bruce!
George and daniel: “Daniel is a reporter, not part of the editorial page — the part of the paper that encourages limited government”
When Chacon complains about having to sign in at the city security desk before he can use the (free) city restroom, he’s asking for unsrestricted, UNlimited government.
notsofast,
I’m actually following the city’s policy, which states that people don’t have to sign in at the security desk. I’d be more than happy to meet with you and provide you a copy.
Daniel Chacon
City Hall reporter
georgelewis: I understand the philosophy of the Libertarian Party. However, it has over the past years moved from supporting limited government to supporting no government at all. Just look at the history. I don’t ask for this newspaper, if you want to call it that, to be a cheerleader for the fourth estate, I just ask that it be fair. It isn’t. Anytime it can ridicule any person in government, it will; even when it is not necessary. This is a crap article, and the Gazette made sure it appeared in print. Would you say this is an example of it supporting, even in a limited form, the fourth estate? I just don’t see it. This area has more of the John Birch society philosophy than that of the Libertarian party. But then, everyone says they are Republicans. What a mess, and the city shows it!!
This is just one more example of the fact that there is no such thing as a private email.
In the subsequent story, Douh Bruce was quoted as asking “Was he drunk on the job?” re: the detective. That’s an order of magnitude worse than what the detective wrote about Bruce. Just shows that Bruve has no class at all.,, as if we needed to be convinced of that at this late date.
spare us the compulsion Chacon – you might not find free catbox enroute. just publish it here in the blog.
Hate on Bruce all you want, but there is no excuse for the detective’s behavior. The target of the detective’s personal scorn has no bearing on this issue.
You know how you go to work every day and there’s at least one or two people at your work who are terrible at their job and should not be working at your company? Just think about that for a minute.
The police detective purposefully misused government property by issuing a childish taunt to a public figure. He did NOT use his Gmail account, AOL, Yahoo. He used his official police account. That act speaks volumes about how this person in the detective job views his authority and position of power in society.
To paraphrase the detective — I made a mistake. I trusted a cop. I won’t do that again.
How did Chacon get this email? Welsome is the only writer at the Gazette that’s actually writes stories with Bruce in a negative light. Chacon writes stories that portray Bruce as the “tax crusader” against the big, bad government. But I guess, if he wrote any differently, then he would lose his direct contact deal he has going with Bruce.