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Zach Reed tried to pull rank w/arresting officers, PD reports


Man, I hate it when this happens.  Cleveland City Councilman Zach Reed really, still, didn’t seem to realize how low he’d gone when he was arrested just before Thanksgiving. From the Plain Dealer:

Cleveland Councilman Zack Reed begged two police officers to release him last week, even asking them to call the police chief and union president before they jailed him on suspicion of drunken driving.

“Why am I not on your guys’ team?” Reed asked.

Reed asked the officers to take him to his house or nearby ward office, according to a tape recording of the arrest.

“Even if you take my keys, you can put my car there or move it around the corner,” Reed said. “Take me home. Just don’t arrest me. Please, officer. Please.”

[snip]

On the tape recording, the police officer told Reed that his speech was slurred and smelled of alcohol. Reed admitted he had been drinking.

He was charged with drunken driving and on Monday his attorneys entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

“I have had a little more than I should have had,” Reed said.

Reed, who used to chair council’s Safety Committee, then reminded the officers that he has worked with the department.

“Sir, as you know, I have been one of your biggest supporters,” he said.

Councilman Kevin Conwell said Reed should not have tried to influence the officers or asked them to look the other way.

I don’t know if rehab is going to work this time.  I really have doubts – he just simply doesn’t sound like he’s prepared to give it up.  Not good, not good.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:12 am December 2nd, 2007 in Cleveland+, Culture, Government, Ohio, Politics, Scandal 

Comments

9 Responses to “Zach Reed tried to pull rank w/arresting officers, PD reports”

  1. 1 Carole Cohen on December 2nd, 2007 12:51 pm

    Well his comments were during his ‘impaired’ phase for the most part. I guess the real issue is, when he is standing in front of a mirror or sitting quietly in his home, how does he feel inside, is he ready or not? I guess he will find out. The whole thing makes me sad.

  2. 2 Joe Amschlinger on December 2nd, 2007 2:15 pm

    The honorable thing to do would be to resign his post and focus on getting himself better. (Not that the honorable thing is ever done in politics) He is currently not healthy enough to serve the people, which is still (hopefully) a priviledge, it is not his right to hold this job, but a priviledge. He should focus on completing his studies at CSU, get a handle on his drinking and build back trust with the community before running again. He looks young, but he is in fact in his fourties, he needs to get focused and serious before he kills himself or others.

  3. 3 Jill Miller Zimon on December 2nd, 2007 3:41 pm

    I’m really no expert on Zach Reed, but I thought I’d read that he is 32 or 33, not in his 40s. Are you sure about that? I also didn’t know that he’s studying at CSU – is working toward a BA or MA, do you know?

  4. 4 redhorse on December 2nd, 2007 9:28 pm

    I’m not excusing his behavior that night (or other nights), but I don’t think it’s fair to Reed to assume he’s not ready for rehab based on his statements while drunk and watching his career flash before his eyes.

  5. 5 Joe Amschlinger on December 2nd, 2007 9:49 pm

    BA in Poli Sci from CSU per his bio…
    http://www.clevelandcitycouncil.org/Home/CouncilMembers/Ward3ZacharyReed/ZacharyReedBiography/tabid/140/Default.aspx

    Age: 45 from MSNBC by way of NewsNet5
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21915573/

  6. 6 LisaRenee on December 3rd, 2007 12:48 am

    As an aside, I wonder about the legality of trying to use a personal tape recorder as opposed to video on a police car. If the police department did not issue the digital recorders, which the article states, then is it really allowed as evidence?

    I still don’t support the concept of pulling rank, but I can’t help wondering as to the tape having any real legal value since they can be manipulated, I can have all kinds of fun with digital recordings on my pc without any additional software needed to alter them.

  7. 7 Jill Miller Zimon on December 4th, 2007 10:59 am

    Carole and Redhorse – I’m going to debate a bit here with you – why does the fact that he was impaired matter? Are you saying that that would be the tendency of someone in that altered state of mind – to get out of trouble if he could?

    I can see that that’s desperation and maybe not really saying to himself, I am NOT an alcoholic. So that’s why you think once he’s sitting alone etc., that’s when we need to know what he’s thinking.

    Is that what you mean?

  8. 8 Jill Miller Zimon on December 4th, 2007 11:01 am

    Hmm – thanks, Joe. I can’t seem to find where I thought I’d read he was 32 or 33. Weird. Oh well – thanks!

  9. 9 Jill Miller Zimon on December 4th, 2007 11:04 am

    Lisa Renee – that’s a really interesting question re: evidence. I don’t know the answer off the top of my head.

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