Local Digest

THE DISTRICT

Officer in snowball fight to keep job

The District detective who pulled his weapon during a Northwest snowball fight in December violated department policy but will remain on the force, Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said on a radio show.

Speaking with reporter Mark Segraves of WTOP (103.5 FM) on Thursday during the monthly "Ask the Chief" radio segment, Lanier said the actions of Detective Michael Baylor "violated some type of police department protocol." She said city personnel laws limited her in describing what policies were violated. On Baylor staying on the force, Lanier said, "I don't believe this is a termination case."

Heavy snowfall in December prompted a D.C. resident to organize a mass snowball fight at 14th and U streets NW. When some revelers threw a snowball at Baylor's vehicle, he confronted them with a drawn weapon, prompting other police to respond to reports of a man with a gun. The incident was captured on video and reverberated widely on the Web, prompting Lanier and other officials to condemn Baylor's actions.

Baylor, who was put on desk duty after the incident, remains on "non-contact status," Lanier said.

--- Theola Labbé-DeBose