D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier testified Monday the Metropolitan Police Department considers celebrity escorts on a case-by-case basis and approves them only when public safety is a factor.
Capt. Hilton Burton filed a lawsuit after he was demoted from commander of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Special Operations Division. He claims the decision was made because he contradicted Lanier on the issue of police escorts for celebrities.
When actor Charlie Sheen came to D.C. on his “Violent Torpedo of Truth” tour in April 2011, he received a police escort with sirens and flashing lights from Dulles International Airport and tweeted about it. The D.C. Council called a hearing at which Burton testified such escorts happened a lot.
Lanier previously said it didn’t, only in instances where there is a security risk.
During cross-examination Monday, Burton's attorney asked Lanier whether she was angry seeing Sheen's tweet. The chief insisted she had no knowledge of the escort at the time.
Burton's attorney also said Lanier had stated in a media interview MPD does not provide escorts to celebrities, but Lanier claims that statement was taken out of context.
Last week, Lanier testified Burton was demoted for several reasons, including the handling of a 2011 barricade in which the suspect was killed. The suspect's family sued D.C. Police, and during that trial, the D.C. police department defended Burton's actions.
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During this trial, Burton has vigorously defended his decision in the barricade situation and others cited by Lanier.
Closing arguments will begin Tuesday.
