Police agencies across have been vocal about their concerns with swatting, describing it as a criminal form of harassment that puts both police personnel and civilians in danger. However, it does not seem like all police officers find it to be that severe.
Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson claims that 23-year-old Christopher Eugene Sanspree Jr., an officer in Alabama, made swatting calls to a police agency while working for another department because "he thought it was hilarious." This is according to reports from WAGA and WSFA. According to Thompson, who works as a veteran of the Montgomery Police Department for two years, he saw "people laying on the street bleeding," "guys running about with a machete," and a gunshot victim lying in a yard. Over the course of three months starting in late October, he made six calls to Prattville Police.
"These fraudulently reported occurrences were of a severe nature and necessitated the use of significant resources for both responding to each call and conducting the investigations," Prattville Police said on Facebook. According to Thompson, Sanspree acknowledged making the calls as a joke—one that he did not find amusing. "The perception of police officers is plenty to cope with now."
After being detained on six misdemeanor charges of fabricating an incident report on February 7, Sanspee was placed on administrative assignment with Montgomery Police, according to WSFA. The matter is still under investigation by Prattville Police, and they may look into Sanspree's potential connection to swatting calls in other states.
Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson claims that 23-year-old Christopher Eugene Sanspree Jr., an officer in Alabama, made swatting calls to a police agency while working for another department because "he thought it was hilarious." This is according to reports from WAGA and WSFA. According to Thompson, who works as a veteran of the Montgomery Police Department for two years, he saw "people laying on the street bleeding," "guys running about with a machete," and a gunshot victim lying in a yard. Over the course of three months starting in late October, he made six calls to Prattville Police.
"These fraudulently reported occurrences were of a severe nature and necessitated the use of significant resources for both responding to each call and conducting the investigations," Prattville Police said on Facebook. According to Thompson, Sanspree acknowledged making the calls as a joke—one that he did not find amusing. "The perception of police officers is plenty to cope with now."
After being detained on six misdemeanor charges of fabricating an incident report on February 7, Sanspee was placed on administrative assignment with Montgomery Police, according to WSFA. The matter is still under investigation by Prattville Police, and they may look into Sanspree's potential connection to swatting calls in other states.
