Police Officer Fired for Egging Home

An officers with the Carrollton Police Department, along with three civilian employees with the department, have been fired for egging a house.

According to authorities, in May, police investigated a criminal mischief case in which the Carrollton home of Steven Benzer was pelted with eggs. The damage has since been cleaned.

The investigation determined that five adults were responsible for the act of vandalism, and four of them were police department employees. They include officer Jennifer Cackler and dispatchers Ashley Cackler, Laura Anderson and Laken Schifelbein.

It is believed that the employees were tired of Benzer's repeated complaints about a neighbor. That neighbor may be friends with the former officer. "It was an act of retaliation," Benzer said. "I believe the officer involved, Jennifer Cackler, had an inappropriate relationship with the woman with whom I've complained."

"I have a long history with Ms. Cackler," Benzer said. "She was the officer that began responding to my complaints about eight months ago."

CBS 11 News spoke with the neighbor. She claims that there is no relationship between her and Cackler.

While CBS 11 News was on the scene, police had to be called to another dispute between Benzer and a different neighbor, who alleged that Benzer was stalking her with a camera. "He's always harassing everyone in the neighborhood," said one resident.

On Thursday, the Carrollton Police Department confirmed that all four of the department employees have been fired. "Some people may say it was egg-throwing, it was juvenile behavior," said the Carrollton Police Department's assistant chief Mac Tristan. "Do you want your police that respond to your emergency call to be engaging in this type of behavior? And the answer to us is no."

"I'm happy that they found the person," Benzer said, "but at the same time, I'm very disappointed that a public servant is responsible for this."

However, some neighbors actually support the fired officer. "I don't agree with her tactics," said Diana Swadley. "I think they were very poor judgment on her part. I don't know that firing was necessarily the resolution to this situation."

The egg-throwing offense is a misdemeanor, the equivalent of a traffic ticket. The officer will be able to appeal the firing.

Local Video from CBS 11 / TXA 21 in Dallas/Fort Worth

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[mariannpepit]

I agree with what the cop did. And it should have been more than eggs. Two buckets of red paint should have been thrown at his door then light a match. The police chief handled it wrong. He should have talked to the neighbor himself before firing the cop plus gave her three days off without pay. This man is a nuisance to the neighborhood and should move out. I know a friend of mine that called the cops on a neighbor several times and the last time they would not come out plus they wouldn't come up to the house she had to go down to talk to them. Cops don't want to be annoyed by an idiot like him. They have more important situations to take care of.

[jxknowles]

The termination of Jennifer Cackler, Ashley Cackler, Laura Anderson and Laken Schifelbein was more than justified. Her behavior is not worthy of someone wearing a badge and sworn to protect the public. The Police Union and fellow officers should cut her loose. The fact she is fighting the termination shows her selfish demeanor.

Ms. Cackler should also be prosecuted and serve community service. I suggest a sentence of cleaning up after vandals in the Dallas/Ft Worth area every weekend for the next 12 months.

I could care less what Steven Benzer did. There are laws on the books to deal with harrassing 911 calls. Jennifer Cackler is not Charles Bronson with a carton of eggs.

[puzzler125]

It's NOT up to an individual Police Officer to "teach someone a lesson" by egging their house! As the front-line in law enforcement, yes, we expect our Police Department members and employees to uphold a higher standard. This does mean not breaking laws such as trespassing and/or property damage, and especially doing such stupid things as this officer did and several others in the news in the last few weeks.

[puzzler125]

It's NOT up to an individual Police Officer to "teach someone a lesson" by egging their house! As the front-line in law enforcement, yes, we expect our Police Department members and employees to uphold a higher standard. This does mean not breaking laws such as trespassing and/or property damage, and especially doing such stupid things as this officer did and several others in the news in the last few weeks.

[Steven_G]

Perhaps Mr. Benzer got what he deserved, and perhaps he deserved worse, but not from a cop. The duty of a police officer is to uphold the law, not break it. It is possible Officer Cackler could have found a way to punish Benzer within the framework of the law; ticketed him for filing false reports, for instance, if indeed he was. To complain about her firing for such a minor offence when other cops get away with much more is nonsense. Any cop caught breaking the law should be fired. If someone else gets away with murder, does that mean I should go unpunished just for roughing someone up a bit?
I am also tired of people constantly bagging on police. Yes, there are some bad cops who overstep their authority, that doesn't make them all jack-booted thugs. Most of the cops I've met have been very courteous and have performed their duties appropriately. In my youth I had at least one teacher who was overly strict, and sometimes just downright mean; does that make all teachers tyrants? Should all nurses be labeled murderers because a few have killed? Some cops are heavy-handed, most are not; give 'em a break.
As for Ms. Cackler: I do hope that egging was satisfying, as I'm sure that being fired from a police force for vandalism isn't going to look so good on her resume.

[SusanStoHelit]

The cop was out of line - but not so much so to justify a firing. This was a little nuisance prank, expressing irritation, frustration - and very understandable frustration too. It'd be nothing if you or I did it - why should the cop be fired? Reprimanded, sure.

[phoolish1]

i want to see a history of Benzer's "complaints". i dont think she did this after one or two calls, sounds like daily nuisance complaints.

[formrusmcsgt]

Some one so obviously arrested in adolsecence has no right to carry a badge or a weapon.

[mariannpepit]

That's mild compared to what I would do to his house and wouldn't care less if I got fired. He is a constant complainer and should move out of the neighborhood. Police don't want to hear his complaints everyday. Get a grip.

[wyodutch]

I love it when a rotton cop gets the boot.

Doesn't happen nearly often enough.

[SusanStoHelit]

If it wasn't an officer, this would be absolutely nothing. It shouldn't be a firing offense. And from all that is said, from false accusations of romantic relationships, from what the neighbors say, from being on trial for assault today - I'm not sympathetic to him.

There are people who are bullies, who use the police to harass their neighbors, harass the entire world for not complying with their every wish. He sounds like one of them.

[thesevenveils]

The part I don't get is they didn't use rotten eggs.

[Ace22257]

trebmalpm i too got the impression that Steven Benzer isn't your typical model neighbor to have. Sounds like a creepy nosey neighbor that has to much time on his hands and nothing better to do than to cause trouble for all who live in his neighborhood. Sounds to me like he got what he deserved, it's rather funny actually LOL..... I dont condone the behavior of the public servants involved...not very wise of them. Terminating them was the proper action to take. These are people who are suppose to uphold the law...they should set an example for others to follow.