Judge Slaps Down Oakland Cop For Shielding Nameplate From Occupiers

(The Blaze/AP)- A federal judge in California has ruled that an Oakland police officer who covered his nameplate during a November Occupy protest seriously violated court-approved conduct standards for the city's police department.

U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson issued the ruling against officer John Hargraves and Oakland police Lt. Clifford Wong. Wong was accused of failing to report Hargraves' actions to the department's internal affairs unit.

The Police Department later ordered Hargraves suspended for 30 days and demoted Wong to sergeant, according to The Chronicle. So far they are the only known reports of disciplinary orders against Oakland police during the Occupy protests. Hargraves is still on the job while he appeals his suspension.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Henderson has not decided whether to hold contempt proceedings against the officers, but did say in court that:

"If safety were considered a legitimate basis for violating laws and policies, there would, in essence, be no laws or policies governing police conduct," Henderson said. He said it is a crime, as well as a violation of police policy, for officers to conceal their name or badge number."

Hargraves has said he concealed his nameplate to protect himself and his family after an Occupy protester posted the name and address of another officer and called for burning down his home.

Hargraves and Wong's lawyer declined to comment.