Friday, May 16, 2008

Officer Thomas Chickos Arrested for Helping Thief Steal

Former city police officer Thomas Chickos is accused of acting as a lookout while on duty as a friend stole some large equipment. The 26-year-old was a probationary officer at the time the thefts took place.

Shelton police say cell phone records linked Officer Chickos to 28-year-old Jason Dennis, who is accused of the thefts. Dennis has pleaded guilty to first-degree larceny in the thefts that occurred in May 2007.

Officer Chickos surrendered Monday night, and is free after posting a $5000 bail.

Chickos was still a probationary officer when he resigned in June 2007 before an internal affairs investigation.

Maricopa Police officer placed on unpaid administrative leave

A Maricopa Police officer arrested for allegedly having sex with three minors in Kings County has now been placed on unpaid administrative leave by the City of Maricopa.

But as we discovered, today's action is based on separate issues here in Kern County. The decision is based on the fact Ferguson has three temporary restraining orders against him from three different women in Kern County.

"If one is found and made a permanent restraining order, that could restrict him from carrying a firearm, he would be unable to perform his duties as an officer," said Maricopa Police Sgt. Louie Pennie.

The 30 year old has been on paid leave from the Maricopa Police Department since April 27Th, 2008. In a separate issue from Kern County, Ferguson is facing 12 felony counts of allegedly having sex with three minors in Kings County.

Ferguson remains in jail in Kings County with bail at $500,000. The temporary restraining order cases in Kern County are scheduled to be heard in court in Bakersfield next week.

NOPD Officer Arrested for Beating and Stealing from Citizens

A New Orleans police officer was arrested Thursday morning on charges he beat two people and stole a wallet while on duty.

Officer Rydell Diggs, 31, a seven-year veteran of the NOPD assigned to the 2nd District, was booked into the Orleans Parish jail on two counts of aggravated battery, one count of theft and one count of malfeasance in office, according to jail records.

The charges against Diggs allege that he committed aggravated battery with a police baton on a man and aggravated battery with pepper spray on a woman.

The charges resulted from a complaint brought to the Police Department's Public Integrity Bureau, the department's internal investigative unit, police said. The complainant accused the officer of taking $300 and beating the man during a traffic stop on Aug. 7, 2007, at Monroe and Hickory streets in West Carrollton.

Diggs was a patrolman assigned to the 2nd District, which covers a wide swath of Uptown. NOPD spokesman Bob Young said the time between the complaint and the charges are because of the extensive work required in developing the case.

"It took time to develop witnesses in the case," Young said.

As of Thursday, Diggs was suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case and final review by the police superintendent, according to police.

The charges against Diggs have been accepted by the Orleans Parish district attorney, according to jail records. The case, however, has not been allotted to a criminal court judge and a court date has not been set.

A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office declined to comment.

Diggs' criminal case file was not available Thursday, according to the magistrate clerk's office.

He was released on his own recognizance Thursday via an order by Judge Laurie White, according to court records. That means he did not have to pay bail or show up for a first appearance in magistrate court.

Officer Sean Moran Fired after Being Charged With Attempted Murder

Duxbury

Sean Moran, who has been charged with assault and attempted murder on his girlfriend, a Milton police officer, has been fired from the Duxbury Police Department.

In Town Manager Richard MacDonald’s written decision to fire Moran, he stated that Moran violated the police department’s rules by committing acts that are arrestable offenses.

“In doing so, Officer Moran has made a mockery of his badge and the responsibilities it signifies,” MacDonald stated.

MacDonald went on to state that Moran’s actions undercut the reputation and morale of the department.

“The public cannot place confidence in police officers who themselves violate the standards to which they are required to apply to others,” he stated.

Moran, 30, was arrested Nov. 9 after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend by smashing her head against a highway overpass fence and used his fists to smash the dashboard of the vehicle she was driving. At a dangerousness hearing in November, Norfolk County Judge Mark Coven ruled that Moran was a danger to his girlfriend and ordered him held without bail.

During the hearing, Quincy Police Sgt. Joseph Lencki testified that Moran’s girlfriend called a friend and stayed outside until the friend arrived because she was afraid of what he would do to her.

On Jan. 17, Moran was indicted by Norfolk County Superior Court on charges of intimidation of a witness, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (a gun), malicious destruction of property exceeding $250; three counts of assault and battery, and one count of threatening to commit a crime. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison for the most serious charge, armed assault with intent to murder.

On Feb. 7, Moran pleaded not guilty to all charges. On May 5, he was released on $10,000 bail after the 90-day dangerousness statute under which he was being held expired. Prosecutors asked for bail to be set at $100,000 cash, but the court set bail at $10,000. Moran is required to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet on his ankle, and he will reside at his parents’ home in Duxbury.
Moran has been on administrative leave from the Duxbury Police Department since he was arrested, at which time the department immediately confiscated his badge and gun.

MacDonald based his findings for firing Moran on a document prepared from a hearing conducted by attorney Charles M. Sabatt, who MacDonald designated as the hearing officer for Moran’s disciplinary hearing.

Sabatt concluded that Moran committed four violations specified by Police Chief Mark DeLuca, leading to his finding that Moran’s actions granted punishment or dismissal. The four violations were conduct unbecoming of an officer, neglect of duty, criminal conduct and absence.

In his decision, MacDonald found the that first two items in Sabatt’s conclusion warranted enough reason for Moran’s dismissal, and that the other two items were not necessary to support to his decision that Moran violated department policy.

“My decision was based on the facts as presented to me by the hearing officer,” MacDonald said. “This whole situation is unfortunate.”

The first violation in Sabatt’s report stemmed from the incident which led to his arrest, and the second referred to an Oct. 18, 2007, incident in which Moran allegedly removed his girlfriend’s loaded duty weapon and threatened to kill her and kill her and himself if she reported the incident.

The third violation in Sabatt’s report cited further incidents of alleged abuse by Moran, and the final violation was Moran’s unexcused absence from his duties as a police officer while incarcerated. Sabatt stated that Moran’s incarceration was caused by his own misconduct, which does not excuse him from his duty.

A disciplinary hearing for Moran was held on Jan. 24, and continued on April 1 at the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office. Moran, who is due back in court June 17 at 2 p.m., has the right to appeal his firing.

Moran’s lawyer, Daniel O’Malley, could not be reached for comment.