Monday, December 14, 2009

Officer Phillip Setty Under Investigation for Being at Party where Underage Drinking was Taking Place

A local police officer is under investigation after pictures caught him in a compromising situation.

Photographs of a West Alexandria police officer dressed in uniform at a Halloween party where underage drinking was allegedly taking place.

The officer is Phillip Setty, a rookie policeman who's only been with the West Alexandria Police Department for a little over a year.

In fact, it was after work that he showed up at a Halloween party at an apartment in Bellbrook and pictures were taken that show what happened.

The 23 year old officer posed for pictures with several party goers, some holding alcohol. Setty also pretended to arrest one young woman also dressed up in a police uniform. In one photo, she has a drink in her hand while sitting on officer Setty's lap. In others, the female appears to be drinking shots.

The problem with that was found on her own myspace page along with several of the photographs. According to her profile, she is only nineteen and was drinking alcohol along with another person who claimed to be underage, while Officer Setty was present at the party.

Chief Charles Webb said, "We were just notified of this, this morning."

Some West Alexandria residents said they are disappointed in the alleged actions of a man who is supposed to be held to a higher standard. "Well, I think he should be dismissed," said Gene Moore.

While officers are investigating to determine if any crime occurred, the chief said he is worried about what the pictures suggest. "He is placed on administrative leave until we investigate it," said Webb.

There are also departmental policies on when and where police officers can wear their uniforms. Chief Webb said, "If you are going home or something it's acceptable, but if go to a party as this officer allegedly did, that is definitely not within our policy."

Setty is currently on unpaid administrative leave.

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