Friday, June 12, 2009

Officer Kenneth Kapton Accused of Firing Gun into Air While Drunk

A Swissvale police officer resigned after being accused of firing a gun into the air behind his Penn Hills residence while intoxicated.

Kenneth Kapton, 57, handed in his letter of resignation to Swissvale Council on Wednesday night.

Kapton is charged with two counts of prohibited acts related to marijuana police seized from his home, disorderly conduct and violating a municipal ordinance prohibiting firearms and air guns, according to a criminal complaint.

Following the May 7 incident, Kapton underwent a psychological evaluation and was placed on administrative leave, officials said.

Kapton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 6.

Officer Joseph Rios III Suspended After Caught on Tape Beating Man

A northern New Jersey police officer suspended after being caught on a videotape beating an unarmed man said Wednesday he did nothing wrong.

"I did what was proper," Passaic Officer Joseph Rios III said at a news conference at the office of his attorney, Anthony Iacullo. "I did what I was trained to do under the circumstances that existed at that time. I stand by my actions."

In the video, parts of which have been shown on television and on the Internet, Rios is seen throwing 49-year-old Ronnie Holloway against the hood of his police car and then to the ground, and appears to punch him and hit him with his baton. Holloway appears to be offering little resistance.

According to Iacullo, the video doesn't show what happened earlier. He declined to be specific other than to say that Holloway's words, actions and demeanor justified Rios' actions. The video, taken from a nearby surveillance camera, has no sound.
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Video: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=7773867&page=1
For More Information: http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20090610_ap_njofficerinrecordedbeatingdenieswrongdoing.html

Officer William Cozzi Sentence to 40 Months for Beating Handcuffed Man

A Chicago cop who was caught on tape beating a man handcuffed to a wheelchair received a 40 month sentence today.

William Cozzi, a Chicago cop, became angry with Randy Miles who was shackled to a wheelchair in a hospital, after Miles was verbally rude. Cozzi's beating of Miles was captured on tape, as well as witnessed by numerous bystanders. Cozzi was prosecuted in state court, where he received no jail time. He was due to return to the Chicago police force after a 2 year suspension, however Cozzi was also indicted on Federal charges related to the beating. Cozzi plead guilty, and was sentenced today to 40 months in prison. He is scheduled to report to Federal prison on August 6th, 2009.
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Information: http://www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8153:chicago-police-officer-sentenced-to-40-months-in-prison-for-violating-federal-civil-rights-of-a-man-confined-in-a-wheelchair&catid=88888909&Itemid=88888905

Former Officer Jason Carey Hughes Arrested for Illegal Use of Database

A former law enforcement officer was arrested on Thursday for the illegal use of state computer databases.

Former Headland Police officer Jason Carey Hughes is accused of tapping into law enforcement tactical system software to obtain criminal records. Those records weren't used for official police business.

He was arrested by officers with the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center and taken to the Henry County Jail.

"The LETS system is an invaluable tool for law enforcement, and the information it contains is privileged, confidential and is protected by law," said Maury Mitchell, ACJIC Director. "We take the use of LETS for reasons other than legitimate law enforcement or criminal justice purposes seriously, and will aggressively investigate and seek prosecution whenever it is misused."

Charges:

One count of unauthorized use of a computer to obtain criminal records of individuals through the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS), which is the property of the ACJIC. This is a violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(a), a class A misdemeanor, and is punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $6,000; and

One count of unauthorized disclosure of computerized criminal records obtained through the Law Enforcement Tactical System, which is the property of the ACJIC. This is a violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(c), a class A misdemeanor, and is punishable by up to 12 monthsimprisonment and a fine of up to $6,000.
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http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/47920907.html

Officer William Greenwood Charged with Sexually Assaulting Underaged Family Member

A Chicago Police officer was ordered held on $350,000 bond Tuesday after being charged with the criminal sexual assault of a teenage girl.

Officer William Greenwood, 43, is a nine-year veteran of the police force, according to police News Affairs. He has been relieved of his police powers.

He was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault for the attack on an underage family member, according to police.
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Video & Picture: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6860257&rss=rss-espnChicago-wls-article-6860257

Cpl Eddie Smith Jr Charged with Trying to Rob Bank

A 16-year veteran of the Prince George's County Police Department has been charged with allegedly trying to rob a bank early Wednesday morning, acting as a lookout — dressed in his police uniform — while another man tried to saw into the bank's vault.

Cpl. Eddie Smith Jr., 41, of the 9700 block of Rider Court in Fort Washington has been suspended without pay after being arrested by officers from his own police district.

Shortly after 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department responded to an alarm at the SunTrust Bank at 4625 Old Branch Ave. in Temple Hills. Responders called in police from District 4, the district where Smith served as a patrol officer, according to Maj. Andy Ellis, the police department's chief spokesman.

Smith was off-duty at the time but was in uniform and carrying his department-issued handgun, although the weapon was never used in the incident or brandished, Ellis said.

Investigators believe Smith likely remained outside the bank during the attempted robbery, while Earl Blake Sr., 52, of the 1900 block of Brooks Drive in Capitol Heights was allegedly inside the bank, unsuccessfully trying to break into the vault.

Smith was found with a pry bar, electrical cords and saw blade and was charged with burglary, malicious destruction of property for the damage to the vault and with using a handgun in the commission of a felony. He was also charged with possessing and permitting the use of burglars' tools with intent to use in the commission of a burglary.

Blake was found with a crowbar and cut-off saw, which he claims Smith provided him, and charged with burglary and malicious destruction of property. He was also charged with possessing burglars' tools with intent to use in the commission of a burglary.

Both men had fled from the bank before police arrived. Blake was picked up by police on a nearby road, and Smith was located hours later after investigators identified him as a suspect.

Ellis said under department policy, an internal investigation will commence after the state's criminal investigation.

He was unable to confirm Thursday afternoon how the two men allegedly broke into the bank or how Blake and Smith knew each other but said Blake is not affiliated with the police department.

He said investigators have no evidence at this point that any other officers were involved or had any knowledge of the crime. Ellis said about 175 officers work in police District 4.

Police officials denounced the incident as disappointing and disconcerting.

"One bad cop can tarnish the badge that we all wear," Ellis said. "This is something that's upsetting to all hard-working police officers."

Ellis said officers new to the force undergo background checks, polygraphs and psychological tests, but the department does not require the process be repeated during an officer's tenure.

In a statement Thursday, Police Chief Roberto L. Hylton said he was "disheartened" and will not tolerate wrongdoing by any member of the department.

"Bad cops have no place in our profession; they tarnish the good work that is being done by the rest of our employees," Hylton said. "We will be very thorough in investigating this case along with any others to which this investigation may lead."

Vince Canales, president of the county's Fraternal Order of Police, said Thursday the alleged robbery attempt is "very disappointing" but that it is an isolated incident and not reflective of the department, adding that hiring practices for officers are stringent.

"I would hope that the citizens of the county wouldn't paint the entire agency in this light," he said.

Canales cautioned that the investigation is ongoing. He said if Smith is found guilty, "clearly he will have to pay the price for those actions like any member of the community."

Smith is being held on $250,000 bond at the Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro, and Blake is being held on $100,000 bond.

Preliminary hearings for Smith and Blake are scheduled for 8:45 a.m. July 9 in Prince George's County District Court. Attorneys had not been listed Thursday afternoon in the court for either defendant.

Calls Thursday to a phone number listed for Smith's address went unanswered. No phone number was listed for Blake.

Former Officer Jason Carey Hughes Arrested for Unauthorized Use of Database

The Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) has announced the arrest 38 year old Jason Carey Hughes, a former officer of the Headland, Alabama Police Department, for allegedly misusing confidential law enforcement information.

Hughes, 38, was arrested Thursday morning by agents of ACJIC, the state agency responsible for gathering and providing critical information to Alabama law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

Hughes was taken to the Henry County jail.

The Alabama Attorney General’s office presented evidence to a Henry County grand jury which resulted in the two-count indictment* against Hughes.

Specifically, the indictment charges Hughes with:

1. One count of unauthorized use of a computer to obtain criminal records of individuals through the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS), which is the property of the ACJIC. This is a violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(a).

2. One count of unauthorized disclosure of computerized criminal records obtained through the Law Enforcement Tactical System. This is a violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(c).

Both charges are Class A misdemeanors, each punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $6,000.