A California Highway Patrol officer suspected of stealing nude and racy photos from the cellphones of women arrested on drunken driving charges sent the pictures to at least two fellow officers in what he called a game, according to court documents.
Officer Sean Harrington, 35, confessed to investigators that he sent such photos at last six times over several years to colleagues in Dublin, but learned to do it while working in Los Angeles, the Contra Costa Times reported Friday.
Harrington has worked for the CHP for five years, and the newspaper reports that he is assigned to administrative duties pending the investigation.
Contra Costa County prosecutors say they expect to announce if they will file criminal charges in the coming days. Officers Robert Hazelwood and Dion Simmons are named in an Oct. 14 search warrant affidavit, suspected of receiving the photos and exchanging banter with Harrington.
CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said in a statement that his agency has launched an investigation, citing a similar case several years ago involving two officers in Los Angeles.
“The allegations anger and disgust me,” Farrow said. “We expect the highest level of integrity and moral strength from everyone in the California Highway Patrol.”
The investigation was sparked by a 23-year-old San Ramon woman arrested Aug. 29 on suspicion of drunken driving, who had a blood alcohol content of .29, more than three times the legal limit. Court papers say that she later discovered nude photos of herself had been sent from her phone to an unfamiliar number. Drunken driving charges against the woman have been dismissed in light of the investigation of Harrington, the newspaper reported.
The affidavit says Harrington also sent Hazelwood photos of a 19-year-old woman arrested following a suspected drunken driving crash in Livermore on Aug. 7. The photos show her wearing a bikini, and Hazelwood responded in a text asking if there were any nude photos, court papers say.
Harrington sent those photos next to Simmons, who replied favorably, saying “Nice,” according to the affidavit, and Harrington asked his colleague to return the favor, “down the road buddy.”
Darryl Holcombe, a senior investigator with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, said in the affidavit that the behavior amounts to felony computer theft.
Attorney Rick Madsen, who represents the 23-year-old woman, said the officers’ communications were “dehumanizing” and “horribly offensive” to his client and all women, saying, “It’s going to lead to another level of mistrust and skepticism to the motive of law enforcement in general.”
Showing posts with label conduct Unbecoming an officer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conduct Unbecoming an officer. Show all posts
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Former Officer Ricky Vitte Jr Appears in Court on Charges of Masturbating With Boy
Ricky Vitte Jr., 34, of Helena, attended his arraignment hearing in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court on a felony charge and a misdemeanor charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. He was flanked at the hearing by his attorney, Dean Henry, as well as a few family members.
After Vitte pleaded not guilty to both counts, Sandusky County prosecutor Tom Stierwalt asked that the former trooper be released on his own recognizance, citing his appearance at the arraignment as an indication he would appear at the next hearing.
A condition of that bond, however, requires Vitte to completely avoid contact with the victim, who is now 18 years old.
As part of the proceedings, Judge Barbara Ansted ran through a laundry list of activities Vitte cannot engage in, given his pending charges.
One of those — a rule barring him from possessing a firearm — prompted Ansted to mention Vitte’s former Highway Patrol job.
“You don’t need (one) for your job anymore?” Ansted asked.
Vitte replied with a succinct “no.”
After the hearing, Henry and Stierwalt hashed out the next hearing date and Vitte was briefly booked into the Sandusky County jail on his indictment.
His arraignment came after nearly four months of conflicting information from Sandusky County officials, Highway Patrol administrators and Ohio Director of Public Safety Jon Born’s office.
In November, Sandusky County deputies learned Vitte allegedly showed porn to a boy and masturbated with him on two occasions when the boy was still a preteen.
Stierwalt at first declined to charge Vitte because the former trooper could argue he was teaching the child about sex. Stierwalt presented the case in April to a grand jury, which handed down an indictment.
The Patrol then fired Vitte for conduct unbecoming of an officer.
During the Patrol’s investigation of the allegations, Stierwalt said he consulted with a Lucas County prosecutor, who agreed with Stierwalt’s initial decision not to press charges. In a recent public records request by the Register, however, Lucas County officials said they had no record of Stierwalt contacting their office.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Officer George Bermudez On Leave After Tripping and Pushing Students
Georgetown police have placed an officer on paid administrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation into his actions following a state championship soccer game held in the city over the weekend.The move to put Officer George Bermudez on leave came after an incident following Vandegrift High School’s win in the University Interscholastic League championship game on Saturday. In video taken from the game broadcast, as well as from fans, you can see what appears to be a uniformed Georgetown police officer tripping and pushing students as they rush onto the field after the win.
Bermudez has been with the department since 2005.
A spokesman for the Georgetown Police Department said parents began emailing the department early Sunday morning, alerting them of the video.
“After personally watching the videos, the actions of my officer are very concerning to me as well,” said Georgetown Police Chief Wayne Nero.
As you see students rush the field after the win, a uniformed Georgetown police officer can be seen sticking his leg out to trip a high school student. He then tries to trip another student.
Then, YouTube video shot by a student at the game shows one of them limping off the field.
Cell phone video sent to ReportIt@KXAN.com also shows the officer pushing two girls off the field.
KXAN spoke to the 16-year-old student who watched all of this unfold while shooting the video on his phone.
“He should’ve used better judgement,” Rohan Gupta said. “We’re high schoolers just trying to have some fun after our team won.”
The Georgetown Police Department issued a statement Sunday evening.
“Georgetown administrators have taken the information and will be forwarding it to internal affairs for review and investigation,” GPD Captain Roland Waits said.
Saturday, March 08, 2014
Fort Hood Sgt. Gregory McQueen Faces Several Charges
A Fort Hood sergeant who was a coordinator of the post's sexual assault and harassment prevention program faces multiple charges after he was accused of setting up a prostitution ring involving cash-strapped female soldiers.
Sgt. 1st Class Gregory McQueen was charged Friday with 21 counts related to pandering, conspiracy, maltreatment of a subordinate, abusive sexual contact, and adultery and conduct of a nature to bring discredit to the armed forces, according to a Fort Hood statement.
An Article 32 hearing, the military equivalent of a civilian grand jury proceeding, is scheduled for March 20 and 21 at Fort Hood.
It was not clear if McQueen had an attorney Friday, Fort Hood spokesman Christopher Haug said. A home number for McQueen could not be found.
Last May, the Army said a sergeant first class was being investigated on allegations of sexual assault and possibly arranging for at least one woman to have sex for money. The Army said he was one of the coordinators of the program at Fort Hood, about 125 miles southwest of Fort Worth.
Army officials declined to release his name at the time, but two officials speaking anonymously to The Associated Press because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case identified that soldier as McQueen, who was assigned as a coordinator of a battalion-level sexual assault prevention program at the Central Texas Army post.
U.S. officials had said he was being investigated in connection with activities involving three women, including sexually assaulting one woman. At the time, a Defense Department official in Washington said it was not clear if one of the women was forced into prostitution or participated willingly. McQueen remains suspended from his duties but is free pending trial, Haug said.
Another Fort Hood soldier was court-martialed in the case. Master Sgt. Brad Grimes was convicted in December of conspiring to patronize a prostitute and solicitation to commit adultery, reprimanded and demoted.
The Fort Hood case and others like it have increased pressure on the Pentagon and Capitol Hill to confront sexual misconduct in the armed forces.
The charges against McQueen came one day after the Senate rejected a bill that would have stripped military commanders of the authority to decide whether to prosecute serious crimes.
The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. and chairwoman of the Senate Armed Services personnel subcommittee. In a Feb. 10 letter, she called on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to turn over case information from four major U.S. bases, including Fort Hood.
The records would shed more light on how military commanders make decisions about courts-martial and punishments in sexual assault cases.
Sgt. 1st Class Gregory McQueen was charged Friday with 21 counts related to pandering, conspiracy, maltreatment of a subordinate, abusive sexual contact, and adultery and conduct of a nature to bring discredit to the armed forces, according to a Fort Hood statement.
An Article 32 hearing, the military equivalent of a civilian grand jury proceeding, is scheduled for March 20 and 21 at Fort Hood.
It was not clear if McQueen had an attorney Friday, Fort Hood spokesman Christopher Haug said. A home number for McQueen could not be found.
Last May, the Army said a sergeant first class was being investigated on allegations of sexual assault and possibly arranging for at least one woman to have sex for money. The Army said he was one of the coordinators of the program at Fort Hood, about 125 miles southwest of Fort Worth.
Army officials declined to release his name at the time, but two officials speaking anonymously to The Associated Press because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case identified that soldier as McQueen, who was assigned as a coordinator of a battalion-level sexual assault prevention program at the Central Texas Army post.
U.S. officials had said he was being investigated in connection with activities involving three women, including sexually assaulting one woman. At the time, a Defense Department official in Washington said it was not clear if one of the women was forced into prostitution or participated willingly. McQueen remains suspended from his duties but is free pending trial, Haug said.
Another Fort Hood soldier was court-martialed in the case. Master Sgt. Brad Grimes was convicted in December of conspiring to patronize a prostitute and solicitation to commit adultery, reprimanded and demoted.
The Fort Hood case and others like it have increased pressure on the Pentagon and Capitol Hill to confront sexual misconduct in the armed forces.
The charges against McQueen came one day after the Senate rejected a bill that would have stripped military commanders of the authority to decide whether to prosecute serious crimes.
The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. and chairwoman of the Senate Armed Services personnel subcommittee. In a Feb. 10 letter, she called on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to turn over case information from four major U.S. bases, including Fort Hood.
The records would shed more light on how military commanders make decisions about courts-martial and punishments in sexual assault cases.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Sergeamt Timothy Williams Fired for Insubordination
Sergeant Timothy Williams was terminated Wednesday, after exhausting his final appeal.
Williams was placed on administrative duty last month, following a complaint from the woman.
He was then placed on administrative leave, according to the sheriff's office, after Williams contacted the woman again.
A sheriff's office spokesman said Sgt. Williams was fired for insubordination and conduct unbecoming a deputy sheriff.
Williams had been with the sheriff's office since 1991.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Protective Order Filed Against Tulsa Officer Accused Of Sexual Misconduct
An emergency protective order was filed against a Tulsa police captain accused of sexual misconduct with a minor.
The new allegations come just weeks after he was suspended for sex acts on the job that happened three years ago.04/27/2012 Related Story: Tulsa Police Chief: No Access To Suspended Officer's Personal Computer
News on 6 spoke with the officer and his attorney.
Captain Shawn King says he is not ready to get into the details of the allegations made against him. But his attorney says they're false. He says it's all part of a plan by an angry ex-girlfriend to ruin King's name.
An Osage County judge granted an emergency protective order against Captain Shawn King on behalf of Keena Roberts and her minor children. The order was filed late Friday.
"What's happened today is evidence of Ms. Robert's ongoing and continuous vendetta against Capt. King since their break up," wrote King's attorney Scott Wood.
Wood says King and Roberts ended their relationship sometime in the past six months. And says that ever since, Roberts has gone to great lengths to "attack" his client.
Wood says the protective order is another example of that. But the accusations in that order are serious.
Read More About Protective Orders in Oklahoma
Roberts' attorney alleges that King molested one of Roberts' underage children. In the protective order, the attorney confirms that King is accused of groping, kissing and forcibly raping the child with his fingers.
Roberts' attorney alleges the incidents happened many times over a period of several years. The allegations surfaced after the child spent time in therapy.
King's attorney calls the allegations false and outrageous.
"Another example of how desperate Ms. Robert's is to wreck havoc on Captain King's life," Wood said in a statement.
Earlier this month, King was suspended a week without pay after TPD Chief Chuck Jordan says King engaged in sexual activity in his patrol car. That incident happened in 2009.
An interoffice memo from Chief Jordan's classifies the activity as "Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer."
"No allegation was made to the police department regarding any criminal activity, including activity involving children," Scott Wood said.
A hearing for a permanent protective order is set for May 22, 2012, in Osage County. But King's attorney is hoping to get a quicker hearing.
He says depending on the outcome, his client make take legal action against Roberts. As of now, Captain King is still reporting to work as a shift supervisor in the Gilcrease Hills Division.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Captain Shawn King Suspended for Engaging in Sexual Activity in His Cop Car
A sex scandal is rocking the Tulsa Police Department. A police Captain
has been suspended for engaging in sexual activity while on duty and in
his cop car.
The news broke early Thursday afternoon when a document was released by Police Chief Chuck Jordan.
It says Captain Shawn King was suspended for five days earlier this month.
The document is directly from Chief Jordan to Captain King and it's addressed April 3.
It explains that King violated a TPD rule, "Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer or Police Employee."
Below the legal speak it shows what took place back in 2009.
The document states "Specifically in 2009, during first shift hours, you engaged in sexual activity while on-duty, in your patrol unit, in an area near the Tulsa zoo."
Captain King has worked for TPD for 15 years and has done interviews with Channel Eight in the past.
As of right now we believe he is back on the streets working as a Captain at the Gilcrease division.
Just to clarify this not a crime but a violation of a TPD policy.
The news broke early Thursday afternoon when a document was released by Police Chief Chuck Jordan.
It says Captain Shawn King was suspended for five days earlier this month.
The document is directly from Chief Jordan to Captain King and it's addressed April 3.
It explains that King violated a TPD rule, "Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer or Police Employee."
Below the legal speak it shows what took place back in 2009.
The document states "Specifically in 2009, during first shift hours, you engaged in sexual activity while on-duty, in your patrol unit, in an area near the Tulsa zoo."
Captain King has worked for TPD for 15 years and has done interviews with Channel Eight in the past.
As of right now we believe he is back on the streets working as a Captain at the Gilcrease division.
Just to clarify this not a crime but a violation of a TPD policy.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Officer Ronald Jackson Arrested for DUI
A fired Jacksonville police officer spent a night behind bars after his arrest Friday on charges of driving under the influence. Two cars and a fence were hit prior to the DUI stop.
The arrest of Ronald Jackson, 45, comes two weeks after he was fired, ending an 11-year career with three pages of citizen and in-house complaints and disciplinary action, according to his personnel file.
Friday's incident started at Intuition Ale Works at 720 King St. where Jackson showed up for a job as a security officer whose company was hired by the business at 6:45 p.m., then drove off a few minutes later, according to the arrest report. A bit later, officers were called to two hit-and-runs on Ernest Street, a block from the bar. Witnesses told police that a black sport-utility vehicle hit a recycling bin, a pickup truck and a second vehicle and a fence before driving off, according to the police report.
Shortly after 7 p.m. police found a black Ford Explorer stopped on Riverside Avenue and then driving onto Forest Street. Its hood popped up, but the driver stopped and put it down. Officers followed the Explorer, which had a dented front end, until its hood popped up again.
The driver turned onto Magnolia Street, then hit a curb on Riverside Avenue. He got out and said, "Sarge, I'm sorry" to the sergeant who had followed him, ultimately refusing to take a field sobriety test before he was handcuffed and taken to jail just before 10 p.m., according to the arrest report.
Jackson was hired by the Sheriff's Office in April 1999 and has had 25 complaints filed against him, according to his summarized personnel report. Complaints of rudeness, unnecessary force and false arrest were made, most not sustained although he underwent informal counseling and received a supervisor's referral letter on some. In October 2010, he was suspended 20 days for unbecoming conduct and failing to be wholly candid, the records show.
But one final issue saw internal affairs recommend discipline that led to his firing.
On Jan. 20, Jackson disrupted a training academy class by arguing with an instructor over paperwork. Told to leave, he sent a classmate a text message threatening he was "gonna end it all," according to the internal affairs report. He also called the Sheriff's Office's communications center and told another officer he was going to "get his gun and blow his brains out."
Found by police, he was taken to Baptist Medical Center for involuntary examination. After being declared fit for duty on Jan. 28, he told internal affairs investigators that he had an anxiety attack and "snapped," according to the report.
The 23-page internal affairs report recommended charges of unbecoming conduct and failure to obey an order be filed against Jackson, and Undersheriff Dwain Senterfitt fired him July 22. Jackson could not be reached for comment.
The arrest of Ronald Jackson, 45, comes two weeks after he was fired, ending an 11-year career with three pages of citizen and in-house complaints and disciplinary action, according to his personnel file.
Friday's incident started at Intuition Ale Works at 720 King St. where Jackson showed up for a job as a security officer whose company was hired by the business at 6:45 p.m., then drove off a few minutes later, according to the arrest report. A bit later, officers were called to two hit-and-runs on Ernest Street, a block from the bar. Witnesses told police that a black sport-utility vehicle hit a recycling bin, a pickup truck and a second vehicle and a fence before driving off, according to the police report.
Shortly after 7 p.m. police found a black Ford Explorer stopped on Riverside Avenue and then driving onto Forest Street. Its hood popped up, but the driver stopped and put it down. Officers followed the Explorer, which had a dented front end, until its hood popped up again.
The driver turned onto Magnolia Street, then hit a curb on Riverside Avenue. He got out and said, "Sarge, I'm sorry" to the sergeant who had followed him, ultimately refusing to take a field sobriety test before he was handcuffed and taken to jail just before 10 p.m., according to the arrest report.
Jackson was hired by the Sheriff's Office in April 1999 and has had 25 complaints filed against him, according to his summarized personnel report. Complaints of rudeness, unnecessary force and false arrest were made, most not sustained although he underwent informal counseling and received a supervisor's referral letter on some. In October 2010, he was suspended 20 days for unbecoming conduct and failing to be wholly candid, the records show.
But one final issue saw internal affairs recommend discipline that led to his firing.
On Jan. 20, Jackson disrupted a training academy class by arguing with an instructor over paperwork. Told to leave, he sent a classmate a text message threatening he was "gonna end it all," according to the internal affairs report. He also called the Sheriff's Office's communications center and told another officer he was going to "get his gun and blow his brains out."
Found by police, he was taken to Baptist Medical Center for involuntary examination. After being declared fit for duty on Jan. 28, he told internal affairs investigators that he had an anxiety attack and "snapped," according to the report.
The 23-page internal affairs report recommended charges of unbecoming conduct and failure to obey an order be filed against Jackson, and Undersheriff Dwain Senterfitt fired him July 22. Jackson could not be reached for comment.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Officer Miguel Gallegos Arrested for Drunk Driving
A member of the law enforcement community finds himself behind bars over the weekend for drunk driving.
Fifty five year old Miguel Angel Gallegos was arrested shortly after midnight on December 27th.
According to DPS reports, Gallegos was pulled over off Highway 83, outside Rio Bravo, for failing to use a turn signal.
He was arrested after failing a field sobriety test.
Sheriff Martin Cuellar says this sort of conduct is unbecoming for a member of the law enforcement community and will not be tolerated:
“That’s embarrassing, for someone like that to get arrested, one of our own. But again, we have to follow the procedures and protocol of the Civil Service Commission and we have to abide by what they say.”
Gallegos was charged with driving while intoxicated and has been placed on administrative duty.
Disciplinary action may be taken against Gallegos if convicted on the charge.
He has served as a corrections officer since 1988.
Fifty five year old Miguel Angel Gallegos was arrested shortly after midnight on December 27th.
According to DPS reports, Gallegos was pulled over off Highway 83, outside Rio Bravo, for failing to use a turn signal.
He was arrested after failing a field sobriety test.
Sheriff Martin Cuellar says this sort of conduct is unbecoming for a member of the law enforcement community and will not be tolerated:
“That’s embarrassing, for someone like that to get arrested, one of our own. But again, we have to follow the procedures and protocol of the Civil Service Commission and we have to abide by what they say.”
Gallegos was charged with driving while intoxicated and has been placed on administrative duty.
Disciplinary action may be taken against Gallegos if convicted on the charge.
He has served as a corrections officer since 1988.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Coast Guard Capt. Herbert Hamilton III Charged with 31 Violations
A military investigative hearing is under way for a senior Coast Guard commander facing numerous charges, including indecent acts and conduct unbecoming of an officer.
Capt. Herbert M. Hamilton III is charged with 31 violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He will have the right to question witnesses at the hearing that began Tuesday at Fort Richardson in Anchorage.
Among the alleged offenses filed in November, the 48-year-old Hamilton is accused of sexual improprieties that allegedly took place in Alaska and other states and involved multiple women, including enlisted Coast Guard personnel.
Several women are expected to testify at the hearing, which is expected to last three days.
First to testify was a petty officer who said Tuesday that her short-lived relationship with the married Hamilton began weeks after he took command of the Coast Guard's Anchorage sector in summer 2008.
The woman said that the first encounter occurred when the two attended a three-day oil spill response exercise on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. She said they shared two pitchers of beer and Hamilton began holding her hand. She said they each went to their rooms after Hamilton hugged her and said he didn't want to let her go.
Asked if she found the hug unusual, the woman said yes, then added, "I was surprised but also excited that this bright individual would be interested in me."
The woman said she sent Hamilton a text message, thanking him for the evening and reminding him about the next day's schedule. She said they continued exchanging text messages until early morning, when the woman went up to the commander's room, where she performed oral sex on him. The two then began a relationship.
When asked by a defense attorney, the petty officer denied trying to advance her career by having sex with a senior commander. Likewise, she denied feeling pressure to have sex with him because of his higher rank.
The woman ended an existing relationship to be with Hamilton, but her former boyfriend found e-mails between the two, prompting Hamilton and the woman to end their affair in early November 2008.
In an October e-mail leading to that decision, and read at the hearing, Hamilton told her he valued the relationship, "but neither of us can afford the ramifications of this getting out."
The Coast Guard has said the investigation continues, and has not ruled out charges being brought against others.
Military charging documents state that Hamilton, who also is known as Mark, used a government cell phone to send and receive sexual and amorous text messages, committed sodomy with some of the women, downloaded and stored sexually explicit material on his government-issued laptop, and photographed sexual acts.
Hamilton also is accused of fraud, adultery, indecent language and soliciting another to commit an offense. The alleged offenses cover a period between November 2004 and shortly before Hamilton was relieved of his duties in May.
At the time, the Coast Guard cited alleged misconduct and a loss of confidence in Hamilton's ability to command.
During the Coast Guard's preliminary investigation, Hamilton was temporarily assigned to the staff of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District, which covers Alaska.
Coast Guard Capt. Steven Andersen, the investigating officer presiding over the hearing, will look into the allegations and recommend how the case should proceed. Possibilities include trying those or other charges at a general court-martial or dropping the charges altogether.
The final determination, which could take months, will be made by Rear Admiral Christopher Colvin, district commander.
Hamilton took the Anchorage position in August 2008 and previously served as deputy commander for Coast Guard operations in the Los Angeles area.
Capt. Herbert M. Hamilton III is charged with 31 violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He will have the right to question witnesses at the hearing that began Tuesday at Fort Richardson in Anchorage.
Among the alleged offenses filed in November, the 48-year-old Hamilton is accused of sexual improprieties that allegedly took place in Alaska and other states and involved multiple women, including enlisted Coast Guard personnel.
Several women are expected to testify at the hearing, which is expected to last three days.
First to testify was a petty officer who said Tuesday that her short-lived relationship with the married Hamilton began weeks after he took command of the Coast Guard's Anchorage sector in summer 2008.
The woman said that the first encounter occurred when the two attended a three-day oil spill response exercise on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. She said they shared two pitchers of beer and Hamilton began holding her hand. She said they each went to their rooms after Hamilton hugged her and said he didn't want to let her go.
Asked if she found the hug unusual, the woman said yes, then added, "I was surprised but also excited that this bright individual would be interested in me."
The woman said she sent Hamilton a text message, thanking him for the evening and reminding him about the next day's schedule. She said they continued exchanging text messages until early morning, when the woman went up to the commander's room, where she performed oral sex on him. The two then began a relationship.
When asked by a defense attorney, the petty officer denied trying to advance her career by having sex with a senior commander. Likewise, she denied feeling pressure to have sex with him because of his higher rank.
The woman ended an existing relationship to be with Hamilton, but her former boyfriend found e-mails between the two, prompting Hamilton and the woman to end their affair in early November 2008.
In an October e-mail leading to that decision, and read at the hearing, Hamilton told her he valued the relationship, "but neither of us can afford the ramifications of this getting out."
The Coast Guard has said the investigation continues, and has not ruled out charges being brought against others.
Military charging documents state that Hamilton, who also is known as Mark, used a government cell phone to send and receive sexual and amorous text messages, committed sodomy with some of the women, downloaded and stored sexually explicit material on his government-issued laptop, and photographed sexual acts.
Hamilton also is accused of fraud, adultery, indecent language and soliciting another to commit an offense. The alleged offenses cover a period between November 2004 and shortly before Hamilton was relieved of his duties in May.
At the time, the Coast Guard cited alleged misconduct and a loss of confidence in Hamilton's ability to command.
During the Coast Guard's preliminary investigation, Hamilton was temporarily assigned to the staff of the Seventeenth Coast Guard District, which covers Alaska.
Coast Guard Capt. Steven Andersen, the investigating officer presiding over the hearing, will look into the allegations and recommend how the case should proceed. Possibilities include trying those or other charges at a general court-martial or dropping the charges altogether.
The final determination, which could take months, will be made by Rear Admiral Christopher Colvin, district commander.
Hamilton took the Anchorage position in August 2008 and previously served as deputy commander for Coast Guard operations in the Los Angeles area.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Toledo Officers Test Positive for Marijuana
The professional fate of four Toledo police officers who have been charged internally for misconduct related to drugs and alcohol will be decided at departmental hearings Monday, Chief Mike Navarre said Monday.
Officers Curtis Jewell and Karon Gallup, both uniformed patrol officers, face charges related to their failure of a random drug test, which indicated marijuana in their systems.
Officers Donald Mitchell and James W. Breier face criminal and departmental charges related to operating patrol vehicles while intoxicated.
The officers have been placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of the hearing, Chief Navarre said.
"I think the public will look very closely at what we do with these cases," the chief said, adding that members of the department should also pay close attention to the cases. He would not comment on possible outcomes, only stating termination is a possibility.
Officer Jewell, 52, a 26-year veteran, and Officer Gallup, 42, who has worked for the department for the past 14 years, were internally charged Friday with illegal use or abuse of marijuana, willful violation, and conduct unbecoming an officer.
The officers were among 48 who were selected randomly Nov. 19 to submit to drug screens.
The testing marks the first time that rank-and-file officers have been subjected to random drug screening. Before the practice was allowed in the latest union contract with the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association in July, patrol officers only could be tested when there was "reasonable suspicion," Chief Navarre said.
He added that random drug testing will continue.
"We'll do it again," he said. "I'm not going to say when or what frequency."
Dan Wagner, president of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, said the union agreed to the random drug testing as part of contract negotiations but questioned whether the department had the right to release the names of officers who failed the test. He said the officers signed medical release forms so results could be given to the department, but he believed the results were not public per laws protecting medical records.
"I believe the officers involved are poised to take action civilly against the city for releasing that information," he said, adding that the union may file a grievance.
Because the recent test was the first time the department randomly screened its officers for drugs, there is no precedent on disciplinary measures. Chief Navarre said that before the recent agreement, only command officers and officers assigned to the property room and vice narcotics could be randomly screened.
The chief added that he knew of no command officers who failed the test and of only one member of vice who failed nearly two decades ago.
That officer was terminated but was reinstated, after arbitration, without back pay and with certain conditions, he said. The officer, whom he declined to name, has since retired.
Officers Gallup and Jewell do not face criminal charges because the test was a condition of their employment and so it cannot be used in a criminal case, the chief said.
"We can't mandate someone give us evidence and then use it against them," he said.
Also facing internal charges are two officers who were arrested after it was determined they were drinking while on patrol duty.
Officer Mitchell, 45, is accused of showing up intoxicated for work Oct. 31. He was arrested after being called back from patrolling the streets after command was notified that something appeared to be wrong.
The month before, Officer Breier, 54, was arrested and accused of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol when he responded to a traffic crash and appeared to be intoxicated.
Both men face internal charges of use of intoxicants, willful violation, and conduct unbecoming a police officer. They also face misdemeanor criminal charges in Toledo Municipal Court, where both have pretrials on Thursday.
A third officer, Shawn Parra, 35, was off-duty and in his personal vehicle when he was involved in what reports allege was a drunken-driving crash in which he fled the scene. Officer Parra has been on vacation since the Thanksgiving-morning crash and likely will face departmental charges, the chief said.
Mr. Wagner said there is concern about the unusual number of incidents lately. He said the union is asking counselors with the Employee Assistance Program to speak to officers during training sessions.
"There may be some underlying factor. Is it because of the low manpower that our guys are experiencing stress and instead of going to a counselor, they are turning to other means?" he said.
---------------------------------
Even the cops are doing marijuana! Time to legalize the shit and let it help the country recover from these bad times.
Officers Curtis Jewell and Karon Gallup, both uniformed patrol officers, face charges related to their failure of a random drug test, which indicated marijuana in their systems.
Officers Donald Mitchell and James W. Breier face criminal and departmental charges related to operating patrol vehicles while intoxicated.
The officers have been placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of the hearing, Chief Navarre said.
"I think the public will look very closely at what we do with these cases," the chief said, adding that members of the department should also pay close attention to the cases. He would not comment on possible outcomes, only stating termination is a possibility.
Officer Jewell, 52, a 26-year veteran, and Officer Gallup, 42, who has worked for the department for the past 14 years, were internally charged Friday with illegal use or abuse of marijuana, willful violation, and conduct unbecoming an officer.
The officers were among 48 who were selected randomly Nov. 19 to submit to drug screens.
The testing marks the first time that rank-and-file officers have been subjected to random drug screening. Before the practice was allowed in the latest union contract with the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association in July, patrol officers only could be tested when there was "reasonable suspicion," Chief Navarre said.
He added that random drug testing will continue.
"We'll do it again," he said. "I'm not going to say when or what frequency."
Dan Wagner, president of the Toledo Police Patrolman's Association, said the union agreed to the random drug testing as part of contract negotiations but questioned whether the department had the right to release the names of officers who failed the test. He said the officers signed medical release forms so results could be given to the department, but he believed the results were not public per laws protecting medical records.
"I believe the officers involved are poised to take action civilly against the city for releasing that information," he said, adding that the union may file a grievance.
Because the recent test was the first time the department randomly screened its officers for drugs, there is no precedent on disciplinary measures. Chief Navarre said that before the recent agreement, only command officers and officers assigned to the property room and vice narcotics could be randomly screened.
The chief added that he knew of no command officers who failed the test and of only one member of vice who failed nearly two decades ago.
That officer was terminated but was reinstated, after arbitration, without back pay and with certain conditions, he said. The officer, whom he declined to name, has since retired.
Officers Gallup and Jewell do not face criminal charges because the test was a condition of their employment and so it cannot be used in a criminal case, the chief said.
"We can't mandate someone give us evidence and then use it against them," he said.
Also facing internal charges are two officers who were arrested after it was determined they were drinking while on patrol duty.
Officer Mitchell, 45, is accused of showing up intoxicated for work Oct. 31. He was arrested after being called back from patrolling the streets after command was notified that something appeared to be wrong.
The month before, Officer Breier, 54, was arrested and accused of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol when he responded to a traffic crash and appeared to be intoxicated.
Both men face internal charges of use of intoxicants, willful violation, and conduct unbecoming a police officer. They also face misdemeanor criminal charges in Toledo Municipal Court, where both have pretrials on Thursday.
A third officer, Shawn Parra, 35, was off-duty and in his personal vehicle when he was involved in what reports allege was a drunken-driving crash in which he fled the scene. Officer Parra has been on vacation since the Thanksgiving-morning crash and likely will face departmental charges, the chief said.
Mr. Wagner said there is concern about the unusual number of incidents lately. He said the union is asking counselors with the Employee Assistance Program to speak to officers during training sessions.
"There may be some underlying factor. Is it because of the low manpower that our guys are experiencing stress and instead of going to a counselor, they are turning to other means?" he said.
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Even the cops are doing marijuana! Time to legalize the shit and let it help the country recover from these bad times.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Lt Richard Bolduc Admitts to Conduct Unbecoming an Officer
A state police lieutenant has admitted he acted in a manner unbecoming a police officer when he left his department-issued gun unlocked in a bureau inside his Sandwich home 18 months ago, a state police spokesman said.
Lt. Richard Bolduc, 52, of Sandwich accepted responsibility for the lapse just as his case was set to go before a state police trial board Tuesday, state police spokesman David Procopio said yesterday. The trial board is a military-style court used by the state police to hear internal cases.
In June 2008, the veteran trooper's son, who was 12 at the time, grabbed Bolduc's Sig Sauer P226 .40-caliber handgun from an unlocked bureau, took it to a neighbor's house, pointed it at a 5-year-old girl and pulled the trigger. The gun was not loaded, according to Sandwich police, but during their investigation, police found a loaded clip in the same unlocked drawer.
Procopio refused to say what punishment Bolduc was given.
But a law enforcement source said Bolduc, who earns a base salary of $90,564.76, was allowed to give up 20 vacation days for violating two department regulations — the policy requiring guns to be safely stored and conduct unbecoming a police officer. By avoiding a suspension, Bolduc doesn't lose any seniority, said the source, who is familiar with state police discipline.
Procopio said Bolduc gets 25 vacation days annually.
The veteran trooper could have faced anything from a letter in his file to being terminated for his actions, Procopio said. Procopio said state police policy prohibits him from disclosing the punishment, but acknowledged forfeiting time off is one of the punishments allowed by the state police. "I can't confirm or comment on the discipline of any department member," he said.
Procopio also refused comment on whether Bolduc expressed any remorse for the incident, which terrorized the young girl and her sisters.
Reached yesterday, Bolduc refused comment. "Never call my phone again," he said.
Bolduc is assigned to the state police barracks in Holden.
Brian Cunha, who represents the girl's family in a civil suit against Bolduc, declined to comment on the trooper's punishment, but said the girl has been undergoing psychological treatment since the incident.
"Having a gun pointed at your head and having the trigger pulled has to be one of the most traumatic things in your life," Cunha said. "She's traumatized, no doubt about it."
Sandwich police charged Bolduc with improper storage of a firearm, which is a felony, but that case was dismissed by a judge citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that called the constitutionality of gun storage laws into question. He could have faced up to 10 years in prison if he had been convicted of that charge.
Last month, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard testimony in a gun storage case similar to the Bolduc case but has not yet issued a decision. District attorneys across the state, including Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, signed on in support of the Middlesex County appeal and are awaiting the ruling from the state's highest court.
Bolduc's son was charged in juvenile court, but those cases are not open to the media.
Procopio said Tuesday's admission by Bolduc ends the internal investigation. The Times requested a copy of that investigation in September but was told it was still considered an active investigation until a resolution was reached. The newspaper again requested a copy of the state police report yesterday but has not yet received it.
Lt. Richard Bolduc, 52, of Sandwich accepted responsibility for the lapse just as his case was set to go before a state police trial board Tuesday, state police spokesman David Procopio said yesterday. The trial board is a military-style court used by the state police to hear internal cases.
In June 2008, the veteran trooper's son, who was 12 at the time, grabbed Bolduc's Sig Sauer P226 .40-caliber handgun from an unlocked bureau, took it to a neighbor's house, pointed it at a 5-year-old girl and pulled the trigger. The gun was not loaded, according to Sandwich police, but during their investigation, police found a loaded clip in the same unlocked drawer.
Procopio refused to say what punishment Bolduc was given.
But a law enforcement source said Bolduc, who earns a base salary of $90,564.76, was allowed to give up 20 vacation days for violating two department regulations — the policy requiring guns to be safely stored and conduct unbecoming a police officer. By avoiding a suspension, Bolduc doesn't lose any seniority, said the source, who is familiar with state police discipline.
Procopio said Bolduc gets 25 vacation days annually.
The veteran trooper could have faced anything from a letter in his file to being terminated for his actions, Procopio said. Procopio said state police policy prohibits him from disclosing the punishment, but acknowledged forfeiting time off is one of the punishments allowed by the state police. "I can't confirm or comment on the discipline of any department member," he said.
Procopio also refused comment on whether Bolduc expressed any remorse for the incident, which terrorized the young girl and her sisters.
Reached yesterday, Bolduc refused comment. "Never call my phone again," he said.
Bolduc is assigned to the state police barracks in Holden.
Brian Cunha, who represents the girl's family in a civil suit against Bolduc, declined to comment on the trooper's punishment, but said the girl has been undergoing psychological treatment since the incident.
"Having a gun pointed at your head and having the trigger pulled has to be one of the most traumatic things in your life," Cunha said. "She's traumatized, no doubt about it."
Sandwich police charged Bolduc with improper storage of a firearm, which is a felony, but that case was dismissed by a judge citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that called the constitutionality of gun storage laws into question. He could have faced up to 10 years in prison if he had been convicted of that charge.
Last month, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court heard testimony in a gun storage case similar to the Bolduc case but has not yet issued a decision. District attorneys across the state, including Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, signed on in support of the Middlesex County appeal and are awaiting the ruling from the state's highest court.
Bolduc's son was charged in juvenile court, but those cases are not open to the media.
Procopio said Tuesday's admission by Bolduc ends the internal investigation. The Times requested a copy of that investigation in September but was told it was still considered an active investigation until a resolution was reached. The newspaper again requested a copy of the state police report yesterday but has not yet received it.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Officer Mike Bogdonas Charged with Conduct Unbecoming an Officer
Town of Beloit Police Chief John Wilson has filed charges against one of his officers and requests the officer be suspended for up to 90 days.
A recently appointed disciplinary committee will hold a hearing and could act on the matter Tuesday.
Wilson on Sept. 22 filed a document listing five charges against officer Mike Bogdonas. The charges were a result of a complaint filed by a resident after Bogdonas responded to a July 12 domestic incident.
The charges accuse Bogdonas of behaving in a manner unbecoming an officer, being disloyal to the police department and lying, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by the Gazette.
According to the complaint:
-- During the July 12 incident, Bogdonas told a family member involved in the July 12 incident that if Bogdonas wasn’t “a cop, I’d probably go over and punch” his own mother-in-law in the head.
-- Bogdonas talked extensively about his personal life during the response.
-- Bogdonas told an accused batterer he would have done the same thing.
-- During the incident, Bogdonas talked about internal matters at the police department. He mentioned recent disputes and investigations in the department and spoke negatively about Wilson and Town Administrator Bob Museus.
-- During an internal investigation of the matter, Bogdonas denied the accusations against him. He made false and misrepresentative statements.
His actions at the July 12 incident and his responses during the investigation violate the police department’s code of conduct, according to the charging document.
The disciplinary hearing will look a lot like a court hearing, town attorney Bill Henderson said. The three committee members will hear testimony from both sides, he said.
Then the committee will go into closed session to make a decision, Henderson said. The committee’s decision is final and will not need to go to the town board for approval, he said.
The committee could take up to three days to make a decision, Henderson said.
The committee members are Robert Harris, Karl Salzberg and Dee Nyre.
Because the town does not have a police committee, state statutes allow it to appoint a disciplinary committee or hearing officer when necessary, Henderson said.
Recently, Bogdonas was one of three department members investigated by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
A resident had accused Bogdonas of calling him in January and sharing information about a criminal investigation.
In May, Rock County District Attorney David O’Leary closed the case against Bogdonas and declined to file charges.
A second investigation turned up the fact that Wilson had told a waitress about the sheriff’s investigation. She told Sgt. Willie Abegglen, who told Bogdonas.
Abegglen was suspended for three days without pay. Wilson received a letter of reprimand.
A recently appointed disciplinary committee will hold a hearing and could act on the matter Tuesday.
Wilson on Sept. 22 filed a document listing five charges against officer Mike Bogdonas. The charges were a result of a complaint filed by a resident after Bogdonas responded to a July 12 domestic incident.
The charges accuse Bogdonas of behaving in a manner unbecoming an officer, being disloyal to the police department and lying, according to a copy of the complaint obtained by the Gazette.
According to the complaint:
-- During the July 12 incident, Bogdonas told a family member involved in the July 12 incident that if Bogdonas wasn’t “a cop, I’d probably go over and punch” his own mother-in-law in the head.
-- Bogdonas talked extensively about his personal life during the response.
-- Bogdonas told an accused batterer he would have done the same thing.
-- During the incident, Bogdonas talked about internal matters at the police department. He mentioned recent disputes and investigations in the department and spoke negatively about Wilson and Town Administrator Bob Museus.
-- During an internal investigation of the matter, Bogdonas denied the accusations against him. He made false and misrepresentative statements.
His actions at the July 12 incident and his responses during the investigation violate the police department’s code of conduct, according to the charging document.
The disciplinary hearing will look a lot like a court hearing, town attorney Bill Henderson said. The three committee members will hear testimony from both sides, he said.
Then the committee will go into closed session to make a decision, Henderson said. The committee’s decision is final and will not need to go to the town board for approval, he said.
The committee could take up to three days to make a decision, Henderson said.
The committee members are Robert Harris, Karl Salzberg and Dee Nyre.
Because the town does not have a police committee, state statutes allow it to appoint a disciplinary committee or hearing officer when necessary, Henderson said.
Recently, Bogdonas was one of three department members investigated by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.
A resident had accused Bogdonas of calling him in January and sharing information about a criminal investigation.
In May, Rock County District Attorney David O’Leary closed the case against Bogdonas and declined to file charges.
A second investigation turned up the fact that Wilson had told a waitress about the sheriff’s investigation. She told Sgt. Willie Abegglen, who told Bogdonas.
Abegglen was suspended for three days without pay. Wilson received a letter of reprimand.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Officer Billy Hurst Accused of Wathcing Porn on City Computers
The fate of a Clinton police officer accused of viewing more than 23 hours of pornography during work hours could be known soon.
The Clinton Police and Fire Commission is set to meet today at City Hall, and included in the meeting's agenda is discussion of the employment case of 40-year old Billy Hurst. The 15-year veteran is accused of watching pornography on city-owned computers between November 2008 and January 2009.
Earlier this summer, the Commission heard a day and a half of testimony in the Hurst case.
He's accused of violating nine department rules including acting in a manner disrespectful of the law, violation of public trust and conduct unbecoming an officer.
Hurst has remained on the department staff since the charges were brought against him, however he was removed from his position as juvenile officer and reassigned to an overnight patrolman shift.
Hurst has not been criminally charged, however Police Chief Mike Reidy has asked for his dismissal from the force.
---------------------------------
http://www.examiner.com/x-7520-Chicago-Crime-Examiner~y2009m10d13-Cop-fired-for-watching-hard-core-porn-videos-in-squad-car
The Clinton Police and Fire Commission is set to meet today at City Hall, and included in the meeting's agenda is discussion of the employment case of 40-year old Billy Hurst. The 15-year veteran is accused of watching pornography on city-owned computers between November 2008 and January 2009.
Earlier this summer, the Commission heard a day and a half of testimony in the Hurst case.
He's accused of violating nine department rules including acting in a manner disrespectful of the law, violation of public trust and conduct unbecoming an officer.
Hurst has remained on the department staff since the charges were brought against him, however he was removed from his position as juvenile officer and reassigned to an overnight patrolman shift.
Hurst has not been criminally charged, however Police Chief Mike Reidy has asked for his dismissal from the force.
---------------------------------
http://www.examiner.com/x-7520-Chicago-Crime-Examiner~y2009m10d13-Cop-fired-for-watching-hard-core-porn-videos-in-squad-car
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Officer Melbourne Hunnicutt Arrested for Viewing Porn While on Duty
Huntington police officer Melbourne Hunnicutt is on a suspended leave without pay while the city's Board of Public Works and Safety reviews charges brought against him.
"My recommendation is the termination of Officer Hunnicutt from the police department," Chief Tom Emely said.
In June, Emely presented the board of works with a "Notice of Chief's Charges." In the document, he said Hunnicutt repeatedly used department computers while on duty "for the purpose of accessing Web sites, pornographic in nature, which were not job-related and not authorized by Department of City of Huntington policy."
"The city and police department has a policy that does not allow access to that type of information unless it's conducted in an investigation in normal performance of duties," Emely said.
Hunnicutt allegedly searched for porn from May 24 through June 14.
"Where the computer was, one of our other officers happened to notice some things on the computer that were inappropriate and we conduced an investigation from that point on," Emely said.
In the chief's charges, Hunnicutt was accused of neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of an officer. The board suspended Hunnicutt on June 23rd and set a decision date of July 20. Hunnicutt had until June 30 to request a hearing, which his lawyer did, according to Huntington City Attorney John Branham.
Branham told NewsChannel 15 Hunnicutt requested a full hearing before the board of works. In that hearing, Hunnicutt can challenge the allegations against him and/or the termination recommendation. Chief Emely will also present his side.
A date for the hearing hasn't been set yet, but Branham doesn't expect it to happen before August 15.
Hunnicutt had been with the department for about 18 years and was most recently a detective. The recent allegations, Emely said, have shaken the department.
"It's mixed emotions and disbelief that someone would do that. Some disappointment also," Emely said.
Hunnicutt and his lawyer couldn't be reached for comment on Wednesday.
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http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/50316687.html
"My recommendation is the termination of Officer Hunnicutt from the police department," Chief Tom Emely said.
In June, Emely presented the board of works with a "Notice of Chief's Charges." In the document, he said Hunnicutt repeatedly used department computers while on duty "for the purpose of accessing Web sites, pornographic in nature, which were not job-related and not authorized by Department of City of Huntington policy."
"The city and police department has a policy that does not allow access to that type of information unless it's conducted in an investigation in normal performance of duties," Emely said.
Hunnicutt allegedly searched for porn from May 24 through June 14.
"Where the computer was, one of our other officers happened to notice some things on the computer that were inappropriate and we conduced an investigation from that point on," Emely said.
In the chief's charges, Hunnicutt was accused of neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of an officer. The board suspended Hunnicutt on June 23rd and set a decision date of July 20. Hunnicutt had until June 30 to request a hearing, which his lawyer did, according to Huntington City Attorney John Branham.
Branham told NewsChannel 15 Hunnicutt requested a full hearing before the board of works. In that hearing, Hunnicutt can challenge the allegations against him and/or the termination recommendation. Chief Emely will also present his side.
A date for the hearing hasn't been set yet, but Branham doesn't expect it to happen before August 15.
Hunnicutt had been with the department for about 18 years and was most recently a detective. The recent allegations, Emely said, have shaken the department.
"It's mixed emotions and disbelief that someone would do that. Some disappointment also," Emely said.
Hunnicutt and his lawyer couldn't be reached for comment on Wednesday.
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http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/50316687.html
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Officer Janine England Caught on Camera Kissing Chief Timothy Escola
A Perry Township police officer caught on camera kissing her chief is out of a job.
Dash camera video showed Officer Janine England and Police Chief Timothy Escola cuddling and kissing while transporting a prisoner.
Escola retired last week. England tried to resign, but township trustees declined her resignation and instead fired her for an affair unbecoming of an officer.
Both England and Escola are married.
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http://www.newsnet5.com/news/19985623/detail.html
Dash camera video showed Officer Janine England and Police Chief Timothy Escola cuddling and kissing while transporting a prisoner.
Escola retired last week. England tried to resign, but township trustees declined her resignation and instead fired her for an affair unbecoming of an officer.
Both England and Escola are married.
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http://www.newsnet5.com/news/19985623/detail.html
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tulsa PD Suspends 3 Officers in Drinking Probe
Drinking during a barbecue at the Tulsa Police Department's training center last year led to the totaling of a police car and the suspensions of three officers, Police Chief Ron Palmer told the Tulsa World.
Nearly 20 Tulsa police officers, including one who crashed the patrol car, drank alcohol during the cookout, an investigation has revealed.
The Oct. 16 cookout ended a week of training for the agency's Special Operations Team, Palmer said.
Officer Danny Bean told investigators that he drank two beers before heading home in his department- issued squad car, Palmer said. He reportedly knocked over a power pole and crashed into a security gate as he left the facility at 6066 E. 66th St. North.
Bean was suspended for 80 hours without pay and will not be allowed to take his new patrol car home for 120 days, Palmer said.
Neither Bean nor his lawyer, Scott Wood, returned telephone calls seeking comment.
Palmer said the suspensions were handed down this month and emphasize the increased level of responsibility that officers must meet.
"It should be a higher standard; there's no doubt in my mind," he said. "Anybody, lay person or police person, can see that it's conduct unbecoming" an officer.
The department's Internal Affairs Unit found that Bean was not given a field sobriety test and that his blood-alcohol level was never measured. Palmer said it also wasn't clear who brought the beer or how many officers were drinking at the event.
Several supervisors talked with Bean after the crash and said he didn't show any signs of intoxication, Palmer said.
Bean, who works in the department's Gilcrease Division, was a newer member of the Special Operations Team and stayed late to help clean up after the barbecue. He was driving nearly 55 mph when he rounded a curved stretch of road as he was leaving, police records show.
His 2007 Dodge Charger police car crashed into a power pole shortly after 10:30 p.m. and then hit a gate, according to an accident report. The cruiser, valued at $19,774, was destroyed.
Sgt. Luke Sherman, who was in charge of the barbecue, was suspended for five days without pay for failure to supervise and for conduct unbecoming an officer.
Capt. John Brooks was suspended for two days without pay and was removed as the Special Operations Team's interim commander for the same offenses, Palmer said.
The police union appealed the decision shortly after the officers were suspended, said Ron Bartmier, chairman of the union's board.
Bartmier would not discuss the appeal because it is an ongoing personnel issue.
Palmer said the department's lack of a specific alcohol policy likely is behind the appeal.
Beer isn't specifically banned at the training center, but Palmer said the department follows the city of Tulsa's broader rules about drinking, which prohibit city employees from drinking at work or coming to work drunk.
"It's my desire to make those policies stricter so there's no misunderstanding," he said.
Nearly 20 Tulsa police officers, including one who crashed the patrol car, drank alcohol during the cookout, an investigation has revealed.
The Oct. 16 cookout ended a week of training for the agency's Special Operations Team, Palmer said.
Officer Danny Bean told investigators that he drank two beers before heading home in his department- issued squad car, Palmer said. He reportedly knocked over a power pole and crashed into a security gate as he left the facility at 6066 E. 66th St. North.
Bean was suspended for 80 hours without pay and will not be allowed to take his new patrol car home for 120 days, Palmer said.
Neither Bean nor his lawyer, Scott Wood, returned telephone calls seeking comment.
Palmer said the suspensions were handed down this month and emphasize the increased level of responsibility that officers must meet.
"It should be a higher standard; there's no doubt in my mind," he said. "Anybody, lay person or police person, can see that it's conduct unbecoming" an officer.
The department's Internal Affairs Unit found that Bean was not given a field sobriety test and that his blood-alcohol level was never measured. Palmer said it also wasn't clear who brought the beer or how many officers were drinking at the event.
Several supervisors talked with Bean after the crash and said he didn't show any signs of intoxication, Palmer said.
Bean, who works in the department's Gilcrease Division, was a newer member of the Special Operations Team and stayed late to help clean up after the barbecue. He was driving nearly 55 mph when he rounded a curved stretch of road as he was leaving, police records show.
His 2007 Dodge Charger police car crashed into a power pole shortly after 10:30 p.m. and then hit a gate, according to an accident report. The cruiser, valued at $19,774, was destroyed.
Sgt. Luke Sherman, who was in charge of the barbecue, was suspended for five days without pay for failure to supervise and for conduct unbecoming an officer.
Capt. John Brooks was suspended for two days without pay and was removed as the Special Operations Team's interim commander for the same offenses, Palmer said.
The police union appealed the decision shortly after the officers were suspended, said Ron Bartmier, chairman of the union's board.
Bartmier would not discuss the appeal because it is an ongoing personnel issue.
Palmer said the department's lack of a specific alcohol policy likely is behind the appeal.
Beer isn't specifically banned at the training center, but Palmer said the department follows the city of Tulsa's broader rules about drinking, which prohibit city employees from drinking at work or coming to work drunk.
"It's my desire to make those policies stricter so there's no misunderstanding," he said.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Officer Kevin Sowell in Trouble for Exchanging Threatening E-Mails with Teen
Officials with the DeKalb Police Department said a 15-year veteran of their department and an 18-year-old girl were exchanging e-mails that threatened her family.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Amanda Rosseter spent the day digging through the officer’s personnel file and she found two offenses of conduct unbecoming – both within the past four months, and both over contact and e-mails with teenage girls.
DeKalb County police confirmed Kevin Sowell resigned two weeks ago after the department said it would fire him for two offenses – including a string of e-mails that threatened a young girl’s family.
The first offense allegedly took place in January. Sowell was suspended after he “developed a friendly relationship with a 16-year-old child,” according to officials. According to his file, after the girl’s parents requested that he discontinue contact, he continued with the child in person, by e-mail, and by a cell phone he purchased for her.
Just two months later, the second offense allegedly occurred. The internal affairs memo said, “The content of the messages was threatening in nature and spoke of violent acts towards the female’s parents” and said he “admitted to sending the correspondence.”
And another report noted, “They were both planning to harm her parents and sister-in-law. Instead of discouraging her, he responded in a manner that encouraged further thoughts on the act to harm.”
Channel 2 Action News went to Sowell’s DeKalb County home and knocked on the door to ask him about it, but no one answered the door.
Channel 2 Action News did ask DeKalb officials why Sowell was allowed to resign, even after Acting Police Chief William O’Brien "concurred with the termination," calling it "a very serious issue that cannot be taken lightly."
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Video: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/19274177/detail.html
Channel 2 Action News reporter Amanda Rosseter spent the day digging through the officer’s personnel file and she found two offenses of conduct unbecoming – both within the past four months, and both over contact and e-mails with teenage girls.
DeKalb County police confirmed Kevin Sowell resigned two weeks ago after the department said it would fire him for two offenses – including a string of e-mails that threatened a young girl’s family.
The first offense allegedly took place in January. Sowell was suspended after he “developed a friendly relationship with a 16-year-old child,” according to officials. According to his file, after the girl’s parents requested that he discontinue contact, he continued with the child in person, by e-mail, and by a cell phone he purchased for her.
Just two months later, the second offense allegedly occurred. The internal affairs memo said, “The content of the messages was threatening in nature and spoke of violent acts towards the female’s parents” and said he “admitted to sending the correspondence.”
And another report noted, “They were both planning to harm her parents and sister-in-law. Instead of discouraging her, he responded in a manner that encouraged further thoughts on the act to harm.”
Channel 2 Action News went to Sowell’s DeKalb County home and knocked on the door to ask him about it, but no one answered the door.
Channel 2 Action News did ask DeKalb officials why Sowell was allowed to resign, even after Acting Police Chief William O’Brien "concurred with the termination," calling it "a very serious issue that cannot be taken lightly."
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Video: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/19274177/detail.html
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Officer Dana Brown Disciplined for Ignoring Underaged Drinking
OCALA
An Ocala police officer was disciplined for reportedly ignoring underage drinking at a party three months ago.
Following an internal Police Department investigation, Officer Dana Brown, 34, was charged with conduct unbecoming and dereliction of duty. He received a 60-hour suspension and was placed on a year's employee probation.
Police said they could not prove a separate allegation that Brown had sex with a 19-year-old woman at the party.
The officer declined an interview request Tuesday.
The investigation found that Brown, who was on duty Jan. 24, went to the home of a family friend, where there was a party. Brown frequently stopped at the home to check up on the residents although, at the time, he was assigned to patrol the northwest portion of the city.
When questioned about the incident, Brown initially told investigators he was working a traffic detail on State Road 200. He reportedly admitted going to the house, however, after investigators reviewed his log activity and saw he was not working a traffic detail.
He said that he had just arrived when he got a call, returned to his patrol vehicle and left. Witnesses said Brown did arrive at the residence and was there for about 20 seconds before receiving a call and leaving.
The young woman who told officials she had sex with Brown later that day said that when Brown arrived he saw people with drinks in their hands and talked with people who had alcohol. The woman said Brown was there for five to 10 minutes before receiving his call and leaving.
Brown said he didn't see anyone drinking or in possession of alcohol.
The call was canceled and Brown returned to the residence. The young woman, who said she had been drinking, said they talked for a while, then she met him upstairs and they had sex.
In his interview, Brown told investigators that he was alone upstairs and did not have sex with the woman.
Brown and the woman both took polygraph tests, according to the report. Sgt. Chas Maier, who administered Brown's test, said that in his opinion Brown "was not being truthful."
Maier said the 19-year-old woman "showed signs of being truthful" but that the test was inconclusive because her score was not high enough "to absolutely say she was being truthful."
Deputy Chief Rodney Smith said the department could not prove Brown and the woman had sex, so he was not disciplined for it. The suspension and probation were levied because the officer did not address the underage drinking at the residence.
"We hope he learns his lesson," Smith said.
According to Brown's personnel record, he has been on the job close to three years, has a few letters of praise and some minor disciplinary action. He was credited with saving the life of a woman who overdosed a year ago.
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http://www.cfnews13.com/News/CountyByCounty/CountyStories/2009/4/16/officer_suspended_accused_of_ignoring_underage_drinking.html
An Ocala police officer was disciplined for reportedly ignoring underage drinking at a party three months ago.
Following an internal Police Department investigation, Officer Dana Brown, 34, was charged with conduct unbecoming and dereliction of duty. He received a 60-hour suspension and was placed on a year's employee probation.
Police said they could not prove a separate allegation that Brown had sex with a 19-year-old woman at the party.
The officer declined an interview request Tuesday.
The investigation found that Brown, who was on duty Jan. 24, went to the home of a family friend, where there was a party. Brown frequently stopped at the home to check up on the residents although, at the time, he was assigned to patrol the northwest portion of the city.
When questioned about the incident, Brown initially told investigators he was working a traffic detail on State Road 200. He reportedly admitted going to the house, however, after investigators reviewed his log activity and saw he was not working a traffic detail.
He said that he had just arrived when he got a call, returned to his patrol vehicle and left. Witnesses said Brown did arrive at the residence and was there for about 20 seconds before receiving a call and leaving.
The young woman who told officials she had sex with Brown later that day said that when Brown arrived he saw people with drinks in their hands and talked with people who had alcohol. The woman said Brown was there for five to 10 minutes before receiving his call and leaving.
Brown said he didn't see anyone drinking or in possession of alcohol.
The call was canceled and Brown returned to the residence. The young woman, who said she had been drinking, said they talked for a while, then she met him upstairs and they had sex.
In his interview, Brown told investigators that he was alone upstairs and did not have sex with the woman.
Brown and the woman both took polygraph tests, according to the report. Sgt. Chas Maier, who administered Brown's test, said that in his opinion Brown "was not being truthful."
Maier said the 19-year-old woman "showed signs of being truthful" but that the test was inconclusive because her score was not high enough "to absolutely say she was being truthful."
Deputy Chief Rodney Smith said the department could not prove Brown and the woman had sex, so he was not disciplined for it. The suspension and probation were levied because the officer did not address the underage drinking at the residence.
"We hope he learns his lesson," Smith said.
According to Brown's personnel record, he has been on the job close to three years, has a few letters of praise and some minor disciplinary action. He was credited with saving the life of a woman who overdosed a year ago.
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http://www.cfnews13.com/News/CountyByCounty/CountyStories/2009/4/16/officer_suspended_accused_of_ignoring_underage_drinking.html
May Hearing Set for Corporal Jason King
A South Bend Police Corporal is accused of "conduct unbecoming of an officer."
29-year-old Corporal Jason King will face the Board of Public Safety next month. In a quick meeting Wednesday morning a formal hearing for King was set.
Recently, the Police Chief recommended discipline for King after he tried to cover up beating a man when he fled police in a car. The South Bend Police Corporal is accused of using excessive force and falsifying a police report after a high speed chase.
“The captain reviewed the tape and both he and internal affairs handled investigation simultaneously,” says Captain Phil Trent, spokesperson for South Bend Police.
It was random dash cam check that prompted a disciplinary letter from the chief to the Board of Public Safety.
“This was the shift captain routinely reviewing pursuit videos and use of force video from the in car cameras and he saw what he believed that it was a violation of our duty manual, he passed it up the chain to the chief,” explains Trent.
Back in February a police pursuit started on the southwest side of South Bend's side lasting a mile and half. Police say it ended when the suspect crashed his car. Dash cam video allegedly showed King beating the suspect with his fist while the suspect did not resist arrest.
In the chief's letter to the board he states "the DVD shows no sign of aggression by the suspect" and "he was struck several times in the upper back and head area.”
During King's four years at the department he's been no stranger to the spotlight.
In 2006 he shot and killed a man while being attacked. King was eventually cleared in the shooting. And a year later he was in a car accident, hitting another officer, on his way to a call. He was not disciplined.
Now King will face the board next month in the incident caught on tape.
“We're waiting to see what his opinions are and what he has to say to defend himself,” says Trent.
Currently King is working at the department under light duty for medical reasons.
The chief has recommended he be demoted from corporal to patrolman for a year and suspended for 30 days without pay.
His hearing is scheduled for May 11th. The dash cam DVD of the incident could be released as evidence at the hearing.
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Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/04/cpl-jason-king-accused-of-hitting-man.html
29-year-old Corporal Jason King will face the Board of Public Safety next month. In a quick meeting Wednesday morning a formal hearing for King was set.
Recently, the Police Chief recommended discipline for King after he tried to cover up beating a man when he fled police in a car. The South Bend Police Corporal is accused of using excessive force and falsifying a police report after a high speed chase.
“The captain reviewed the tape and both he and internal affairs handled investigation simultaneously,” says Captain Phil Trent, spokesperson for South Bend Police.
It was random dash cam check that prompted a disciplinary letter from the chief to the Board of Public Safety.
“This was the shift captain routinely reviewing pursuit videos and use of force video from the in car cameras and he saw what he believed that it was a violation of our duty manual, he passed it up the chain to the chief,” explains Trent.
Back in February a police pursuit started on the southwest side of South Bend's side lasting a mile and half. Police say it ended when the suspect crashed his car. Dash cam video allegedly showed King beating the suspect with his fist while the suspect did not resist arrest.
In the chief's letter to the board he states "the DVD shows no sign of aggression by the suspect" and "he was struck several times in the upper back and head area.”
During King's four years at the department he's been no stranger to the spotlight.
In 2006 he shot and killed a man while being attacked. King was eventually cleared in the shooting. And a year later he was in a car accident, hitting another officer, on his way to a call. He was not disciplined.
Now King will face the board next month in the incident caught on tape.
“We're waiting to see what his opinions are and what he has to say to defend himself,” says Trent.
Currently King is working at the department under light duty for medical reasons.
The chief has recommended he be demoted from corporal to patrolman for a year and suspended for 30 days without pay.
His hearing is scheduled for May 11th. The dash cam DVD of the incident could be released as evidence at the hearing.
____________________
Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/04/cpl-jason-king-accused-of-hitting-man.html
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