Cpl Anthony Williams Fired Again for Sex Charges

In 1992, a woman told police that the man fondled her while her 6-year-old child watched. In 1995, a high school student told police she'd been sleeping with him since she was 16.

In 1996, investigators concluded he'd had sex with a woman while on duty. He was fired from his job – as a Dallas police officer – but Senior Cpl. Anthony Williams was reinstated after appealing the decision.

He went on to be accused and investigated again and again for allegedly making improper advances, some while on duty. Each time, Williams denied any inappropriate behavior. Each time, he was cleared or faced minor discipline.

The latest complaint about a sexual advance led to his firing last month for, among other things, failing to respond to an emergency call. The Williams case may test whether numerous complaints in the career of an officer can merit the loss of his job when the findings of misconduct in an individual case might not typically lead to firing.

Law enforcement experts see Williams' 20-year career as a prime example of a problem police departments have faced for years: How does a city rid itself of an officer whose record is riddled with serious misconduct allegations if you can't prove he's guilty or if he keeps getting his job back?
Anthony Williams

The experts cite lack of evidence, questionable witnesses and sloppy investigations as key hurdles to keeping problematic officers off the streets. An appeals system that in the past has overturned many firings exacerbated the difficulties. David Kunkle has seen 12 of his 62 firings reversed since he became Dallas police chief nearly five years ago.

Keeping an officer on the job after he's been repeatedly investigated has its own risks.

"You are opening yourself up to huge lawsuits and one of the charges will be negligent retention, which means that you knew you shouldn't keep this person as a police officer but you did it anyway," said Penny Harrington, an expert on police employee misconduct and former chief of the Portland Police Department in Oregon.

Williams declined repeated interview requests. Phil Burleson Jr., Williams' attorney, said he is innocent of the allegation that led to his firing last month.

"It's just an irate girlfriend; I don't understand the big deal on this one," said Burleson. "We believe that the termination was not justified."

Of the other complaints during Williams' career, Burleson said, "He says they've all been fully investigated and found that he didn't commit those allegations."

Lessons in Army

Before he was hired by the Dallas Police Department in 1989, background investigators learned that Williams, a Cincinnati native, had resigned as a first lieutenant in the Army rather than face a court-martial or other discipline for having sex with a married soldier.

He wrote to his military commanders that he'd thought the woman was divorced and had learned an unforgettable lesson.

In August 1992, Bridget Bell complained that he made sexual advances to her after he went to her home on a harassment call. Bell told investigators that Williams fondled her as her 6-year-old son watched.

She said he flattered her and asked her whether she was married or seeing anyone. She said they began a brief sexual relationship.

Williams denied doing anything inappropriate while on duty. Bell eventually stopped cooperating with investigators, and the investigation ended with a finding of "unfounded." She could not be reached for comment.

It was a pattern that would be repeated. Some women failed to follow through on their complaints, or their word was considered questionable by investigators.

Predators often choose women who aren't viewed as credible, said Kimberly Lonsway, a psychologist and expert on police sexual misconduct.

"If you're going to engage in sexual misconduct, are you going to do it against a nun or are you doing to do it to someone who people don't see as credible?" Lonsway said. "It's a way that these guys can keep on doing this."

On July 30, 1994, Williams went to the home of 16-year-old Tarria "Cookey" Newsome, who called 911 to report an attempted molestation. Tarria later told investigators that shortly after Williams left her home, he called her to ask when they could "hook up."

She said that several days later he took her to his house, where they began having sex. Tarria told investigators the relationship lasted a few months.

She also said she had a special way of contacting him: After her grandmother dropped her off at school, she would page him with a "3" – their signal that all was clear for him to pick her up in his squad car and take her to his home.

"I did this because my grandmother would not approve of Tony," Tarria wrote to investigators.

Tarria's grandmother, Laverne Carter, complained to police commanders about the relationship.

"We told him that he didn't need to be going with her," she said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News.

Carter is adamant that Williams started having sex with Tarria when she was underage. Carter said she did not see them having sex, but she said Tarria told her about the relationship.

But Williams told investigators that he didn't have sex with Tarria until after she turned 17 and denied ever having sex while on duty.

Public integrity investigators wrote that they believed that the relationship began when she was 16, and they sought to charge him with criminal sexual assault. But a grand jury declined to indict him and a police internal investigation ended with a finding of "inconclusive."

The standards for criminal law – in which a person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt – are different from civil procedures that are the final threshold for disciplining an officer.

In administrative investigations, there is generally a lower "preponderance of evidence" standard.

But in this investigation, internal affairs detectives concluded that there was not enough evidence to prove that Williams had sex with Tarria while on duty or before she turned 17.

Even though her grandmother insists Tarria was a minor. "He set up in my house, and I told him she was 16 years old," she recalled.

Kunkle said that when he became chief in 2004, he found a severely backlogged internal affairs unit, with investigations lingering for as long as two years. Investigators often focused on peripheral issues rather than on serious misconduct allegations.

Today, improvements include typically more thorough investigations that are completed in a more timely fashion. But over the years, there has been a tacit admission that some investigations may have been sloppy.

"You've got to have evidence to make the discipline stick," said Sam Walker, a national police accountability expert. "You've got to have good investigations to develop the evidence that will make the case."

Tarria died in October 2000. She was shot in the head by her boyfriend as they argued while smoking PCP-laced marijuana at Glendale Park on Ledbetter Road in southeast Oak Cliff. Her body was dumped in a creek. A gold necklace, with a pendant spelling out "Cookey," was snatched from her neck and pawned.

First firing

In 1996, Sonya Cleveland told investigators that Williams, whom she'd known for a few years, gave her a ride from a store to the Circle Inn Motel on South Ewing Avenue in north Oak Cliff.

"He was gonna help me get an apartment and a job and help me look nice and all this," she told police investigators.

They returned to her room and had sex, she said. "It didn't last that long and he got up and he put his uniform back on and left," she told investigators.

Cleveland told investigators that afterward, she left the area where she'd been staying because she feared Williams would arrest her on prostitution charges.

She didn't complain to police, but hotel officials did. A maintenance worker told investigators he saw Williams having sex with Cleveland.

Williams denied having sex with her that day but admitted they had a prior sexual encounter.

Police Chief Ben Click fired Williams in January 1997, a month after the investigation concluded. A civil service trial board reinstated him five months later, publicly offering no reason for its ruling.

Click, now an independent police consultant, said he is still infuriated that Williams got his job back.

"How much damage does this guy get to do to the reputation of the department before you finally wind up having enough evidence to get rid of him?" Click said.

In the past, officers fired for serious misconduct were frequently reinstated by administrative law judges, civil service boards or other city officials. Usually, on appeal the decision-maker found that the burden of proof had not been met or punishment was too harsh. Often, no reason was cited for reinstatement.

"Those are the ones that have always bothered me," said Kunkle. "As a chief, I am held accountable. I'm the one who is going to have to go in front of community groups, deal with media stories and also very likely be sued if there is inappropriate police behavior."

Reforms

Two reforms have more recently sharply reduced the likelihood of reinstatement: The city manager now hears all first-round appeals of fired officers, rather than assistant city managers.

And changes to the city charter in 2005 gave civil service trial boards and administrative law judges less discretion in reversing disciplinary decisions during appeals. Previously, they had determined whether discipline was "just and equitable." Now the disciplinary action must be upheld "if a reasonable person could have taken the same disciplinary action against the employee."

When a firing doesn't stick, chiefs can transfer an officer to a position with little public contact.

"It's difficult and probably impossible for the officer to challenge," said Walker, the police accountability expert. "It also sends a message you're not going anywhere on this department."

Dallas has a history of stashing problematic officers in out-of-the way spots, such as the property room, communications and the auto pound. But "increasingly there's fewer and fewer spots," Kunkle said.

And experts say keeping them around creates the potential for other problems.

After Williams returned to work, he was transferred from one patrol division to another. But the complaints continued, including a 2004 case in which a woman alleged that Williams came to her house uninvited while on duty, began to undress, and wanted sex. He denied it.

When a department can't prove more serious misconduct, said Walker, then departments should consider the Al Capone lesson: Capone was convicted of tax evasion and not of the many more serious crimes he was thought to have committed.

"If you can't get them on their primary offense, you get them on something that's related," said Walker, author of the book The New World of Police Accountability.

Dallas' personnel rules don't prohibit taking an officer's entire complaint history into account when meting out discipline, but attorneys for fired officers can fight to keep unsustained allegations from being entered into evidence during appeals.

"There are due process concerns about using prior unproved acts to prove the current act," said Richard Rosenthal, independent police monitor for Denver. "It's permitted in certain circumstances, but it's got to be very convincing. More often than not, you cannot do it."

Kunkle will not comment specifically on Williams' case, but it appears that his entire record may have been taken into consideration in the run up to his latest firing.

In November 2007, Williams responded to a 911 call at the apartment of Felisha Taylor.

She told investigators that from then until February 2008, she and Williams would have sex while he was on duty, usually every other Thursday, Friday and Monday. He would remain 15 to 20 minutes each visit, she said.

Investigators found that he "marked out" – or assigned himself – to her apartment complex four times during that period. On four other occasions, he assigned himself to where he lived. All eight incidents were on Thursday, Friday or Monday, lasting between 20 and 40 minutes.

Williams admitted having sex with the woman. Again, he denied having sex while on duty.

He said he'd only been to her apartment once while on duty, to use the bathroom. Witnesses told investigators they'd seen him going to her apartment several times.

On June 19, 2008, Williams was on duty when he went to Taylor's apartment complex to confront her because he believed she'd slashed his tires. She said he blocked her car as he argued with her in front of her children. The loud argument, witnessed by a neighbor, lasted for an hour and a half.

During that exchange, Williams received a call to check on a residential burglary alarm. He never answered the call, records show.

Again, investigators concluded they couldn't prove sexual misconduct allegations. But they concluded, among other things, that he violated policy when he failed to answer the burglary alarm call, didn't devote full attention to his job and became involved in an on-duty disturbance.

Williams' supervisors, from sergeant all the way up to his assistant chief, recommended he be fired. Calvin Cunigan, who retired recently as head of the internal affairs department, also took the unusual step of writing a six-page memo that outlined the prior sexual misconduct allegations against Williams.

Click said Williams should be fired.

"You don't have anything to lose," he said. "When you get a guy with that kind of history of sexually related allegations, how much work is the guy doing out there? You make that decision and then you defend it the best you can. Who knows, maybe you do get it upheld."

Kunkle fired Williams on Jan. 29. Burleson said Williams plans to appeal. No date has been set for his hearing before City Manager Mary Suhm.

Taylor said she expects Williams will get his job back.

"I really do believe that," Taylor said in an interview with The News. "He's just going to continue doing what he's doing."
COMPLAINTS BETWEEN WILLIAMS' FIRINGS

Between his first firing in January 1997 and the November 2007 events that led to his most recent firing, Senior Cpl. Anthony Williams was investigated several more times:

•In 1999, a woman wrote to complain that Williams, who had investigated a hit-and-run accident in which she was the victim, called her and "had the audacity to tell me ... that he was going to ask me out on a date." Williams told investigators that he thought he was talking to a different woman, and the investigation ended with a finding of inconclusive.

•In 2000, Williams warned a woman that the vice squad was planning to investigate fliers that had been posted around an apartment complex advertising her fee-for-sex services. She said he then called her two days later, asking if he could come over "to suck on a breast or two," she wrote in her statement to investigators. He denied any wrongdoing. Investigators also found that Williams lied to them. He was suspended for five days.

•In 2004, a woman filed a sexual misconduct complaint against Williams after she said he went to her apartment while on duty and began to undress because he wanted to have sex. Williams didn't deny they had a relationship, but he denied going to her house that day and having sex while on duty. Investigators couldn't prove the allegations, but he received a minor form of discipline for being in the area when he should have been elsewhere.

•In 2005, a woman complained that Williams had threatened to take her son to juvenile detention if she didn't have sex with him. But the woman did not make herself available for interviews with public integrity detectives and the investigation was closed.

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SOURCE: Dallas Police Department documents
Other Information: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6275551.html

Officer Meredith Shook Charged with DUI

SEYMOUR

Police arrested one of their own officers Thursday and charged her with driving under the influence after crashing her personal SUV while off duty last month.

Meredith Shook, 33, of Humphrey Street, was also charged with risk of injury to a minor and failure to drive in the proper lane after the Jan. 15 incident. She was released on a written promise to appear March 2 at Derby Superior Court.

Lt. Paul Satkowski, the department's spokesman, said that Shook had been placed on paid administrative leave Friday, but declined to comment further on the investigation.

It remained unclear Friday why Shook was charged with risk of injury to a minor, or if police had conducted a breathalyzer test at the scene of the incident last month. Police also would not explain why it took more than month to file charges against Shook.

At about 11:36 p.m. on Jan. 15, Shook was driving her Ford Explorer south on Derby Avenue close to the Tri-Town Plaza when police said the SUV Shook, along with two other Seymour officers, was the subject of an internal affairs investigation in September 2006 after police were called to the Derby home of state police Trooper Karen Nixon, where Shook and Sgt. Richard Gittings were having drinks.

According to the investigation, Nixon felt threatened when Officer Thomas Scharf sent text messages to Shook and later drove by the residence.

Gittings left the premises before police arrived and later agreed to forfeit four days' vacation pay in connection with the incident. The investigation was later closed and no charges were filed against Shook or Scharf.

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http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2009/02/21/news/valley/b2-secopleave.txt

Const. Andrew Hoglund Went to Far in Tasering Student

Const. Andrew Hoglund was out of line when he Tasered a university student under arrest, a disciplinary hearing ruled.

Presiding officer Supt. Mark Logar ruled yesterday Hoglund lacked lawful or reasonable cause to zap Robert Boik outside the Globe bar near 109 Street and Jasper Avenue at closing time Sept. 4, 2004.

"Const. Hoglund's use of the Taser was not appropriate or necessary," Logar said.

"He used more force than necessary."

The disciplinary hearing heard Hoglund deployed his Taser gun as two other constables were arresting Boik about 2 a.m.

Boik's pal, who had just been in a scuffle with a group of men, was also arrested.

As the pair of cops cuffed Boik, a third constable emerged, zapping the suspect before trotting off into the night.

Hoglund failed to document the use of force, a move that presenting officer Insp. Shane Loxterkamp blasted him for.

"This is a very serious incident," Loxterkamp told the hearing.

"There were no notes. An officer's notes are truly the lifeblood of an investigation."

Loxterkamp also slammed Hoglund for using a Taser without good reason.

That was an opinion Logar sided with when he sentenced Hoglund to a 35-hour suspension without pay.

"That is the appropriate punishment," Logar said. "He, in essence, created the misfortune for himself."

Following the hearing, Boik, the 28-year-old victim, said he was relieved to see the matter brought to its conclusion.

But he said he found the sentence a bit light.

"In a lot of other professions, if you assault someone, you'd lose your job," Boik said. "And in this profession, you get suspended for 35 hours.

"It's absolutely outrageous and ridiculous I was Tasered." Boik said.

Other information:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090220.NATS20-3/TPStory/National

Officer Chou Lor Charged with Punching Girlfriend

MILWAUKEE

A Milwaukee police officer faces charges after investigators said he punched his girlfriend.

Chou Lor, 22, is charged with battery and endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon.

Both are misdemeanors.

Lor's girlfriend told officers he got mad at her while they were driving back from his mother's house on Sunday.

She said he pulled over, punched her in the face and then put a gun to her face and threatened her.

A Milwaukee Police Department spokeswoman said Lor has been suspended with pay.

He is a three-year member of the force.

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More Information:
http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/39916982.html

Officer Sean Patrick Arrested for Soliciting Sex with Minor

CHARLESTON, W.Va.

A Charleston Police officer is in jail after he was arrested Friday night on sex charges out of Virginia.

Officer Sean Patrick, 30, is accused of soliciting sex with a minor over the Internet. He is facing state charges and was arrested as the result of an FBI investigation that also involved the sheriff's department in Loudoun County, Virginia.

In a news release from the Loudoun County Sheriff's office, Patrick allegedly propositioned over the internet someone he understood to be a 14-year-old girl.

He covered his face as he headed from the Kanawha County Courthouse to a police vehicle Friday night. WSAZ.com was the only news crew to get video of the person believed to be Patrick.

He is a patrolman who's been on the police force since 2005.

A warrant was issued and officer Patrick was arrested when he showed up for his regular shift at the Charleston Police Department Friday night.

Patrick's arraignment at the Kanawha County Courthouse was sealed off from the media. Magistrate Tim Halloran refused any access to the courtroom or paperwork, telling WSAZ that we can pick it up on Monday. WSAZ's crew was told that Halloran ordered the doors locked and no one allowed access to the courtroom.

Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster tells WSAZ that Patrick will be suspended without pay and an internal investigation has already been launched.

Webster also says that he does not have reason to believe that any police department computers were involved in any of the alleged activity, but that will be also part of the investigation.

The charge against Patrick is: usage of a communications system or other electronic means, for the purpose of soliciting, with lascivious intent, a person he knew or had reason to believe was a child under the age of 15. If found guilty, he can face 1 to 10 years behind bars and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

Former Officer Brian Hinkel Faces Several Charges Including Theft

Brian Hinkel, accused of keeping an arsenal of weapons at his Gloucester County home and grabbing for a gun in front of state troopers, has been charged in connection with a theft ring, police said.

Authorities say they believe Hinkel, 59, was involved in an operation that stole up to $75,000 worth of tractors and other equipment from farms. He was charged last week with receiving stolen property.

The former Vineland, N.J., police officer has been held in the Gloucester County Jail since Feb. 4, with bail set at $250,000. He also is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of assault rifles, possession of a destructive device, and possession of high-capacity magazines.

When two troopers went to Hinkel's Franklinville home last month to question him about his ties to two burglary suspects, he ran from them and picked up a gun from his kitchen before the troopers subdued him, police said.

Police later found 259 handguns and rifles on Hinkel's property, including some hidden in a makeshift bunker, they said. He also had gunpowder, a tear-gas canister, and a live grenade, police said.

Police have arrested several other men in the farm-equipment thefts. Anthony D'Alessandro, 42, of Williamstown, and Peter Monteleone, 44, of Folsom, N.J., are charged with burglary and theft. Carl D'Argenzio, 43, of Turnersville, is charged with fencing and receiving stolen property.

Police are investigating connections between Hinkel and the other men.

Officer Ronald Betts Charged with Felony Theft

Officer Ronald Betts, an Austin city police officer, was charged with felony theft by receiving in a warrant sweep.


No other information currently found.

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http://www.nlrtimes.com/articles/2009/02/20/sherwood_voice/local_news/nws05.txt

More Information on Officer Andrew Barone Charged with Sexual Assault

Police at Central Connecticut State University have charged a Wilton police officer with sexual assault and other crimes that allegedly occurred on the New Britain campus, authorities said.

Andrew Barone turned himself in to campus police, said Mark McLaughlin, a CCSU spokesman.

Barone, who was hired by the Wilton department in January 2008, is on paid administrative leave while an internal affairs investigation is being done, said Capt. Michael Lombardo.

Barone, a CCSU student from 2004 to 2008, is charged with second-degree sexual assault, three counts of third-degree computer crime, eight counts of breach of peace and one count of sixth-degree larceny, according to court records.

He is free on $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear March 13 in Superior Court in New Britain.

Barone's ex-girlfriend and her sister, who was 16 at the time of the alleged incident, described to police a night of heavy partying about three years ago at CCSU that ended with all three of them falling asleep in a dorm room.

In an arrest warrant affidavit, the sister said that at some point during the night, Barone left the bed he was sharing with his girlfriend and sexually assaulted her.

The younger woman also told police Barone had previously touched her inappropriately when he was visiting her sister at their home.

Barone told police that his girlfriend's sister had been jealous of their relationship and had told lies about him. He said he had passed a polygraph test to become a police officer, which included questions about sexual deviation.

Barone also is accused of posting nude photos on the Web of a female student while on campus in December 2008, McLaughlin said. The arrest warrant affidavit on those charges has yet to be released.

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Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/02/officer-andrew-barone-arrested-for-sex.html

Former Officer Nathan Thomas Arrested for Rape

A former Cleveland police officer, already facing charges related to selling prescription painkillers, now stands charged with two counts of statutory rape by an authority figure and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to District Attorney Steve Bebb.

Nathan Thomas, 37, turned himself in to the Bradley County Jail at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

Thomas reportedly posted bond, which was set at $50,000, and was released from jail at 3 p.m. the same day.

Thomas was the second former Cleveland police officer arrested on sex charges Thursday.

Former Cleveland police officer Dennis Hughes turned himself in to the Bradley County Jail Thursday at 10 a.m.

Hughes was charged with three counts of statutory rape, one count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation, one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to District Attorney Steve Bebb.

Hughes posted bond, which was set at $100,000, Thursday afternoon. He was released at 1:30 p.m.

A Bradley County grand jury met Thursday morning and indicted Hughes and Thomas on the sex offenses based on an investigation led by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

According to reports, the investigation stemmed from an incident on Jan. 5 when Hughes was arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a 16-year-old girl, who was reported as a runaway.

According to the affidavit of complaint dated Jan. 5, Hughes was observed leaving Thomas' home at 152 Winding Glen Drive N.W. at 12:40 a.m. with the 16-year-old girl in his vehicle.

Bradley County deputies initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Lauderdale Highway and Mouse Creek Road. When deputies searched Hughes' vehicle, they allegedly found numerous empty and full beer bottles and prescription pill bottles. Deputies also detected both Hughes and the girl had a "strong smell of alcohol about their person."

According to the TBI's search warrant, after the girl was apprehended, she was taken to a hospital for a rape examination.

The examination was reportedly conducted at the request of her parents.

During the examination, the girl reportedly admitted that in the past she had sexual intercourse with Hughes; however, the female said there had been no sexual contact at the time of his arrest Jan. 5.

Through the search warrants, agents with the TBI confiscated a cell phone and computer from Hughes' vehicle. According to the TBI's search warrant, agents performed a forensic examination of the cell phone and "found three pictures of an underage and under-developed female in the nude."

During an interview with Cleveland Police Detective Suzanne Jackson on Jan. 12, the girl reportedly told Jackson the cell phone pictures found in Hughes' possession were allegedly taken by Hughes in a bathroom at Thomas' residence on the night of Jan. 4.

According to the TBI's search warrant, during the interview with Jackson, the girl alleged that on Jan. 4 she and a 17-year-old girl were at the Thomas home.

The 16-year-old girl reportedly told Jackson she engaged in oral sex with Hughes and the 17-year-old engaged in oral sex with Thomas. The 16-year-old reportedly told Jackson she and the 17-year-old were under the influence of alcohol during the incident.

During the search warrant's execution at Thomas' home, TBI agents photographed Thomas' bathrooms to compare with the background of the nude pictures of the 16-year-old girl.

Thomas is scheduled to be arraigned at the Bradley County Criminal Court March 30.

Hughes is scheduled to be arraigned at the Bradley County Criminal Court March 2.

According to Tennessee law, if Hughes and Thomas are convicted they will have to register annually with the state of Tennessee as sex offenders.

Hughes and Thomas continue to be investigated by the TBI, Hughes in connection with the shooting of a city police officer and Thomas for selling prescription painkillers.

According to reports, on Nov. 30, 2008, city police officer Chris Mason and former city police officer Jonathan Hammons, 23, -- who were on duty -- were at the home of Hughes, who was off duty, shortly before midnight.

The men were reportedly looking at a .38 caliber revolver which was possibly for sale. During the handling of the firearm the gun discharged and struck Mason in the hand, Cleveland Police Chief Wes Snyder said in a December 2008 statement.

The incident was initially reported as an accidental shooting; however, after further investigation it was determined Hammons and Hughes allegedly gave investigators false information.

Hammons was arrested Dec. 17, 2008, and was charged with aggravated perjury and filing a false report in connection to the shooting.

Hughes was arrested Dec. 18, 2008, and was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, aggravated perjury and filing a false report in connection to the shooting.

On the night of the shooting, Nov. 30, 2008, officers found a prescription pill bottle with Thomas' name in Hughes' personal vehicle.

As a result of the shooting investigation, Hughes resigned from the Cleveland Police Department in December 2008.

Hammons and Thomas were dismissed from the department in January.

Thomas was arrested Jan. 5, in connection with a two-year investigation by the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force.

As a result of the investigation, Thomas was charged with prescription fraud, possession of Schedule II and III narcotics for resale and simple possession of a Schedule V narcotic.

According to reports, the Drug Task Force's investigation alleges Thomas was a patient of Dr. James Wallace Sego. Thomas was allegedly prescribed 6,000 oxycodones, 1,100 hydrocodones and 790 Xanax within one year's time by Sego.

Thomas is being accused of selling the prescription painkillers.

Sego practices internal medicine and pain management at Bradley Executive Plaza located at 1510 Stuart Road N.E.

Sego was also arrested Dec. 18, 2008, and charged with felony counts of illegally selling prescription painkillers and other drugs.

Agents with the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force served a search warrant for Thomas' residence on Dec. 12, 2008.

According to the inventory on the search warrant, agents found "a large cardboard box with extremely large amounts of various drugs, samples, etc. (too numerous to list individually)," weapons, syringes and cell phones.

"One white plastic snorting device (ink pen) with yellow residue" was found in the master bedroom in a decorative drawer near the top of the dresser, along with several other items, such as "one prescription box w/1 glass vial inside labeled DEPO-Testosterone."

Among the weapons were two .22-caliber Glenfield rifles, one with a serial number and one without, and a Sig Sauer P2229 .40 caliber.

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Other Information: http://www.newschannel9.com/news/arrest_975865___article.html/cops_girl.html

Four Officers Prank Goes Wrong, One Officer Arrested

GRETNA, La.

A Gretna police officer is under arrest and three others have been fired over what the police chief said was "a practical joke that went way too far."

Chief Arthur Lawson said the incident stems from a prank at a bar in December.

The four officers allegedly took part in a prank to hide someone’s motorcycle. Investigators said that the motorcycle was reported stolen after it was hidden, and Officer Gustavo Rivera, as well as the other three officers, denied any knowledge of the event.

Surveillance footage from the bar proves otherwise, investigators said.

"I guess the practical joke got out of hand and turned into criminal activity," Lawson. "Not only was the officer knowledgeable, but he knew the individual on the motorcycle."

The investigation is being handled by Gretna police and the Westbank Major Crimes Task Force.

"As I said in a recent interview, ‘Yes, it's a sad day, but something that I’m proud of. No one else has to arrest our officers we arrest our own,’" Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said.

The motorcycle has since been recovered.

"I think it sends a message that this type of criminal activity will not be tolerated," Lawson said.

The chief said that if the officers had just owned up to the prank, the proceedings never would have arrived at this point.

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Video: http://www.wdsu.com/video/18763047/index.html

More Information: http://www.wdsu.com/video/18763047/index.html

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I almost have to disagree on this one. It was just a PRANK that went too far. I don't think they need to lose their job because of this or be arrested. As long as it was between friends they need to apologize and move on.
I've done something similar to this with a friends car several years ago as a prank. We (other friends) laughed our ass off until an officer pulled up and our friend quickly went to tell the officer that his van just got stolen. I had to quickly rush to the scene and stop the proceedings before it became worse. The officer was pissed when I told him it was just a prank, but we quickly went on our way without a charge.
Damn...what's the world coming too when I'm on their side?...lol.

Officer Robert Gordon and Wife Charged with Stealing from Wal-Mart

A Baltimore police officer and his wife were charged with attempting to steal more than $1,100 worth of items from a Wal-Mart in Owings Mills earlier this week, authorities said today.

Store security guards stopped the officer, Robert H. Gordon, 44, and Daniella Gordon, 40, outside the store after watching them leaving with the items, Baltimore County police said. The couple had purchased about $150 worth of goods — mostly household items such as cleaning supplies, clothing and food — and tried to hide other items beneath the ones they purchased, according to Bill Toohey, a Baltimore County police spokesman.

Store security called county police, who arrested the Baltimore County residents and charged them with theft of goods valued over $500. Both were released on their own recognizance, according to electronic court records. Their trial is scheduled for April 28.

Nicole Monroe, a city police spokeswoman, said Robert Gordon, a 16-year veteran, has been suspended.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29285547/

Officer Thomas Sanders Alleged Shot Unarmed Man in Back Wants Officers Names Withheld

A Baltimore police officer charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a civilian last year said in court filings that the Police Department's new policy of not releasing names of officers involved in shootings has "reignited" residents' distrust of police and hurts his ability to receive a fair trial.

Officer Thomas Sanders, who is alleged to have shot an unarmed man in the back on Jan. 30, 2008, said in court filings that there "currently exists an extremely volatile climate in Baltimore City in which citizens of Baltimore do not trust the Baltimore Police Department."

He said in the Feb. 4 court filing that the department's policy of not naming officers involved in shootings unless internal investigations determine that they erred has worsened that climate and -- because the department named him -- implies that he is guilty.

He said that makes it difficult for him to obtain a fair jury trial in the city and asked for a change of venue, which prosecutors plan to oppose.

Police declined to comment on the motion, citing a policy against discussing pending litigation. Though the motion is filed by an attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police, the union's president said Friday that the group maintains support for restricting access to the names.

Baltimore police had routinely named officers involved in shootings for decades, but in January, the department adopted a new policy to restrict release of their identities. Police say their new policy is similar to those in New York and other major cities and is designed to prevent retaliation against officers.

Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III and other department officials have said they will continue to name officers involved in shootings they find to be unjustified after an internal investigation. When questioned about the policy at a recent City Council hearing, Bealefeld referred to the Sanders case as proof that the department will name names in such instances.

He has cited Sanders' indictment as showing that the department will rigorously investigate police-involved shootings and sanction officers when necessary.

The policy has come under fire from the Maryland branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP and some local elected officials, who say it cloaks police activity behind a layer of secrecy and diminishes trust between the department and the community.

"The citizens of Baltimore are entitled to be able to make their own judgments about what the police are doing and how they're doing it, and shouldn't have to rely on the good graces of the city Police Department to keep them informed," said David Rocah, a staff attorney with the ACLU.

"Let's remember: The police work for us. They are not some independent entity to which we are beholden."

The motion by Sanders came to light as details continued to emerge in Tuesday night's fatal shooting of 61-year-old Joseph Forrest in East Baltimore by two police officers.

The Baltimore Sun has learned that one of the officers who shot Forrest had also allegedly been attacked by a second man, the victim's nephew, Joseph Forrest Jr.

Police said the 45-year-old stepped on Officer Traci L. McKissick's hand at the direction of his uncle in an attempt to disarm her. The younger Forrest was arrested at the scene and charged with assault and disarming a law enforcement officer. He remains jailed without bond.

After initial inquiries about the shooting, the younger Forrest's involvement was not disclosed by police, who had limited the release of information in an attempt to prevent McKissick's name from becoming public.

Candles, balloons and teddy bears were placed outside of Forrest's home on North Lakewood Avenue Friday, and a sign in his window reads, "We all miss you."

Forrest's family is questioning why he was shot, reportedly as many as a dozen times, after being struck in the upper body and after McKissick had recovered her weapon.

But relatives were unable to clarify how Forrest, affectionately known as "Uncle Snicker," got into the scuffle in the first place, only offering that he might have reached for her weapon during the scrum because he felt his life was in danger.

Police said they responded to a domestic call in the area, and at some point an officer who came to provide backup saw McKissick being held in a headlock by Forrest.

Relatives say Forrest was not involved in the initial domestic call and had been trying to make peace between others.

McKissick, they say, had been dispatched to the scene, and they accuse her of being rude and cursing at them.

They believed she had left the residence as paramedics treated an injured man and said the incident appeared to have blown over.

Forrest's daughter, 34-year-old Alisa Forrest, said he walked outside to get air, and she claims her father was pushed by McKissick. She ran downstairs and saw McKissick and Forrest on the ground fighting, with both reaching for the gun.

"I see that she has Daddy and Daddy has her," Alisa Forrest said. "They're both reaching for the gun -- he don't want her to shoot him."

She said that McKissick broke free after the backup officer fired at Forrest's upper body and that McKissick proceeded to empty her weapon into Forrest's leg.

"She got up and just started shooting," Alisa Forrest said.

McKissick and the other officer have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated, a standard practice.

A police source with knowledge of the investigation said detectives believe the backup officer's shot was made at close range and was ultimately the fatal shot. They also believe McKissick fired all of her shots into one of Forrest's legs, in rapid succession, while she was still engaged with the man.

The Sun reported Friday that McKissick, a five-year veteran, was involved four years ago in an incident in which a man who was being placed under arrest broke free and was able to take her gun, which has never been recovered.

Even though the victim and key witness was a city officer, prosecutors dropped the case after questions were raised about whether documents had been altered by police.

Family members said Forrest was a volunteer at nearby William Paca Elementary School and the patriarch and leader of a family that included 15 children and numerous other relatives.

"Everybody in the neighborhood can you tell you this isn't his demeanor," said niece Odessia Bradstreet. "This is not him. It's not something he would do."

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http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/crime/blog/2009/02/withholding_names_of_police_wh.html

Officer Christopher Eldridge Charged with Possession of Controlled Substance

An off-duty Prattville police officer was arrested on drug charges Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery following a car chase.

Christopher Eldridge, 35, of the 600 block of Wisteria Lane in Prattville, was charged with possession of a controlled substance in addition to misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, said Maj. Huey Thornton, a spokesman for the Montgomery Police Department.

Thornton said the controlled substance was crack cocaine. Eldridge also was issued “several” traffic citations, according to Thornton.

Prattville Mayor Jim Byard Jr. confirmed Thursday that Eldridge is a third-shift patrol officer with the Prattville Police Department. Byard said Eldridge was off duty due to military leave.

“Right now this is a personal and legal matter the officer has to work through,” Byard said. “In the future, it will become a personnel issue for the city. We don’t comment on personnel or pending personnel matters.”

Eldridge could not be reached for comment Thursday morning. There is no number listed for him in the Prattville phone book. Directory assistance listed a “C. Eldridge” on Wisteria Lane, but that number is unpublished at the owner’s request.

Prattville Police Chief Alfred Wadsworth said he would not comment until he had a chance to speak with Eldridge.

Eldridge allegedly was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Impala the wrong way in the northbound lanes of Interstate 85, Thornton said. A Montgomery police officer tried to pull him over, but he led police on a chase, he said. The pursuit never exceeded 50 mph, he said.

Police pursued Eldridge as he exited the interstate at Day Street and went through downtown Montgomery to Atlanta Highway, Thornton said. When the chase neared Greenwood Funeral Home on Lincoln Road, the pursuing patrol car tapped the back of Eldridge’s vehicle, which spun out, Thornton said.

Eldridge then became combative with officers and was hit with a Taser, Thornton said. He was taken by ambulance to Jackson Hospital for treatment, Thornton said.

Eldridge was booked into the Montgomery County Jail at 6 p.m. Wednesday and released on bonds totaling $16,000 at 8:07 p.m. Wednesday, said Montgomery County Sheriff D.T. Marshall.

Former Deputy Marc Diaz Accused of Kidnapping & Rape worked for School District

INDIO

A former Riverside County sheriff's deputy accused of kidnapping and raping a woman in La Quinta worked for the Coachella Valley Unified School District for 16 months, the man's lawyer confirmed Thursday.

Marc Javier Diaz, 35, of Indio, is charged with kidnapping to commit rape and two counts of rape under the threat of authority of a public official. He faces life in prison if convicted, said Michael Jeandron of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

Diaz is accused of walking into a La Quinta business Jan. 31, displaying a law enforcement badge and demanding identification from employees and the people inside, said sheriff's Deputy Herlinda Valenzuela.

He allegedly ordered a female customer who had no identification into his pickup truck, drove her to a secluded location and raped her, Valenzuela said.

Diaz appeared in court today for a felony settlement conference -- an informal discussion before a judge between a defense lawyer and a prosecutor to discuss a possible resolution to the case -- and Riverside County Superior Court Judge Thomas Douglass ordered him to return on March 10 for a preliminary hearing.

Deputy Public Defender David Prendergast, who represents Diaz, confirmed outside court that Diaz worked for the Coachella Valley Unified School District for 16 months.

Prendergast said he did not know the specific school or position Diaz had within the school district.

Officials at the Coachella Valley superintendent's office previously had "no comment" on whether Diaz worked for the school district, and the superintendent was unavailable this morning.

Diaz was arrested in 2004 on suspicion of using a prostitute in Indio, said Ben Guitron of the Indio Police Department.

At the time, he was a nine-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department and was working in the Indio courthouse, but the next month he resigned, Valenzuela said.

The District Attorney's Office never filed charges against Diaz for the prostitution allegation because of insufficient evidence, Jeandron said.

Diaz is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Lt. Keith Kibler in Trouble After Fighting with his Wife

HAMBURG, N.Y.

A lieutenant with the Erie County Sheriff's Office is in trouble with the law Thursday night.

Hamburg Police say Lieutenant Keith Kibler grabbed the steering wheel from his wife during a domestic dispute Thursday morning, forcing their car off Route Five.

Kibler is charged with reckless endangerment and illegal possession of Valium.

He is free on bail.

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Video: http://www.accidentvideonews.com/index.php/2009/02/19/sheriffs-office-lieutenant-arrested/

Officer Dwayne Johnson Paid $168K, Accused of Skipping Work

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.

"He made a lot of money because he was one of the few people here who volunteers on all occasions to work overtime," said Schenectady Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett.

He says police Officer Dwayne Johnson may have worked plenty of overtime, but after a Daily Gazette investigation, police are now investigating whether Johnson truly worked when he said he did.

"It should have been a member safety issue," Bennett said. "Some questions should have been raised when this car didn't move."

According to the Commissioner, on several Tuesday mornings, Johnson apparently parked his police car outside an apartment off Kings Road, not his residence, for several hours.

"What was he doing there?" our reporter asked.

Bennett said, "I don't know."

Schenectady police officials say they're looking into an investigation by the Daily Gazette, allegations that their top-earning police officer, who made nearly $170,000 last year with extensive overtime work, spent Tuesday mornings at an apartment in the city. Our Steve Ference reports.

This, as Johnson made more money than any other officer, around $168,000 last year, mostly from overtime. The department, now trying to figure out what Johnson may have been doing and why no one seemed to notice even though they track cars by GPS.

"Why was this not picked up on?" the Commissioner asked aloud.

Bennett says after the Gazette found Johnson was spending his early Tuesday mornings here, police prepared to catch him in the act. So they came here on a following Tuesday, but the problem was Johnson didn't show, leading some to wonder if he may have been tipped off by someone in the department.

"If we identify someone indeed interfered with this, which is a confidential investigation, they too will find themselves on the receiving end of disciplinary action," said Bennett.

"I can't think of any reason why this would be happening," said Schenectady Common Council Member, Barbara Blanchard.

A number of city leaders, like councilwoman Blanchard, call it disappointing, especially after a slew of scandals for police in the city, including stolen drug evidence and a former police chief pleading guilty to drug charges.

"Once we have pulled all the documents, all the GPS records and done all the interviews we can do, then he will be interviewed," said Bennett.

Department policies have been updated to address the issue, Johnson remains on duty and city officials argue potential bad conduct by the few shouldn't taint a department that's now looking for answers once again.

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http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S796466.shtml?cat=300

Larry Wayne Slaven Charged with Assault of 10-year-old

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

A former security guard is facing charges in connection with the assault of a 10-year-old boy.

The man, Larry Wayne Slaven, lost his job over the incident, but there is concern that he could still pose as a guard because he has the security company's uniforms and badges.

Janet Gschwind filed criminal charges against Slaven after what she said he did to her son. Gschwind said on two occasions, Slaven chased her 10-year-old son, Ryan, shooting him with plastic pellets from an airsoft gun.

"He was begging him to stop, telling him it hurt," said Gschwind.

Until recently, Slaven worked as a private security guard at Associated Security and Patrol, until the state licensing board finished its background check.

Slaven had not told the board about his January 2008 domestic violence charge, which was dismissed. His also still has to face the pending assault charge on Gschwind's son. Because of the charges, the guard company fired Slaven.

Ron Crowe of Associated Security and Patrol said his company is concerned that Slaven hasn't returned around six uniform shirts, a badge and patches. They hope he's not impersonating a guard or police officer.

"There's no telling what he might want to do or gain from somebody he might want to stop," said Crowe.

When contacted by Channel 4, Slaven invited reporter Nancy Amons to contact his attorney. He said he plans to return his uniforms to the company Thursday.

Slaven had been a volunteer with the Lakewood Police Department and had applied for a reserve officer's job. The police chief said when the background check on Slaven found the charges, he decided against hiring him.

Officer Meredith Shook Charged with DUI

SEYMOUR

Police officer Meredith Shook, who was in an off-duty accident last month in her personal SUV, was arrested on a warrant today charging her with driving under the influence, police said.

Shook, 33, of 48 Humphrey St. in Seymour also was charged with risk of injury to a minor and failure to drive in the proper lane, police said. She was released on a written promise to appear March 2 at Derby Superior Court.

Shook crashed her SUV on Jan. 15 in the area of the Tri-Town Plaza on Derby Avenue. Police applied for a warrant to arrest Shook after concluding their investigation earlier this month.

The status of Shook's job was not available today.

Officer Tanience Harris Charged with False Imprisonment

ALBANY, GA

An Albany Police Officer was arrested and suspended after a romantic relationship with a co-worker got a little ugly.

Patrol Officer Taniece Harris is charged with criminal damage to property and false imprisonment for two incidents that happened last fall. Investigators just took out warrants Wednesday.

They say Harris damaged two personal vehicles of Patrol Officer Jermaine Lewis then intentionally detained him by standing in the doorway of his patrol car so he couldn't drive away while he was on duty.

Both officers were disciplined... And Harris is now suspended with pay. More charges could be filed against Harris.

Former Officer Dennis Hughes Charged with Statutory Rape

A former Cleveland police officer, already facing charges related to the shooting of another officer last year, now stands charged with three counts of statutory rape, one count of especially aggravated sexual exploitation, one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to District Attorney Steve Bebb.

Former Cleveland Police officer, Dennis Hughes, 33, turned himself in at the Bradley County Jail this morning. His bond was set at $50,000. As of press time, he had not made bond.

A second former officer, Nathan Thomas, 37, is under scrutiny related to the alleged sex offenses a search warrant executed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation indicates.

The search was conducted at the home of Thomas and on the Hughes' vehicle.

The investigation stemmed from an incident on Jan. 5 when Hughes was arrested on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a 16-year-old girl, who was reported as a runaway.

Hughes was reportedly observed leaving Thomas' home at 152 Winding Glen Drive N.W. at 12:40 a.m. with the 16-year-old girl in his vehicle.

Bradley County deputies initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Lauderdale Highway and Mouse Creek Road. When deputies searched Hughes' vehicle, they allegedly found numerous empty and full beer bottles and prescription pill bottles. Deputies also detected both Hughes and the girl had a "strong smell of alcohol about their person."

According to the TBI's search warrant, after the girl was apprehended, she was taken to a hospital for a rape examination.

The examination was reportedly conducted at the request of her parents.

During the examination, the girl reportedly admitted that in the past she had sexual intercourse with Hughes; however, the female said there had been no sexual contact at the time of his arrest Jan. 5.

Through the search warrants, agents with the TBI confiscated a cell phone and computer from Hughes' vehicle. According to the TBI's search warrant, agents performed a forensic examination of the cell phone and "found three pictures of an underage and under-developed female in the nude."

During an interview with Cleveland Police Detective Suzanne Jackson on Jan. 12, the girl reportedly told Jackson the cell phone pictures found in Hughes' possession were allegedly taken by Hughes in a bathroom at Thomas' residence on the night of Jan. 4.

According to the TBI's search warrant, during the interview with Jackson, the girl alleged that on Jan. 4 she and a 17-year-old girl were at the Thomas home. The 16-year-old girl reportedly told Jackson she engaged in oral sex with Hughes and the 17-year-old engaged in oral sex with Thomas. The 16-year-old reportedly told Jackson she and the 17-year-old were under the influence of alcohol during the incident.

During the search warrant's execution at Thomas' home, TBI agents photographed Thomas' bathrooms to compare with the background of the nude pictures of the 16-year-old girl.

Hughes and Thomas continue to be investigated by the TBI, Hughes in connection with the shooting of a city police officer and Thomas for selling prescription painkillers.

According to reports, on Nov. 30, 2008, city police officer Chris Mason and former city police officer Jonathan Hammons, 23, -- who were on duty -- were at the home of Hughes, who was off duty, shortly before midnight.

The men were reportedly looking at a .38 caliber revolver which was possibly for sale. During the handling of the firearm the gun discharged and struck Mason in the hand, Cleveland Police Chief Wes Snyder said in a December 2008 statement.

The incident was initially reported as an accidental shooting; however, after further investigation it was determined Hammons and Hughes allegedly gave investigators false information.

Hammons was arrested Dec. 17, 2008, and was charged with aggravated perjury and filing a false report in connection to the shooting.

Hughes was arrested Dec. 18, 2008, and was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment, aggravated perjury and filing a false report in connection to the shooting.

On the night of the shooting, Nov. 30, 2008, officers found a prescription pill bottle with Thomas' name in Hughes' personal vehicle.

As a result of the shooting investigation, Hughes resigned from the Cleveland Police Department in December 2008.

Hammons and Thomas were dismissed from the department in January.

Thomas was arrested Jan. 5, in connection with a two-year investigation by the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force.

As a result of the investigation, Thomas was charged with prescription fraud, possession of Schedule II and III narcotics for resale and simple possession of a Schedule V narcotic.

According to reports, the Drug Task Force's investigation alleges Thomas was a patient of Dr. James Wallace Sego. Thomas was allegedly prescribed 6,000 oxycodones, 1,100 hydrocodones and 790 Xanax within one year's time by Sego.

Thomas is being accused of selling the prescription painkillers.

Sego practices internal medicine and pain management at Bradley Executive Plaza located at 1510 Stuart Road N.E.

Sego was also arrested Dec. 18, 2008, and charged with felony counts of illegally selling prescription painkillers and other drugs.

Agents with the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force served a search warrant for Thomas' residence on Dec. 12, 2008.

According to the inventory on the search warrant, agents found "a large cardboard box with extremely large amounts of various drugs, samples, etc. (too numerous to list individually)," weapons, syringes and cell phones.

"One white plastic snorting device (ink pen) with yellow residue" was found in the master bedroom in a decorative drawer near the top of the dresser, along with several other items, such as "one prescription box w/1 glass vial inside labeled DEPO-Testosterone."

Among the weapons were two .22-caliber Glenfield rifles, one with a serial number and one without, and a Sig Sauer P2229 .40 caliber.

Officer Finess Brown Accused of Assaulting Wife Turns in Badge

Murfreesboro Police decommissioned a police officer accused of assaulting his wife last week.

Officer Finess Brown was decommissioned Friday by Deputy Chief Randy Garrett, said Maj. Clyde Adkison. Chief Glenn Chrisman concurred with the decommission.

Under a decommission, a police officer must turn in his service firearm and badge and is released of his police powers.

Detective Jennifer West is still investigating the allegations made by Brown’s wife, Catina. He has not been charged.

Deputies served an ex parte order on Brown Sunday at the sheriff’s office. The order requires him to stay away from his wife. A hearing on the order is set Tuesday in Circuit Court.

Brown, 36, was accused of assaulting his wife during an argument last Tuesday. The wife accused him of grabbing her wrist, causing her arm to be pulled behind her, Sgt. Harry Haigh reported. Their 15-year-old son tried to intervene.

“I examined Ms. Brown’s wrist and did not notice any signs of injury and she stated she was not injured,” Haigh reported.

Brown was charged with domestic assault of his wife in June 2007. Court records showed no documentation, indicating his record might have been erased as part of his case.

Officer Jose Gomez Given Reprimand for Making Racial Comment

A Fort Myers police officer was given a verbal reprimand and a requirement to attend additional training after an internal review determined he was “rude” and made a racially-charged comment during a traffic stop.

Patrol officer Jose Gomez was found not to have complied with the department’s general rules of conduct during a Dec. 25 traffic stop.

According to the report, prepared by Sgt. Willie James Tellis, Gomez conducted a traffic stop on driver Latonya Leaphart and her passenger, Gerah Leaphart, at the intersection of Eastland and French Streets. Gomez said he stopped the vehicle for loud music.

While accounts differ, Gomez said Latonya Leaphart was swore at him and argued with him throughout the stop. She was upset because Gomez reportedly did not reveal the reason for the stop, though Gomez said that was because she continued to interrupt him.

At this time, another officer responded and was within earshot when Gerah Leaphart reportedly asked Gomez if he was black. Gomez then reportedly responded with the answer, “I’m not black, thank God, I would never wish to be black.”

Ross couldn’t be sure if those were the exact words, but believed they were something along those lines.

Latonya Leaphart later filed a complaint with the police department, which sparked the internal investigation.

Officer Kurtiss Kessler Resigns after Domestic Violence Charge

Minutes after criminal charges were filed Tuesday against a Kenosha police officer accused of domestic violence, he resigned from the police department.

Kurtiss J. Kessler, 35, of Kenosha, was charged with misdemeanors for alleged disorderly conduct and battery, both related to domestic abuse. If convicted, he faces one year in jail. The conviction would be Kessler’s second for a domestic-related incident.

In a sign that he may not challenge the charges, Kessler’s lawyer asked for a plea hearing. Typically, several other hearings are held before a defendant enters pleas.

Kessler is set to enter pleas March 17 before Kenosha County Circuit Judge Wilbur W. Warren III. Sentencing could happen that same day, since no pre-sentence investigation reported is required for misdemeanor cases.

Shortly after his court hearing Tuesday afternoon, Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey said Kessler turned in his resignation, effective immediately.

“It’s just a simple one-line resignation: that he resigned from the police department, effective (Tuesday), and he is leaving for personal reasons,” Morrissey said.

Kessler, a Kenosha police officer for more than 11 years, was suspended without pay from the police department after he was arrested Feb. 9 for allegedly pushing his girlfriend, pulling her hair and hitting her with a shoe.

Morrissey said Kessler’s resignation was not part of any deal worked out with the city. No internal investigation had been done, and none will be now that Kessler is no longer a city employee, he said. The chief declined to predict whether Kessler and the department might have parted ways.

Kessler is not eligible for any compensation under his resignation; he did not have any accrued vacation, holiday or compensatory time, and officers do not have sick time, Morrissey said.

The criminal complaint filed Tuesday alleges that an argument between Kessler and his girlfriend, the mother of his nearly 2-year-old son, turned violent. Kessler allegedly grabbed her hair and later, the woman told police, threw a shoe at her. Police said there were no visible injuries.

Kessler is out of jail on bond.

Kessler reportedly said he did not want her to leave, but the woman went to the door. Kessler allegedly grabbed the woman by the hair from behind and pulled her to the floor. When she got up and continued toward the door, the woman said Kessler threw a shoe at her.

There were no visible injuries.

The woman told sheriff’s deputies that she wanted to report the incident, but she did not want Kessler to lose his job. Prosecutors said she has considered recanting her statement.

Kessler has a previous conviction for a 2003 domestic-related incident. He was accused of pointing a gun at his then-girlfriend’s head. Kessler pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors. He served three days in jail, paid a fine and had two years probation. He also was suspended from the police department for 55 days without pay, but allowed to return to work.

Officer Shayne Poole Arrested for DUI

CLE ELUM

Cle Elum/Roslyn/South Cle Elum police officer Shayne Poole was arrested Saturday on charges of driving under the influence.

Poole was hired as a Cle Elum police officer in January after resigning from the Kittitas Police Department, where he worked since June 2008. Poole had also worked for the Ellensburg Police Department from June 1999 to November 2005.

Cle Elum Police Chief Scott Ferguson said that Poole is no longer employed with CEPD.

According to Kittitas County Undersheriff Clayton Myers, Poole was driving southbound on Clemens Road when he went off the road and into a ditch on Thrall Road between 2:30 and 3 a.m. Saturday.

Poole, who was alone in the vehicle, was not injured in the collision.

“There was alcohol involved and it is still under investigation,” Myers said.

Poole was booked in Kittitas County Jail around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, and later released on personal recognizance an hour later.

Poole’s court date is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 24 in Kittitas County Lower District Court.

Former Officer Nick Joseph Accused of Hit & Run Back in Court

The case against a suspended Greece Police Officer accused in a hit and run crash is expected to continue in court today. Nick Joseph is accused of the hit and run crash on Route 390 in June that injured a pregnant woman forcing her to deliver her baby girl 15 weeks pre-maturely.

Nick Joseph denies that drugs or alcohol played a role in what happened, but prosecutors say it's one of the factors in the case against him. Sources told News10NBC, cocaine was found in Joseph’s blood that night.

Joseph is scheduled to appear before Judge Affronti in what's called a Frye hearing, which will determine whether DNA evidence can be used at trial.

According to Joseph's deposition, he called Greece Police Sergeant Andrew Elmore about 10 hours after the crash to ask how the woman in the accident was.

"It hurts law enforcement all around to have one of our own on trial, it's very hard, but he's got his day in court,” Retired Greece Police Sergeant Andrew Elmore said.

News 10NBC will be at the Hall of Justice for this hearing and will bring you the latest information as it becomes available.

Related Stories: I-Team 10 updated: Greece cop appears in court
-I-Team 10 follow-up: Video places Greece cop at bar minutes before 390 crash

Arrested Judge Margaret Huddleston Back in Court Judge Others

Family Court Judge Margaret Huddleston was back on the bench Monday, two days after her arrest on charges of careless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.

What happens next - for her or any other judge who falls foul of the law - is unclear.

Officer Barry Pruitt, spokesman for the Bowling Green Police Department, said Huddleston’s citation has been turned over to Warren County Attorney Amy Milliken’s office for prosecution.

It’s unlikely to stay there, however: Should the case be judged to present a conflict of interest for local authorities, it might be turned over to the Special Prosecutions Unit of the Attorney General’s Office, according to Shelley Catharine Johnson, deputy communications director for Attorney General Jack Conway.

Since Milliken and other lawyers from her office are before Huddleston in family court every day, Milliken said such a conflict certainly exists, and she’s already taking steps to send the case to an impartial figure outside Warren County.

“Yesterday I wrote the Office of the Attorney General a letter requesting that a special prosecutor be appointed,” she said.

Beyond possible prosecution, Kentucky does have a mechanism for dealing with judges’ ethical conflicts.

When judges are charged with crimes, the state’s Judicial Conduct Commission monitors those cases until they’re concluded, said Jim Lawson, the commission’s executive secretary. If a conviction results, the commission then begins considering what action to take, he said.

“In a first offense DUI case, I think it’s generally a public reprimand,” Lawson said.

The commission is the only entity authorized under the state constitution to take disciplinary action against a sitting judge, according to the commission’s Web site.

Possible sanctions range from confidential reprimands - for minor technical violations - to removal for serious misconduct.

“Criminal conduct” is on the list of items that may lead to disciplinary actions.

Huddleston has been a family court judge in Warren County since the court was created in 1998, dealing with divorce, custody and parental rights, domestic violence, neglect and juvenile offenses.

She was arrested outside her house shortly after midnight Saturday. A Bowling Green police officer saw Huddleston driving too slowly, hesitating at stop signs and crossing the center line, according to a city police report. She did not stop when the officer turned on his emergency lights, so the officer followed her to her driveway, the report said.

A breath test registered more than twice the legal limit for blood alcohol content, and Huddleston was lodged in Warren County Regional Jail. She was later released on an unsecured bond, and hasn’t returned several calls seeking comment.

$350,000 Lawsuit to be Paid to Physician who was Tasered and Beaten by Police

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco officials are poised to pay $350,000 to settle a lawsuit with a Harvard University resident physician who claims he was shocked more than 10 times with a stun gun and beaten by police, including by an officer with a history of brutality complaints.

The proposed settlement would cover Mehrdad Alemozaffar’s legal fees, said Police Commission President Theresa Sparks. The settlement has been approved by the commission, but must be authorized by the Board of Supervisors, whose Rules Committee is slated to cast an initial vote Thursday.

Alemozaffar’s attorney, Jeremy Cloyd, said he has not seen the offer and could not comment on whether his client would accept it.

The 2007 lawsuit stems from a Dec. 17, 2006, incident in North Beach. Alemozaffar, then a UCLA student, claimed officers pinned him against the street and smashed his head multiple times against the asphalt. Officers then tied his hands behind his back in nylon restraints before jolting him with a Taser more than 10 times, the lawsuit claimed.

The lawsuit named The City, the police and sheriff’s departments, and Officers Jesse Serna, Gary Moriyama and James McGrath. Sheriff’s deputies Jurnation Reymundo and George Coviello were also named.

Alemozaffar claimed the trouble began at 2 a.m. after police told weekend revelers to clear the area. Alemozaffar told Serna he was waiting for a friend, and Serna told him to “stop acting like a girl,” according to the complaint. The alleged attack by officers began after Alemozaffar asked for Serna’s badge number.

The lawsuit accused Reymundo of shocking Alemozaffar on his legs, back, side and wrist, leaving burns. Alemozaffar’s shoulder, on which he had recent surgery, was also damaged, the lawsuit said.

Serna, who the lawsuit said has a history of brutality complaints, was sued in 2007 by former mayor’s secretary Esther Hwang, who worked for Willie Brown. Hwang claimed Serna violently pulled her by the hair to the pavement and arrested her on false charges after she joked about jaywalking in North Beach. That case was settled for an undisclosed amount.

By extending the settlement offer to Alemozaffar, The City is not admitting wrongdoing, Sparks said.

Deputy Jonathan Este Charged with Rape of Minor

HARVEY, La.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand admits that this is a "sad day" for the JPSO as he announced the arrest of 25-year old Jonathan Este'.

Until his firing Monday night, Este' was a deputy assigned to the department's Third District Patrol Division.

He's now charged with forcible rape and three counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

"The alleged incidents happened when Este' was 22 years of age and the victim was 13," Normand said.

The incidents happened before Este' joined the JPSO in January 2008.

According to investigators, the relationship between Este' and the young girl lasted from July 2005 through February 2006.

Details came to light Saturday, when deputies investigated a "family disturbance" at the victim's home.

"She described meeting Este' via a chart room and the relationship lasted approximately eight months," said Normand. "She described the first incident of sex with Este' as being a forcible rape and the remaining three incidents as consensual."

The department immediately launched a criminal investigation after hearing the victim's story.

The sheriff says Este' was arrested at the JPSO Detectives Bureau last night after he admitted to having sex with the girl four times.

"The problem is the credibly of the officer is impaired and that may have an effect on other cases," said Normand. "That's why we go after it with much fervor."

Normand says this case is a cautionary tale for parents and teenagers who visit chat rooms online.

"It's a very dangerous tool, the internet," said Normand. "You have to be very wary because it has become the prime medium for individuals that are predators."

Este' faces up to 70-years in prison. He remains in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center. Bond is set at $82,500.

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http://www.nola.com/news/?/base/news-1/1234938148272770.xml&coll=1

District Attorney's Office Reviewing Cases Filed by Officers

The Dallas County district attorney's office is reviewing dozens of cases filed by six Dallas police officers after the officers assisted in an arrest that put a man behind bars for 10 months on what prosecutors say were false charges.

Documents obtained by The Dallas Morning News show prosecutors concluded that Senior Cpl. David Nevitt lied when he said Thomas Hannon had a gun and drugs in his possession when the six officers participated in Hannon's arrest outside a North Dallas hotel in August 2007. Attorney Phil Burleson said Nevitt denies any wrongdoing in this case, as well as any other cases.

"He did not lie to the district attorney's office," Burleson said. "He has no reason to. He believed at the time [of the Hannon arrest] that it was the correct individual."

Hannon, a convicted felon, was jailed until last March, when prosecutors dropped the charges because Hannon's attorney obtained a videotape that showed another man carrying a bag containing the gun and drugs.

The case calls into question the integrity of a police department still recovering from a 2001 scandal in which dozens of false arrests were made after fake drugs were planted on innocent people by police informants.

"I would hope that everybody has learned the lessons of the fake-drug scandal," said Bill Wirskye, who is representing two clients with cases involving officers who participated in the Hannon arrest. "I have serious concerns about their credibility and the possibility of a pattern of illegal searches."

All six officers involved in Hannon's arrest – Nevitt, Lawrence Coddington, Jerry Dodd, David Durica, Frank Poblenz and Randy Sundquist – were named in a federal lawsuit filed last month alleging a violation of his civil rights.

Durica said he had not been notified of any investigation and denied any wrongdoing. "No one has approached or asked me about anything," he said. The other officers did not return calls seeking comment.

None of the officers has been accused of any criminal misconduct, and a timetable for completion of the district attorney's review was not available.

The prosecutors and the district attorney's office declined to publicly discuss the case.

Two prosecutors say in the documents obtained by The News that Nevitt told them he saw Hannon carrying the bag with his own two eyes, but he later changed his account, telling the prosecutors that he actually saw Hannon carrying the bag only on video surveillance footage.

"This is a case that really makes you question the integrity of all of their arrests in any situation," said Scott Palmer, Hannon's attorney. "The probable cause affidavit is absolutely diametrically opposed to reality. So therefore it must be a lie. It can't be a mistake."

Hannon's criminal history includes a three-year sentence for methamphetamine possession and unlawfully carrying a gun while on probation. He was released from prison on parole in 2005.

He said he first met Nevitt in the summer of 2007 when Nevitt and other officers showed up at his apartment asking to search it. Hannon said he refused, and Nevitt became angry but left. Hannon said he was evicted by apartment managers the same day.

More Information and Police Report: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/yahoolatestnews/stories/021709dnmetdpd.4035ff0.html

Police Brutality Must End

There has never been anything good about the use of excessive force by police officers, and law enforcement officials across the United States are fully aware of the disparaging effects these incidents have in our communities.

So how is it that another incident of alleged police brutality is able to surface in our local news as if this caustic phenomenon is some new and endearing trait of law enforcement?

And to make matters worse, the incident in question occurred back in 2006.

On the front page of the Friday, February the 13th edition of the Los Angeles Times, the headline read, “Inquiry into Hawthorne police beating questioned.”

The incident took place on July 21, 2006 in Hawthorne, CA, another city in our great nation that unfortunately has a wretched history of police misconduct. What is even more appalling about this incident is the fact that when it happened, we (the public) had no knowledge that the incident even occurred.

It gets scary for us as citizens when you couple this information with the fact that incidents of police brutality, as well as other forms of misconduct, occur on a daily basis, and most often times (because we don’t always understand what the police are doing), these incidents occur right under our noses.

This particular incident of police brutality has fortunately become an issue almost three years later because the City of Hawthorne (in late January 2009) had to pay the victim Anthony Goodrow the sum of $1 million dollars to settle his lawsuit against the police department for use of excessive force.

Experts who investigated the case, along with a review of the lawsuit by the Times, revealed that the initial investigator(s) from Internal Affairs not only failed to interview Goodrow, they also failed to interview the officers involved (one of which who was the police chief’s son) as well as a number of witnesses who were able to confirm that Goodrow was kicked in his face so hard during his arrest that his jaw was broken.

The officers involved were cleared of any wrong doing based solely on their written reports.

As far as the incident itself, Goodrow, 26 (race unstated), was attending a party with his girlfriend when the police arrived to investigate a noise complaint. Goodrow’s girlfriend protested that the officers had no right to enter the party, and officers responded by taking her into custody. Goodrow verbally protested his girlfriend’s arrest, and upon taking up a defensive stance, was grabbed by police officers, placed in a choke-hold, beaten, kicked, and placed under arrest for felony resisting.

There is not one person alive who would disagree with the fact that brutality and misconduct by police officers has to come to an end. Our government needs to be more aggressive in its approach to insure that law enforcement agencies have the necessary checks and balances in place to prevent injury and/or death from befalling any citizen as a result of police misconduct. Investigations into incidents of police brutality must be thorough, and stiffer penalties need to be put in place to punish those officers who are found in violation of departmental policies and/or laws as they pertain to police misconduct.

Most importantly, recruitment and training standards need to be structured so that prospective employees can gain a true sense of the actual sacrifice that has to be made when they choose to pursue a career in law enforcement.

For example, most recruitment ads for police officer tend to highlight the salary and other benefits of the position such as medical, retirement, etc. – and strategically placed in the background is a shiny, brand new police vehicle with flashing lights, flanked by two or more smiling, neatly dressed, uniformed police officers. This is usually followed by a job description that lists the qualifications, abilities, and working conditions for the position. Very little emphasis, if any, is placed on the fact that when a recruit becomes a police officer, he or she becomes a representative of the government – not of themselves. The laws they enforce are the laws of the government – not their laws.

Incidents of police brutality and misconduct usually occur when police officers take and make their job personal. It is the number one mistake that police officers make, and most people know that when someone takes a situation personal, the outcome is rarely favorable.

Police officers need to understand that when someone breaks the law, and later resist arrest through fighting or running from the scene, the person is not fighting or running away from you – the person is fighting and/or running away from what you represent - the law. With that being said – how can a police officer justify taking an incident personally and using excessive force to subdue a suspect, when the suspect most likely knows nothing personal about the officer, and is incapable of formulating anything against the officer on a personal level?

Answer – there is no justification.

If police departments spent more time during the introduction phase of recruitment for potential candidates highlighting this one crucial aspect of law enforcement, incidents of misconduct and brutality could be significantly reduced, and recruits could make better choices when it comes to deciding whether or not policing is the right profession for them.

Not to mention the amount of money that cities could retain for more viable community-based projects instead of paying out millions of dollars in lawsuits