[MN] Once-fired-then-hired, uncharged on armed dv threats & released Deputy Johnson

...Johnson, a former St. Paul police officer, was hired by the sheriff's office in 1998 after an eight-year career during which he reportedly faced 14 internal affairs complaints, four of which were sustained. Sheriff Bob Fletcher told the Star Tribune then that the "totality" of Johnson's performance, and strong job reviews by superiors, outweighed any disciplinary concerns...

St. Paul / Deputy in domestic dispute arrested
Complaints on file for former city cop
Pioneer Press
By Mara H. Gottfried
Apr 8, 2008
A Ramsey County sheriff's deputy was arrested Sunday on suspicion of making terroristic threats, a felony, during a domestic dispute at his St. Paul home. Thomas Robert Johnson, 52, was booked into the Ramsey County Jail about 7 p.m. Sunday and released after 11 a.m. Monday without being charged and pending further investigation by St. Paul police. St. Paul officers were called about 4:30 p.m. to Johnson's home in the 400 block of Roy Street, near Snelling and University avenues, about a domestic situation. Police reports about the incident weren't cleared for review and no details were available, said Tom Walsh, police spokesman. Sheriff Bob Fletcher hired Johnson in November 1998 to work in the detention division of the sheriff's office. In September 1998, Johnson had been fired from the St. Paul Police Department. The firing was later rescinded, and he was allowed to resign... Johnson had been a St. Paul police officer since 1991 and was the subject of 14 citizen and internal complaints. Four complaints were sustained... At the sheriff's office, where Johnson is currently assigned to the patrol division and stationed at Regions Hospital, the deputy has had one sustained complaint. Johnson received a written reprimand in January for a May incident when he was found in violation of the county's personnel rules on computer use. "The document that was created on your computer was deemed to be unprofessional, inappropriate and offensive and created a disruption in the workplace," the reprimand states... Because of Sunday's arrest, Johnson was placed on paid administrative leave from the sheriff's office and an internal affairs investigation was launched, said Undersheriff Ryan O'Neill.... [Full article here]

Possible charges against deputy to be decided in different county
The Star Tribune
Anthony Lonetree
April 8, 2008
The question of whether a Ramsey County sheriff's deputy will face charges after an alleged domestic dispute is being referred to another county because of concerns about possible conflict of interest, a Ramsey County attorney's office spokeswoman said... Police spokesman Tom Walsh said that Sunday's incident involved the deputy's wife, but he declined to give further details... Johnson, a former St. Paul police officer, was hired by the sheriff's office in 1998 after an eight-year career during which he reportedly faced 14 internal affairs complaints, four of which were sustained. Sheriff Bob Fletcher told the Star Tribune then that the "totality" of Johnson's performance, and strong job reviews by superiors, outweighed any disciplinary concerns... [Full article here]