...The incident has spurred new allegations that Michael Turcotte violated ASPOST rules barring certification of police officials who commit "physical violence" or "malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance of office," or whose conduct "tends to disrupt, diminish or otherwise jeopardize the public trust"... AZPOST began in July 1968 as the Arizona Law Enforcement Officer Advisory Council aimed at establishing a set of minimum standards for the state's police officers...Previous post:
[AZ] Officer Turcotte seen choking his wife. 2nd dv call to thier house in 3 months. - ...[THIS MONTH] A WITNESS SAW TURCOTTE CHOKING HIS WIFE, WHICH LEFT HER WITH MARKS ON HER THROAT AND SOFT-TISSUE DAMAGE... [OF NOVEMBER INCIDENT] "I DID NOT PRESS ANY FORMAL CHARGES BECAUSE I WAS NOT ACTUALLY HARMED AND DID NOT WANT TO RUIN HIS CAREER AS A POLICE OFFICER"...
FORMER OFFICER MAY LOSE CERTIFICATION FOR ALLEGED ASSAULT
The Arizona Republic
by Nathan Gonzalez
Sept. 21, 2009 09:48 AM
[Excerpts] An incident of alleged domestic violence in January between a former Gilbert police officer and his wife ended with convictions for both, and may ultimately cost his police certification. The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board is investigating whether to pull Michael J. Turcotte's certification, which is required to be a police officer... Gilbert police arrested the couple Jan. 22, one day after Linda Turcotte admittedly threw an apple at her husband's back and slapped him. He then proceeded to choke and "struck" her many times, court documents state. Michael Turcotte admitted to police that he shoved his wife to the ground, but denied striking her, court documents state. "In addition, their 3-year-old granddaughter was present during the struggle and witnessed the event," court documents state. "The granddaughter stated during a forensic interview that 'grandpa choked grandma.'"... Michael Turcotte, who joined Gilbert police Dec. 24, 2007, resigned Jan. 28 before an internal investigation could begin. In early April, Linda and Michael Turcotte each took plea agreements in which they pleaded "no contest" to disorderly conduct. Michael Turcotte was placed on one year unsupervised probation, while his wife received three years of unsupervised probation.[?] Both are required to complete 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling. Under the plea agreement, if Linda and Michael Turcotte successfully complete their probation and counseling, their convictions will be wiped from their permanent record. The incident has spurred new allegations that Michael Turcotte violated ASPOST rules barring certification of police officials who commit "physical violence" or "malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance of office," or whose conduct "tends to disrupt, diminish or otherwise jeopardize the public trust"... Both were treated at a local hospital for scratches to their faces then booked into the Maricopa County jail... the January incident wasn't the first, according to AZPOST documents. Police were called to the Turcotte home Nov. 13, but no arrests were made. Linda Turcotte received an order of protection from her husband the next day. A judge tossed the protection order Nov. 25. AZPOST began in July 1968 as the Arizona Law Enforcement Officer Advisory Council aimed at establishing a set of minimum standards for the state's police officers. AZPOST certification is mandatory for all police officers but not county sheriff's deputies. The 13-member AZPOST Board oversees 170 law enforcement agencies, more than 16,000 sworn peace officers, 9,000 correctional officers and 16 police academies. [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence law enforcement arizona mutual]
Hi,
ReplyDeleteMichael turcotte deserves to lose his police certification.
Incidents of violence against women by the police officers are increasing these days. We expect police to work hard preventing crime and keeping us safe. This law enforcement official has ignored his sworn duty and had violated the rights of law-abiding citizens. Police recruitment procedures should completely check candidates behaviour before allowing them to join the police force.