[AZ] Fired for dv death threats ex-Peoria Police Sgt. Smith thinks his good past record should have been considered

...[Peoria Police Sgt. Tim] Smith said the department's investigation failed to take into account the "totality of circumstances" and did not sufficiently consider his 13-plus-year career of "numerous accolades, commendations and appointments" as a mitigating factor...

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[AZ] Sgt. Smith's "ongoing domestic violence/relations issues" end in firing after said-threat to kill wife allegation - ...Sgt. Tim Smith is accused of verbally threatening his wife during a telephone argument in December, saying, "If you come in here with the cops, you'll be the first one to die"... He was reportedly using a city-issued cell phone at the time of the incident and sent several harassing text messages... According to the report, he told police investigators that he was too intoxicated at the time of the December argument to remember what he said or texted...

PEORIA EX-POLICE OFFICER FIGHTS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES
The Arizona Republic
by Dustin Gardiner
Apr. 26, 2010 09:53 AM
[Excerpts] A former Peoria police sergeant has pleaded innocent to two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence. Sgt. Tim Smith was fired from the department in February after allegedly threatening during a telephone argument to kill his wife. He has been charged with threatening and criminal damage in connection with the incident... In a statement released last month, Smith said the department's investigation failed to take into account the "totality of circumstances" and did not sufficiently consider his 13-plus-year career of "numerous accolades, commendations and appointments" as a mitigating factor. "Even an accusation or 'charge' is far from guilt," Smith wrote. "There is not, and never was, a victim willing to aid in or desiring prosecution, nor were the elements of a crime present even had there been a willing victim." HEARING PENDING - Smith is set to challenge his firing at a departmental administrative hearing scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday. For live updates from the hearing, visit www.twitter.com/dustingardiner [LINK]

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EX-PEORIA POLICE SERGEANT FACES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES
The Arizona Republic
by Dustin Gardiner
Apr. 1, 2010 08:54 AM
[Excerpts] A former Peoria police sergeant has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence amid allegations that he threatened to kill his wife... Investigators said the December incident was part of "ongoing domestic violence/relations issues" between Smith and his wife.
He has been charged with threatening and criminal damage in relation to the circumstances surrounding his firing, said Jay Davies, a spokesman for Peoria police... The text messages included, "Don't ever let me see you again," "I don't know how but ur clothes n stuff is on fire in the cul de sac," and, "U ever come back here I won't b responsible"... Other misconduct, according to the report, involved damaging walls or furniture in the couple's home or apartment on several occasions... As the supervisor over the department's Property Crimes Unit, Smith was responsible for overseeing a group of detectives and deciding which property-related cases would be submitted for prosecution. He had been with the department since 1996. Police Chief Larry Ratcliff has declined to comment on the case until after the appeal process. [Full article here]

UPDATE:
Ex-Peoria police officer found guilty of disorderly conduct
The Arizona Republic
by Dustin Gardiner
Jun. 29, 2010 12:30 PM
[Excerpts] A former Peoria police sergeant has been convicted of disorderly conduct in connection with accusations that he threatened to kill his wife. Tim Smith, 52, was fired from the department in February after he was accused of threatening his spouse during a fight last December... Smith was originally charged with two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence - criminal damage and threatening. The charges were reduced to two counts of disorderly conduct after he agreed to plead no contest, according to court records. Smith was sentenced to one year probation and must complete a 10-week anger management course... Smith is expected to challenge his firing at a Police Department hearing Aug. 31... [LINK]
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