[FL] NOT ARRESTED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Cocoa Deputy Police Chief Bobby Jones

The witness who tried to help Jones' girlfriend as she was being assaulted says his life was threatened. The father of the assaulted woman says she has tried to get a protection order. Jones has a wife and kids. Nobody's safe. And despite photographs and a witness, this deputy chief was not arrested.

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COCOA'S DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF SUSPENDED
Florida Today
By Rebecca Basu
December 21, 2010
[Excerpts] Cocoa’s deputy police chief is on paid leave following an alleged assault in Melbourne this past weekend. Cocoa Deputy Chief of Police Bobby Jones was suspended Monday pending the outcome of an investigation, Cocoa police spokeswoman Barbara Matthews said today. Melbourne police responded to a call of dating violence at 4 a.m. on Saturday in the downtown area that involved Jones, according to a police report. Jordan Kramer, an attorney who represents Jones, said in a statement: "My client vehemently denies the allegation against him and we will aggressively fight to defend his reputation as a respected police officer and member of the community. Deputy Chief Jones is a 19-year veteran of the Cocoa Police Department with an impecable service record and appreciates the support of his friends, family members, and fellow officers."... [Full article here]

DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF SUSPENDED OVER BATTERY CASE
WFTV.com News
December 21, 2010
[Excerpts] The Cocoa deputy police chief has been suspended, WFTV learned Tuesday. Deputy Chief Bobby Jones is under investigation for what's being called "dating violence." Jones has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation. Police said Jones, the second highest ranking officer in Cocoa, got into a violent fight with his 22- year-old girlfriend. A report from the Melbourne Police Department says an officer was called to an intersection near the Mainstreet Pub in Melbourne around 4:00am Saturday. Melbourne police said they have not arrested Jones because the State Attorney's Office needs to look at the evidence first. However, police are recommending criminal charges. "She was saying, 'Stop! I don't want to go with you. You're crazy, you're hurting me. Let me go!'" witness Scott Damsgaard said. Damsgaard says he could hear the victim screaming from a block away the night 38-year-old Jones allegedly battered his girlfriend... Damsgaard ran toward the screams only to see the alleged battery in progress. "He was manhandling her. He grabbed her by the hair and the arm and he was dragging her to the car and I watched all this part," he said... He said he tried to intervene and that's when Jones allegedly threatened his life. "He starts approaching me and he's like, 'You need to stand back or I'll kill you. I'll "f" you up,'" Damsgaard said. The woman's father spoke with WFTV. He said the family considers Jones dangerous and violent. The victim's father said his daughter has requested a restraining order in the case. He believes the relationship has been going on since October, despite the fact that Jones is married with three children. "It's an ongoing investigation. I do know that there was going to be some follow up to be done with the victim in reference to this case," Melbourne Police Commander Ron Bell said. Jones is on paid suspension and said the department cannot comment on Melbourne police's investigation... [Full article here]

COCOA DEPUTY CHIEF ON LEAVE: Jones has ties to domestic incident
Florida Today
By Rebecca Basu
December 22, 2010
[Excerpts] Deputy Police Chief Bobby Jones, who has said he aspires to the top law enforcement job in the city, is on administrative leave pending an investigation into an alleged domestic assault last weekend in downtown Melbourne. No charges have been filed... One page of a three-page report was released that showed the victim was a 22-year-old woman, there was a witness to the incident, and photographic evidence was obtained in what police termed a "dating violence" call. "All the pertinent information to make an arrest wasn't gathered at that time," said Melbourne Cmdr. Ron Bell... After the investigation is concluded, it will be forwarded to Seminole County for prosecutors to review, officials said. Both Brevard and Seminole counties are in the 18th Judicial Circuit. According to a profile page on the city of Cocoa's website, Jones worked as a patrol officer, street crime officer, undercover agent, SWAT officer, department trainer and corporal. He became a lieutenant in 2004 and deputy chief in 2009, overseeing daily operations... A FLORIDA TODAY public records request found that Jones earned $82,000 in wages early in his career. During that time, internal affairs, state and federal agencies investigated Jones about non-sustained allegations that included police misconduct and drug use. Jones never was charged... According to a review of his personnel file, prior to 1999,while on administrative leave for 21/2 years Jones was suspended three times without pay for department violations... Cocoa Mayor Michael Blake said once the investigation has concluded, a decision about Jones would be left to Klayman and other top city officials... [Full article here]
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