[IN] Officer Brooks' ominous calls and visit result in no arrest

...Brooks was taken to police headquarters, questioned and released an unknown time later. Brooks was not arrested or booked... In the internal investigation, police owe it to the citizens of Anderson to explore whether Brooks should have been charged immediately and to give a full explanation as to why he wasn’t.

News from April 7th & April 12th

Police officer under investigation after incident
Anderson Herald Bulletin, IN
By SHAWN McGRATH
April 07, 2008
The Anderson Police Department has launched an internal investigation into an officer after he was found Monday morning banging on a man’s door, attempting to instigate him into a fight. Police were called to the 1200 block of Home Avenue at about 5 a.m. by resident Mark A. Kumkoski, 39, after he reported Officer Lincoln Brooks banging on his front door and trying to start a fight. Brooks, who is dating Kumkoski’s ex-wife, took a protective order out against Kumkoski on March 24, but the details of why he took out the order weren’t immediately known late Monday. Kumkoski said Brooks was intoxicated when he came to his home, and banged on his door. While the incident was going on, Kumkoski said Brooks called his cell phone and left a pair of profanity-filled messages, calling Kumkoski a coward. Kumkoski played the messages purportedly left by Brooks for The Herald Bulletin... “I’m outside your house (and) you’re a (expletive)... I’m dropping the restraining order tomorrow. I’m not a policeman anymore. I gave (Kumkoski’s ex-wife) my badge... You’ve ran your mouth long enough. Call the police, I don’t care. I’ll go to jail, just like you did, but I won’t (expletive) part like you did... I won’t have you (expletive) arrested, don’t have me arrested. I’m outside your door”... Hey, Mark, you’ve hidden behind my badge forever... just don’t call police. Be a man, come out. Back up what you’ve said. Just don’t call the police department on my (expletive), (expletive)”... Detective Joel Sandefur, Anderson Police Department spokesman, said Brooks was taken to police headquarters, questioned and released an unknown time later. Brooks was not arrested or booked into the Madison County Jail on suspicion of committing any crime, Sandefur said. Sandefur said he didn’t know if he has been placed on suspension. “There was an allegation lodged against him,” Sandefur said, “and we’re looking at that. To the best of my knowledge, he was not arrested. I don’t know if charges are warranted. I don’t know the full story”... [Full article here]

EDITORIAL: Police owe citizens explanation
Anderson Herald Bulletin - Anderson,IN
April 12, 2008
...Many readers at this point will have cynical thoughts about police protecting their own, treating their own differently than they would treat John Q. Public if he were the suspect in the Monday case. And that appears to be what happened. Assistant Chief Keith Copeland made the decision not to file preliminary charges against Brooks but has not publicly explained his rationale. "That's a discretionary decision he (Copeland) made," said APD spokesman Joel Sandefur. "That's a decision other officers have made"... In the internal investigation, police owe it to the citizens of Anderson to explore whether Brooks should have been charged immediately and to give a full explanation as to why he wasn’t. In the criminal investigation, Brooks’ case should be held to the same standards as if he were John Q. Public. And again, the rationale for filing or not filing charges should be made 100 percent clear to the people of Anderson. [Full article here]

OLDER:

Police: Man Killed By Officer Had Knife, Not Gun
theindychannel
April 12, 2007
A weapon that a man was holding as a police officer fatally shot him Wednesday was a knife -- not a gun as the officer initially believed -- Anderson police said. Police said Cheyenne Lee Miller, 26, pulled out a knife that looked like a gun as two officers -- who had just chased him into a garage -- ordered him to put his hands up Wednesday night. Anderson police Officer Lincoln Brooks thought the knife was a gun, so he shot Miller in the chest, killing him... [Full article here]

[GA] The sad search continues for Theresa, wife of fired Sgt. Parker

Well, Blue Hole Searched For Body Of Theresa Parker
chattanoogan.com
posted April 10, 2008
An underwater camera was used Thursday at two locations to search for the body of missing Walker County 911 operator Theresa Parker, Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson said. He said, "There were two locations that had been on our radar for awhile." Sheriff Wilson said the search did not turn up the body at either place. One search was at the Blue Hole at the foot of Pigeon Mountain. Another was at an old abandoned well that was uncovered during the widening of Highway 27 near Cane Creek Bridge. Sheriff Wilson said that well will now be capped. The camera was from the Walker County Water and Sewage Authority. The sheriff also said that the GBI on Thursday destroyed explosive devices found in the police locker of former LaFayette Police Sgt. Sam Parker, who has been charged in the murder of his estranged wife, Theresa. Parker is in the Catoosa County Jail awaiting trial in the case. Ms. Parker has been missing since March of last year. The couple was in the process of a divorce.

[MD] "I didn't know if I called 911, if he'd come back"

A judge on Monday cleared a former Salisbury Police Department officer [Tracy Ross Sparpaglione] of charges he raped a woman while on duty and in full uniform... After the rape accusation came to light, the Salisbury Police Department fired Sparpaglione four days later on May 30... His issued .45-caliber handgun remained holstered on his body during sex and he also held authority as the woman's arresting officer for an alleged domestic disturbance earlier... Baltimore attorney Leslie Stein, representing Sparpaglione, contended the sex was consensual. He also questioned the woman's credibility, pointing to previous psychiatric care she received and at least three separate occasions she alleged sexual offenses were committed against her...

As a woman I have to ask who it's okay to rape. If a woman has been raped or sexually assaulted before - she can't report rape again? She's used up her right to report? She's all raped up. For many of us that's personally frightening.

And women who have counselors or therapists can't report rape by officers? Exactly how many of us then can't complain if someone wearing a gun demands sex?

I keep separate files that I don't post here on this blog, of officers who are turned on by the parties they encounter when they are called out on a domestic report. There is a pattern.

These predators perpetrate with the power of their badge, clearly knowing how to pick their victims. They know how the story ends.

That an officer can even claim "consensual sex" when they are on duty & dealing with someone who's credibility has obviously been legally compromised - because the victim is party to a police report - is an outrage. That alone - even consensual sexual contact with a party of a police report - should be treated as a rape - or worse. The imbalance of POWER in those situations demands that we as communities stop accepting this. Then officers who get-off on vulnerables would have to think twice about picking their potential victims straight off the report sheets of their work calls. Police can't screw the people they arrest, or those who they are specifically called out to protect. We allow this with our silence.

Kudos to Salisbury Police Department for firing this officer - but is he on his way to filing suit for wrongful firing, and reclaiming his badge, with backpay?

EXCERPTS FROM NEWS REPORTS LEADING UP TO LAST WEEKS ACQUITTAL OF OFFICER SPARPAGLIONE. HOW THINGS WORK:

Former Salisbury Cop Indicted on Sex Charges
WBOC-TV 16
Kye Parsons
06/04/2007; Updated 06/05/2007
A Wicomico County Grand Jury on Monday indicted a recently fired Salisbury police officer who is accused of raping a woman he arrested late last month. Twenty-six-year-old Tracy Ross Sparpaglione of Laurel, Del., was indicted on second-degree rape, third- and fourth-degree sex offense, misconduct in office and first- and third-degree burglary charges. The grand jury indictment indicates that on the date of May 26, Sparpaglione arrested a Salisbury woman for second-degree assault. Following the woman's release later that day, Sparpaglione allegedly went to her Priscilla Street home and raped her, according to the grand jury statement of charges. After the rape accusation came to light, the Salisbury Police Department fired Sparpaglione four days later on May 30... Sparpaglione faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of second-degree rape...

Maryland Officer Accused of On-Duty Rape
The Daily Times
PJune 5, 2007
..."The Salisbury police officer, while on duty, is alleged to have engaged in very serious criminal activity," [State's Attorney Davis] Ruark said. "Mr. Sparpaglione faces very serious days ahead of him"... Salisbury Police Chief Allan Webster said Sparpaglione is "no longer an employee" of the department... According to court documents, on May 25, Sparpaglione arrested the victim at her residence on charges of second-degree assault after she allegedly struck her mother-in-law in the lip with a half-full water bottle. In the early morning hours of May 26, Sparpaglione allegedly used "trickery, fraud or subterfuge" to unlawfully gain access to her house, Ruark said. At this point, the alleged rape occurred... Sparpaglione was first suspended pending an initial investigation by the Salisbury Police Department and the Maryland State Police. He was discharged May 30, four days after the allegations surfaced...

Charged with rape, ex-officer posts bail
The Daily Times
Greg Latshaw
June 7, 2007
An ex- Salisbury patrolman charged with raping a woman he had arrested during Memorial Day weekend was released from jail Wednesday after posting $150,000 bail... Bail was granted because Sparpaglione , who has been married for three years and may already have new work ties to the area, doesn't pose a "significant risk" of fleeing future court appearances, Wicomico County Circuit Court Judge Donald Davis said... Sparpaglione has been charged with second-degree rape, third- and fourth-degree sex offenses, first- and third-degree burglary, and misconduct in office. Four of the six charges are felonies, and he could face 30 years in prison if convicted, said State's Attorney Davis Ruark... SPD officials have declined to comment on the ex-officer's performance record, citing it as a personnel matter... Assistant State's Attorney Patrizia Coletta had requested there be no bail or that it be set at no less than $250,000... the trial date will be set in about two weeks...

Trial to begin for officer charged with rape
The Daily Times
Greg Latshaw
October 3, 2007
Opening arguments are scheduled today in the trial of an ex- Salisbury patrolman accused of committing rape and burglary while on duty...

State delays rape case against ex- police officer
The Daily Times
Greg Latshaw
October 4, 2007
The Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office withdrew its case Wednesday against the ex- Salisbury patrolman charged with rape, but vowed to recharge him again in November. The legal maneuver, declared in court before Wednesday's trial, buys more time for investigators to analyze DNA evidence and will give the 19-year-old victim more time to heal, State's Attorney Davis Ruark said... "The state elected not to proceed at this time ... because of the traumatization of the victim, who is still undergoing the healing process, and also because issues of evidence still need to be resolved through analysis"... "A 'Nolle Pros' (declaration) is a temporary dismissal of the case," State's Attorney Davis Ruark said. "( Sparpaglione ) knows he will be recharged. The defense team knows he'll be recharged." Though "unexpected," the decision to drop the charges now helps the State's Attorney's Office to build the "strongest possible case" in the future, Ruark said. Prosecutors will seek a new grand jury indictment before Nov. 15 that "may include additional charges," he said... At this point, the alleged rape occurred, according to court records...

Ex-officer re-indicted on rape, burglary charges
The Daily Times
Greg Latshaw
October 24, 2007
A former Salisburypolice officer accused of rape and burglary while on duty was indicted Monday for the second time by the Wicomico County Office of the State's Attorney. Tracy Ross Sparpaglione , 27, of Laurel was first indicted by a grand jury in June, but charges were withdrawn Oct. 3 (the day of his trial) when prosecutors gave a notice "not to proceed" and formally dropped charges... Sparpaglione , who had not turned himself in as of Tuesday afternoon, originally posted $150,000 bail June 6...

Former officer acquitted of rape
Ex-Salisbury patrolman found guilty of misconduct on job
Salisbury Daily Times, MD
By Greg Latshaw
4/8/2008
A judge on Monday cleared a former Salisbury Police Department officer of charges he raped a woman while on duty and in full uniform, just hours after arresting her... His issued .45-caliber handgun remained holstered on his body during sex and he also held authority as the woman's arresting officer for an alleged domestic disturbance earlier, the prosecution argued. Baltimore attorney Leslie Stein, representing Sparpaglione, contended the sex was consensual. He also questioned the woman's credibility, pointing to previous psychiatric care she received and at least three separate occasions she alleged sexual offenses were committed against her. Ultimately, Judge Donald Davis found Sparpaglione guilty of committing misconduct in office... "The defendant, hands down, has conducted himself in the most unprofessional and disgraceful manner than what I've ever heard before," Davis said before clearing Sparpaglione of three sex offenses and two burglary charges. (But) I'm not persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt"... Sparpaglione testified he lied to the woman when telling her he returned to her residence later that night "just to check up on her." He actually had to finish a portion of the initial police report, which catalogues the facial features of a person arrested, he said. Sparpaglione said he did not want to admit this oversight to the woman... During intercourse, Sparpaglione testified he remained clothed in his police uniform and utility belt, which included a loaded firearm, baton and mace. Stein, in questioning the woman, asked why she did not cry out or fight the sexual act from occurring. She responded: "One, he's a police officer. Two, he's armed. Three, my son is in the next room." Stein also questioned why the woman did not shower, change her clothing or the bed sheets after sex. He also asked why she waited until the next day to report the offense -- especially when the same friend who had visited earlier came back later that night and she did not tell him of the alleged offense. "I was scared," she testified. "I didn't know if I called 911, if he'd come back"...

Ex-Cop Acquitted of Rape; But Ordered to Jail
wboc.com
04/07/2008
A Wicomico County Circuit Court judge has acquitted a former Salisbury police officer of charges he raped a woman while on duty soon after arresting her... Prosecutors argued that Sparpaglione intimidated the woman into having sex with him. But a defense attorney contended the sex was consensual and questioned the woman's credibility. The Wicomico State's Attorney's Office says there are no sentencing guidelines for misconduct in office. That means sentencing is entirely up to the judge's discretion.

[IL] Resigned Sgt. Peterson - the problem is everyone & everything but him

Peterson airs his complaints to Larry King
Joliet Herald News, IL
By JOE HOSEY jhosey@scn1.com
April 11, 2008
Common people may get to beat their wives -- but the men in blue can't. "As a police officer, we don't have the same abilities to do things as a common person," Drew Peterson pointed out during his appearance on the "Larry King Live" show Friday night. While one of the things police officers are deprived of, Peterson seemed to be saying, is committing domestic battery, this is but a single example of the hardships endured by former Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson. Peterson, whose fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, vanished Oct. 28, also suffered a troubling marriage with the missing woman in no small part because she was "under psychiatric care and she was medicated"... Peterson must deal with a biased press corps intent on making him the bad guy in his fourth wife's disappearance and the mysterious death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio... "Sinister sells better." Then there's the stepbrother who supposedly told his buddy he helped Peterson move a barrel that may have contained Stacy's body. Peterson tried to be understanding about his stepbrother, Thomas Morphey, since the man had emotional and financial troubles, he said... Peterson also complained he was engaged to a woman now so bitter about their break-up more than 25 years ago that she is going on television and telling lies about him. And speaking of lying, he told about Sharon Bychowski, the lady next door who is not only lying, he says, but also harassing him and upsetting his children. "Sharon next door has been acting emotionally disturbed, I guess"... Besides the unreliable and volatile people in Peterson's life, there are inanimate objects, such as polygraph machines, which also cannot be trusted, which is why he will not submit to a lie-detector test... Peterson said he happened to be fast asleep when Stacy abandoned him and their children to indulge herself in an adulterous affair... The state police named Peterson a suspect in Stacy's disappearance... The state police have not named anyone a suspect in the Savio homicide... "There will never be a charge against Drew," [Peterson's attorney, Joel Brodsky] said. "Never"... [Full article here]

[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]

This month is different

I've been doing what I need to do to keep the family afloat financially this month. It's been very hard scaling back on officer involved domestic violence so drastically because my heart is here. But then there's the kids. Enough said. I know I'm doing the right thing.
But also this month it is the five year mark of the police chief of my city - Tacoma Police Chief David Brame - fatally shooting his wife Crystal and himself. Because of how that happened, before and after - whenever I do get some time, that is what I have been working on, reading about, organizing what I need to say out loud, & packaging for sharing.
There is no collective of folk working together on these local issues. Outside of the media, there appears to only be one person who won't let it go unaddressed without noise.

[OH] Officer Flynn can stay an officer even after his assault hospitalizes his 2 daughters

...prosecutors announced the officer had agreed to plead no contest to misdemeanor assault... The plea means Flynn can continue his police career in the Falls or elsewhere...

Previous entries:

• [OH] Officer Flynn arrested, fired, rehired, & arrested again
• [OH] "I don't think we're sweeping it under the rug"

Falls police officer agrees to plea deal in assault
He is found guilty of misdemeanor charge in case involving two of his children. Felony is dismissed
Beacon Journal
By Ed Meyer
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008
Moments before opening statements Monday in the felonious assault trial of a Cuyahoga Falls police officer, prosecutors announced the officer had agreed to plead no contest to misdemeanor assault... The plea means Flynn can continue his police career in the Falls or elsewhere, defense lawyer Michael T. Callahan said. In exchange for the plea, two charges of domestic violence and a felony charge of endangering children were dismissed... Flynn, 37, was arrested June 8 by Norton police after two of his three children, 10 and 12 at the time, were taken to Akron Children's Hospital by their mother, Flynn's former wife. According to a police report, the girls were taken to the hospital for injuries they said their father inflicted during a dispute at his home in Norton... Flynn faced two to eight years in prison if he had been convicted of felonious assault... Special prosecutors were named in the case because Flynn's father, Ralph E. Flynn II, is an investigator with the Summit County Prosecutor's Office, Scarsella said... While [defense lawyer Michael] Callahan talked to reporters, Flynn was seated alone at the defense table, sobbing... Flynn has not visited with his daughters since the incident, but hopes to resume efforts to rebuild a relationship with them, Callahan said. Falls Police Chief John Conley, who said in August that Flynn was on an unpaid LEAVE OF ABSENCE from the department, did not return messages seeking comment about Flynn's status... [Full article here]

I remember Flynn:

Jan 14, 2005
[OH] Officer Flynn and girlfriend Sonja Butcher arrested
...WHEN POLICE ARRIVED, THEY FOUND BUTCHER OUTSIDE ON THE GROUND AND FLYNN STANDING NEAR A VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. NEIGHBORS TOLD POLICE THAT THEY SAW FLYNN ON TOP OF BUTCHER, PUNCHING HER WHILE SHE WAS ON THE GROUND...

Mar 16, 2005
[OH] Officer Flynn update: Found guilty and fired -
THE CITY HAS FIRED A POLICE OFFICER ACCUSED OF FIGHTING WITH HIS LIVE-IN GIRLFRIEND... Patrolman Ralph E. Flynn III, 34, was given the option to either accept a last-chance probation deal and serve a 10-day suspension for the fracas and attend anger-management classes or be fired. Flynn chose the latter... Norton police initially charged Flynn AND the woman with domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor, but those charges were later dropped. Flynn later was charged with disorderly conduct. He pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge in Barberton Municipal and was fined $100...

Jun 11, 2007
[OH] FIRED, REHIRED OFFICER FLYNN ARRESTED AGAIN
A Cuyahoga Falls police officer [Ralph E. Flynn III] who previously faced a domestic violence charge involving his live-in girlfriend has been arrested again -- this time on two counts of domestic violence against two of his children... In 2005, [Mayor Don] Robart fired him after he was charged with domestic violence in Barberton Municipal Court for an alleged fight with his live-in girlfriend... he got his job back about six months later -- with back pay -- when the police union won a grievance in his favor, Conley said...

Jun 12, 2007
[OH] The injuries to Officer Flynn's 10 & 12 year old daughters
...Patrolman Ralph E. Flynn III, 36, was arrested Friday in Norton in a dispute involving his two daughters, ages 10 and 12. His supervisor has recommended that Flynn be fired because a temporary protective order issued against him by Barberton Municipal Court on Saturday bans him from carrying a weapon... A social worker at Akron Children's Hospital called authorities after the mother of Flynn's daughters brought them to the emergency room Friday. The girls had injuries they said they received from their father during a visit at his home... The 10-year-old said she fell against a bed and hit her head after her arm was twisted, according to the police report. Her arm was put in a cast and is being checked for fractures. The 12-year-old told Norton police that she was struck in the head and on the left thigh...

Jun. 23, 2007
[OH] Officer Flynn on unpaid leave after assaulting daughters
A Cuyahoga Falls police officer facing disciplinary action for a domestic violence arrest is now on an unpaid leave of absence from his job. Patrolman Ralph E. Flynn III, 36, had been on vacation since his arrest June 8. He asked for the...

Aug 8, 2007
[OH] Fired, rehired Officer Flynn's "felony" injury to his daughters
The case of a Cuyahoga Falls police officer facing disciplinary action for a domestic violence arrest in June apparently is headed to a Summit County grand jury for possible indictment as a felony... According to a police incident report, the girls were treated for injuries they said their father inflicted during a visit to the family's residence... Assistant Barberton law director David Fish said felony charges should have been considered because of "the nature of the injuries"... In 2005 Flynn III pleaded no contest and was found guilty of disorderly conduct for "making an offensively coarse gesture" to a woman. He also was arrested for domestic violence in that case...