[NY] Indictment against Albany Police Officer Robert Schunk alleges bruises, cuts, and swelling on girlfriend were from A GUN

...Police reports filed in the case state  Schunk, and his girlfriend, Barbara Waters, have a history of alcohol-fueled domestic troubles... The [Albany Police Officer Robert] Schunk indictment, meanwhile, alleged he caused cuts, bruises, swelling and other pain to a woman that were inflicted by a gun...

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[NY] Albany Officer Schunk arrested for alleged domestic violence this time. - An Albany police officer was suspended early today following his arrest on charges related to a domestic incident involving his girlfriend... It's the second time in five years that Schunk has been arrested and suspended from duty...

Second Albany cop faces counts
Times Union - Albany NY
By ROBERT GAVIN, Staff writer
Thursday, May 27, 2010
[Excerpts] Officer Robert Schunk faces a possible 21/3 to 7 years in prison on a felony assault charge. Schunk, who allegedly pointed a gun at his girlfriend during an argument last year, was arrested Tuesday after an Albany grand jury indicted him... The Schunk indictment, meanwhile, alleged he caused cuts, bruises, swelling and other pain to a woman that were inflicted by a gun between Jan. 3 and 4. The grand jury's probe stems from statements Barbara J. Waters of Halfmoon made to Albany detectives last month after she and Schunk, 38, of Albany both were arrested following a violent domestic incident that began in the town of Halfmoon. The couple are no longer together. Waters alleged that Schunk pointed a gun at her in January 2009 during an argument that she said became physical. The department did not immediately announce the arrests... Schunk's case was prosecuted by Lyn A. Murphy of the Saratoga County district attorney's domestic violence unit. A judge appointed Murphy as a special prosecutor... [Full article here]

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Violence in records of Albany cop: Policeman accused of kicking girlfriend during argument at her apartment
Times Union - Albany NY
By BRENDAN J. LYONS, Senior writer
April 6, 2010
[Excerpts] An Albany police officer who was arrested for roughing up his girlfriend early Saturday allegedly caused bruising to her arms and legs when he grabbed and kicked her during an argument at the woman's apartment, records show. Police reports filed in the case state the officer, Robert Schunk, and his girlfriend, Barbara Waters, have a history of alcohol-fueled domestic troubles. Waters also was arrested for charges she caused extensive damage to Schunk's apartment in Albany that same night. Albany police officials said they suspended Schunk on Sunday morning following his arrest by Saratoga County sheriff's deputies. He was arrested on a warrant charging him with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. Schunk, 38, also was cited for harassment, a violation, for kicking open the woman's bathroom door, grabbing her and throwing her against the shattered door and causing her to cut her hands, police said. The reckless endangerment count relates to the woman's statement that Schunk nearly ran her over when he backed up his pick-up truck as she tried to retrieve items he took from her apartment following the physical confrontation. The incident at her apartment took place about 1:30 a.m. Three hours later in Albany, Waters, 36, was charged with a felony count of criminal mischief by Albany police. She is accused of entering Schunk's Albany residence that night and causing an estimated $3,000 worth of damage, including dumping cooking oil on his belongings... Neighbors told police they saw Schunk enter the apartment and leave several minutes later clutching a bag. A neighbor said Schunk was "whistling and singing"... Schunk had seen Waters speaking to a male patron, she said, Schunk dumped a beer over her head and took her keys as he accused her of having "a party" at her apartment without his knowledge. "I said: 'No, Bob, I didn't.' Then he called me a bitch (and) told me I keep secrets from him," Waters said. "He said I'm going to take your tv and we're done." Waters said she left the bar, went to her apartment and Schunk followed, using her keys to unlock the door. He started yelling. Two neighbors gave statements to police that they were startled awake by the screaming and one of them heard a loud bang that may have been Schunk kicking in a bathroom door. One of the neighbors said it was common for the couple, who have been together more than two years, to have heated arguments... A domestic incident report on file in Halfmoon Town Court indicates there is "prior domestic violence history" and that police reports had been filed in the past related to the couple's problems. The incident report also indicates Schunk has an "alcohol history"... Under departmental policy officers on the Albany force are required to report any contact with other law enforcement agencies if an incident involves a police response or potential criminal activity. Schunk was arraigned early Saturday in Halfmoon Town Court. A judge set bail at $1,000 cash, which records indicate was posted by Christian Mesley, a fellow Albany officer and president of the Albany Police Officers Union. He is due back in town court on April 13. It's the second time in five years that Schunk has been arrested and suspended from duty... [Full article here]

Grand jury probes officer: Panel is weighing allegations Albany cop pointed gun at his girlfriend during fight
Times Union - Albany NY
By BRENDAN J. LYONS, Senior writer
May 16, 2010
[Excerpts] A grand jury is investigating allegations that an Albany police officer leveled a gun at his girlfriend during an argument early last year that turned physical, according to two people familiar with the investigation. The grand jury probe of Officer Robert Schunk, who has been arrested twice in the past six years, stems from statements the girlfriend, Barbara J. Waters, made to Albany detectives last month after she and Schunk, 38, both were arrested following a violent domestic incident that began in the town of Halfmoon. The couple are no longer together... Albany County prosecutors have recused their office from handling Waters' allegations that Schunk pointed a gun at her in January 2009 during an argument that she said became physical. Waters declined to be interviewed for this story... In a deposition filed in Albany City Court, Schunk said he arrived at his residence about 1:50 a.m. on April 3 and spotted Waters' vehicle parked outside. He drove around until she left and then discovered someone had broken a window to get inside. "I stayed outside and called South Station," Schunk wrote. "Upon entering my home I observed glass all over." He estimated the damage "to be approximately $1,000 to replace and clean up." Schunk's statement to Albany police did not make any reference to a fight he had with Waters about an hour earlier at her apartment in Halfmoon. Saratoga County deputies arrested Schunk after Waters gave a statement that he had struck her, injured her and allegedly backed his pickup truck toward her as she gave chase on foot trying to retrieve belongings he took from her apartment... Police records in Halfmoon accuse Schunk of bruising Waters' arms and legs when he grabbed and kicked her during an argument. Schunk also is accused of kicking open Waters' bathroom door, grabbing her and throwing her against the shattered door and causing her to cut her hands... Schunk is due back in Halfmoon Town Court on June 8. Waters, a self-employed nanny, is due back in Albany City Court next week... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety new york state repeat hx mutual combat female pistol whipped whip]

[NY] Officer Schunk "Trial begins for cop who did not fear arrest" - Albany Times Union

...[Albany police Officer Robert' Schunk, who has had numerous off-duty brushes with police but nearly always avoided arrest, was growing increasingly violent in fights fueled by jealousy, alcohol, or both. According to court records, Schunk, 39, who has been with the force 12 years, didn't fear breaking the law and was confident that fellow police officers would not arrest him... Waters told deputies Schunk roughed her up and she showed them bruises on her arms and legs. The deputies threatened to arrest Waters for kicking and damaging a television if she pressed charges. Schunk was not arrested... Despite Waters' injuries, an incident report filed by deputies on June 25, 2009, indicates "no injuries to either party." The deputies, who belong to the same police union as Schunk, Council 82, classified the incident as "verbal abuse"... The following day, Waters drove to a sheriff's substation in Halfmoon and again showed deputies her injuries and bruises, which had grown more visible. They declined to take a second report. A person with knowledge of the incident said Schunk was later tipped that Waters had been there...

I usually don't post whole articles but this one can't be chopped up. Please go the the [Albany Times-Union] website to see the photos taken at Schunk's residence.

Previous posts:

• [NY] Albany Officer Schunk arrested for alleged domestic violence this time - An Albany police officer was suspended early today following his arrest on charges related to a domestic incident involving his girlfriend... It's the second time in five years that Schunk has been arrested and suspended from duty...
• [NY] Indictment against Albany Police Officer Robert Schunk alleges bruises, cuts, and swelling on girlfriend were from A GUN - ...Police reports filed in the case state Schunk, and his girlfriend, [BW], have a history of alcohol-fueled domestic troubles... The [Albany Police Officer Robert] Schunk indictment, meanwhile, alleged he caused cuts, bruises, swelling and other pain to a woman that were inflicted by a gun...

TRIAL BEGINS FOR COP WHO DID NOT FEAR ARREST: Robert Schunk, 39, is accused of pressing handgun to his former girlfriend's head during jealous rage

Times Union

By BRENDAN J. LYoNS Senior Writer

Monday, February 7, 2011

When the yelling started, often late at night, the patrol cars eased quietly onto Lookout Lane as police arrived to handle the domestic troubles involving one of their own.

Behind the door of Apartment 409 , Albany police Officer Robert Schunk and his former girlfriend, Barbara Waters, were becoming a case study in domestic violence. Schunk, who has had numerous off-duty brushes with police but nearly always avoided arrest, was growing increasingly violent in fights fueled by jealousy, alcohol, or both.

According to court records, Schunk, 39, who has been with the force 12 years, didn't fear breaking the law and was confident that fellow police officers would not arrest him. But his luck wasn't bulletproof.

On Monday, Schunk's criminal trial begins in Albany on charges that he struck Waters in the head with a handgun, pressing the barrel into her skull, after pushing her down a flight of stairs at his Albany apartment two years ago.

The violent encounter didn't come to light until last May after Schunk was arrested in Halfmoon. Sheriff's deputies say he knocked Waters around her apartment and took items without permission. Earlier that night at a nearby bar, Schunk poured a beer over Waters' head, according to a police report.

Waters also was arrested that night after she drove to Schunk's Albany apartment and damaged items, including a computer, in an act of retribution.

But while Schunk was charged with misdemeanors, Waters was arrested by Albany police on a felony charge that was later dismissed.

A review of police records, and interviews with people close to Schunk, raise questions about whether Albany police, and other area agencies, turned a blind eye to his troubling behavior.

In addition, a person with knowledge of the matter said Schunk and officers who were part of an aggressive patrol unit occasionally gathered at Schunk's residence, while some officers were allegedly on duty, to drink and play cards. The Strategic Deployment Unit, in the five years it existed, logged complaints ranging from excessive force to civil rights violations and assault. The unit was recently disbanded by Police Chief Steven Krokoff.

Schunk's problems date at least to June 2002 when police in Colonie responded to a domestic disturbance involving Schunk and a former girlfriend. Police noted Schunk appeared intoxicated, was physically violent and broke a vase at the woman's residence. Schunk was not arrested.

Three years later, in April 2005, Schunk was arrested on drunken-driving charges by an Albany police lieutenant after smashing his Volkswagen into two parked cars on North Allen Street. Schunk refused an alcohol test and fought the charges before eventually pleading guilty to driving while ability impaired.

The department disciplined Schunk and he returned to duty.

Most drivers lose their license for a DWI conviction. But Schunk's driving privileges were restored after his fellow officers gave conflicting testimony at a motor vehicle hearing about whether his rights had been properly read to him. An internal affairs investigation that probed whether officers manipulated their testimony was later dropped, an official familiar with the case said.

Two years later, in June 2007, police in Clifton Park were called to the home of Schunk's brother as the two men fought. Police noted that both men appeared intoxicated and Schunk allegedly "threatened to shoot his brother with a pistol," according to a court record. Schunk was not arrested.

Two years after that, in June 2009, Saratoga County sheriff's deputies responded to Waters' apartment as Schunk and the woman argued, which neighbors said was common.

According to a person familiar with the incident, Waters told deputies Schunk roughed her up and she showed them bruises on her arms and legs. The deputies threatened to arrest Waters for kicking and damaging a television in the apartment, which carried her name on the lease, if she pressed charges. Schunk was not arrested.

(Page 2 of 3)

Despite Waters' injuries, an incident report filed by deputies on June 25, 2009, indicates "no injuries to either party." The deputies, who belong to the same police union as Schunk, Council 82, classified the incident as "verbal abuse."

The following day, Waters drove to a sheriff's substation in Halfmoon and again showed deputies her injuries and bruises, which had grown more visible. They declined to take a second report. A person with knowledge of the incident said Schunk was later tipped that Waters had been there.

Lyn A. Murphy, a Saratoga County assistant district attorney, filed a motion in Albany County Court last week that gave a different version than the June 2009 sheriff's report. Murphy, who is handling Schunk's case as a special prosecutor, wrote that Schunk "physically assaulted Ms. Waters while they were at her home in Halfmoon. He was also verbally abusive and damaged her property while in a rage."

The motion said Waters sought medical treatment and that after Schunk identified himself as a police officer to deputies "no arrest was made."

Last April, in another 911 police response to Waters' apartment, Schunk was arrested by a sheriff's sergeant following another violent confrontation. The charges: trespassing, harassment, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment, for allegedly throwing his pickup truck in reverse and nearly striking Waters.

The deputies did not charge Schunk with assault or a felony. A police report indicates Schunk kicked open a locked bathroom door, where Waters was hiding, and "he grabbed her by her arms and pushed her into the bathroom wall and kick(ed) her in the legs ... leaving black and blue bruises on her."

Albany's internal affairs detectives then launched an investigation and while questioning Waters they learned that Schunk had allegedly hit Waters in the head with his departmental handgun in January 2009, during another jealousy-fueled fight.

The internal probe triggered the appointment of a special prosecutor and Schunk was indicted by an Albany grand jury on charges of felony and misdemeanor assault. Krokoff, who became chief last year, filed administrative charges seeking to fire Schunk.

Among the people who testified before the grand jury in the criminal case was Officer Christian Mesley, president of the Albany Police Officers Union and Schunk's friend. Mesley, a gun expert, is scheduled to testify at Schunk's trial this week about how he disabled Schunk's handgun while visiting him the night of the incident with Waters, and while the couple were fighting about Schunk's jealousy.

A short time later, according to the charges, Schunk attacked Waters and held his knee in her back while pressing the barrel of his gun into her skull. Waters told detectives that Schunk pulled the weapon away from her head at one point and stared curiously at the weapon. She sought medical treatment 11 days later and told a physician's assistant, who is expected to testify, what Waters said had happened.

James Lyman, executive director of Council 82, the Albany police union's umbrella union, accompanied Mesley to Schunk's residence the night of the gun incident. Lyman also is on the government's witness list.

Pre-trial motions by Schunk's lawyer, Cheryl Coleman, said Schunk did not intend to injure Waters with the gun because it had been "disassembled" and was therefore "not a dangerous instrument."

On Sunday, Coleman said Schunk has a different version of what unfolded that night. "That just did not happen," Coleman said of Waters' allegation. Coleman said they will challenge Waters' credibility for not telling police about the incident for more than a year and after she was arrested for damaging Schunk's property.

"This was a very dysfunctional relationship," Coleman said. "I think there's going to be a lot of problems with the DA's case and with her credibility. But clearly both of them are probably better off being with other people."

Waters declined requests to comment.

(Page 3 of 3)

Schunk remains suspended with pay while the department seeks his termination. While on suspension he had another brush with police last August when a Colonie officer found him sitting in his pickup truck with a 23-year-old woman who is a documented heroin addict. They were in the parking lot of a Kmart at 2:30 a.m.

The woman, who was also wanted on drug charges, later told Albany detectives Schunk paid her $60 for sex after picking her up on Central Avenue in Albany.

A subpoena of Schunk's banking records indicated he withdrew $60 from a cash machine shortly before the Colonie officer confronted the pair. The woman, Rachal Schroeder, was charged with drug possession. Schunk was not arrested.

The jury scheduled to hear evidence at Schunk's trial is not likely to hear details of his past, except possibly the June 2009 incident in Halfmoon. Albany County Judge Stephen W. Herrick ruled Murphy, who sought to introduce all of Schunk's brushes with police, may not use evidence "unrelated" to the gun incident because it could be prejudicial to Schunk, the judge ruled.

Albany officials have not fulfilled a Freedom of Information Law request filed two months ago by the Times Union that seeks copies of all complaints filed against the now-disbanded SDU. A city attorney said the information is being compiled.

Last month, the city paid a man $39,000 to settle a federal claim that two members of the SDU, after misidentifying him as a drug dealer, struck him with batons and pepper sprayed him before charging him with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

A few years ago, a lieutenant who supervised the SDU was suspended 30 days after breaking his hand while punching the head of a young man in handcuffs.

City police officials declined comment on Schunk's case or allegations made to their internal affairs unit that on-duty officers consumed alcohol at his residence. Deputy Chief Stephen Reilly said the department does not want to imperil their pending case that seeks to fire Schunk. [LINK]

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety lethal repeat hx teflon brutal new york state]

[NY] Excerpts from: "EX-GIRLFRIEND OF ALBANY COP RECALLS TERROR OF GUN THREAT"

The former girlfriend of an Albany police officer [Officer Robert L. Schunk] testified Tuesday that he held her face down on the floor of his Albany residence two years ago and threatened to kill her while grinding the barrel of a loaded handgun against her skull...

EX-GIRLFRIEND OF ALBANY COP RECALLS TERROR OF GUN THREAT: Former girlfriend of Albany cop recalls terror of gun threat
Albany Times Union
By Brendan J. Lyons
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
[Excerpts] The former girlfriend of an Albany police officer testified Tuesday that he held her face down on the floor of his Albany residence two years ago and threatened to kill her while grinding the barrel of a loaded handgun against her skull. Barbara Waters said her former boyfriend, Officer Robert L. Schunk, later threatened in a voicemail message to kill her and her young son if she told anyone about the incident or jeopardized his job... Waters, 37, said Schunk held her on the floor with his knee in her back and she prayed for help from her father, who had recently died... The encounter turned violent, Waters said, when Schunk shoved her down a flight of stairs as she started to leave without the belongings she had gone to his residence to retrieve. She had gone there to break up with Schunk... Waters testified that she and Schunk reunited after the gun incident and entered therapy. "I loved him," she testified... Ten days later, Waters went to a doctor's office and reported her injuries and what happened to a physician's assistant, Karen Kasarda, who testified about treating Waters for the injuries... Officer Christian Mesley, president of the Albany Police Officers Union, testified that he drove Schunk home to meet with Waters the night of the incident. Mesley said that before leaving, and while Schunk and Waters argued in a car outside, he took Schunk's loaded service weapon off a kitchen counter and disabled it by removing internal parts. Mesley said he put the magazine back in the weapon, with 11 rounds inside, and placed the gun back on the counter after hiding the gun parts in the house. Schunk did not know the weapon was inoperable when he held it to Waters' head, the prosecutor said... [Judge Stephen W.] Herrick has not allowed the jury to hear evidence about other documented domestic violence incidents involving Schunk. That includes criminal charges filed against him last April for allegations he attacked Waters at her Halfmoon apartment in a jealous rage. Hours later, Waters was arrested in Albany after breaking into Schunk's residence to retrieve belongings and allegedly damaging his property. James Lyman, a former Albany detective and executive director of Council 82, which is the umbrella union for the Albany police union, also testified Tuesday. Lyman said he went to Mesley's house the night of the incident when Schunk showed up there emotionally distressed and that he had been drinking. Lyman said he and Mesley drove Schunk home and that he saw Mesley disable Schunk's gun before they left as the couple argued... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety lethal repeat hx teflon brutal new york state horror fear afraid]

[NY] Albany Officer Schunk arrested for alleged domestic violence this time.

SECOND ARREST FOR ALBANY COP
Robert Schunk charged with several crimes related to domestic incident
Times Union
By Brendan J. Lyons
Sunday, April 4, 2010

HALFMOON -- An Albany police officer was suspended early today following his arrest on charges related to a domestic incident involving his girlfriend.

Officer Robert Schunk was arrested by Saratoga County sheriff's deputies over the weekend and charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespass and harassment in connection with an incident at the southern Saratoga County residence of his girlfriend. Schunk, 38, was arraigned in Halfmoon Town Court and released. Details of his allegations against Schunk were not immediately available.

It's the second time in five years that Schunk has been arrested and suspended from duty. In April 2005 he was charged with drunken driving in Albany after he crashed his car into two parked cars on South Allen Street. Initially, Schunk fought the charges, claiming internal affairs officers did not properly read him his rights when he refused to take a blood alcohol test.

His driving privileges were restored by an administrative law judge after officers gave conflicting testimony at a motor vehicle hearing about the circumstances of Schunk's arrest.

Schunk later dropped the court challenge in his criminal case, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving while ability impaired and returned to duty.

Schunk is assigned to the Strategic Deployment Unit, a tactical police unit that aggressively patrols high-crime areas in Albany.

Schunk's arrest on Saturday followed the arrest of his girlfriend, Barbara Waters, 36, of Clifton Park. She was arrested by Albany police on Saturday morning for criminal mischief after allegedly ransacking Schunk's residence in Albany. Police said she damaged a window, computer, picture frames and poured cooking oil throughout Schunk's residence.

It's unclear when Schunk is alleged to have gone to Walters' residence. He was arrested after turning himself into Saratoga County sheriff's deputies on a complaint filed by Walters.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=918430
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety new york state mutual]