[CO] Officer Schmedeke's domestic charges dismissed but he's fired for the same allegations

..."The Craig Police Department takes the responsibility of investigating officer misconduct seriously... Commander DeLong’s investigation found that Officer Schmedeke’s actions violated department policy and values. Although the 14th Judicial District ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to proceed with prosecutio... Chief Walt Vanatta terminated Officer Schmedeke’s employment as a Craig police officer on Friday, Dec. 16th."

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[CO] Officer Schmedeke arrested and investigated for harassment of wife

NEWS EXCERPTS FROM DECEMBER 14TH AND 17TH: 

CASE DISMISSED AGAINST CRAIG POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER
Craig Daily Press
By Joe Moylan
December 12, 2011
Updated: December 14, 2011
[Excerpts] The 14th Judicial District Attorney’s office announced Monday the case against a Craig Police Department officer has been dismissed. Officer Frank Schmedeke was arrested Nov. 27 on suspicion of harassment and domestic violence stemming from an incident with his wife at their home in the 1100 block of Legion Street... Rusty Prindle, Routt County chief deputy district attorney for the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, handled the case. He issued a statement Monday afternoon in a news release. “After a thorough review of the available evidence, the district attorney’s office has concluded that given the information officers had at the time, there was enough probable cause to arrest Frank Schmedeke following the incident... However, following the arrest, additional evidence came to light that would essentially make the charge impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt”... Jerry DeLong, a commander with the police department, said the department is continuing with its internal investigation of Schmedeke... Schmedeke remains on paid administrative leave until the internal investigation is complete. [Full article here]

CRAIG POLICE DEPARTMENT: INTERNAL INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN OFFICER TERMINATION
Craig Daily Press
December 16, 2011
Updated: December 17, 2011
[Excerpts] The Craig Police Department issued a news release Friday morning regarding the department’s internal investigation of Officer Frank Schmedeke... “On Nov. 27, 2011, at approximately 10:15 p.m., officers from the Craig Police Department were dispatched to (the 1100 block of) Legion Street in reference to a domestic violence incident that Officer Frank Schmedeke was involved in... The Craig Police Department takes the responsibility of investigating officer misconduct seriously, and we have an obligation to conduct objective, fair and impartial investigations into any employee’s actions that may fall outside the parameters of the department’s core values of integrity, respect, service and equality. Commander DeLong’s investigation found that Officer Schmedeke’s actions violated department policy and values. Although the 14th Judicial District ruled that there was not sufficient evidence to proceed with prosecution, the fact remains that the incident occurred. After reviewing all the information developed in the above investigations, Chief Walt Vanatta terminated Officer Schmedeke’s employment as a Craig police officer on Friday, Dec. 16th.” [Full article here]
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