Bothell Seattle DUI Attorney:
City Attorney Peter Holmes said in a statement that his criminal division will review current and past driving-under-the-influence (DUI) cases to determine whether they may be affected by the pending findings of the police investigation.
The investigation, disclosed by sources familiar with the matter and later confirmed by the department, is focused on accusations that arrest reports weren't properly screened and approved by a sergeant in the DUI Squad, as required under department policy. The investigation has forced the department to pull all but one member of its five-member DUI Squad from the street and assign them to desk duties, according to police.
Other officers will be specially assigned to take over the nighttime squad's regular DUI-enforcement duties during the investigation and patrol officers will continue to watch for impaired drivers, the department said.
The head of the
Among the allegations is that the sergeant, David A. Abe, a 32-year veteran, routinely did not report to work and approved DUI arrests by telephone, one source said.
A rubber stamp then was used by DUI officers to affix the sergeant's name to reports, the source said.
The practice has been going on for about a year, another source said.
In a written statement, the Police Department said Traffic Capt. Richard Belshay in mid-February began a review of some "supervisory inconsistencies" within the DUI Squad.
An investigation was opened March 8 into the conduct of the sergeant, according to the statement, which didn't identify Abe by name.
The investigation then broadened into the conduct of three other officers assigned to the DUI Squad.
One DUI Squad officer has not been named in the investigation and remains on duty, the statement said. Sources identified that officer as Eric Michl (note: this officer is rather well thought of so this is no surprise)
During the noon hour Monday, Sims briefed city attorneys on the matter, directing them that as of the 1:30 p.m. court docket to ask judges for continuances of DUI cases involving the three officers implicated in the investigation, according to the City's Attorney's Office.
The attorneys also were instructed not to agree to any guilty pleas in cases that involve the three officers.
O'Neill, the Seattle Police Officers' Guild president, said the lack of face-to-face screenings for DUI arrests doesn't affect the validity of the police reports submitted to prosecutors.
"This is the farthest thing from a scandal. This is an administrative, paperwork snafu, and these officers are the best in their field and it's a shame if it's characterized any other way," O'Neill said.
More here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014560548_duiprobe22m.html
Editorial: For years I have occasionally criticized a few police officers for extreme exaggeration or alternatively, stating facts that did not occur. I have been criticized for criticizing observed facts. And now this … Truth is that most police officers do a great job, and it is a hard job. However, a very few given them bad names and cause for skepticism.
For information on your Washington State DUI please contact our Snohomish County DUI attorneys, Whatcom County DUI attorneys, King County DUI attorneys, Island County DUI attorneys, Skagit County DUI attorneys, Mt Vernon DUI attorneys, Everett DUI attorneys, Lynnwood DUI attorneys, Mukilteo DUI attorneys, or Anacortes DUI attorneys at 425-493-1115 or check out our website at http://www.washdui.com; www.everett-dui.co; www.mukilteodui.com
No comments:
Post a Comment