Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I didn't know exactly where to put this thread,so I'm gonna try here. Before I get to the question, I'm gonna give the whole story. (Just so you know I'm an Explorer.)

Two days ago, I was at the PD checking on some paperwork, when I was told to meet the Srgt. in his office. It turns out that a cadet (not an explorer) made an accusation against me, a serious accusation. The cadet told the Srgt. that I messed around with an officer while I was on a ride-along. Supposedly the cadet has a witness and a typed statement/do***ent. I swear I have never messed around with any officer on or off duty. The officer in question is like a father to me. He has taught me everything about LE.

Yesterday, I had an emergency meeting with the officer, my advisors, a shift srgt., and the commander of the patrol division. We talked about everything that went on during my ride-along. They reviewed my file with the dept., which was totally clean.They said they believed me, but put me on suspension till the investigation was over.(Possibly 2wks.) Even the officer in question is on suspension.

I got to talk to him for awhile after the meeting was over, and he said that his wife was really upset about everything. He was afraid of a possible divorce. She has asked him to leave for awhile, to give her time to think things over.

I hate this. I really hate this. Not only has it caused me and the officer to be suspended, but it could possibly ruin the marriage of a once very happy couple. It has also put the friendship of me and their daughter on hold. (Yes, I'm best friends with their daughter. That's what I mean when I say he's like a father to me. I've been everywhere with them and she has been everywhere with my family.) My friend says that she believes that her father and I didn't do anything, but I feel awful for even putting her in a place where she would be questioned.

So here's my question(s)...

1) Would I make things worse by trying to talk to his wife? (She did come to the PD and she wanted to talk to me, but changed her mind)

2) Do you think she will ever let me and my friend talk to each other?

3) Will all this become public info.? Possibly causing more friction.

Any advise will be gladly taken!!! Thanx in advance. Sorry so long!!

The results of internal police investigations are never released to the public (unless you have a Pichus motion which compells the agency to produce the disciplinary records of an officer).

Is this really being seriously investigated, or is it just for show? (due to the political nature of LE, things are done for show until the notoriety dies down).

What could you possibly say to the wife other than "We didn't do anything"? It would serve absolutely NO purpose to talk to the wife. This is something that they as a couple need to work out.

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Is this really being seriously investigated, or is it just for show? (due to the political nature of LE, things are done for show until the notoriety dies down).

I'm not exactly sure if it's seriously being investigated, but because the cadet supposedly has proof that it happened they have to follow up on that info. At least that's what they said.

Just something to keep in mind. Police Officers/Deputies work "at the pleasure" of the Chief/Sheriff. (Of course its not that easy to fire one, but that's the idea). Now, if this Officer is on suspension, it's not a far leap to just drop you altogether being an explorer. It would show the Dpt. is doing something to solve the problem they perceive they are be having.

It may not be fair, but it's life.

If they never had this type of problem before, I think the wife is being unfair to just ask him to leave. She should have enough faith in him to at least wait for some sort of proof and not just accept the "where there's smoke there's fire" philosophy. It probably wouldn't do any good to try to talk to her.

Originally posted by SaraKay
If they never had this type of problem before, I think the wife is being unfair to just ask him to leave.
The key word is "IF". If this guy is a father figure to you, why would he share his personal problems with his wife to someone I am assuming is 20 or so years younger than him? You don't know what is going on in their life. Again, I say just stay out of it.

Speaking on a womans behalf, this is just my opinion so take it as an opinion but, sometimes people need time away to figure out thier differences. You have to put into consideration that it was probally an embarassing situation and with children involved time apart my be the right thing to do. You are young and may thing it is unfair for her to ask him to leave but that just may have been what she needed to get things figured out. Its a sad situation but, True Love Conqures All.

Originally posted by zander_zye
The results of internal police investigations are never released to the public (unless you have a Pichus motion which compells the agency to produce the disciplinary records of an officer).

Not true everywhere. Most investigations are viewable to the public at their conclusion unless an officer is the complainant or witness. Also, if disciplinary records are so secret, why do they pop up on my local news every time a cop breathes too loud? In fact, in most FEDERAL cases I've been involved in, any officer who is a witness has his IAB file waved to the jury. PUBLIC RECORD is a powerful term

i read this multiple times.i never seen this one area addressed.why would the cadet and other witness say this?did they have an axe to grind.any one person can say anything. to find a witness to go along with you and sign a statement is much different.i just get the feeling the entire story has not been told to us.