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Does the Police Disciplinary Process Protect Bad Cops?Different methods, depending on violations, are used to deal with misconductRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - As we learn more about what the Anchorage Police Department knew about former police officer and convicted serial rapist Anthony Rollins, questions are being raised concerning whether bad cops are being protected. We learned cops are disciplined on a case-by-case basis, in which both the union and police supervisors have to determine how severe each incident is before making a decision on how to deal with it. According to court documents former cop Anthony Rollins had been having sex while on duty for years. His victims say APD should have addressed that history of misconduct before he sexually assaulted multiple women. “We were weren't able to make criminal cases and [the misconduct] did not result in termination,” said Chief Mark Mew. “I can't get into the details of why they might or might not have; that's for trial, but it wasn't for lack of trying.” In dealing with problem officers, Mew says if it appears on its face that it's a criminal violation, detectives will work the case; if it appears that it’s merely a policy violation than it’s usually Internal Affairs that will handle the case. Internal violations follow what's called a progressive discipline plan. But it depends on the violation. “The first time you’re going to get a oral reprimand; you get another [violation] then it's a written reprimand,” said Mew. “You’re going to get several days off without pay and transferred out of the detective unit; the next time you’re fired.” The Anchorage Police Department Employee Association can intervene on the behalf of any of the 500 police employees it represents and file a grievance. But the union says it will step in to remove someone. “We are not afraid to approach those employees and recommend that they voluntarily separate themselves from the police department, and we've done so,” said APDEA president Derek Hsieh. But police and union reps say Rollins was an anomaly. “Anthony Rollins case is criminal and I think it would be unfair to characterize employees with performances issues or minor misconduct-type problems and put them in the same realm with somebody like Anthony,” said Hsieh. Hsieh says it’s his understanding Rollins never approached the union for representation during any of his policy misconducts or discipline and in the past three years, no officer has been fired. |
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gee money said on Thursday, Mar 8 at 11:32 AM
This is what public unions get you!!!!
83555596Anonymous said on Thursday, Mar 8 at 11:51 AM
the conduct of the police dept..and their ways of doing things are just as bad as the damage of pedofiles in our community...no one trusts the police anymore or believes anything they say
83559956Anonymous said on Thursday, Mar 8 at 4:23 PM
yeah lets ask Mike Wooten why he was asked to not arrest a dude who was pointing a 9mm at someone? then Palin threw him under the bus...his sister is no prize either...then Wooten gets domestic-terrorism done on him...welcome to the club...now get down there and file a complaint about the cohersion you were faced with Wooten...own up dude!!! you know what you protected??? a child rapist and woman killer...good job Wooten...keep listening to Sarah and Todd...worked out well???
83601916Anonymous said on Sunday, Apr 1 at 5:14 PM
Hurting the public in whatever way, by sexually assaulting them, physically assaulting them, verbally or physically assaulting them when they don't deserve it is just plain wrong. It is time to call it what it is, it is all a crime. Someone please do a review of all the personal injury suits we have against APD, and you might find a pattern of behavior that has been reported over, and over again against the same officers, costing our taxpayers millions or more dollars.
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