Fairfax County Police Watch: 05/16/11

A Minneapolis MN police officer was sentenced to 1 year in prison for molesting three female relatives for over a decade. He was also a school resource officer for 10 years. [0] http://bit.ly/k1j2Tl

A Taft TX police officer was fired & arrested on sexual assault of a child charges after the alleged victim’s parents called police and sparked an investigation. [0] http://bit.ly/l51N2n

A Mesa AZ police officer is the subject of a lawsuit by the family of an 81-year-old woman who was killed in a crash involving that officer when he was speeding to a theft call without his lights or siren activated. [0] http://bit.ly/jYvifo

Paterson NJ settled suit for $15,000 to a man claiming he was beaten by police following a chase, the police claim he was injured in a car crash instead. [0] http://bit.ly/lPD7J1

Benicia CA settled suit for $620,000 to a man claiming police harassed him through a series of unwarranted arrests and searches when he challenged a his arrest on DUI charges when police illegally entered his home. [3] http://bit.ly/ixef95

Beloit WI lost a lawsuit for $1,495,000 to two ex-cops who claimed claimed they were retaliated against for speaking out about the police chief’s misconduct. [4] http://bit.ly/lHrjmE

The Adams County CO sheriff lost a lawsuit for $100,000 to a deputy who was demoted and subjected to multiple investigations when he ran against him in his re-election bid. [3] http://bit.ly/mLiK3y

The Bellefontaine OH police chief resigned prior to an investigation into allegations of dishonesty in a high-profile murder and man-hunt case. [3] http://bit.ly/jA8NXy

Two Milwaukee County WI deputies were arrested over the weekend, one was arrested on domestic violence allegations and the other was on an unspecified charge after an off-duty car accident. [2] http://bit.ly/jc2gAI

A Lansing MI police officer was sentenced to 10 days in jail for failing to pay for gas on at least three occasions at different gas stations. [0] http://bit.ly/j9qMQP

A Weehawken NJ police sergeant was the subject of an unspecified criminal investigation when he apparently attempted suicide and sparked a massive search operation as a result. [2] http://bit.ly/kuztGz

A Detroit MI police officer who was the subject of several lawsuits and was known for shooting 9 people in 6 years was fired, pending appeal, on time sheet fraud allegations. [2] http://bit.ly/ipfv7P

A Polk County FL deputy was suspended 16 hours for demanding identification from several Burger King employees then calling a friend who was a local police officer in an effort to have them arrested for making a mistake on his wife’s drive-thru order. [0] http://bit.ly/jp7c0B

A Clarenden Hills IL police officer was arrested on allegations that he stole five firearms that were collected through the department’s “turn in” program. [0] http://bit.ly/lO5hqf

RCMP constable in Duncan BC charged w/aggravated assault for shooting unarmed man during traffic stop [1] http://bit.ly/iDbqI6

US Border Patrol agent in CA arrested on allegations he used position to sexually batter women during traffic stops [0] http://bit.ly/iJy0r8

Carrabassett Valley ME police officer facing 10 felony counts involving sexual contact with girl under 12yrs-old [0] http://bit.ly/mTzKLA

Iberia Parish LA deputy arrested for indecent behavior involving 16yr-old student at a school where he was assigned as a school resource officer. [0] http://bit.ly/jTTP06

College of DuPage IL sued by student claiming cops posed for photos with his unconscious body after he was assaulted and that they failed to prevent the attack even though they knew several people arrived on campus with the intent to assault him. [3] http://bit.ly/jr1VYd

Kern County CA deputy sentenced to 6mo jail for stealing from motorists that he would pull over without just cause [0] http://bit.ly/mmtz0l

Grey County ON provincial police officer charged w/perjury, obstruction & breach of trust over testimony at trial [1] http://bit.ly/mTJLk2

New Orleans LA deputy police chief investigated for allegedly failing to investigate Henry Glover shooting incident [3] http://bit.ly/keSIhr

Wyomissing PA cop subject of suit after his police dog attacked a cop in Illinois at a police training academy [0] http://bit.ly/ldtK94

Las Vegas NV cop in Costco shooting incident is indicted on firearms for allegedly giving known felon a gun [0] http://bit.ly/mzhzDp

3 RCMP mounties in BC charged w/breach of trust for watching 2 drunk female detainees have sex in jail cell. One of the women claims that she couldn’t have consented because she was so drunk she didn’t remember anything and that police told her she may have been exposed to HIV during the incident. [0] http://bit.ly/jPv0O9

Homestead FL police officers under investigation on allegations of double-dipping and lack of oversight [0] http://bit.ly/mbYUr4

Summerside PEI police officer resigns while subject of criminal investigation over unspecified complaint [3] http://bit.ly/jYNTmK

Hartford CT police lieutenant who headed up the internal affairs unit has been reassigned and is under investigation for unspecified reasons… oddly this all happened after he started and investigation into the chief and other high-ranking officers. [4] http://bit.ly/j9JONs

Muscatine IA police officer pleads guilty to possession of cocaine & theft charges involving missing evidence [0] http://bit.ly/iRsIWx

Pitt County NC deputy arrested on allegations that he broke into car with a friend and stole firearms [0] http://bit.ly/kAbUqk

Washington DC police officer sentenced to probation in plea deal for receiving stolen goods charge from sting op [0] http://wapo.st/m964Ao

Fort Worth TX police sgt fired for working 3-4hrs a day but reporting 8hrs on his time sheets [0] http://bit.ly/jsrgfR

Cedar Rapids IA police officer under investigation over photograph allegedly showing him asleep in police car [0] http://bit.ly/k1uheO

San Jose CA police officer cited on suspicion of driving under the influence after off-duty accident [0] http://bit.ly/l1g8XN

Some San Diego CA cops are anonymously suggesting that the chief’s decision to quietly disband that department’s anti-corruption unit, which ran undercover sting ops to weed out corruption within the department, is contributing to the recent wave of misconduct since officers no longer worry that they’ll be busted for inappropriate behavior on duty. [-] http://bit.ly/jzROF5

The Indiana Supreme Court has decided that you do not have the right to resist police when they illegally enter your home. This is a newer line a number of decisions in other states denying the public a right to resist illegal actions by police officers. [-] http://bit.ly/mxB9lm

2 Lanett AL cops sued on allegations they beat & arrested man a day after he turned self in on outstanding warrant [0] http://bit.ly/kJ0OzL

New Orleans LA cop pleads guilty to 7counts of forcible rape for sexually assaulting girlfriend’s 13yr-old daughter [0] http://bit.ly/igDRCr

San Jose CA settles suit for $90k to Vietnamese college student repeatedly beaten w/baton & tasered on video [0] http://bit.ly/igIVzK

Orlando FL police arrest man videotaping arrest claiming he assaulted cop, police then lose his camera & footage [4] http://bit.ly/lTxVHF

San Diego CA police officer arrested on several charges for allegedly sexually assaulting prostitute while on duty, this comes a day after the chief apologized for a spike in misconduct cases. [1] http://bit.ly/lGVyyl

Tyrone GA cop sentenced to 140yrs on 38 counts including making child pornography, child exploitation & molestation [0] http://bit.ly/mNpd2u

2 Chicago IL cops charged w/sexual assault & official misconduct involving drunk woman they gave a ride home to [2] http://bit.ly/jvBvgr

Colorado Springs CO cop who works w/kids as SRO & coach arrested on possession of child pornography charge [0] http://bit.ly/jKtjoO

Erie CO police officer accused of needlessly shooting family’s dog to death while responding to call next door [3] http://bit.ly/ka1rZX

Milwaukee WI police shoot man’s dog to death as it ran away when he let cops into his yard to help w/investigation [3] http://bit.ly/jDMopH

Philadelphia PA police officer sentenced to 13yrs for role in scheme to rob dealers & sell heroin, 2nd sentenced [0] http://bit.ly/jst4U1

Duluth MN cop found guilty of taking $107k from his elderly mom’s account before retiring from financial crimes unit [0] http://bit.ly/kjn2VJ

Miami-Dade FL police officer arrested on drug trafficking charges after long-term internal affairs investigation [0] http://cbsloc.al/kflBxv

San Francisco CA cops accused of illegal search & theft in latest video released by public defender’s office [3] http://bit.ly/msf6Yw

New York State trooper sentenced to $100 fine in plea to possession of steroids bought from man under surveillance [0] http://bit.ly/ln4H83

Dexter ME police chief serves 5-day suspension for failing to follow policy in domestic assault case involving cop [0] http://bit.ly/jatQzQ

St Louis Co MO cop removed from school resource officer duty after gun discharged while he cleaned it at school [0] http://bit.ly/iHt3iZ

RCMP mountie based in Yellowknife NWT sentenced to 6mo jail after pleading to stealing $2,000 from evidence locker [0] http://yhoo.it/kFzTbP

2 North Carolina state troopers fired for running business while on-duty, would intimidate auditors when questioned [0] http://bit.ly/legwOv

3 Alabama State troopers resign after investigation into alleged misuse of dept fuel cards, may face charges [0] http://bit.ly/lSkYHG

California Hwy Patrol officer arrested on burglary charge for allegedly stealing electronics (apparently an X-Box) from a Target store. [0] http://cbsloc.al/lImozi

Rio Arriba Co NM deputy suspended for repeated drunken fights at casino, was fired from previous job w/state police [0] http://bit.ly/lwgfbW

Radcliff KY police officer arrested on unspecified warrant out of Florida, electronic crimes division involved [2] http://bit.ly/jMmSUm

Dallas TX police cite new policy for keeping unclaimed $2,000 turned in by teen who found it in parking lot [0] http://bit.ly/lJwAoj
Dillon CO police officer charged w/assault & official oppression for allegedly hitting cuffed 16yr-old in head [0] http://bit.ly/k9myhb

5 Norwalk OH cops subject of brutality suit alleging cop choked woman, dragged her by cuffs while others watched [3] http://bit.ly/lCkCwG

Tallahassee FL to settle suit for $300k to family of man shot to death in truck by cop during drug warrant arrest [0] http://bit.ly/luL1xe

Manville NJ & Somerset Co NJ sued by man hit by cop car & dragged 10 feet during arrest for illegally recording movie [3] http://bit.ly/jbc7dI

Gary IN cop rehired & promoted after fired for threatening teen w/gun faces discipline for false report & brutality [0] http://bit.ly/iod0k9

St Paul MN settles suit for $43,500 to family of teen bitten in uprovoked attack by police dog while walking home [0] http://bit.ly/mjGPVr

Massilon OH settles suit for unspecified sum to woman harassed by cop sending nude texts to her after DUI arrest [1] http://bit.ly/lOX3Jc

Washington DC cop arrested on allegations he held a gun to a woman’s head during an argument, he apparently faced charges for gun threats before [0] http://bit.ly/ievoe0

2 Pittsburgh PA cops subject of suit alleging they engineered series of false arrests to harass woman for complaint [5] http://bit.ly/j7HDYZ

Elgin IL police officer charged w/official misconduct & obstruction for allegedly planting evidence to boost career [0] http://bit.ly/lk174U

Cottonport LA cop arrested on evidence tampering, obstruction & malfeasance charges involving on-duty actions [1] http://bit.ly/lwWL5L

Cobb County GA police lieutenant arrested on allegations he used fraudulent prescriptions to obtain narcotics [0] http://bit.ly/mfS7ZY

Tinley Park IL police officer charged w/felony hit and run while also cited for drunken driving & open container [0] http://cbsloc.al/lV9Adc

Two New York NY police officers were named as “persons of interest” in the investigation over what’s now being termed as the Long Island Killings. Apparently they are among a number of possible persons of interest because of their disciplinary history involving prostitutes since the victims of those killings were prostitutes as well. This report, however, doesn’t currently qualify for entry in our database yet because no allegation has been made against either officer specifically and one of the two is a former officer who wasn’t an officer at the time of the alleged incidents. But, it is a case we’re watching to see if formal allegations or charges are made.

Morrogh finds cop he doesn’t love. In other news, hell freezes.

Probe of fatal police shooting goes to federal authorities

By Justin Jouvenal/Post

The Fairfax County prosecutor has turned over the investigation of a fatal police shooting of an unarmed Springfield man to federal authorities, citing complications with the five-month-old case.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh said the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia has agreed to continue the probe into the death of 46-year-old John Geer, who was shot during a standoff with Fairfax County police in August. No one has been charged in the incident.

“There is a conflict of interest that has arisen in the case,” Morrogh said Thursday. “And there is a second potential conflict of interest that has arisen out of my office. . . . This is the prudent thing to do.”

Morrogh declined to describe the nature of the conflicts because the investigation is ongoing. The U.S. attorney’s office said Thursday that it could not confirm or deny any investigation or comment on pending investigations.

Police went to Geer’s Pebble Brook Court home on Aug. 29 because of a report of a domestic disturbance. Geer’s father, Don Geer, said his son was upset because his girlfriend, the mother of his two children, had decided to leave him.

John Geer had thrown his girlfriend’s belongings in the front yard. She called police and told them that Geer had a firearm. Police said they tried for about 50 minutes to persuade Geer to leave the home, but he refused.

Don Geer said he watched the climax of the encounter. He said that he could not hear what officers were saying to his son but that he saw him standing with empty hands resting on top of a screen door at the home’s entrance.

At some point, John Geer began to slowly lower his hands and an officer opened fire, hitting Geer in the chest, his father said. Geer retreated inside and closed the door. A SWAT team eventually entered the home and found Geer dead.

Don Geer said detectives later told him that his son did not have a gun on him at the time of the shooting but that there was a holstered handgun a couple of steps from the front door.

Don Geer said it appeared to him that the shooting was unjustified, but he was unsure what to make of the probe being turned over to federal authorities.

“I don’t know whether that’s good or bad — if I had a better idea of why they are doing it, I could form an opinion,” he said.

Geer and friends of his son have been critical of how long the investigation has taken, but Morrogh said police and prosecutors were working to explore all the evidence. He did not think federal prosecutors would have to start from scratch.

“No one wants these things to linger on,” Morrogh said.

Our ink will outlast his career

Under the reign of former Chief of Police Rhorer the Fairfax County Police arrested a man for not wearing clothes in his house while he made coffee, set up an eye doctor on a gambling charge and then used the SWAT team to kill him. An investigation into the charge that the Doctor’s primary clients were cops has never been investigated. The police gunned down an emotionally unstable man because cop who shot him wrongly assumed the man was trying to escape. He wasn’t. The cops also shot dead four other citizens under highly questionable circumstances. The department under Rhorer was sued multiple times by citizens. So did they fire Rhorer? Naw they promoted him. According to news reports Rhorer draws a salary of $191,168 per year as Deputy Fairfax County Executive as well as a concurrent pension from the Fairfax County police of $173000 per year.

Occupation by force

According to the most recent U.S. Census figures, nearly one in five Fairfax residents (17.5 percent) is of Asian descent while Hispanics make up nearly 16 percent of Fairfax’s overall population. Those numbers drop considerably when applied to the Fairfax County Police Department, where only 4.3 percent of officers are Asian and 4.1 percent Hispanic. White officers make up 84 percent of Fairfax County’s 1,360-member police department, significantly higher than the county’s general population (54 percent white). Almost 90% of the force lives outside the county.