This Week's Charge of Child Molestation by your Local Police: Warren cop gets nearly five years for sex with stu...

This Week's Charge of Child Molestation by your Local Police: Warren cop gets nearly five years for sex with stu...: A 63-year-old ex-cop was ordered to serve at least 57 months to 15 years in prison for having sex with a 16-year-old female student whom he ...

Jason Nevill resigns from Barrie Police Service

Jason Nevill has resigned.

Barrie Police released a statement Friday afternoon stating that late Thursday, through his legal counsel, Nevill tendered his letter of resignation with the Barrie Police Service.

Chief Kimberley Greenwood has accepted his resignation; effective immediately.

Nevill is no longer employed by the Barrie Police Service.

***

After being convicted of assault, Barrie Police Const. Jason Nevill plans to tender his resignation.

Nevill’s lawyer, David Butt, made the announcement during a Police Services Act hearing yesterday.

Nevill, who was convicted of assault causing bodily harm and sentenced to a year in jail earlier this fall, with six months concurrent for fabricating evidence, plans to resign this week, his lawyer said.

The criminal charges came after Nevill responded to a Nov. 20, 2010 mischief call at the Bayfield Mall, where 25-year-old Jason Stern was arrested for being drunk in public and assaulting police with the intent to resist arrest.

Months later, a video of the altercation surfaced and then-chief, Mark Neelin called the OPP to investigate. Charges against Stern were dropped and Nevill was charged.

After the conviction, Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood brought a five Police Services Act charges against him, including unlawful use of authority, deceit and discreditable conduct.

If Nevill does resign, the Police Services Act charges against him would be stayed.

“His resignation is not yet effective. It has to be in writing and it has to be accepted by the chief,” Insp. Dave Hossack said.

“My feeling is, he’s done the right thing — for the first time. But he hasn’t done it yet. Hopefully, it will be a good day for the service.” 

Protesters Stage Rally Against Police Brutality In North Chicago

Attorney Kevin O’Connor told the crowd that while the community has a new police chief, and police Tasers have been taken away, not all is well. He accused Chief James Jackson of being lax in enforcing rules designed to minimize misconduct and physical violence by officers, and said Mayor Leon ‘Rockingham has not told officers to stay in line.
“The rules are not being enforced and they’re not cleaning house,” O’Connor said. “If you tell someone it’s okay, your actions are okay, we’ll even promote you for what you did, it’s not going to convince others that they have to conform their conduct to the appropriate rules.
O’Connor has filed close to a dozen lawsuits alleging excessive use of force and other misconduct by North Chicago officers. In the past week O’Connor has filed yet another suit, involving the October 2011 arrest of parolee Jarred McGill, whom he said police initially mistook for his brother.
“We have a situation where a man, who was minding his own business, is grabbed, beaten, knocked to the ground, tased, then charged with 15 (counts); they automatically revoked his parole and then all 15 charges were dropped and he was put back into jail,” O’Connor said.
O’Connor said that McGill served nearly a year in jail before being released.
The city’s attorney has refused comment. O’Connor said that McGill’s arrest occurred 11 days before the controversial fatal beating of Darrin Hanna by several of the same police officers.
The rally did not limit itself to problems in North Chicago. Lake County (Ill.) Coroner Dr. Thomas Rudd said he has had problems convincing State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim to reopen the investigations into several cases

Residents voice police brutality concerns to AC City Council

ATLANTIC CITY -
Emotions were running high at the Atlantic City City Council meeting Wednesday night as residents called for action in addressing what they say are cases of police brutality.
Prior to the meeting a group gathered to hold a press conference in the city hall lobby.
"We're not blind to it,” said Steven Young of the National Action Network.
“Everybody knows about it, everybody sees it. Now its time to do something about it and take action."
The parents of David Castellani were also in attendance. They say since a police dog was used on their son's arrest in June, more and more people have come forward with stories of alleged police brutality.
"Its horrible for the citizens, its horrible for the tourism, it's a epidemic problem that we've seen since my sons case has come to light," said David’s father, David Castellani
Once upstairs in the City Council chambers, several residents came forward with alleged cases of police brutality. Tensions flared and one man was even briefly escorted from the room. After the testimony of residents, several council members voiced a need for answers.
"2014 wont be the same, you wont be basically in front of us screaming about brutality. Believe it or not we do understand," said Councilman Frank Gilliam.
"Its time, its time something is done so we'll respond," said Council President William Marsh.
Police Chief Ernest Jubilee was in attendance and upon the request of council, he explained the internal affairs process of reviewing complaints.
"I understand the frustration of the citizens I heard speak tonight but I can’t rush the investigation that makes for a sloppy investigation so it does take time," said Chief Jubilee.
The Chief says he does have the ability to send results from cases for further investigation and that brutality has not place in his department.
"I don't nor the police department does not tolerate police brutality so when it’s exposed, the officer is disciplined," said the Chief.
Something residents hope happens sooner rather than later.
"Hopefully take action,” said Castellani.
“Not only against the officer involved but take action to revamp the police department and to get to where they're to help the citizens, to protect and serve them not to brutalize them."

Concerns Over Police Brutality Once Again Arise in Dover

DOVER, Del.- In Dover, concerns over police brutality continue to take center stage. On Wednesday night, nearly 50 community members gathered at the Mount Zion AME Church in downtown Dover to discuss what they call police brutality in their home city.
At the event were state legislatures and community leaders as well as members from legal groups like the NAACP and the ACLU. Many, such as Shawn Russell, also told their stories of what they call police brutality.
"I left work," he said as he told the crowd about his incident that took place on September 25. "After work, I was pulled over by Troop 2, and they forced me out of the vehicle. They had guns drawn on me. They searched me, handcuffed me, searched me several times, searched his vehicle.
Russell said the police were looking for drugs in his car, but didn't find any after an extensive search. He said he is now looking for a lawyer so that he can sue the state police for harassment. After hearing about the incident, WBOC reached out to State Police, but since this allegation is so new, they have not yet released a statement on the incident.
The meeting follows two separate allegations of police brutality directed at the Dover Police Department. The accusations were made by Antonio Barlow and James Wilson, both African-American men who said they were treated unfairly and with "excessive force" by the police officers.
Wilson has already filed a suit for $50 million in damages from the police. Barlow has not filed for a lawsuit, as of Wednesday night. Dover police maintains that their department has never allowed police brutality. They have also told WBOC that they have video that proves the police department acted appropriately when arresting Barlow, although they have not released this footage.
Russel, who maintains he was treated unfairly, said he didn't know where to turn after the incident.
"It still feels like I have nobody to turn to for help," he said. "But I'm going to continue to try to get help because if this has happened to me, it's happened to other people.
Roy Sudler Jr. from the Social Action Commission, chaired the discussion at the meeting. He said people should not jump to rash conclusions about these incidents. He said the event was all about opening up a dialogue with the police department.
"We're trying to assist law enforcement agencies," he said. "But at the same time to help bridge that gap of trust and mistrust between the community and the law enforcement agencies."

CA Police Brutality Coalition Calls Andy Lopez Killing 'Police Terrorism'

SANTA ROSA – A statewide police brutality organization is noting that on October 22 – the same day that thousands of people were protesting "police terror" across the country and at the State Capitol in Sacramento – a Santa Rosa Sheriff's Deputy gunned down 13-year-old Andy Lopez.

"We are heartbroken and outraged that Andy Lopez was murdered by Erick Gelhaus of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department. We demand police terror on American citizens stop immediately. We demand Justice for Andy Lopez, his family and his community," said Christina Arechiga of the CA Statewide Coalition Against Police Brutality.

She said that even as hundreds gathered at the Capitol representing labor, students, community groups and more than 50 families whose loved ones were murdered by police (the CA Statewide Coalition Against Police Brutality), they learned "about the horror happening in Santa Rosa."

The Coalition issued a letter to Santa Rosa District Attorney Jill Ravitch, demanding "Erick Gelhaus (be) charged immediately for the murder of Andy Lopez." http://www.poormagazine.org/node/4954

The letter continued:

"It is an abomination that the police are allowed to investigate themselves. When Santa Rosa PD investigates the Sonoma County Sheriff & then the Sonoma County Sheriff investigates the Santa Rosa PD those 2 departments are not conducting “independent” investigations. When there is no 3rd party doing an entire investigation then the people cannot rely on the information being complete or untainted.

"We are aware that there were witnesses that the police never interviewed, there have been witnesses that have been harassed after speaking to the media and there are other citizens stepping forward about the mental state of Erick Gelhaus. Additionally, with Erick Gelhaus’ obsession with guns and preparing for 'war zones,' we have a plethora of information that suggest that he premeditated killing in the line of duty and knew the importance of being able to 'articulate' to his superiors how he felt he was in 'fear of his life' in order to get away with murder if need be.

"Andy Lopez was given LESS than 10 seconds to understand what was happening and comply, no reasonable person believes that he was fully aware of the situation. Andy Lopez is dead and we are disgusted at law enforcements tactics of demonizing this boy. He was a boy being a boy, playing with toys, walking in his own neighborhood. Our efforts to protect this child and his family from this slander will not cease.

"This behavior by the Sonoma County is terrorism. We will not allow blatant murder to happen at the hands of law enforcement...a badge is not a license to kill and it does not grant extra rights.

"On February 1, 1960 four young black men took seats at a Woolworth’s segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, NC – by July of that year Woolworth’s integrated all of its stores. Like Rosa Parks resisted and like Cesar Chavez organized. So will the movement behind Andy Lopez.

"We will not allow this murder to go unanswered for. If an indictment of penal code 187, murder is not filed against Erick Gelhaus those responsible will answer to the people. We await you doing the right thing. " 

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Fired Minnesota police chief pleads not guilty in sexual misconduct case

AUSTIN, Minn. — A former police chief in southern Minnesota has pleaded not guilty to felony sexual misconduct.
Forty-three-year-old Jason Mindrup of Waltham pleaded not guilty Thursday to first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The Brownsdale City Council voted last week to fire Mindrup as police chief.
According to the complaint, a woman accused Mindrup of sexually assaulting her after leaving a Waltham bar on Aug. 31. Mindrup denied those accusations. Court files say he told investigators the woman asked to go to his house, but he instead drove her back to the bar where she had left her phone and purse.
Mindrup had been on paid administrative leave since early September while the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigated

Skokie cop resigns after battery charges

A Skokie police officer charged with shoving a woman face-first into a cell bench has resigned rather than face possible firing, village officials said.
Skokie officials had told Michael Hart that they would seek to fire him, and his resignation took effect Friday, according to a news release from the village. In late October, Cook County prosecutors charged Hart with aggravated battery and official misconduct.
Mayor George Van Dusen said in the news release that village officials expect officers to treat people with "the utmost professionalism."
"When officers fall short of that expectation, it is our responsibility to take proper action, as the village has done in this case," he said.
In an episode caught on video in March, Hart shoved Cassandra Feuerstein from behind into a police station cell after the officer became irate that she wouldn't look into the camera for a booking photo after a drunken driving arrest, prosecutors said. Feuerstein, of Chicago, fell and hit her face on the bench, breaking her eye socket and loosening teeth, prosecutors said.
Feuerstein, who pleaded guilty to drunken driving, is suing the village and Hart.
Hart's attorney, Jed Stone, said that he believes people are judging the officer too harshly based on a video circulated widely online. Stone said what Hart did was not "an intentional act" nor a crime.
"The citizens of Skokie have lost a good cop," he said. "I would urge the public to stop, look at all of the evidence, not make a judgment until they've seen everything and understand that for 19 years this man served the people of Skokie and served them with honor and distinction."
Stone said that Hart realizes his law enforcement career is over and "wants to move on."

Appeal hearing rescheduled for Evansville police officer accused of misconduct

EVANSVILLE — The scheduled appeal hearing for an Evansville police officer accused of misconduct while on-duty was pushed back by Police Merit Commission members Friday morning.
Due to a city attorney’s illness, commissioners moved the hearing for officer Steve Hicks to Dec. 16.
Police Chief  Billy Bolin recommended that Hicks be suspended 21 days without pay and be terminated from his job with the department for an undisclosed incident at a local bar while on-duty in August.
Hicks, who is currently suspended with pay, appealed the disciplinary recommendation. Merit board members will hear testimony and will either affirm or amend Bolin’s recommendations during the Dec. 16 meeting.

officer suspended following arrest of woman

A woman says an Austin police officer slammed her to the ground and seriously hurt her during an arrest. Charges against her were dropped and the officer has been suspended for eight days.
He says he didn't do anything wrong.
"I hear Vanessa crying. She ain't doing nothing to them. She ain't doing nothing to nobody."
That is the voice of Vanessa Price's husband. He used his cell phone to record video of her arrest last May. He rushed to his friend's house after he says while talking on the phone, he heard Vanessa being roughed up by a police officer.
"Why do you have my wife in custody," he shouted. "Why did you tackle my wife sir?"
Shortly before the arrest, several couples met at a South Austin home for a get-together.
Vanessa says one guest got too intoxicated to drive home.
"We didn't want her driving home so we called a cab for her. She, I guess got into a fight with the cab driver. Police were called out," Vanessa Price said.
Vanessa says she went outside to see what was going on. According to APD, Officer Jermaine Hopkins told her she was detained and to sit on the curb. In the disciplinary memo, it is noted that Vanessa never gets closer than 20 to 30 feet from Hopkins. Vanessa then called her husband and was told to hang up.
When she failed to comply, she says this happened...
"He slammed me to the ground," she said. "I had bruises on my face. I had scratches from the stickers in the grass. I had to do physical therapy for eight weeks for my shoulder and my arm."
Vanessa was charged with interference with public duties and resisting arrest.
"I used to have a huge admiration for [police]. I used to feel really safe, now I don't at all. I don't trust them to make the right decision," Vanessa said.
On Thursday Officer Hopkins was given an eight day suspension.
The department disciplinary memo states "officer Hopkins' chain of command had concerns regarding Officer Hopkins' handling of the call for service and the arrest of Mrs. Price."
His supervisors filed an internal affairs complaint and contacted the county attorney's office to request charges against Price be dropped.
The memo also states, "Hopkins stated that he would not have handled the situation any differently and that he believes that the charges filed against Mrs. Price were valid."
Hopkins plans to appeal.
Sgt. Wayne Vincent, president of the Austin Police Association backs him up.
"Officers are very uncomfortable if they have someone under detention, letting someone make a phone call," Vincent said. "We've had instances where that phone call resulted in other people showing up at the scene. So, when someone is detained by the police they may ask them not to make that phone call it's for the safety of the officer."
Because of his appeal, the department will not comment on the issue or release the dash camera video. Vanessa says eight days isn't good enough.
"I'm surprised he's working there at all. I don't think he should be able to make these kinds of calls," Vanessa said.
The homeowner was also arrested that night. He was the person who approached Officer Hopkins and gave him the intoxicated woman's keys. He said trying to do the right thing. He says Hopkins arrested him immediately. He was charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor and public intoxication. He has an attorney and is fighting those charges

Eduardo Raposo, Fall River cop drunken driving case

Fall River Police Lt. Eduardo M. Raposo - who was arrested Jan. 12 on drunken driving charges in Somerset - is back on duty.
Raposo, 55, has been assigned to be the commander of the Fall River Police Department's Staff Services, which encompasses communications and the record room, said Fall River Police Detective JD Costa.
Raposo's case - which was transferred to New Bedford District Court shortly after his arraignment in Fall River - was disposed on March 26, records show.
On the charge of operating under the influence, Raposo pleaded to sufficient facts, meaning that he does not admit guilt, but rather that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him at trial. His case was continued without a finding until March 25, 2014, meaning that the case will be dropped if he is not arrested on new charges and abides by the term of his probation. He was also ordered to complete an alcohol education program and lost his license for 45 days, according to court documents.
Raposo received the same disposition on charges of leaving the scene of property damage and negligent operation of a motor vehicle, according to court documents.
Raposo, a 25-year member of the police department, was on sick leave due to a “significant illness” at the time of his Jan. 12 arrest, police said.
On Jan. 12, Somerset police said Raposo, who at the time was a patrol Watch Commander, was intoxicated behind the wheel when he rear-ended and side-swiped a vehicle at the intersection of Route 6 and Gardners Neck Road in Swansea. The vehicle’s occupants were not seriously injured, according to court documents.
Swansea Police Officer Richard Gibeau stopped Raposo’s BMW about a half-mile from the accident. Gibeau wrote in his report that Raposo was unresponsive and stared ahead when Gibeau first asked for his driver’s license and registration.
After asking him again for his license, Gibeau said Raposo told him, “You know me.” Gibeau said he then recognized Raposo because they had worked on a case several years prior, according to court records.
According to Gibeau’s report, Raposo slurred his words and said that he had been drinking. Raposo asked Gibeau several times if he could bring him home, and became irate when Gibeau asked him to step out of his vehicle, according to court documents.
“I’m a (expletive) cop. Can’t you give me a ride home?” Raposo asked Gibeau, according to the incident report.
A few minutes later, Gibeau said, he grabbed Raposo’s arm and removed him from the vehicle. Raposo was unsteady on his feet and had to be held by two officers so that he would not fall, court records said.
Gibeau arrested Raposo at the scene, and drove him to the Swansea Police Station for booking. While traveling to the station, Gibeau said, Raposo told him that he had just passed his house, according to court documents.

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