Fairfax police fear losing public trust;

The Washington Times


June 8, 1997, Sunday, Final Edition


Fairfax police fear losing public trust;


Arrests of cops in bank robbery, theft cases put department on defensive


BYLINE: Gretchen Lacharite; THE WASHINGTON TIMES


SECTION: Part A; METROPOLITAN TIMES; Pg. A10


LENGTH: 542 words






When Fairfax County police arrested Jeffrey R. Hand last week, they were making history - but not the kind they want remembered in the record books. Officer Hand, a 23-year veteran officer who could have retired three years ago, was accused of walking into a Burke bank on May 22 with a mask and a shotgun and demanding money. His arrest made him the first officer in recent memory to be charged with a violent crime.


But he is not the only county officer to find himself on the wrong side of the law lately. Just five weeks before Officer Hand's arrest, Detective Michael D. Kerns was convicted of malfeasance after investigators found property recovered in commercial robbery investigations - computer games, a radio, a tool kit and other items - in his home and office.The cases have left county police and their supporters scratching their heads."There are 1,100 uniformed police officers," said David G. Smith, principal of West Springfield High School where Officer Hand has been a school resource officer since 1995. "An allegation against one is not an indictment of them all. . . . I hope people will remember that."Lt. Col. David R. Franklin, who announced the arrest Thursday of Officer Hand, said it is "just an anomaly.""The bigger you get, something is going to happen," said Col. Franklin. "We have almost 1,500 officers and civilian employees."At the West Springfield District Station where Officer Hand worked - and from which officers responded to the bank robbery for which he now stands charged - the reaction was one of "utter disbelief.""The whole station is saddened and shocked," said Capt. P.D. O'Keefe, commander of the West Springfield station.Officer Hand, 43, is currently being held without bond for the robbery of the Central Fidelity Bank at 5815 Burke Centre Parkway, a robbery that netted the thief $71,782.He is also a suspect in at least three other area bank robberies, according to court documents, including one that FBI officials have described as "particularly violent."He has been relieved of his duties and put on leave, with pay, while his case is pending.Detective Kerns, 36, is waiting to learn if he will keep his job after his misdemeanor conviction.Last fall, he told investigators he was guilty only of "an oversight" after they found he had six pairs of expensive sunglasses, a 21-piece Precision tool kit, three sets of nickel-plated steel handcuffs, knickknacks from the Franklin Mint and assorted computer equipment that were supposed to be in the police property room.Prosecutors accused him of stealing the property and sought a felony embezzlement charge against Detective Kerns, a 16-year veteran of the force. But he was convicted April 29 of the misdemeanor malfeasance charge instead and fined $500 in Fairfax County Circuit Court.Col. Franklin said the arrest of Officer Hand and the conviction of Detective Kerns should not shake public confidence in the police."It's disappointing, but it's unusual," he said. "It's very unusual to have somebody with so much time on to be involved in something like this."Capt. O'Keefe had other concerns. "I certainly hope the community will continue to support us," he said.