On Sept. 30, members of Peace Officer Standards and Training voted to suspend former Mantua Police Chief Michael F. Castro's law enforcement certification for three months. (Based on average gas prices in Utah, reported to be $2.10 in April 2016, that adds up to about $195.). Utah Department of Corrections officer Brock Findlay also got a letter of caution for purchasing the wrong type of fishing license while vacationing in Idaho. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - A University of Utah police officer accused in a recent lawsuit of mishandling reports in the Lauren McCluskey murder last fall of mishandling reports in the Lauren McCluskey murder last fall, received a written warning for similar mistakes in a domestic violence case several months later. (Nate Carlisle | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jeremy Dunn, left, a former police officer in Enoch, addresses a meeting of the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council on Sept. 25, 2019. But. During its quarterly meeting on Sept. 25, Peace Officer Standards and Training Council members voted on the certification status of more than two dozen law enforcers, a third of whom had their certifications revoked. The intent of these guidelines is to facilitate fairness and consistency. Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office: Robert Calkins, three-year suspension for assault, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. 2:38. When the state threatens you with criminal charges, your due process rights are often the only bulwark between you and a prison cell. C leveland Director of Public Safety Karrie Howard's decision to remove police officers' names and badge numbers from internal department bulletins that detail discipline cases has prompted new questions about the level of transparency required for a department under federal oversight. In past reported cases dealing with police officer discipline for off-duty related conduct centering on private relations at least one of several different factors were present. Several Utah Police Officers Disciplined For An Array Of Misconduct When the state threatens you with criminal charges, your due process rights are often the only bulwark between you and a prison cell. Dunn was one of 20 officers who received suspensions or had their police powers revoked Wednesday, and one of two suspended for how they used their firearms. The council gave its approval for Stephenson to continue looking into the idea and coming up with a certification training course. Utah Code 53-6-211(1) gives the POST council the right to suspend or revoke the certification of a peace officer if he or she commits certain acts, or engages in certain practices. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. He directed the Traffic Department augment to augment their personnel on the portions of the highway damaged by the adverse weather recently. The state agency that certifies people to become law enforcers in Utah handed down discipline to 19 current and former officers during it latest meeting. Officers have. Castro was one of 19 officers that the POST council took action against during their latest meeting. So Dunn drew his pistol and fired three shots at her legs, striking her twice in the right knee. Our lawyers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to take your call. While Dunn said he was trying to save a life, the Iron County attorney ruled the shooting of Ivonne Casimiro on June 28, 2018, unjustified under state law. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise! For the past three years, Utah police averaged about 100,000 arrests a year and during that time shot at . Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. I apologize to the law enforcement community. Information in the story may be outdated But the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council is also looking at going after police chiefs who fail to report an officer's bad behavior in a timely manner. Zilles was in a marked patrol car when a Utah Highway Patrol trooper pulled him over for speeding and struggling to keep the vehicle in its lane. Director Scott Stephenson told the Peace Officer Standard and Training (POST) council members Thursday that they are pushing to get recruits trained, working extra hours and using online courses so new officers can hit the streets. That discipline can range from a letter of condemnation to revoking an officer's certification. Enter your email below to start! sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. He also kept a wallet at his house that he took from a woman, and then tried to burn it when he was afraid he would get in trouble again for mishandling of evidence, according to POST. While most of those disciplined were rank-and-file officers, at least 130 were supervisors. "I think they will find that they sort of manipulated . PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Ten police officers were punished during the quarterly meeting, which was held via a telephone conference rather than in-person. Lance Bess received a three-year suspension in one of the most-litigated police misconduct cases in state history. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Javen Lowell, a former corrections officer, received a 3 1/2-year suspension for sexual conduct on duty. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. A heated argument between the former police chief of Mantua and the town's former mayor has led the agency that hands out discipline to Utah law enforcers to take minor action. But the council composed of police chiefs, sheriffs and other representatives of Utah law enforcement elected to impose the 3 1/2-year suspension on Durr, and discipline 12 other current or former peace officers. The most severe form of disciplinary action is to revoke an officers badge or revoke their certification, which is what occurred in the cases of: If you were charged with simple assault in Utah, or were charged with aggravated assault in Utah, you should contact a Salt Lake City assault lawyer immediately. State officials push plan to keep Utah coal-fired power plant burning, Answers vary about whether Washington County will have enough water to accommodate growth, Utahns, Ukrainians rally at state Capitol to mark first anniversary of Russian invasion, most-litigated police misconduct cases in state history. The officer called the principal and threatened to file a complaint if the principal did not contact Provo police, according to POST. Law enforcement officers in Utah and elsewhere are trained that, if they are going to shoot their guns, to aim for the center of the body. Several people were disciplined for lying or falsifying official documents, either in applying to become a police officer or in their official police reports, POST found. Two officers, one from Springville police and one from South Salt Lake police, had their law enforcement certifications revoked for domestic violence-related cases, according to POST. He chose that target, Gregson said, and he does not deny that he chose that target to avoid causing her serious injury that would have resulted if he shot her center mass or another part of her body.. The agency that certifies and disciplines police officers in Utah handed down punishment to 25 officers facing accusations of misconduct. Members of the POST Council asked if there were less-lethal options (Dunn did use a Taser that did not work) and comments he had made that he would "smoke her" if she didn't drop a screwdriver that he said was wielded like a weapon. Moving forward, I would adhere to POST's training and be more cognizant of every situation I encounter. Austin L. Stubblefield, who previously served as a deputy with the Grand County Sheriffs Office. Two officers, one from Springville police and one from South Salt Lake police, had their law enforcement certifications revoked for domestic violence-related cases, according to POST. According to the POST investigation, during the meeting with the mayor, Castro told him that firing him would be a "huge mistake" and that it would come back to "bite the mayor in the ass." Copyright 2013-2015 Frees Law, P.L.L.C. Bess was a Unified Police Department officer when, in October 2015, he was duck hunting in Box Elder County. The council also handed down a three-year suspension to Lance Bess, a former Unified police officer whose criminal case has been ongoing since 2015. In some of the cases, the Council decided to revoke officers certifications to be a police officer. The council meets quarterly to, in part, review allegations of misconduct by officers and hand down discipline. ST. GEORGE -- The agency that certifies and disciplines all police officers in Utah handed out warnings, suspensions and revocations to 16 officers for various misdeeds. Why is there not a list of all 9 officers AND their pictures? Internal affairs (often known as IA) is a division of a law enforcement agency that investigates incidents and possible suspicions of criminal and professional misconduct attributed to members of the parent force. Roberto Benvenutto, a former Salt Lake County Sheriff's deputy whose badge was revoked after being accused of stealing an iPad from a nursing home. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. A jury later convicted Bess on a misdemeanor of threatening or using a weapon in a fight or quarrel. Cottonwood Heights police officers were not internally disciplined for their use of force in a violent altercation in August of last year with protesters inside a residential neighborhood.. But the Iron County Attorneys Office felt otherwise, declaring the shooting was not legally justified. Steven Kline, a former deputy with the Beaver County Sheriffs Office, whose certification was revoked after POST members alleged that Kline pawned ammunition that was property of the Beaver County Sheriffs Office. After his Taser failed to have any effect on her, Dunn purposely shot the woman in the knee. The process for reporting crimes and emergencies is set forth in University Procedure P1-011A accompanying this Policy. "It's something that I regret and will learn from very much.". The other group told police they felt threatened by Bess who was ultimately convicted in 1st District Court of threatening to use a dangerous weapon during a fight, a class A misdemeanor. Thats because it wasnt a crime, she told the council. This page provides an alphabetical list of three types of documents: Department policies that have been deemed public; regulations that the Department is required by statute to make available to the general public; and protocols that guide the Department's operations. To view disciplinary action taken within a specific time period, please select NEWSLETTERS in the side menu. Robert Calkins, a former Salt Lake County Sheriff's deputy, received a 3-year suspension from POST Council over allegations of assault, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct related to an altercation with a roommate and a former girlfriend. However, the attorneys office declined to file criminal charges. In other cases reviewed during the meeting, the POST council revoked the certifications of three officers. Questions regarding disciplinary newsletters may be directed to Carol at (801) 530-6626 or Kim at (801) 530-6088. That was the only time I've ever used marijuana and I don't know how to describe smoking or inhaling it.". Bradly Johnson, a former corrections officer, had his badge revoked after POST Council said he struck an inmate at the Utah State Prison with a golf cart. The council meets quarterly to, in part, review allegations of misconduct by officers and hand down discipline. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. His certification was suspended for two years. A former Kentucky state trooper, who later became a state school bus inspector, recalls responding to the scene of a school bus. Another officer had his certification revoked after entering a plea for an attempted aggravated assault on his girlfriend. Abinidi Gray, a former Uintah County Sheriff's employee, was given a 1-year suspension for falsifying a record related to medication dispensed to an inmate in the jail. Thompson is scheduled to appear before the Evansville Police Merit Commission Jan. 23 to appeal charges of insubordination and neglect of duty. Should Utah police officers be allowed to use medical marijuana? You would think common sense would rule the day, but unfortunately, thats not the case, Park City Police Chief Wade Carpenter, who chairs the POST Council, told FOX 13 on Tuesday. All sworn officers in Utah must be certified by the organization. POST was forced to implement the rules because of previous cases where they sought to discipline officers for sexual misconduct only to be challenged on not explicitly spelling it out in the rules. "What should be (reported), what should be handled internally.". He also did not know what kind of sanctions would be sought if police chiefs or sheriffs break the law. Johnson told the council he was joking around and hit the brakes, but failed to stop in time. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. of Corrections officer, whom POST said was involved in a domestic violence incident, was given a 2-year suspension; Jerald Bradford, a former San Juan County Sheriff's deputy whom POST said had sex while on duty in the back of a patrol car, was given a 2-year suspension; Janea Vandehei, a former Box Elder County Sheriff's deputy, who was given a 3-year suspension for a domestic violence incident. The . Reading or replaying the story in its The Peace Officer Standards and Training Council is comprised of police chiefs, sheriffs and residents from across the state. His attorney, Nathan Evershed, asked the council to impose a two-year suspension. The officer's younger brother had allegedly been bullied at the school. Bradly Johnson, a former corrections employee, was operating a golf cart on prison grounds and joking around, being stupid, he said, when he hit an inmate. They included Jeremy Dunn, an Enoch police officer who shot a woman in the knee when responding to a vehicle burglary last year. For example, Adam Burton, who previously served as an Iron County Sheriffs Deputy, was suspended for three and a half years in connection with allegations of domestic violence. The trooper resigned in May 2020 in lieu of being fired. We handle criminal cases in Utah County, Uintah County, Summit County, Salt Lake County, Wasatch County, Rich County, Davis County, and throughout the state. I cant honestly say I mixed up the details, he said. The council issued a two-year suspension to Shane Zilles, who was the Mantua police chief when he was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of driving under the influence. Andrew Hatcher, an unemployed officer, was given a 2-year suspension for DUI. Reading time: 5 minutes. He had a previous disciplinary history with POST. To give another example, Utah Code 53-6-211(1)(f) prohibits any sort of sexual conduct while on duty.. The case went to the Utah Supreme Court where his conviction on threatening use of a dangerous weapon was upheld. More:Moers wants to ditch WeTip hotline, but Hermann's unpaid bill stalling the process The internal email claimed 13 officers, on average, failed to meet the minimum standard each month across EPD's East Sector. Bess had to serve two days in jail as well as pay fines and attend community service and anger-management training. In June 2018, Dunn responded to a truck stop in Parowan where officers were trying to arrest car burglary suspects. It would be a true shame if you found today that his good faith efforts to contain the situation and act in a lawful manner was criminal. Do not to consent to anything or make any statements to police until you have contacted us first. Jeremy Dunn. Lance Bess, a former Unified Police Officer, who was given a 3-year suspension for an incident where he was shot at by hunters in Box Elder County in 2017. Several people were disciplined for lying or falsifying official documents, either in applying to become a police officer or in their official police reports, POST found. Nicolas Riggs, a former Unified police officer, had his certification revoked for communications fraud, DUI and hit and run. 20 Utah cops disciplined, including one officer who shot a woman in the knee and one who thought duck hunters shot at him (Nate Carlisle | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jeremy Dunn, left, a former. With the number of refugees relocating to Utah and with how diverse the state has become, Stephenson said it is important for officers know how to address the needs of everyone who lives in the communities they serve. POST is a division of the Department of Public Safety whose role is to impose sanctions on officers who violate Utah's Peace Officers Standards and Training Act. Organizations representing police filed amicus briefs on his behalf. Brandon Ratcliffe of the Price City Police Department in Utah, found that the officers who responded to an Aug. 12 incident between Petito and her fianc,. The suspension started at the time he was fired in March, meaning his suspension was already over when POST handed down the discipline. All Rights Reserved, Why 19 Utah police officers, including a former chief, were disciplined by oversight council, Johnson resigned as mayor a short time later, new training guidelines for use of force and police K-9 certification, Grit and circumstance: Bestselling author Angela Duckworth brings her wisdom to BYU, Resolution to nix educations income tax earmark passes the Utah Senate, The starter home in Utah is extinct: How first-time homebuyers could get 20K for new homes. Jake Adams, the former Washington County lieutenant, appeared before the council to ask for leniency. That discipline can range from a letter of condemnation to revoking an officer's certification. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Two more Memphis police officers have been disciplined and three emergency responders fired in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols, officials said Monday, widening. On Sept. 30, members of Peace Officer Standards and Training voted to suspend former Mantua Police Chief Michael F. Castro's law enforcement certification for three months. Copyright 2010 - 2023 StGeorgeUtah.com LLC, all rights reserved, Utah officials move inmates after allegations of misconduct by jail employees, 28 police officers disciplined, several from Southern Utah agencies, Polygamous towns oppose bid to disband police department, Year in review: Southern Utahs most read and notable stories of 2021, Family struggles after mother dies 23 days after father in Christmas Eve crash just south of St. George, Groups scour 2022 Utah budget for funds to fight hunger, Utah Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. Audit finds Utah police officers get 'lenient' discipline | KUTV An audit conducted by Utah State Auditor John Dougall found that when Utah police officers commit acts like DUI,. At least 20 officers were repeat offenders, racking up more than one major discipline offense last year. TRENTON - The state Attorney General's Office has released the names of 18 law enforcement officers in Central Jersey and nine guards at state correctional . One peace officer had his certification revoked after taking city owned equipment and allegedly selling it as scrap metal. Ive taken the steps in my personal and professional life and rectify the issues, he said. Bess was duck hunting in Box Elder County when three shotgun blasts were suddenly fired in the direction of Bess and his group. The council's discipline of officers also included: There are approximately 8,900 certified police officers in the state of Utah. PROFILE. Still, the agency's executive director wants to ensure police agencies report misconduct quickly -- and he's asking the Utah State Legislature to make it law. Uintah County Sheriffs Office: Abinidi Gray, one-year suspension for falsification of a government record. SANDY Twenty-five current or former law enforcement officers in Utah recently had their certifications reviewed for disciplinary violations. A former Utah Highway Patrol trooper had his certification suspended for a year for mishandling of evidence. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Ralph Evans, a Unified Police officer who got a letter of caution for reckless driving; Martin Luther Turner III, a retired UHP trooper, who got a one-year suspension for wrongful appropriation of police equipment, according to POST investigators; Rueben Badger, a former Utah County Sheriff's employee who got an 18-month suspension for impersonating an officer. I love law enforcement and the community which I served, Bess said Wednesday. Zilles quit the police force and pleaded guilty to a single charge of impaired driving. The trooper claimed he was overwhelmed with his caseload and when he couldn't remember what cases the phones went to, he tried to sort it out at home, he told the council. Several people were disciplined for lying or falsifying official documents, either. SALT LAKE CITY Several people, including Utah Lt. On September 25, the Council heard 17 cases against police officers. The judge ruled that she did not. Like everyone else, police officers are fallible human beings some of them more so than others, as was made clear in a recent Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council meeting. On November 26, 2008, a federal judge issued a stay of execution stopping the planned December 10 execution. The Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council disciplined 12 current or former officers at its quarterly meeting. His certification was revoked due to allegations of assault dating back to 2014. With a few hundred disciplinary cases per year, it amounts to less than 1% of the total police force in Utah, said Major Scott Stephenson, the director of POST. Schwartz says although Houston police officers killed more people and were disciplined more often than Philadelphia police, plaintiffs in Philadelphia filed 10 times more lawsuits and were. Fox13Now news reports are published with permission of Fox13Now. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Thirteen Memphis officers could end up being disciplined in connection with the violent arrest of Tyre Nichols, officials said Tuesday, as city council members expressed frustration with the police and fire chiefs during a meeting for not moving quickly on policy reforms following the brutal beating. The council's staff recommended the four-year suspension for Adams for driving drunk in a sheriff's vehicle with his four . CALL TO SPEAK WITH ATTORNEY DARWIN OVERSON. A meeting with former Mayor Michael Johnson and a Mantua councilwoman became heated to the point that Castro could be heard yelling at the mayor, according to the POST report. Ask yourself, Does that sound like criminal behavior? All law enforcers in Utah are required to be certified by the Division of Peace Officer Standards and Training. The POST Council broke from a recommended letter of caution for Unified Police officer Jonathan Richey, who pleaded no contest to a trespassing charge. A heated argument between the former police chief of Mantua and the town's former mayor has led the agency that hands out discipline to Utah law enforcers to take minor action. Johnson resigned as mayor a short time later, new training guidelines for use of force and police K-9 certification, Mantua police chief dismissed, other officers resign, Mantua mayor resigns as new police chief sworn in following former chief's dismissal. Call a criminal defense attorney for legal help in exposing police misconduct. Castro was one of 19 officers that the POST council took action against during their latest meeting. Terry Thomas, an unemployed peace officer at the time, received a revocation of his certification for voyeurism, POST said. I felt the concussion of each shot, Bess told the council Wednesday. We have over 74,000 city photos not found anywhere else, graphs of the latest real estate prices and sales trends, recent home sales, a home value estimator, hundreds of thousands of maps, satellite photos, demographic data (race, income, ancestries, education, employment), geographic data, state profiles, crime data, registered sex offenders, cost of living, housing . Thomas installed a digital recorder in a family members bedroom and secretly recorded 23 videos of that person dressing and undressing. POST is a division of the Department of Public Safety whose role is to impose sanctions on officers who violate Utahs Peace Officers Standards and Training Act. The city and the officers denied liability in the settlement. Jason Elwood, who previously served as a Uintah County Sheriffs Deputy, told the group, I apologize [for] having to appear before you on this incident and I just want to take the time to say I regret my actions. Elwood was suspended for four years after engaging in sexual conduct while on duty one of the violations explicitly banned by the Utah Code. Brittney Bryan, a former corrections officer, had her certification revoked for possession of a controlled substance and open container related to a fatal crash in 2018. The POST Council on Wednesday suspended Dunns police certification for four years. The review, conducted by Capt. State officials request to refrain from gathering in large groups didnt stop police regulators from doling out discipline on Thursday. Roberto Benvenutto, a former employee with the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office who was criminally convicted of stealing an iPad from a resident at a nursing home where he worked a part-time job. 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