Pubdate: Tue, 05 Feb 2002
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2002 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Robert F Moore
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption)

POLICE CHIEF DEFENDS FORCE DESPITE VICE SQUAD TROUBLE

Charlotte-Mecklenburg's police chief defended the image of the force 
Monday after four officers left the vice and narcotics unit in the 
last three weeks.

The chief recommended firing two officers, one resigned and a 
sergeant was reassigned.

"You always have concern about the public's perception of the 
department," Chief Darrel Stephens said Monday. "We've had some 
mistakes made, but we've responded to them by taking the actions we 
thought were appropriate."

And even if charges are dismissed against some of the suspects 
arrested by vice officers -- hundreds of cases are under scrutiny -- 
investigating alleged officer misconduct helps maintain the integrity 
of the criminal justice system, he said.

"Perhaps some of the people we arrested will be thankful and adjust 
their behavior," he said. "Others will not learn and we'll probably 
have an opportunity to arrest them again."

Last week, Stephens recommended vice officers Patrick Mulhall and 
Jeffrey Baker be fired. The action followed an internal investigation 
into alleged violations of the department's use of force and 
high-speed arrest policies, a police source said.

The source said at least one of the officers kicked a man during a 
Nov. 16 arrest.

Marion McIlwain, 27, was charged with cocaine and marijuana 
possession, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling to distribute a 
controlled substance, resisting a public officer and reckless driving 
in connection with the incident in northern Charlotte, court records 
show. The charges have been dismissed, records show.

Mulhall and Baker, each with more than a dozen years on the force, 
have been suspended pending a Civil Service Board appeal. That 
hearing has not been scheduled. Neither could be reached late Monday.

Most officers cited for termination since Stephens became police 
chief in 1999 have gotten their jobs back after appealing to the 
seven-member citizens committee.

Detective Michael Marlow resigned Jan. 16 amid a separate internal 
investigation into an altercation involving gunfire and a man dressed 
as a woman. He said he resigned because of eight years of 
work-related stress and has denied wrongdoing.

Records show Marlow was also one of the arresting officers in the 
incident involving Mulhall and Baker.

Marlow's supervisor has been reassigned. Police have said the 
supervisor also faces an internal affairs review, but details were 
not available.

The 37 remaining vice officers, assigned to what officials say is 
among the most grueling units on the force, investigate crimes 
related to drugs, gambling and prostitution.

Stephens would not comment specifically on the recent cases involving 
the unit, but said officers are generally disciplined most severely 
for lying, stealing or using excessive force.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh