Pubdate: Wed, 24 Nov 2004
Source: Newport Daily News, The (RI)
Copyright: 2004. The Newport Daily News.
Contact:  http://www.newportdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1808
Author: Matt Sheley
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)

EX-COP VOICES REGRETS

Former Middletown Police Patrol Officer Michael H. Braley said Tuesday
he is "embarrassed" and "sorry" about the events surrounding the case
against him, which stem from missing drug evidence at the police department.

Speaking about the situation publicly for the first time, the
43-year-old North Kingstown man's comments came after he had been
expected to enter a plea in Superior Court in Newport on several
charges stemming from the theft of marijuana from a secure evidence
cabinet in the police station over the summer.

That arrangement was put off until Friday, Dec. 3, because details of
Braley's resignation agreement with the town still need to be worked
out, Braley's attorney John D. Lynch Jr. said.

"I'm glad it's over," Braley said, speaking outside Judge Stephen P.
Nugent's courtroom in the Florence K. Murray Judicial Complex.

"I'm very sorry for the embarrassment I've caused. I'm sorry for
embarrassing my family. I'm sorry for embarrassing the department. I'm
just embarrassed by all of it."

Braley was arrested June 11 after State Police said he admitted taking
about $400 worth of marijuana seized as part of a felony drug bust
against a 19-year-old Newport man.

A transcript of Braley's interview with State Police indicated he used
a straightened wire coat hanger with sticky mailing labels attached to
one end to fish the four golf-ball sized bags of pot from the evidence
cabinet in mid-May.

When asked why he did it, Braley said in the transcript that he wanted
to make the administration of the department look bad for failing to
address longstanding problems. Faced with the same question Tuesday
afternoon, the 11-year veteran officer paused for a second before
saying he had no answer.

"I apologize for my stupidity," Braley said. "I've talked with many of
my co-workers and some have been understanding, not so with others as
I expected. I don't have any animosity toward any of them. How could I
after what I did?"

The drug charge against the 19-year-old Newport man was dismissed
because police said they no longer had the evidence.

State Police investigated the case of the missing marijuana,
interviewing about 20 police personnel, all of whom were working at
the suspected time when the pot was taken. Braley admitted to stealing
the drugs, State Police said, when he was told his fingerprints were
found on mailing labels stuck to the inside of the evidence cabinet.

State Police said there appeared to be no connection between Braley
and the city man arrested as part of the felony drug sting. During
their interview, State Police said Braley admitted he acted alone and
threw the pot out the window of his police cruiser while driving along
Valley and West Main roads.

The most serious charge against Braley, committing prohibited acts by
a law enforcement official, carries a 10- to 20-year prison term
unless compelling circumstances mean an alternative sentence is
warranted. The felony charge bans law enforcement officials from
selling, destroying or removing evidence.

Braley also was charged with obstructing a police officer, larceny
less than $500 and possessing marijuana, which later was dismissed
because the drugs had been destroyed.

Lynch met for 20 minutes with Nugent and prosecuting attorney Maureen
Keough before the continuance was announced.

Local officials said Braley has been off the town's payroll since late
July, but continues to draw health care benefits, per order of the
Police Officers' Bill of Rights.

Braley, who Lynch said recently resigned his post with the town, said
he is trying to move on with his life, working a construction job.

"I'm trying to make the best of it," Braley said. "I'm working. I'm
keeping busy."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin