Pubdate: Fri, 26 Sep 2008
Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL)
Copyright: 2008 The Associated Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/hdEs6Z0o
Website: http://www.tallahassee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Rachel+Hoffman (Rachel Hoffman)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?246 (Policing - United States)

1 FIRED, 4 SUSPENDED IN BOTCHED DRUG STING

TALLAHASSEE - An investigator was fired Thursday and four other
Tallahassee police officers were suspended for two weeks without pay
for their roles in a botched drug sting that led to the death of a
young informant from Pinellas County.

Additionally, Police Chief Dennis Jones and his top deputy, John
Proctor, received formal reprimands.

A grand jury reported Aug. 1 that it found police undercover
operations negligent in the shooting death of 23-year-old Rachel
Hoffman, who was killed in the aborted sting in early May. Two men -
Andrea Green and Deneilo Bradshaw - await trial on first-degree murder
charges.

"While we cannot change the events of May 7, we can make the type of
changes within the department to help ensure our future actions are
consistent with policy," said Jones, who noted violations involving
drug buy-and-bust policies as well as the use of cash in such operations.

Hoffman, a graduate of Countryside High School in Clearwater, also had
recently graduated from Florida State University. She was arrested on
charges of using and selling marijuana and ecstasy. Police said being
an informant in the drug investigation was a way for her to avoid
prison time.

She was given $13,000 to buy drugs and a gun from suspected dealers at
a park in a sting arranged by police. Her body was found two days
later in rural Taylor County.

Investigator Ryan Pender was fired while Capt. Chris Connell, Lt.
Taltha White and Sgts. Rod Looney and David Odom were suspended.

Jones, who was reprimanded by Tallahassee City Manager Anita Favors
Thompson, said the four suspended officers will be reassigned upon
their return to work.

The Florida Police Benevolent Association, which represents police
officers across the state, said the sanctioned officers all had 15
days to file a grievance over the disciplinary action.

"Let us not forget that these officers have over 80 years of law
enforcement experience and exemplary work histories," Big Bend PBA
President Steve Slade said Thursday.

Pender, the internal affairs report said, was fired for a series of
mistakes, including losing track of the informant on the evening of
the bungled sting.

Meanwhile, Hoffman's family was still looking for an apology from
Tallahassee police.

"It's time that the police department accept responsibility for what
happened here," said Lance Block, who is representing the family,
which includes Hoffman's mother, Margie Weiss of Safety Harbor, and
Hoffman's father, Irv Hoffman of Palm Harbor.

"Just like the police department expects lawbreakers to accept
responsibility for their actions. They need to make amends."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake