“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America -
mentally unstable cops”
A Provo School District official …
advised that a Provo police officer may have been involved in inappropriate
behavior while on duty as the school resource officer. The alleged misconduct
occurred at Provo High School when the officer participated in a birthday
celebration for one of the school’s employees," Siufanua said.
The purported misconduct was
described as "the officer wearing inappropriate attire and engaging in
inappropriate behavior that, if true, directly violates our policy, high
expectations of professionalism and department ethical standards," the
lieutenant added.
Siufanua said the officer’s actions
were not believed to have been illegal. Asked specifically if the alleged
activity involved a "strip tease," Siufanua said he would not
describe it that way — but he could not discuss further details pending a
departmental investigation.
The officer, whose identity was not
released, has been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of the probe.
In a statement issued Friday, Provo
Police Chief Rick Gregory, alluding to his department’s past image woes
stemming from officer misbehavior, expressed concern over the latest
allegations.
"We have worked very hard to
overcome past perceptions of our department. We have also worked very hard to
gain the trust and respect of the citizens we serve," he said. "While
this incident has the potential to drag us backwards, I am confident that the
hard work of our department coupled with the many great things we do each day
and our swift and serious handling of this incident will help us to maintain
the support and confidence of our community."
Gregory’s predecessor, Craig
Geslison, stepped down in January 2011 in the wake of the city’s hiring of an
independent auditor to scrutinize the department’s operations and,
specifically, misconduct by three Provo officers.
In December 2010, one Provo officer
pleaded no contest to reduced misdemeanor charges after he allegedly held a gun
to his girlfriend’s head, and another officer pleaded guilty to fondling a
woman during a traffic stop. Earlier in 2010, a third officer resigned under
pressure after he was accused of stealing prescription pills from a Provo home
during a 911 call.
Had enough? Write to the Speaker of the House, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 and demand federal
hearings into the police problem in America.
Demand mandatory body cameras for cops, one strike rule on abuse, and a
permanent DOJ office on Police
Misconduct.