The following is a press release from the Bonney Lake Police Department. Check back later for a full story as more details become available:
The Bonney Lake Police Department has participated in a number of grant-funded traffic enforcement projects over the past several years, including speed emphasis patrols. On Sept. 3, 2010 the Chief of Police was contacted by Washington State Traffic Safety Program Manager Lynn Drake, who relayed concerns regarding the operational procedure involved with the way some of the Department’s officers worked the speed emphasis.
The Police Chief was provided specific dates and times to look into. A preliminary investigation occurred immediately. During the preliminary investigation a period of one to three hours of apparent officer inactivity was discovered. The result of this preliminary investigation led the Chief of Police to order an internal investigation. Six officers and one Sergeant had participated in grant-funded speed emphasis patrols during the dates in question.
The resulting investigation showed that all of the officers had met or exceeded the expectations for the total number of contacts as supplied by the Traffic Safety Commission; however the hours of actual work came into question. The Sergeant in charge of this program gave orders to the officers involved in the emphasis to maintain a minimum / maximum number of traffic violations. He also permitted the officers to leave their work assignments once this minimum / maximum number was met. The investigation revealed one officer went home early while submitting time worked for the entire shift; others found additional Department work to do or took meal breaks in which they were entitled.
The Sergeant in charge was found to have given orders that were in conflict with the department’s standard policy and procedures manual and has recently resigned his position from the Department prior to corrective action being initiated against him. His resignation came as a direct result of the internal investigation. His actions saved the Department and the City the need to continue the investigational process. By coming to an amicable conclusion, the Bonney Lake Police Department can once again turn its energy, resources and time into what we do best by continuing to provide quality police service with trust, integrity and respect while enforcing the state and municipal laws to provide a safe environment while encouraging active community participation.
