NORFOLK
Three city police officers - two active, one recently resigned - were indicted Wednesday on charges they lied in court testimony or on police reports in two incidents.
Additional "serious allegations" concerning other incidents are under legal review, police Chief Bruce P. Marquis said. He declined to say whether different officers were involved.
Those indicted:
- Gregory W. Dudley, 24, of the 4900 block of Rugby St. in Virginia Beach was charged with procuring another to give false testimony - a felony - and making a false report to police - a misdemeanor - on Oct. 12. The indictments allege that he induced another to give false testimony under oath and that he gave a false report to a law enforcement official about a crime. He resigned Oct. 31, after two years as a patrol officer.
- Andrew Todd Wenzel, 29, of the 4600 block of Captain Carter Drive in Chesapeake was charged with two counts of perjury - a felony - and making a false report to police. The indictments allege that Wenzel gave false testimony while under oath in General District Court in September 2007 and in Circuit Court in April.
- Robert A. Jacobs, 28, of Norfolk, was charged with obstruction of justice - a misdemeanor. His indictment says he made a false statement to a law enforcement officer on Sept. 17 while the officer was investigating a crime committed by someone else.
Jacobs and Wenzel are three-year patrolmen. The three men turned themselves in Wednesday and were released on their own recognizance pending trials. Marquis said he suspended Wenzel and Jacobs with pay and took their police identification and weapons, pending the outcome of their trials and of departmental administrative proceedings.
They had been on desk duty while the department investigated allegations that came to light recently, Marquis said. The police findings were forwarded to the commonwealth's attorney's office, Marquis said. He would not elaborate.
"We take these matters very seriously over here," the chief said.
Michael McKenna, president of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 412, blamed Wednesday's indictments in part on a lack of seniority and reduced hiring standards, as veteran officers leave the department seeking better pay.
"We're left now with 70, 80 percent of people with under five years" of experience, McKenna said. "... They're good guys, but they don't know what they're doing."
Mayor Paul Fraim expressed confidence in the force. "I do know that our hiring practices are as good as they are anywhere in the commonwealth," he said.
He added that all police officers are subject to background checks, a polygraph test and psychological tests.
Fraim spoke after he emerged from a 70-minute emergency City Council meeting Wednesday evening in which Marquis, City Manager Regina V.K. Williams and Fraim briefed the council members on the issue. All but Fraim declined to comment.
While stressing that "these are only allegations," Fraim nonetheless acknowledged that Marquis and Williams need to ensure that the incidents were isolated.
"This is a very difficult moment for us," he said. "We're all concerned about the implications of police misconduct.
"At the same time," he added, "we believe these are separate incidents, that this is not a cultural issue with the department. We are very proud of the Norfolk police."
Williams and Fraim expressed confidence in Marquis.
Marquis said he did not know whether the charges would affect ongoing cases.
Marquis said that since the allegations were raised, senior officers have re-emphasized officers' training in integrity and accuracy in note-taking. A January training session has been revised to focus more on ethics and note-taking for legal matters, and the commonwealth's attorney's office will offer refreshers in laws concerning arrests, searches and the rules of evidence.
"We are held to a higher standard," Marquis said. "And acts like this can do harm to the Police Department. And we must be on our best behavior at all times."
Defense lawyers said the indictments could affect a number of cases in which the officers testified or are scheduled to testify.
Attorney George Neskis said any case in which an officer is charged "opens a Pandora's box for the prosecution." It also means defense lawyers may seek review in cases in which clients had already been convicted based on the indicted officers' testimony.
Sherri Carr, the city's chief public defender, said that if the indicted officers were to testify, defense lawyers could use the indictments to challenge their credibility.
"I have a feeling there may be more at the gate," Carr said. "The commonwealth will have to look at the other cases and determine whether they will go forward."
Amanda Howie, the commonwealth's attorney's spokeswoman, said prosecutors will deal with cases in which the indicted officers are witnesses as they come up. She did not estimate how many cases that would be.
Howie said she could not reveal how the allegations came to light nor could she give the nature of the underlying court cases involved.
The charges stem from separate matters, she said, with Wenzel and Jacobs involved in one incident and Dudley involved in another.
The commonwealth's attorney's office sought the indictments after receiving information from the police detective division, she said.
Defense la wyer Peter Decker III said he knows all three of the officers indicted and considers them "real good guys."
"I don't see them putting their careers at risk to get a conviction," Decker said. "I don't think they'd ever intentionally do something wrong."
Pilot writer Harry Minium contributed to this report.
Matthew Bowers, (757) 222-3893, matthew.bowers@pilotonline.com
Michelle Washington, (757) 446-2287, michelle.washington@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
How much is enough?
I have been pro-police all my life but after the Waco incident, the O.J. debacle, then the Rodney King farce, now this kid. It makes you wonder what kind of police force we are promoting in our country. Many argue that it’s only a couple of bad apples but one bad apple sure does a lot to break down confidence. In all, how much does it take to ruin a life or loose a life. Look at the two Norfolk cops recently indicted for doing unlawful things. I guess the question is, How much is enough?”
Bad Eggs?
I'm a cop. I've crossed paths with bad cops. They do exist, although to a Much Lesser Degree than in the past. They give the rest of us a bad reputation. I had a run-in with some Norfolk cops many years ago. Their behavior was Criminal. These guys here, if guilty, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. Actually they should be held Much More Accountible than the average citizen because of their position of Trust and Responsibility.
"this year I ended up in
"this year I ended up in traffic court in Va Beach. At the traffic stop I politely pointed out to the police officer that she was wrong regarding a traffic sign. Went to court with photographs to support my point. Not only did she perjure herself, she told the judge I was very combative at the scene. When the judge heard that he did not allow me to present my side of the story. After the hearing she snickered at me outside of the courtroom. I am probably not her only victim.
Similar thing happened to my husband. We expected court to be interesting...so we hired an attorney. The case was dismissed. Officer was not happy. Moral of the story: If you expect a disagreement with the officer, have a professional represent you.
Re:twomiller
I support your comment. All professions in life have people who look for ways to abuse their position and power that is given to that position, not the person. From the teenage cashier at McDonald's giving their frinds free food to the CEO of a company altering the books to make their company look better. In the end some one, some group and society suffers. The truth be told 99% percent of all people try to lead productive lives. It is the 1% percent that causes society all the problems. Most law enforcment officers go about their daily careers with no problems. However, with such a high profile position people are always looking at them under a microscope. It is true one bad cop can ruin a person's life, one bad teacher can fail a classroom and one bad doctor can end a life. Norfolk PD, if it is true that these officers lied under oath knowingly, then fire them. Virginia Pilot, if it is proven that one of these three officers is innocent after the invetigation, then please report on that story too and do not hide it in the back pages.
RobertA
Well golly gee Robert. Where have you been? It was in the news that Norfolk had to pay off Dan Moore $10,000 because they were afraid they would be sued. Then they arrested him again after a city council hearing on the matter. It is relevant in this case is that these LEO's assumed they were above the law and basically arrested and charged these men for excercising a right and a law they didn't agree with and even threatened a lady with jail for filming the incident. Another LEO used a taser on a lady using a hula-hoop. Yet most of these people are never fired. I don't know what city you work for and it's irrelevant, but you don't know what capacity of understanding anyone who opines on these blogs have. There are quite a few LEO's out there that have the ego of The Grand Canyon. The point is that LEO's are ALWAYS given the benefit of the doubt whether in court or otherwise. Everyone else are assumed to be children who don't know better. I also took time to explain this to someone with of such limited capacity for understanding.
curious
Exactly how well does that background check work? Seriously, How many Norfolk cops have gotten DUI's in just the pass 2 years? I'm not surprised by this news. I once had a Norfolk cop give me the best advice there was...and that was... "just because we try and do good things, that doesn't make us good people" and sadly I have seen that in action first hand. How am I supposed to feel protected by a morally corrupt police department. It's really just a complete disappointment honestly. Lying in a court room...that's just appalling, for a citizen i can't even begin to think about someone doing that who is supposed to portray a "model" citizen. Great Example Guys. I hope it was worth it.
"How about the fact that
"How about the fact that Norfolk LEO's arrested harrassed two law-abiding citizens for lawfully carrying a handgun on public property?" I don't know why you ask questions about this. I am not familiar with the facts of the case, and I seriously doubt you are either, unless you're person who was arrested. Either way, I don't see what it has to do with this case. Police do things that are controversial, which is why it matters who you hire, and that cities retain experience with decent pay. The problem is, that people like you, who know NOTHING about police work, elect city council members who don't empower a police chief and properly staff a department, so people who should not be hired are, and people who should not be retained are. And it's done because experience leaves for better pay and less BS, and undesirables are retained just to keep a heartbeat in a uniform. Now, some reading this may wonder why I took the time to explain this to somebody of such limited capacity for understanding. I didn't. I did it for them. Nobody hates crooked or incompetent officers more than other officers.
Ok, keithh, let's talk about the presumption of innocence
The only place where there is any presumption of innocence is in a COURTROOM. The paper is not required to presume it, and neither are you. I don't like that they put names in the news before a conviction, but it's not up to me.
"why was Ray not given an opportunity to present or rebut the other LEO's testimony in court?" I don't believe that to be the case. In any event, why didn't he appeal? I hear all the time from people who are insistent they didn't do what I watched them do, then go to court and say the same thing. I don't believe are lying, I think they refuse to believe the facts.
"How about the fact that a former LEO was only given 12 months with all but 1 suspended for stealing restricted ammunition?" So? I'd bet this was his first conviction for ANY crime. If he had NOT been an officer, there's no way he'd have gotten jail time. Don't believe me? Come sit in a court room.
where is photo
Three officers were charged but only 2 pictures were posted . Where is the picture of Officer Jacobs?
Robert A
Well RobertA lets talk about the presumpson of innocense. If a LEO is expected to be given the benefit of the doubt, then why was Ray not given an opportunity to present or rebut the other LEO's testimony in court? How about Ryan Fredrick? How about some presumption of innocense for him? How about the fact that a former LEO was only given 12 months with all but 1 suspended for stealing restricted ammunition? They wouldn't have let me post bond and would have assumed I was an Al Qaida terrorist. They would have put me under the jail. How about the fact that Norfolk LEO's arrested harrassed two law-abiding citizens for lawfully carrying a handgun on public property? Sure Robert. I don't have a clue. Spare me this rubbish sir. There is a double standard in the scales of justice between LEO and the public. YOu can't bring yourself to admit that it's true.
Higher standard?
Yeah right.I keep hearing about all this higher standard stuff but would someone please explain to me what that is. Double punishment? Having the burden of proof BEFORE ruining someones life ? random lie detector test?
Just what do you mean by this higher standard?
Perjury
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RegxuU8NOhs
Not Surprised,
as a former LEO, military veteran, & racial & ethnic minority, I've long been aware of undesirables, who through 1 method or another, were able to get in & stay, in police & military work. Yet that's no different from undesirables who manage to get in & stay in other fields. The problems arising from the non or late detection, of these said undesirables, varies though. Lives can be forever ruined, when an unfit LEO, lies in a case or plants evidence, or even if said officer is just an overzealous "John Wayne" type, who pushes the limits. However, a racist or sexist boss, teacher, or commanding officer ,can also ruin lives, just in different ways. If these guys are guilty, they need 2 be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Looked at pics of my kids, 2 of whom are in their mid 30s. Wenzel looks old enough 2 be their father.
KUDOs NORFOLK
Norfolk should be proud that they are addressing this...
Va Beach is far worse as shown in the Hammerhead case...One officer told the truth and the rest denied all they are senior officers..
Training is simple: Tell the truth!!!!
They were encouraged or even rewarded for lying...
It is up to the City,Captains and Chiefs to set a standard for officers if we are going to be confident in our Justice System,,
KUDOS Norfolk
Va Beach could learn a thing or two about Justice from your integrity and leadership....We must demand integrity from those we give our power to.
I might be moving to Norfolk if Sessoms keeps his seat....KUDOS
I have a new attitude
I have never been one to fear police authority. In fact my first instinct has always been be supportive of the police, and when an accusation was made against a member of the department, or their actions were being "Monday Morning Quarterbacked" my first and very strong instinct was to side with the police.
Now however.
Last month Norfolk PD Officer Nicholas Parks tasered the hula-hoop lady not once but three times near Wards Corner.
Now this.
I used to avoid certian parts of Norfolk as "bad neighborhoods", feeling safe in the city as a whole. No one is more surprised than me that it is the police, not the criminal element, to change that for me.
Never Ending
It will never end. There are so many dirty officers in the area. How many of us has been stopped by an officer with a nasty attitude and end up in court paying high fees because he stretched the truth just a little? They feel no remorse for having good citizens locked up because of the way they look or don't look. I have no more respect for any of them anymore and no longer are my children told to go them for help when they get lost or feel threatened.
Norfolk is not alone in this, many more will soon come out because crime doesn't pay for anyone.
To be Fair
The address of the officers were not published. Only the name of the street & the block they live on. lol
It's about time
On June 22, 2007 an officer of the NPD lied to a magistrate procure a warrant for the arrest, which he used to settle a personal score, of a law abiding, home-owning, TAX-PAYING citizen of Norfolk (which he executed at 4:00 am, in accordance to Commonwealth laws for a six-degree felony). When the case went to court, the judges believed this lying civil servant over the citizen's side of the story. Adding insult to injury, the Office of Professional Police Peons also sided with the court & the liar, citing lack of evidence for condemnation. With that, it is clear that the police can/will lie, cheat and kill people and do not have consequences. This changes NOTHING to protect citizens from thug police officers.
Not right?!
Give me a break. The media always publishes the names and photos of the accused, not convicted. What makes these cops so special that they can't have the same treatment? Whoever heard of waiting for a conviction to publish that information, unless the person is a minor which clearly they are not. If accused drug dealers, robbers, rapists, etc. are exposed, so should accused dirty cops.
not right
These gentleman's photo's, addresses, or names should not be published until they are convicted. Now innocent or not, they've been handed down the punishment of humiliation now that their neighbors and friends know their situation. I'm a firm believer in the innocent until proven guilty principle. Too many times mug shots and names are announced with alleged charges in the newspaper or TV news and I think that is just plain wrong. If they're up for bond or released on thier own, then it's been determined they are not a physical threat to folks around them.
I'm a supporter of the police officers. Their jobs are one of the toughest especially mentally with the conjstant garbage they have to process daily/nightly. I wish they were given more flexibility to arrest or not, have someone come pickup if their DUI, and other call it on the scene situations, but the laws are providing less and less ability to do this causing the officer to always appear to be the bad guy when his hands are tied on the arrest whether they think you should or not. Becuase they could or their friends/family could very well fall victim to it as well.