Young Mother Handcuffed at Gunpoint by Carmel Police

Justine Allen - handcuffed at gunpoint due to faulty police equipment

(WTHR)
Carmel - It should have been a routine traffic stop. Instead, Carmel Police surrounded a young mother at gunpoint, ordered her to the ground and handcuffed her before issuing a $165 traffic ticket. Now the city of Carmel says it will not release any video showing what happened.

Justine Allen had just dropped off her 18-month-old daughter and was driving to a doctor's appointment when she found herself following a Carmel Police officer. 

Less than five minutes later, Allen was surrounded by police -- with guns aimed directly at her – and ordered to the ground so police could handcuff her and lead her into the back seat of a squad car.

"I just kept asking, ‘What did I do wrong?'" recalls the stay-at-home mom.  "I'm terrified of guns so when they pulled guns out, I was just in awe. I couldn't believe this was happening to me."

Allen and police tell different stories to explain what led up to the incident, but both agree $3 worth of broken plastic and metal turned a routine traffic stop into something much different.

Malfunction causes mix-up

An official Carmel Police incident report – created after 13 Investigates began asking questions about the traffic stop – shows the event began while Allen was driving northbound on Rangeline Road near Third Street.  Off-duty police officer Brian Martin was driving his marked squad car directly in front of Allen and, according to his report, she was "traveling several feet behind, a distance that was not reasonable or prudent."

"I remember he was looking right at me and he pulled over, so I pulled over next to him and put down my window," Allen said. "He motioned for me to get ahead of him and said ‘go ahead,' so I did, and that's when he began following me."

What Allen didn't realize was the officer was trying to conduct a traffic stop to issue her a citation for following him too closely.  Martin had activated the police lights on his squad car to show his intentions.

What the officer didn't realize was his lights didn't work, thanks to a $3 blown fuse that rendered the light bar useless. 

Martin was pursuing an unknown driver who was seemingly refusing to obey his order to pull over – and the incident quickly went downhill from there.

"The off-duty officer, not knowing what was going on and why the vehicle was not stopping, conducted what's more of a high-risk stop at that time," explained Jeff Horner, a Carmel Police public information officer. "So he called for back-up, he drew his service weapon and ordered the driver to put her hands up. When we don't know who we're dealing with and we don't what the situation is, that's what happens until they could figure out exactly what's going on."

"Did not make any sense at all"
Sitting in the back of a squad car with no information about why she was being detained, Allen was trying to understand what was happening, as well.  Both the officer and his suspect figured out the problem together.

"The officer came over and said 'I thought you were running from me slowly.' Did not make any sense to me at all," Allen said. "Then he said 'Why didn't you pull over when my lights went on?' and I said 'Officer, your lights were never on."'

Because of the blown fuse, Carmel Police decided not to arrest Allen on a felony charge of fleeing police. According to Indiana law, a motorist must stop for a police officer who activates either emergency lights or sirens. Dispatch audio obtained from Carmel Police reveals Martin activated his siren for about one minute before Allen pulled into her doctor's office parking lot.

"I never heard any sirens," said Allen, who admits she often drives while playing very loud music in her car.

But she points out she did stop to see if the police officer had any concerns even before he attempted a formal traffic stop.

"When I did stop, he told me to get in front of him. He should have just pulled me over right then and there and said ‘You are riding me too closely. Here's a ticket.'"

Allen says in-car video from the police squad will show she cooperated fully and that police overreacted.

"Every order they gave me, I did. I didn't fight with them. I didn't raise my voice, I didn't cry or lose my cool because I was so freaked out and had no idea what was happening to me," she said. "There was no need for them to do what they did to me.  [Video] will show everything."

Where's the video?

Just one problem.

Police claim Martin's in-squad video camera never record video at all.

"Apparently, the fuse that went out is one of the main fuses that affects the emergency lights, the camera system, some other electronics in the car," said Horner. "There is definitely not video of the officer attempting to stop her."

13 Investigates has learned other squad cars responding to the incident did record video of the traffic stop.  WTHR has requested that video, but Carmel city attorney Doug Haney has refused to release it.

Indiana's Access to Open Records Act permits a public agency to withhold records (including video) from public disclosure if the material is created by a police officer in the course of investigating a potential crime. The same law permits an agency to release the records if it chooses to do so, and Horner told both the city attorney's office and WTHR he favored the video being released.

"I tried to explain it should be released because it shows exactly what happened and that our officers responded appropriately," he told investigative reporter Bob Segall.

But officials at Carmel City Hall said releasing the video would be inconsistent with the city's position to never release police squad car video to the media – even in situations in which police have completed their investigation and no criminal charges are pending.

"You may not agree with our policy on how we do things, but that's always been our policy and we're going to stay consistent," said city spokeswoman Nancy Heck. "We only release what the law requires us to release and nothing more."

Fighting back
"I don't trust the cops anymore," said Allen, who believes the city is withholding the video to "cover up" mistakes made during the traffic stop.

Even though Martin apologized to Allen for conducting a high-risk traffic stop, Carmel Police insist there weren't any mistakes to be covered, and no rules or procedures that officers failed to follow.

While officers are required to check their squad cars and other equipment prior to each shift to make sure it is working properly, Martin was off-duty on the day of Allen's traffic stop and, therefore, was not required to conduct an equipment check, according to Horner.  A police department mechanic has already replaced the $3 fuse in Martin's squad car, and police officials report the lights and in-car camera are once again working properly.

Allen admits she sometimes drives too closely to cars in front of her, but says that did not happen on the day she was stopped by Carmel Police.

"I specifically remember saying in my head ‘Don't get too close to his car. Don't ride too closely because you're behind a cop,'" she said, adding that she plans to fight the ticket in traffic court.  "I feel like I was treated so unfairly that day.  I'll definitely say it's something I'm never going to forget."

Sheridan Athletic Director Arrested for DUI

 SHERIDAN, Ind. (WISH) - A school official in Hamilton County was arrested October 23rd on suspicion that he was driving drunk.

Police arrested Sheridan Community Schools Athletic Director Michael Shelburne after he failed three field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol content of .09 percent.

Officers noticed Shelburne was driving left of the center line in the roadway and that his license plate was expired. Police say his speech was slurred as they questioned him.

He was booked into the Hamilton County Jail and was also ticketed for expired license plates.

Police: Blacks attack Asian students on IU campus

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Indiana University police say a group of African Americans used racial slurs before attacking and robbing a group of Asian students.

Police say the attack happened about 4 a.m. Sunday and say they're searching for suspects.

In a news release, university police say eight Asian students were walking to a dorm on the Bloomington campus when five black males and three black females approached them.

Police say the blacks used anti-Chinese slurs and words were exchanged.

Police say four of the Asians were assaulted or robbed. They say one was treated at a hospital for facial injuries and released.

Police say the attackers stole an iPad, an iPod, two sets of head phones, and a cell phone.

Investigators plan to review security videos to look for clues.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Police Chief Claims Racism In Fight With Town Council

BROOKLYN, Ind. -- Dozens of people rallied Friday in support of a small town police chief who they claim is being targeted because he is black and on an opposing side of a small town political quarrel.  The town council of Brooklyn, a small community in Morgan County, intended to meet in executive session to discuss the future of Chief Chris Hester, Channel 6 News Rick Hightower reported.  Because of a technicality in the public notice posting about the meeting, councilors couldn't proceed.  Hester and media members weren't allowed inside.
      Outside, Hester was backed up by about 100 supporters as he claimed at least one council member made racially sensitive remarks about him and wants him ousted as chief.
      "I believe (racism) by one or two of them, yes. I believe they're just still stuck in the 1800s, 1900s," he said. "I have proof. I have audio, and I have witnesses. This is just absolute harassment, in my opinion."
      Four Indiana State Police troopers were on hand to ensure no trouble erupted between opponents."It's just discrimination against people I think is wrong," said Erika Underwood, one of Hester's supporters. "Chris is a very good person and policeman."
      Council members left without speaking to the media, but 6News interviewed Frank Sams, one of the men Hester accused of making racial remarks, later at his home."I have no idea why they would ever think it's racist," Sams said, adding that he doesn't think there is audio of him uttering a racist remark.
      "I'm unhappy with the job he's doing."Sams claimed that Hester hasn't cut speeding in town and that he's hard to find.
      An executive session was rescheduled for Oct. 21. It will be followed by a public meeting where the council could take action against Hester, who filed complaints with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

IMPD Officer Bisard maintains innocence in email to colleagues

     

      Indianapolis - Officer David Bisard, the Indianapolis Metro Police officer charged with reckless homicide in an Aug. 6th crash that killed an Indianapolis man, maintains his innocence in a recent email to his colleagues on the K-9 unit.
      Eyewitness News Crimebeat reporter Steve Jefferson obtained a copy of the email. Bisard appears to criticize his fellow officers for their lack of support.
      "I am so displeased with the K9 unit save for two people...you guys don't believe in me at all. I am innocent and you all have let outside people influence your opinions of me...I haven't heard from any of you except for the two," Bisard writes.
      "I sent this to you because I had a lot of respect for you before all of this and I don't care if you spread it around the unit but you had better relay my innocence because that is what I am. Innocent," he adds.
      Bisard has not spoken to the media about the case. His blood alcohol content was tested at .19 two hours after the deadly crash that also severely injured two other motorcyclists. Charges related to DUI were thrown out on a technicality. The case prompted a shake-up at IMPD and forced the city to review procedures when officers are involved in crashes.

(WTHR)  

BMV Commissioner Held on Public Indecency Charge After Arrest at Downtown Restroom

  

      Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Andrew J. Miller was arrested Wednesday after police say he exposed and touched himself in front of an undercover officer in a Downtown public restroom.
     Miller, 40, Carmel, was held in the Marion County Jail on an initial charge of public indecency, records show. Bail had not yet been set.
      Police arrested Miller after they say he masturbated and asked an undercover officer to touch his genitals in the men's bathroom at Claypool Court, 110 W. Washington St., at about 1:30 p.m., according to police records.
      Jane Jankowski, spokeswoman for Gov. Mitch Daniels, declined comment on Miller's arrest.
      Miller was appointed to the $115,000-a-year post of BMV commissioner in December 2008. He previously was director of the state's Office of Disaster Recovery.
      Miller had had served as director of the state Department of Agriculture from 2005 to July 2008. Before joining state government he was vice president of research, development and marketing for Weaver Popcorn and held posts at Proctor & Gamble, Nabisco and ConAgra.
      The Claypool Court men's room, located across the street from Circle Centre Mall, is known to police as a "cruising" spot where men meet for sex. In 2001, police arrested Indiana Board of Education member Denver McFadden after he exposed himself to an undercover officer.
      After his arrest, McFadden lost his seat on the Board of Education and resigned from his $75,000-a-year job as the New Albany-Floyd County school district's director of elementary education. A jury later found him guilty of misdemeanor public indecency and he was sentenced to a year's probation.

(INDYSTAR)

No Pay, No Spray: Firefighters Let Home Burn!!

       

       Firefighters in rural Tennessee let a home burn to the ground last week because the homeowner hadn't paid a $75 fee.

      Gene Cranick of Obion County and his family lost all of their possessions in the Sept. 29 fire, along with three dogs and a cat. 
      "They could have been saved if they had put water on it, but they didn't do it," Cranick told MSNBC's Keith Olbermann.
      The fire started when the Cranicks' grandson was burning trash near the family home. As it grew out of control, the Cranicks called 911, but the fire department from the nearby city of South Fulton would not respond.
      "We wasn't on their list," he said the operators told him.
      Cranick, who lives outside the city limits, admits he "forgot" to pay the annual $75 fee. The county does not have a county-wide firefighting service, but South Fulton offers fire coverage to rural residents for a fee.
Cranick says he told the operator he would pay whatever is necessary to have the fire put out.
      His offer wasn't accepted, he said.
      The fire fee policy dates back 20 or so years.
      "Anybody that's not inside the city limits of South Fulton, it's a service we offer. Either they accept it or they don't," said South Fulton Mayor David Crocker.
      The fire department's decision to let the home burn was "incredibly irresponsible," said the president of an association representing firefighters.
      "Professional, career firefighters shouldn’t be forced to check a list before running out the door to see which homeowners have paid up," Harold Schatisberger, International Association of Fire Fighters president, said in a statement. "They get in their trucks and go."
      Firefighters did eventually show up, but only to fight the fire on the neighboring property, whose owner had paid the fee.
      "They put water out on the fence line out here. They never said nothing to me. Never acknowledged. They stood out here and watched it burn," Cranick said.
      South Fulton's mayor said that the fire department can't let homeowners pay the fee on the spot, because the only people who would pay would be those whose homes are on fire.
Cranick, who is now living in a trailer on his property, says his insurance policy will help cover some of his lost home.
      "Insurance is going to pay for what money I had on the policy, looks like. But like everything else, I didn't have enough."
      After the blaze, South Fulton police arrested one of Cranick's sons, Timothy Allen Cranick, on an aggravated assault charge, according to WPSD-TV, an NBC station in Paducah, Ky.
      Police told WPSD that the younger Cranick attacked Fire Chief David Wilds at the firehouse because he was upset his father's house was allowed to burn.
      WPSD-TV reported that Wilds was treated and released.

© 2010 msnbc.com Reprints

"Prominent" Suspect Finally Decides It is Convenient to Stop By the Jail and Bond Out

    
      Police arrested an Indianapolis woman Monday in the hit-and-run death of a Greenfield police officer.
Sue Anne Vanderbeck, 61, turned herself in Monday afternoon to the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, said Maj. Derek Towle of the Greenfield Police Department.
     Vanderbeck is charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death, Towle said. The felony charge carries a standard four-year prison term. She bonded out of the Henry County Jail after being processed, Towle said, adding that his information came from Henry County Sheriff Butch Baker. Vanderbeck’s bond had been set at $10,000.
      Officer William Phillips, 32, was killed early Thursday morning when a vehicle struck his bicycle while he was training with two other officers along U.S. 40 in Henry County just west of Knightstown.
     “We’re relieved that an arrest has been made,” Towle said. “There’s still a long way to go. We realize that. But at least we can start to get some closure.”
      Greenfield, where Phillips lived and worked, is in Hancock County – the county just west of Henry County, where Phillips was killed.
      Henry County Prosecutor Kit Crane did not return a call placed to his office Monday.
Phillips’ funeral is set for 11 a.m. today Tuesday at Greenfield-Central High School, 810 N. Broadway St. The Rev. Adam Detamore of Greenfield’s Realife Church will officiate.
      After the funeral, a procession will carry Phillips’ casket from the high school – likely around 1 p.m. – and head south on Broadway to Main Street. It will proceed west on Main Street before turning back north at Franklin. The procession will proceed east at New Road before turning south at Blue Road. At Main Street, the procession will again head west – this time turning south at State Street and concluding at Park Cemetery, 621 S State St.
      Several ceremonial stops are planned along the procession. The posthumous awarding of a garrison flag to Phillips will occur near Main and Pratt streets. The procession also will stop in front of the Greenfield Police Department, where Phillips will be marked out of service over the police radio frequency for a final time.

(INDYSTAR.COM)

UPDATE!!! Henry County Preferential Treatment Not the First Time

      Police Investigators have been told that the woman who killed a police officer and fled the scene was not being arrested as a condition of negotiations to get her statement by Proscutor Crane.  Also an interesting note, Sheriff Butch Baker used to work for Henry County Prosecutor Crane as his Chief Investigator.

      Crane has handled other criminal negotiations in the past that are usually left to the police.  One case involved former State Senator Tom Saunders whose son hit a driver and killed him and then fled the scene.

      Crane negotiated this case through his Deputy Prosecutor.  That case took about two weeks to resolve and Saunder's son to turn himself in.

     In that case, Butch Baker was working for the Prosecutor at the time and is also Saunder's cousin.

(FOX59)

More "Horseplay" at IMPD Causes Damage to Police Cruiser

     
      An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department car was damaged when a horse in the city's mounted patrol kicked the left headlight, then defecated on the hood, police said Thursday.
      "Baker", a mounted unit cared for by IMPD Officer Stephen Gorgieski, was working Downtown on Saturday night when the animal damaged the 2009 Ford Crown Victoria police car at the corner of Illinois and Maryland streets.
      Officer Jeffrey Taylor reported the incident, and an evidence technician was called to photograph the damage.
      No disciplinary action will be taken against "Baker", Lt. Jeff Duhamell said.

(IndyStar)

Good Ole' Boy System Alive and Well in Indiana!

      Not counting the recent Bisard situation in Indianapolis, I am trying to remember a time when a local public official or a group of public officials made a more blatant act of "special treatment" to a "prominent person" than they have this week in Henry County, Indiana.  I mean, granted, what would one expect from a Sheriff named "Butch" and a prosecutor named "Kit"?  Click on the link at the end of my rant and read this story that Fox 59 reported earlier about a cop killing woman who fled the scene of the crime and was interviewed days later (as arranged by some ballwashing attorney) and not arrested.  When it was discovered David Bisard committed a crime, he was in Marion County Jail posting bond less than 48 hours later.  In Bisard's case, thousands of people across the nation are enraged at that special treatment he received.
      According to Fox 59 and the Indianapolis Star, "A Sheriff's detective and State Police detective met the woman Friday at an undisclosed location to take her statement."
      Fox 59 also learned that "investigators were ordered to not arrest the woman by Henry County Sheriff Butch Baker and Henry County Prosecutor Kit Crane, who has been handling the negotiations."
      Sources tell Fox 59 the woman is reportedly a prominent person in the community and gave police a statement Friday.       
 
      This lady better have some type of diplomatic immunity from another country for this ridiculous order of "not to arrest her" to hold water.  And if she is a state representative/senator who can't be arrested because they are in session and all of that BS, we at least deserve to know who they are.  Those reasons I could at least understand, even if I don't agree with them.  BUT, I highly doubt anyone too prominent is going to be out driving after midnight in an almost 9-year-old Toyota Corolla with a loud muffler.  Maybe she is one of Butch's or Kit's deputies?  If this was just a simple accident like "Oh my God, I didn't see the glow sticks, the flashing lights or yards of reflective material worn by all of the officers on their bikes", then why not stop like a normal person.  Drunk perhaps?  Driving under the influence of a narcotic or illegal drug?  Need some time for it to clear out of your system?  Sure, why not?  Just flee the scene, leave the officer dead and bleeding.  No big deal, just have your scumbag attorney call "Butch" or "Kit" and tell them when you are good and detoxed, you will give them a statement.  Then tell them after that, when you get time, maybe your greaseball attorney can arrange your jail book-in.  Whenever it's convenient for you.  Just call Butch or Kit.  They might be off pitching horseshoes or at the fishing hole, but they will meet you at the jail whenever, ya' hear?
      I didn't grow up in Henry County, but I don't remember any prominent people in my community that had an IQ of less than 60. And I think anyone with an IQ above that would know better than to flee the scene of striking a bicyclist, cop or no cop! 
      Well, it's apparent Butch and his sheriff's posse haven't learned a thing from the David Bisard case.  Some people are above the law and Butch and the boys don't care who knows it.  Hell, they will even announce the fact to the news media.  It will be interesting to see who this person is and what special circumstances makes it so she and her attorney decide when and how she goes to jail for killing a policeman.        
               

To the family of William Phillips, my thoughts are still with you.  And I promise the ill thoughts of the investigators handling William's case won't overshadow my appreciation for the sacrifice that Officer William Phillips made for the community, the State of Indiana and to the world.

CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT THIS CRAP!!

Indiana Police Officer Killed - Police are Negotiating Surrender of Suspect

 Greenfield, Indiana -   Greenfield Police Officer William Phillips was killed in a hit-and-run accident while he was conducting police bicycle riding training with two other officers. The crash occurred on U.S. 40 near Knightstown at around 12:30 a.m. Thursday. 

      Phillips leaves behind his wife, Leslie, his sons, ages 5 and 2.  My heart goes out to the family, friends and community of Officer Phillips.

 

Ex-Marshal in S. Ind. Pleads Guilty to False Time Sheets

PRINCETON, Ind. — The former marshal of a Southern Indiana town has pleaded guilty to charges that he ordered part-time officers to submit falsified time sheets and then kept the money.  Former Haubstadt Town Marshal Micah Rulli made the plea Thursday in a Gibson County court on felony counts of theft and official misconduct. The Princeton Daily Clarion reports prosecutors dropped forgery charges and another count of theft.

      State troopers arrested Rulli in March after investigators found Rulli told two officers in the town about 20 miles north of Evansville to add hours to their time sheets and give the extra money to him for buying equipment if needed.  Police said the fraudulent pay totaled about $350.  Rulli is to be sentenced Nov. 1 and faces six months to three years in prison.

(written by AP)

The Tax Man Cometh - for Brock Walker!

  For the goodies on Big Unit, Click Here!

Atlanta Town Marshal Fired, Says Reason is Personal!

Atlanta, Ind. (WISH-TV) -

A small Indiana town is without a town marshal. 

City council members fired Atlanta, Ind.'s top cop during a council meeting Tuesday night.
Council members are not talking to the media about the reason or reasons why they fired Jai Cook.
"They clearly told me, well (Council President) Mr. Emmert did, that it was personal,” Cook said. “When I told him he was making it personal he said, ‘You're damn right it's personal.’"
Cook describes his termination as a grudge match or small town politics at their worst. He is currently living with council president Andy Emmert's wife. Emmert is getting a divorce.
According to Cook, tensions between the two men reached new heights on Friday. Cook says that is when Emmert began yelling at Emmert’s daughter’s boyfriend.  The teen, who is from Pennsylvania, was visiting Atlanta, Ind. for the first time. He had never met his girlfriend's parents.

"I'm glad I didn't eat lunch because I was so nervous I probably would have puked it back up. He was in my face. (He told me) my age is inappropriate, our relationship is inappropriate. Me travelling across the country to see her is inappropriate," said 18-year-old Cody Grimm.

Cook, town marshal at the time, says he witnessed Emmert shouting at and dressing down the teen. Cook decided to file criminal charges against Emmert for disorderly conduct. Emmert found out and confronted Cook.  Cook said Emmert confronted him about filing the charges
The former top cop says council members suspended him indefinitely that afternoon. On Tuesday night they made it official.

Residents aren't happy.
"I thought it was it was crap,” resident Larry Dautrich said. “They had no reason to do it as far as I know.”
Another resident agreed.

"If they fired him because of personal reasons, I do not think that is fair," said Stan Cherry.
Cook is now out of a job. He is hiring a lawyer to fight his dismissal. The Hamilton County prosecutor is now looking into the disorderly conduct charge filed against Emmert.

NEW CONFIRMATION ON THE TOWN OF ATLANTA STORY!!!

The story you first read about here of the Town Board v. Police Chief in Atlanta, Indiana has been confirmed by both Fox 59 and The Indy Channel.  This is arguably the most unprofessional situation by town officials to be exposed in Hamilton County in a long time.

 

ATLANTA, Ind. -- A feud between the council president and the town marshal in a small Hamilton County community has sparked infighting among local leaders.Atlanta Town Marshal Jai Cook is sparring with council members over his job after he said he was fired when he refused to drop charges against the council president, 6News' Myrt Price reported.The turmoil began after Cook said he witnessed Council President Andy Emmert threatening and screaming at Cody Grimm, 18, the boyfriend of Emmert's 17-year-old daughter.
      "He said, 'Evidently they didn't tell you who the (expletive) I am, and what I can (expletive) do to you,' which was basically conveyed as a threat," Cook said. "The young man was terrified."Grimm told 6News that Emmert is upset he's dating his daughter."It did sound like a concerned dad at first, but then it got worse," he said. "I was afraid. I was very afraid. I broke down in tears.  "Cook said he believed Emmert crossed the line, so he began preparing charges against him. But he said once Emmert found out about the charges, he and the rest of the council stormed into his office last week and demanded the matter be dropped.  "I told him directly, 'I'm doing my job,'" Cook said.  He said that's when the council told him he was fired.  "They said '(Expletive) it, you're fired. Get your stuff and get out,'" Cook said.  But Cook has refused to step down, arguing that he never got his due process, as required by law. Hamilton County Prosecutor Sonia Leerkamp agreed that, legally, Cook cannot be fired.  Cook said he also believes the fact that he is dating Emmert's estranged wife, who is also the town clerk, may have something to do with Emmert wanting him out.  "She and I have been friends for years and we have recently started dating,"  Cook said.  6News went to each of the council members' homes to give them a chance to comment on the matter, but no one answered their doors.  Emmert did not return calls for comment.  Emmert is no stranger to controversy. He was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving last month.

taken from the indychannel.com Atlanta Story. 

Former Sheridan School Resource Officer Video Released

 

Former Sheridan School Resource Officer  is so excited about the new school year last fall, that he made a video about it!  Check it out!!

UPDATE!!!!!! - New Allegations in the Atlanta Police Story

      Unconfirmed reports of a sexual affair with the Town of Atlanta's Clerk Treasurer, Robyn Emmerts is what many are speculating led to the termination of the town's Chief of Police, Jai Cook.  Sources stated an ongoing extramarital affair with the wife of the Town Board President, Andy Emmerts, has been common knowledge among the small community for some time, as well as the local police officers.  As you recall, Andy Emmerts was arrested in August for DUI in the town of Atlanta.  Sources also say the arrest was made by deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department.  However, Andy Emmerts rekindled his bitterness toward Atlanta Chief Jai Cook when he refused to intervene and prevent the sheriff's deputies from arresting him.  Many townspeople are claiming the affair with Robyn Emmerts paired with not taking an active role into preventing the arrest of Andy Emmerts are the "real reasons behind the alleged termination" of police chief Jai Cook.
      Another source tells us this isn't the first time Andy Emmerts has interfered with the Atlanta Police Department and its enforcement of the law.  I received an e-mail from a citizen of Atlanta stating Emmert's son was pulled over for having illegally tinted windows.  Soon after, the reserve officer who made the traffic stop was fired, with only a hint of a reason being Andy Emmerts was "pissed off" that his son was stopped by the police department "that he runs". 
        As far as the situation with Chief Jai Cook and Robyn Emmerts goes, there are only a few eye witness accounts of anything, but the allegations seem to be known by "just about everybody", according to a police officer in Arcadia.  One anonymous source claims witnesses observed a "very close and personal" visit in the front seat of Cook's patrol car "behind the town hall, but closer to the railroad tracks".  Another person emailed me asking me where I have been for the last year, that this affair is nothing new.
      At any rate, the alleged affair, coupled with the arrest of Andy Emmerts, has the town and the police department "all f*cked up", according to one Atlanta officer who would not give us his real name, only asking to be called "Bingo".  Another officer from the Sheridan Police Department a few miles away, referred to the situation in Atlanta as "nothing unusual for Atlanta".    

     


Anyone with information, let me know.  Email me at  DSulli62@gmail.com.

Town of Atlanta, Indiana - Town Board President Arrested for DUI, Then Fires the Chief of Police

Chief Cook

      Okay, well, we can forget about the so far silly allegations of ghost employment in Sheridan for now.  For the record, with the exception of the news links and references, all of the following information is unconfirmed.  We have information about a new controversy in Atlanta, Indiana.  Apparently, Jai Cook, who is/was the Chief of Police in Atlanta has been terminated.  This amidst the recent arrest of the town council president Steven A. (Andy) Emmerts for DUI.   You can read more about that here.

 Emmerts

      The Atlanta town council is no stranger to controversy, and certainly no one I spoke with can remember a time when the town board and police department got along.  But the firing of Chief Cook after the recent arrest of Emmerts can't possibly pass the smell test, and if it did, it would smell like manure.  Sounds like the first stop for Cook should be his attorney's office, and then the local news media.     
      No other information has been received at this time about the dismissal of Chief Cook or has it even been confirmed.  If anyone has information that they would like to share about the situation, please feel free to comment below.

Sheridan Police Department

     
      I am sure by now, many people have heard of the so-called scandal involving the Sheridan Police Department and it's allegations of ghost employment by the Police Chief and Deputy Chief.  Alleged "sources" are crying foul because the top cops in the town have taken over the School Resource Officer (SRO) positions.  I heard Former Reserve Officer Brock Walker was removed from the SRO position after allegations surfaced that he was inappropriately texting/talking to/contacting female students at the high school, suggesting inappropriate subject matter and behavior.  The allegations about Former Officer Walker's conduct warranted parents notifying the Chief of Police and Town Officials when the girls came forward with their stories (which were already circulating).  After all, folks, this is Sheridan we are talking about, where rumors fly so fast a sonic boom in town is as common as a pickup truck.
      After the dust settles, the Chief and Deputy Chief adopt the attitude "if you want things done right, do them yourself" and assume the school resource officer responsibilities.  Now, a whistle blower decides to make an issue out of the fact and has the whole town, the state board of accounts, and the school corporation buzzing and scrambling to find out if there was any wrongdoing.  Allegations of Ghost Employment are flying everywhere (which has me totally confused). Anyway.......For the complete "ALLEGED" story according to Blogger Diana Vice, click here.

We will be back to discuss this later!!!  Feel free to comment on any knowledge you may have on the subject, feelings, use whatever language you want, and say what you feel.  Only ridiculous posts will be deleted........

Sheridan Police Website


UPDATE:  Friday, September 24th

       It seems we have lost focus, according to the comments section.  But, this is our page so we can say whatever we want (freedom of speech, right?).  I hear Brock "Big Unit" Walker has been alleged to have engaged in misconduct which led to his termination as an SRO, Sheridan Police Officer and high school sweetheart.  However, I would like to hear more about the ghost employment issues that are currently being alleged against SPD officers.  Don't get me wrong, post whatever you want, but if anyone has any information or opinions on the topic currently at hand, please let us know!      - Dave


UPDATE:  Town of Atlanta, Indiana - Town Board President Arrested for DUI, then fires Chief of Police