Says supervisor broke the rules in suppressing woman's complaint
A
representative of Isthmus newspaper
has lodged a complaint with the Madison Police and Fire Commission alleging
that a police supervisor violated the department's rules regarding truthfulness
and complaint acceptance and referral.
The action filed Wednesday by Isthmus news editor Bill Lueders charges
that Lt. Dennis Riley, a supervisor of detectives, violated department policy
last fall after receiving letters of complaint from a woman named Patty who
says detectives coerced her into recanting a reported sexual assault. (See
"Cry Rape, 2/13/98). Department rules say that all non-minor complaints
must be referred to the department's Professional Standards Unit for
investigation. Instead, according to the unit head, Riley gave the letters to
one of the accused detectives to put in his case file.
Isthmus' filing also charges that Riley violated
the department's rule against untruthfulness by originally denying any
knowledge of Patty's letters. It asks that Riley be suspended or demoted as the
commission sees fit, and that a directive be issued to all Madison police
officers reminding them of their obligation to follow policy regarding
complaints.
Additionally, Isthmus asks the PFC to consider restricting the department's
policy of deferring investigation into complaints filed by citizens who are the
subject of ongoing prosecutions, as in this case. (A pretrial conference was
set for this Thursday.)
Under PFC rules, any "aggrieved
person" may file a complaint, which entitles them to obtain evidence
through discovery and question witnesses under oath. PFC attorney Scott Herrick
says Isthmus' complaint will likely be set for an initial hearing at the commission's
regularly scheduled April 20 meeting. Lt. Riley has until then to formally
respond. At the hearing, motions will be considered, witness lists introduced
and dates for evidentiary hearings set.
Informed by phone last Friday of Isthmus' intention to bring this action, Riley said "okay" and
hung up.