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| NEWS > 05 May 2007 |
Other related articles:
Australia: NSW cops in steroid dealing scandal
Eight New South Wales police officers have been caught dealing, and in some cases using, illegal steroids.
A two-year investigation run by the Police Integrity Commission has uncovered a steroid ring based in Tamworth in the north of New South Wales.
The drugs were purchased over the internet and imported from Thailand before being on-sold.
One officer, who appealed against his dismissal over the matter, acted as a police informant.
One senior constable admitted to the commission he had been using the drugs himself.
New South Wales Police Commis... Read more
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TriCities.com - Johnson City,T
05 May 2007
This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.
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Chilhowie police officials rem
CHILHOWIE – Two top Chilhowie police officials were forced to leave the six-member department on Thursday.
Police Chief Dwayne Sheffield resigned and Sgt. Brian Doss was terminated.
Chilhowie Town Manager Bill Boswell said the town council voted 5-0 in a special called meeting Wednesday to terminate Sheffield and Doss.
Boswell said they were terminated "for cause," meaning for a specific reason rather than as the result of an arbitrary decision, explained Commonwealth’s Attorney Roy Evans.
Boswell would not elaborate on the cause of the terminations.
"Dwayne [Sheffield] was in here about 8:30 this morning and chose to resign, which we accepted," Boswell said. "Brian Doss was in here shortly thereafter and was terminated."
Boswell was silent for a time when asked if Doss was given an opportunity to resign.
"I don’t know what to tell you," he said. "If I tell you what I’m thinking, I’d be reading the man’s mind. A resignation would have been accepted."
Doss said Thursday afternoon no reason was given for his termination, and the matter seemed to him to be beyond discussion.
"They didn’t give me a reason," he said. "Bill [Boswell] said the council had voted to terminate my position."
Doss declined to speculate on the reason for his termination.
Council’s action comes amid numerous rumors swirling throughout Smyth County about the police department’s members. Boswell declined to say whether any of the police officers are under investigation as rumors suggest.
A Virginia State Police spokesman last week refused to comment whether the agency is investigating the department. A few days later Capt. G. Jason Miles, division commander, issued a statement advising "that any criminal investigation, if one exists" is exempt as public record under Virginia Code.
Chilhowie Town Attorney Danny Lowe declined to comment on the matter.
Commonwealth Attorney Evans said last week he was aware of concerns directed at the Chilhowie Police Department, but because of his affiliation with law enforcement officers working in Smyth County, he is not connected with any investigations of officers.
Evans referred questions to Wythe County Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Lee Harrell, who was appointed special prosecutor in a March 27 court order. Harrell said he could not comment on what he called an "ongoing investigation."
Thursday afternoon, Sheffield loaded personal effects from his office into his pickup. A U.S. flag was visible through the truck’s back window.
"I resigned this morning," Sheffield said. "Doss was terminated, and there will probably be two more this evening. Maybe the whole department."
Friday Sheffield declined to discuss the rumors in detail but strongly denied any wrongdoing on his part or on the part of any of his officers.
"In reference to the rumors," Sheffield said, "I’d like it to be known that police offers are humans too. None of us are saints. We have families, bills and pay taxes just like everyone else. These accusations that have circulated are absolutely ridiculous."
Sheffield said the rumors put a stain on a charitable project the police department initiated.
"The majority of the rumors surround the charity haunted house Chilhowie P.D. operated in October," Sheffield said. "Four officers, including myself, volunteered their time, spent money out of pocket, to make it a success. We had over a thousand people attend. We raised over $2,500 that was donated to Family Resource Center and the Cancer Outreach Foundation.
"Two officers’ wives were there all the time. It took nearly 40 volunteers to operate it nightly. Myself and Sgt. Doss were tour guides, and we never sat down and were constantly going through it. After 11:30 or 12, we closed down, went home and went to work the next morning.
"It’s unfortunate that an event that benefited so many people is now looked upon in a negative way by the public."
Sheffield said he thought resigning was in the community’s best interest and was an action he was prepared to take before Boswell could tell him of his termination.
He said he had a resignation letter prepared when he met with Boswell.
"In the position I was in, I was responsible for the integrity of the department," Sheffield said. "And to the best benefit of the town, I felt it was best to resign."
Sheffield said he regrets his relationship with the town has deteriorated to such a low point.
"With these rumors, I feel we lost the support of the town staff," he said. "I personally contacted three council members and told them I was well aware of what was circulating in the public and if there was any wrongdoing, we would correct it. I was reassured by all three councilmen that rumors occur every day but no actions would be taken over rumors. But yet, through the grapevine it came back to me that several positions were to be terminated.
"Without the support of my employer, it would be difficult to overcome the fact that they’d already judged us."
While his future is undecided, Sheffield said he would remain in the community.
"You’ll see me in the grocery store. I have done nothing to be ashamed of," he said. "I’ve served half of my life, 18 years, with Chilhowie P.D. I’m within two years of law enforcement retirement. This is all I’ve ever known and I’m undecided whether to stay in law enforcement or pursue another field. My primary concern is to raise my family. I thank the town’s people and staff for their support over the last two decades."
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