Firing threatened for cop charged in shoplifting

Cathy Scott

Tuesday, July 2, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

A Metro Police detective suspended for allegedly shoplifting from a Target store is on the verge of being fired for the offense, to which he has pleaded not guilty in Municipal Court.

Robert Conboy, 46, has been notified that the department is scheduling a pretermination hearing, which is the first step to being fired, police officials said.

Sheriff Jerry Keller has called for the pretermination board to hear the case, said Sgt. Greg McCurdy. Conboy has been on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Conboy, a 16-year Metro veteran, who was promoted to detective in 1993 in the intelligence section, allegedly was caught stealing a cassette tape June 10 from the Target store at Cheyenne Avenue and Tenaya Way. Police were called and Conboy was cited on a misdemeanor charge.

The recommendation to fire Conboy was given to Undersheriff Richard Winget Friday and forwarded to Keller Monday by the intelligence section, which investigated the case, McCurdy said.

A pretermination board consists of a deputy chief, captain and civilian manager who will listen to arguments presented by the police association and an attorney for the accused officer. Within three days of the hearing, the panel will forward a recommendation to the sheriff, who will have two days to reject or accept the advice.

Meantime, Lawrence McCullough, an attorney for the Police Protective Association, appeared Monday before Municipal Judge Gregory Barlow and entered a not-guilty plea for Conboy. A pre-trial hearing is set for July 15.

Also, Barlow granted a motion by Chief Deputy City Attorney Ben Little to hire an outside special prosecutor instead of the city attorney's office to prosecute the petty larceny offense. Little said the request was made because he felt he had a conflict of interest with Conboy, with whom he has worked on cases.