Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (9:32 a.m.)

Lt. Phillip Galeoto, who had been with the department 23 years, voluntarily resigned on July 3, Chief Jerry Hoover said.

"Phil retired on his own choice," Hoover said. "He was not asked to resign. He was not forced out. It came after I authorized an administrative departmental investigation."

The probe involved a "large number" of warrants that were not entered into the police computer. If information is not entered, patrol officers don't know if someone stopped for a traffic violation is wanted for a crime.

Hoover said he doubts there was a deliberate attempt by Galeoto to keep names out of the computer, believing instead that the officer "just got busy doing other projects."

But he added that such an oversight could jeopardize an officer's safety.

"A large number of warrants were not entered into the system," Hoover said. "We're going through all the warrants, making sure they are entered."

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