Recent arrests won’t alter police screening procedures for new hires

Keith Paul

Thursday, March 7, 2002 | 11:07 a.m.

The fact that three Metro Police officers were recently charged with felonies may embarrass the department, but the arrests won't result in major changes regarding how officials screen potential officers.

Undersheriff Richard Winget said the department thoroughly investigates candidates' backgrounds, and the accused actions of two officers likely developed years after the men began working for Metro. The accused crimes of another officer occurred before he was hired.

"We investigate all allegations, and if we find that an officer had done something we don't try to hide it," Winget said. "We review the standards periodically, but this will not cause us to redo our standards."

As part of the screening process he said Metro uses background investigations, polygraphs and interviews of family, friends and professional contacts. Police also check candidates' criminal and work histories.

But Gary Peck, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said the department should re-examine its hiring practices.

"I would hope that it indicated to the department they need to be even more stringent in the way they select candidates to become police officers," Peck said.

Three officers were arrested last month. Officer Jason P. Woodard was charged on a criminal complaint Feb. 12 after an 18-year-old woman accused him of sexually abusing her several times from 1996 to 1999. Woodard was hired by Metro in July 1999.

Detective Jack Brandon was then arrested Feb. 22 and accused of spraying two United Coin workers with pepper spray at a Henderson lounge, stealing some cash and using his Metro-issued unmarked police car in the getaway. Brandon was hired in September 1987.

Then Officer Sean P. Curd was arrested Feb. 28 and is accused of being under the influence of drugs and possessing drugs. Curd was a training officer at the department's academy. He was hired in January 1995.

Detective Dave Kallas, executive director of the Police Protective Association, said the arrests are embarrassing to other officers, who are hard-working, law abiding people who are trying to help the community."

"No officer wants to investigate another police officer, but hey, if we find out there is an officer committing crimes, then we want them in jail," he said. "No one is harder on cops than cops. If a cop is doing something wrong, he gives the rest of us a bad name."

Kallas and Peck said none of the three recently arrested officers have been convicted.

What's more, Peck, a frequent critic of Metro, said it is not fair to judge all Metro officers by the three who were arrested.

"I believe there are many, many fine officers in the department, and Metro does many things exceedingly well. We owe them a debt of gratitude for all the work they do," Peck said.

Still, he said the department is not without some sytemic problems.

"I do not believe the department does as good a job as it ought to in looking for wrongdoing by officers and holding the officers accountable when they behave badly," Peck said.

The three Metro officers are suspended with pay and face an internal investigation. Curd is scheduled to be arraigned next week in Justice Court. Brandon and Woodard are to appear March 18 in Justice Court.

"Bottom line, if a cop is breaking the law he deserves the punishment like anyone else," Kallas said.