Review board to hear claims against cops

Jen Lawson

Wednesday, June 16, 2004 | 9:39 a.m.

An allegation of racial profiling against two Metro Police officers will go before the department's Citizen Review Board hearing panel next week, according to findings released Tuesday.

The review board, which independently investigates complaints against Metro officers, also referred four other complaints alleging excessive force, false arrest, harassment and engaging in unbecoming conduct to the department's internal affairs bureau.

"This doesn't mean in and of itself there was a violation" in any of the cases, said Andrea Beckman, executive director of the review board.

"If (any of the allegations) were true it would be a violation of policy, but I say that with a big 'if," she continued. The officers involved have not yet been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

Patrick Fain, who is black, filed a complaint against Officers Ethan Grimes and Charles Pointon after a traffic stop at 2 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2003, on Silverado Ranch Boulevard. He was stopped because he didn't have a permanent license plate and the temporary plate was not visible through the rear tinted window, Beckman said. Officers did not give him a ticket.

However, Fain said he did not do anything wrong and alleges he was stopped because of his race. Fain filed a complaint with internal affairs, and an investigation showed his complaint was without merit. Fain appealed that decision to the review board.

The Citizen Review Board this week also sent four other cases to Internal Affairs, including one filed by Terry McClodden against Officer Reggie Rader, alleging Rader arrested McClodden without cause in April.

Rader faces a coroner's inquest June 25 in connection with a separate case in which a man died a day after getting hit with a Taser stun gun.

Christopher Turner filed a complaint against officers Dennis Flynn and Thomas Buchanan because he felt he was coerced into making untrue statements about an investigation.

Todd Cafaro's complaint challenges the legality of a search warrant served by Officers Zachary Marsh and Gayland Hammack, alleging he didn't get a signed copy of the warrant.

Joseph Sawman alleges he was hit in the back of the head by an officer in April, but didn't provide the name of the officer.

The Citizen Review Board is composed of 25 members of the community who review complaints filed against Metro officers and make recommendations to Sheriff Bill Young, who has the final say on any discipline against officers.