Police investigation concludes; Officers either quit or retire By Christina Fuoco, Independent Newspapers The Apache Junction Police Department's investigation into the perception of inconsistent discipline practices, harassment and management retaliation has ended with the seven employees either quitting or retiring. According to Interim Police Chief Terry McDonald each of them has voluntarily terminated their employment or will do so in the near future. An accused detective, who was scrutinized regarding his investigative performance, terminated his employment while under investigation and relocated to Kansas, Mr. McDonald said. A commander went out on sick leave and retired prior to being interviewed. A second commander, after several interviews, submitted his retirement, he said. An officer reached an agreement to retire effective May 1. A sergeant underwent one interview and then retired. Two other sergeants set their retirements for Feb. 25 and January 2006, Mr. McDonald explained. The Apache Junction Independent is not identifying the accused employees because they were never charged. Originally, five officers were suspended but as the investigation progressed, more employees were interviewed, Mr. McDonald said. "When we initiated the investigation based on the Sereno investigation, there were five people that were placed on administrative leave. Additional information was identified and a sixth person was placed on administrative leave," Mr. McDonald explained. "Also, during the investigation of the Sereno investigation, we had an employee that stepped forward with additional information about investigative processes. That's when we found out about mishandling of child crime sexual investigation. He was placed on restrictive duty," he added without going into details on the record. "He was interviewed one time and in the interim, he submitted his resignation." In the summer, then-Interim Police Chief Steve Campbell announced that the employees were sent on administrative leave with pay pending further investigation. It was the result of an audit by Tempe-based Sereno Group that uncovered the perception of inconsistent discipline practices, harassment and management retaliation. City Manager George Hoffman had said if the accusations are founded, disciplinary action will be sought. The Sereno Group was contracted by the city to investigate recurring themes identified in a November 2003 audit by Carroll Buracker and Associates. That report - completed in response to the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Ali Altug - identified numerous recommendations for improving the overall management of the Police Department. "Concerns about harassment and pornography led to the Sereno Report in which every employee in the department was interviewed," Mr. Hoffman said to the City Council during its Oct. 4 work session. "The Sereno Report affirmed that there (were) issues of concern within the department and helped understand where we should start with the investigation of specific individuals. That process remains." Mr. McDonald said he will be working on the final drafts "for months yet." "When a couple of them retired, it kind of put those on the back burner. We wanted to put much more emphasis on those people who are on administrative leave," Mr. McDonald said. "If the investigation turned out in their favor, we wanted to get them back to work." Several of the items included in the Sereno Report have been "signed off," Mr. McDonald said. "They'll probably go on over to Joel (Stern, city attorney) for redaction purposes and get them ready for public records release. I don't know if there's going to be any big surprises to people. Maybe some big surprises. I don't know. I guess it's one of those things where we'd rather have people find out on their own rather than make any big broad statements." Vice Mayor R.E. Eck said he is happy to hear that the investigations have concluded. "It certainly has taken considerably longer than what I first thought," Mr. Eck said. "I thought it was going to be four to six weeks for completion. I'm certainly glad to see that it's completed. I have some mixed emotions about what actually took place as far as some of the personnel-related incidents. I'm very glad it's completed and I'm very eager to get moving forward with the Police Department." Police investigation concludes; Officers either quit or retire Newszap Arizona - AZ,USA ... in response to the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Ali Altug - identified numerous recommendations for improving the overall management of the Police Department. ...