The Martin Firm - selected case information

LOCAL

Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Board reinstates officer's rank

Dozier defends disciplinary action stemming from relationship with subordinate

By Muriel Tan Staff Writer

A three-member civilian review board has reinstated the rank of Columbus police Officer Larry Parker, enabling him to return to the department as a sergeant today. He will be assigned to Desk Services.

Parker had been demoted earlier this year following a lengthy investigation into alleged criminal and administrative violations.

A member of the department for 16 years, Parker served as a sergeant in the Tactical Squad unit for 10 years. In January, he was demoted to the rank of officer after an internal police investigation found him in violation of policy for having a relationship with a female subordinate. The relationship was so disruptive, said Police Chief Willie Dozier, that it caused a "breakdown in the supervisor relationship" and impacted the "cohesiveness of the unit in its ability to function."

As the seven-year relationship between Parker and Officer Patricia Scott deteriorated, so did the morale within the unit, according to statements given by several current and former members of the unit.

The sergeant was the subject of three parallel investigations into alleged wrong-doing: a sexual harassment complaint filed by Scott; a criminal investigation by the department's Bureau of Investigative Services, where Parker surfaced as a suspect in a burglary of a home he once shared with Scott; and an administrative investigation by the department's Office of Professional Standards into any policy violations resulting from that relationship.

In November 2002, the city's Human Resources department sustained the sexual harassment charge, finding that Parker had "caused a hostile working environment for Officer Scott... stemming from a consensual intimate relationship."

As for the burglary allegation, charges were never filed against Parker after Scott declined to prosecute because she "feared the consequences at work," according to a police executive summary.

Parker told police he was out of town during the burglary incident, and provided receipts.

On Thursday, Dozier defended the disciplinary action he took.

"It was not for the relationship itself but for the impact it had on the department, on the community, and on another law enforcement agency," Dozier testified during the civilian review board hearing. "As a supervisor he was involved with her and yet he chose to bring that officer into the unit."

Some improprieties cited included favoritism shown toward Scott, arguments between the two that spilled into briefings and onto the police radio, and allegations of abuse where one police sergeant said in a written statement he witnessed Parker allegedly "yank Scott by the hair" in a breezeway outside the Public Safety Building.

In a recitation of alleged improprieties by several high-ranking supervisors, Parker argued the punishment meted out was too severe.

Though he provided no supporting evidence, Parker's attorney, Frank Martin, said past instances of similar alleged misconduct had not led to demotions.