Friday, March 28, 2008

03282008 - Deputy Kevin Haan - Allegan County SD

DEPUTY KEVIN HAAN, ALLEGAN COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT

Arrested March 28, 2008 for drunk driving and violation of bond [from March 04, 2008 arrest for making threatening phone calls to his ex-wife].

Original charges: ????
Haan admitted self into rehab after third arrest
.


Former Officer Kevin Haan - Driving while intoxicated [Oct. 15, 2012]

Officer Kevin Haan - Driving while intoxicated [March 28, 2008]

Officer Kevin Haan - Arrested for violating domestic violence bond [March 13, 2008]

Officer Kevin Haan - Arrested for domestic violence [March 04, 2008]





From: Cloudwriter / Behind The Blue Wall:







Allegan County deputy resign after being arrested
Posted by Chronicle News Service
April 16, 2008 03:30AM
Muskegon Chronicle
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/04/allegan_county_deputy_resign_a.html

ALLEGAN — An 18-year Allegan County Sheriff's deputy arrested three times in March — for allegedly making a phone threat, violating his bond and suspicion of drunken driving — has resigned his position.

Kevin Haan, 43, was on unpaid suspension when he resigned last week. He served Allegan County's northeastern townships and had a good work history until he was arrested March 4 for allegedly placing a threatening phone call to his wife.

Afterward, Haan allegedly violated his bond by contacting his wife and, late last month, was stopped for suspicion of drunken driving in Barry County. He is scheduled to be arraigned next month on the drunken driving charge.

"Apparently, he thought it was in his best interest to move on and deal with his personal issues," said Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull, who described Haan as a "very good employee" over the years.

"Everyone has a rough road sometime in their lives."









Troubled Allegan County Sheriff's deputy resigns
Posted by Gazette News Service
April 15, 2008 17:35PM
http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2008/04/troubled_allegan_county_sherif.html

ALLEGAN -- An 18-year Allegan County Sheriff's deputy arrested three times in March -- for allegedly making a phone threat, violating his bond and suspicion of drunken driving -- has resigned his position.

Kevin Haan, 43, was on unpaid suspension when he resigned last week. He served Allegan County's northeastern townships and had a good work history until he was arrested March 4 for allegedly placing a threatening phone call to his wife.

Afterward, Haan allegedly violated his bond by contacting his wife and, late last month, was stopped for suspicion of drunken driving in Barry County. He is scheduled to be arraigned next month on the drunken driving charge.

"Apparently, he thought it was in his best interest to move on and deal with his personal issues," said Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull, who described Haan as a "very good employee" over the years.

"Everyone has a rough road sometime in their lives."












Haan resigns from ACSO
by Charlotte Weick
Monday April 14, 2008, 10:51 AM
http://www.mlive.com/penaseeglobe/index.ssf/2008/04/haan_resigns_from_acso.html


Deputy Kevin Haan, Allegan County Sheriff Department.


Kevin Haan, an 18-year veteran of the Allegan County Sheriff's Office, resigned from the department on April 14, citing "personal reasons" for his decision.

Two years ago, Haan received an award from the ACSO for outstanding service to Allegan County. Since that time, the deputy's life and career had taken a dramatic turn. In March, Haan was arrested three times, twice in Allegan County and once in Barry County.

The first arrest was March 4, after Haan allegedly made threatening phone calls to his wife. Haan, who was charged with malicious use of a telephone, posted bond at the Allegan County Jail.

According to his bond conditions, Haan was to refrain from the use of alcohol and from contacting his wife. He was arrested once more on March 13, for alleged bond violations.

On March 28, Haan was arrested in Barry County on drunk driving charges.

At the time of his resignation, Haan was on suspension without pay from the ACSO. Had he not resigned, Haan would have been subject to disciplinary action recommended by a board of review.

Haan had an exemplary career with the ACSO and was "A great asset to the department," said Undersherriff James Hull. "Kevin and I have always had a great relationship. He has really gone the extra mile. A lot of times, people go through some trying times in their lives. Regrettably, bad things happen to good people."












Sheriff's deputy faces charges
by Advance Newspapers
Monday April 07, 2008, 10:53 AM
http://www.mlive.com/penaseeglobe/index.ssf/2008/04/sheriffs_deputy_faces_charges.html

An Allegan County Sheriff's Office Deputy was arrested three times in March and is currently on unpaid administrative leave.

Kevin Haan, 43, was arrested March 4 for making alleged threatening telephone calls to his estranged wife, then arrested again on March 13 for violation of the terms of his bond. According to bond conditions, Haan was under a court order to refrain from contacting his wife or consuming alcohol.

The third arrest, for alleged drunken driving, took place in Barry County on March 28.

A board of inquiry will recommend disciplinary action, which could result in Haan's termination






Sheriff deputy arrested for drunk driving
Wednesday, April 2, 2008 3:56PM EDT
Allegan News
By Daniel Pepper
Staff Writer
http://www.allegannews.com/articles/2008/04/02/local_news/2.txt

An Allegan County sheriff’s deputy is facing criminal charges and possible termination after being charged with threatening his wife and driving drunk.

Deputy Kevin Haan was put on unpaid leave in early March after he was arrested and charged with malicious use of telephone for making a threatening phone call to his wife. He then was arrested again for violating his bond, and was arrested for a third time, Friday, March 28, in Barry County and accused of drunk driving, another bond violation.

Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull said the department had followed its procedures.“When somebody does something, we have trained internal affairs investigators and they have to completely investigate the incident and talk to everyone involved,” Hull said.

When possible, he said, outside investigators from distant sheriff departments are brought in by the Michigan Sheriff’s Association, but because of the timing in Haan’s case, local officers investigated.

“Because of the timing, we took our investigation and everything we did and shipped it to a Michigan Sheriff’s Association investigator,” Hull said. “They reviewed it and said we did everything properly.”

After the investigation, a board of inquiry, consisting of two lieutenants and a sergeant was convened, Hull said, and looked over the investigation, as well as reviewing department procedures and training.

The board of inquiry has met once and will meet again. They will recommend a punishment for Haan to Hull, who will make the final decision.

Hull said that, in general, punishment recommended by a board of inquiry can range from counseling to a term of suspension to termination.










Deputy suspended for three arrests
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Holland Sentinel
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/stories/040208/local_20080402016.shtml

An Allegan County road patrol deputy was placed on unpaid leave after being arrested for the third time last weekend.

Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull said that Kevin Haan, 43, was first arrested by Allegan County deputies on March 4 for allegedly making threatening phone calls to his wife. Prosecutors charged him with malicious use of a phone.

He was initially placed on administrative leave with pay, Hull said.

Haan was arrested a second time for violating the conditions of a bond when he continued to contact his wife, Hull said.

On Friday, Haan was arrested by Barry County deputies on suspicion of drunken driving.

Hull said a board of inquiry, which includes two lieutenants and a sergeant of the Allegan County Sheriff's Office, met last week to determine whether Haan will be allowed to return to his position.

"They wanted some additional information and they are waiting on it right now," Hull said. "They will reconvene."

For the time being, Haan has been placed on unpaid leave.

Hull said Haan has no arrests prior to the March 4 incident. He called Haan a "great policeman" who has helped a lot of people in his 18 years with the sheriff's office.

Hull declined comment on any personal problems Haan may have been experiencing prior to his arrests.

"In any workplace, everyone knows about everyone's problems," he said. "I've been doing this for 34 years. Not much surprises me anymore."











Court documents reveal arrested deputy's state of mind
Posted: April 1, 2008 10:36 PM CST
Updated: April 1, 2008 11:13 PM CST
By Marc Thompson
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.aspS=8104181

ALLEGAN, Mich. (WOOD) -- Court documents reveal an Allegan County sheriff's deputy is potentially a danger to himself and others, after winding up on the wrong side of the law, not once, but three times.

It is a story 24 Hour News 8 broke Monday night.

As we dug deeper into court records, it appears Kevin Haan may have been on the verge of a breakdown.

Haan was first arrested March 4 for allegedly making threatening phone calls to his estranged wife. He was released on bond, but with conditions, including not consuming alcohol and having no further contact with his spouse.

But according to court documents obtained by 24 Hour News 8, Haan violated those conditions by calling his wife again on March 13. He also admitted to drinking a half pint of vodka and blowing a 0.18 alcohol level.

Haan told his wife he was considering checking himself into Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids.

His wife told police "he should not be on the streets." She feared Haan may "try and kill himself...have an accident...or hurt her."

Haan told deputies he "could not go on."

Officers in his own department arrested him for a second time for violating an unknown condition of the bond.

Then came arrest number three on March 24. This time Haan was apparently drunk behind the wheel of his car in Barry County, crossing the centerline on M-37, according to a police report. He was arrested for operating while intoxicated.

Haan told the arresting officer he "was having marital problems." He again admitted to drinking a half pint of vodka.

Haan said he was on a cocktail of prescription medication for depression and bipolar disorder.

Haan is on unpaid administrative leave while a review board looks into his future with the department.

Sheriff's officials told 24 Hour News 8 all employees have access to mental health assistance through Help Net, a firm in Kalamazoo. Officials would not confirm for us, however, whether Haan sought that assistance.












Allegan Co. Sheriff Deputy On Administrative Leave
April 1, 2008
WWMT- TV 8

ALLEGAN COUNTY (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - An Allegan County Sheriff's Deputy is off the job after ending up on the wrong side of the law.

Tuesday, the Allegan Co. Sheriff's Department placed Deputy Kevin Haan on administrative leave. The Board of Inquiry is looking over evidence against him.

The Allegan County Undersheriff tells Newschannel 3 that it was no secret in the department that Haan was having some personal problems. But, he says, no one knew things had apparently got this bad.

Haan has been charged with a misdemeanor for making threatening phone calls to his wife. He was also arrested two more times in March according to court records for violating terms of his bond; first, by contacting his wife, and second, for allegedly drinking and driving in Barry County last week.

According to investigators, Haan admitted he was having material problems, and was taking medication for depression and bi-polar disease.

Haan's wife told her husband's co-workers that she feared her husband would either kill himself, die in an accident because of his drinking, or hurt her.

Even now that the charges have been filed, none of it makes sense to Dorr Twp. Supervisor Donald Kaczanowski.

"It made me sick to my stomach in a way, as far as that goes. I couldn't believe that would happen to him," said Donald Kaczanowski.

Kaczanowski says Deputy Kevin Haan was the township's first community police officer.

"Our people, I think, fell in love with him and really him. He worked really hard in the community, he was a community-minded person so we were real happy," said Kaczanowski.

There was no answer at the couple's Allegan County home Tuesday afternoon, and Kaczanowski, who is also Haan's neighbor, says he never saw signs of a problem.

According to court records, Haan is now
And those close to the deputy hope that help hasn't come too late.

"It's just a waste to see such a nice person like that fall along the wayside," said Kaczanowski.

A review board is taking a look at Haan's future as a deputy with the Allegan Co. Sheriff's Department. They're expected to meet again next week.

Meanwhile, Haan is scheduled to back in court early next month to face a judge as his criminal case moves forward.












Allegan County deputy suspended after third arrest
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
By Nate Reens
The Grand Rapids Press
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/04/allegan_county_sheriffs_deputy.html


Deputy Kevin Haan [Allegan County Sheriff Department]


ALLEGAN COUNTY -- A veteran sheriff's deputy has been suspended without pay after he was arrested three times in the past month, twice by his co-workers, Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull said.

Kevin Haan, a 43-year-old road patrol officer serving the county's northeastern townships, has not returned to work since a March 4 arrest by fellow deputies for allegedly placing a threatening phone call to his wife.

Haan, who was charged by Allegan prosecutors with a misdemeanor for malicious use of a phone, was subsequently arrested on accusations he violated bond conditions by contacting his spouse again, Hull said.

The deputy originally was placed on a paid leave, but that status was changed by department leaders Thursday to unpaid suspension after an internal hearing.

The next day, Hull said, Haan was arrested on suspicion of drunken-driving in Barry County. Details of that incident were not available.

"He's really going through a tough time in his personal life right now," Hull said. "He's a fabulous deputy, but he's got some things he has to deal with right now and he can't do that while working."

Hull said Haan threatened his wife, but there is no allegation that any violence occurred. Haan could not be reached for comment.

The criminal accusations are a stunning departure from two years ago, when Sheriff Blaine Koops presented Haan with the department's ALLCOPS award for excellence in community policing.

"The professionalism, dedication and teamwork displayed by these officers are a credit to our department," Koops said in April 2006 while honoring Haan and several other employees.

As the undersheriff, Hull holds Haan's fate in his hands. Hull is responsible for reviewing recommendations for discipline that he expects a board of two force sergeants and a lieutenant to hand him next week.

Haan could be fired or face other corrective measures.

Had heart surgery.
Haan has worked for the county for about 18 years, earning praise from the heads of Dorr, Salem and Leighton townships in 2000. Leaders in those governments fought for Haan to be returned to their area after he was transferred to a neighboring community.

The deputy underwent an unspecified heart surgery, and the move was explained as a less-strenuous way to help him recuperate.

Hull said Haan's arrest by his fellow deputies was difficult, but necessary.

"They've got a job that they have to do, regardless of who it is," Hull said.






Sheriff's deputy arrested a third time
Posted: March 31, 2008
By Tony Tagliavia
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8097623&nav=menu44_2

DORR TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) -- An Allegan County sheriff's deputy is off the beat after being arrested a third time.

Kevin Haan is on unpaid administrative leave as a board of inquiry decides his fate after allegations of drunken driving, making a threatening phone call to his wife, and violating the terms of his bond.

Haan patrolled Dorr Township and a couple of neighboring communities for years. He even won an award for community policing from Salem Township.

"That doesn't sound like him as far as what I knew him for," said Dorr Township Supervisor Don Kaczanowski. "He was very good at communicating the people."

The threatening phone calls occurred about a month ago. Haan was released on bond but violated an unknown condition of that bond and was arrested again.

Then Haan was arrested sometime last week in Barry County for drunken driving - a crime in and of itself, but also another violation of that original bond.

Undersheriff Jim Hull says these events have been tough on the department, describing Haan as a longtime employee, and a good one.

An internal affairs investigation was done and reviewed by an outside department.

Now a board of inquiry has met, waiting for more information, and is expected to meet again next week. The board will make a recommendation on what will happen to Haan as far as his job is concerned.

24 Hour News 8 was unable to contact Haan.









DeKleine murder inspires changes at police department
By ANDREA GOODELL
The Holland Sentinel
Posted Aug 16, 2008 @ 11:51 PM
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1835798832/DeKleine-murder-inspires-changes-at-police-department?zc_p=0





Holland Police Department Patrol Capt. Jack Dykstra says the departments has made changes in the way it handles the domestic issues of its officers.










Lori DeKleine. Murdered on January 10, 2008 by her ex-husband, Officer Kenneth DeKleine [Holland Police Department].









Kenneth DeKleine



Holland, MI — The murder of Lori DeKleine has spurred changes in the way the Holland Police Department handles domestic issues with its staff.

“Sometimes you have to ask your friend or co-worker the tough question: ‘Are you OK?’” Holland police Capt. Jack Dykstra said. “There were things we obviously didn’t know and had we known we could have done something different.”

In January 2007, Holland police officer Ken DeKleine broke into his wife, Lori’s, bedroom, leaving a trail of blood. It was the impetus for her to get a court-ordered restraining order on her husband. In his video-taped confession, Ken DeKleine says this is when he first considered killing his wife.

On Jan. 10, 2008, Ken DeKleine surprised Lori DeKleine in her kitchen and strangled her, trying to make it look like a suicide.

Ken DeKleine’s sentencing will be Aug. 25, but his first-degree and felony murder convictions carry mandatory life sentences without parole.

Changes
The department set up a new Yahoo! group for Holland police officers’ spouses to give them a way to communicate the good and the bad. There, they can talk about everything from their mundane plans for the day to the deadly serious.

“Someone may feel like ‘I don’t have a voice,’” Dykstra said. “That gives them another avenue to say, ‘I need help.’”

One of the group members acts as moderator for the site. If someone needs help, the moderator contacts the HPD peer support team, Dykstra said.

After Lori DeKleine’s murder, the Holland Police Department asked a psychologist to talk to officers about domestic violence in police families, how to recognize when they themselves or others need help. The lecture has become a regular part of training for officers and staff, said Dykstra, who is on a statewide domestic violence committee looking for the best methods being used in departments when dealing with domestic violence.

Some measures were in place before the January murder.

Any city employee can call a confidential phone number for two free counseling sessions. The city can also order counseling as part of a disciplinary action, Dykstra said.

Three Holland police officers — the peer support team — are trained to help their fellow police deal with the psychological impact of trauma. The West Michigan Critical Incident Stress Management Team helps with more difficult situations.

The department was in the middle of changing its policy on employee evaluations when Lori DeKleine was killed, Dykstra said. Employees are no longer evaluated once a year, but once every four months.

The more frequent evaluations make it easier to see changes in work habits, often an indicator of other problems.

DeKleine’s fellow officers testified at his trial that they saw no change in his performance in the months, weeks and days leading up to the murder of his wife, Lori. After he strangled her, Ken DeKleine went to the walk-in clinic to take care of a defensive wound. Then he got a shake and went to work.

All personnel files are closed. Dykstra said he could only speak to what Ken DeKleine had told him personally: That DeKleine had used the city employee assistance program, peer support and his own counselor.

Dykstra calls DeKleine a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“I don’t think Ken DeKleine was always that wolf,” Dykstra said. “There were two sides to Ken DeKleine. ... There was a side to Ken we didn’t see.”


Reasons
The reasons for abuse in police families are varied. Police departments can cultivate a culture that suggests people need to be able handle mental stress by themselves, said Charisse Smith Mitchell, executive director of Center for Women in Transition in Holland Township.

Post traumatic stress disorder is as real in many police situations as it is in the military, she said. The nonprofit also works with area law enforcement on domestic violence cases.

Police officers often feel the pressure to be perfect, to be able to handle stress with “superhuman capacity,” Dykstra said.

“Everyone’s looking to you for the answers,” he said. “We’re supposed to be the problem solvers and not part of the problem.”

Over the past 30 years, a handful of deputies have had restraining orders taken out on them, some of those for domestic issues, said Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull.

Earlier this year, Allegan County Deputy Kevin Haan was arrested three times in quick succession — all on domestic violence-related charges — before resigning.

“If someone’s involved in domestic violence it’s a crime and we investigate it,” Hull said. “Anytime one of our people gets arrested that’s a major event for us.”

All new Allegan County Sheriff’s Office employees receive “Emotional Survival” by Dr. Gil Martin. They have to read the book and so do their spouses, Hull said. All county employees have access to free mental health services.

The county also has officers trained in peer counseling and internal review.

An officer convicted of any felony loses his or her certification to be a police officer in Michigan, officials said.
“I kept thinking there are certain things you will never know about people,” Dykstra said. “I’ve tried to figure it out with Ken and I just don’t know.”

Saturday, March 15, 2008

03152008 - Officer Mark James Sigler - Litchfield PD






Litchfield officer gets deferred sentence
By Don Reid, GateHouse News Service
Hillsdale Daily News
Posted Aug 11, 2008 @ 02:59 PM
http://www.hillsdale.net/news/x418528603/Litchfield-officer-gets-deferred-sentence

Litchfield, Mich. — Former Litchfield Police Department Officer Mark James Sigler was placed on a deferred sentence by Hillsdale County District Court Judge Donald L. Sanderson last week, after he pleaded no contest to domestic violence. He also paid a ticket for an expired license plate in the plea bargain.

Sigler was given the option of having the plea taken under advisement. The sentence was “deferred under the statutes,” and will be dismissed if he fulfills the conditions of probation.

Judge Sanderson said the information in his case was confidential, as Sigler will probably walk away with no sentence.
Judge Sanderson declined comment and urged the paper not to publish a story on the case.

LPD Chief Steve Marson said Sigler, 24, of Reading, resigned his position on the LPD, after Chief Marson suspended him without pay for four weeks following a March 15 incident, court reports indicate.

Katurah Miller called 911 after she and Sigler became involved in an argument at 206 Southfield B2 in the evening, court documents said.

Chief Marson was informed by his officer on duty and, according to Hillsdale County Dispatch records, he asked the Michigan State Police to conduct the investigation and answer the call to allay any issues of bias.

Miller said Sigler “flicked me in the face” with his hand then pinned me against a sliding glass door. The statement also said he grabbed her by the face. During the altercation, she suffered a bloody nose.

That night Sigler was transported to the Branch County Jail by MSP, where he was booked and released on bond.

A no-contact order was issued warning Sigler not to contact her but she contacted the court the next day to request the order be removed.



03152008 - THANK YOU HILLSDALE DAILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JUDGE SANDERSON [HILLSDALE COUNTY] DIDN'T WANT THE HILLSDALE DAILY TO PUBLISH AN ACCOUNT OF OFFICER MARK SIGLER'S OIDV CASE?????

THANK YOU HILLSDALE DAILY FOR SPEAKING OUT FOR VICTIMS OF OIDV.

”Judge Sanderson said the information in his case was confidential, as Sigler will probably walk away with no sentence. Judge Sanderson declined comment and urged the paper not to publish a story on the case.”
 http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/03/officer-mark-james-sigler-litchfield-pd.html

03152008 - Officer Mark James Sigler - Litchfield PD






Litchfield officer gets deferred sentence
By Don Reid, GateHouse News Service
Hillsdale Daily News
Posted Aug 11, 2008 @ 02:59 PM
http://www.hillsdale.net/news/x418528603/Litchfield-officer-gets-deferred-sentence

Litchfield, Mich. — Former Litchfield Police Department Officer Mark James Sigler was placed on a deferred sentence by Hillsdale County District Court Judge Donald L. Sanderson last week, after he pleaded no contest to domestic violence. He also paid a ticket for an expired license plate in the plea bargain.

Sigler was given the option of having the plea taken under advisement. The sentence was “deferred under the statutes,” and will be dismissed if he fulfills the conditions of probation.

Judge Sanderson said the information in his case was confidential, as Sigler will probably walk away with no sentence. Judge Sanderson declined comment and urged the paper not to publish a story on the case.

LPD Chief Steve Marson said Sigler, 24, of Reading, resigned his position on the LPD, after Chief Marson suspended him without pay for four weeks following a March 15 incident, court reports indicate.

Katurah Miller called 911 after she and Sigler became involved in an argument at 206 Southfield B2 in the evening, court documents said.

Chief Marson was informed by his officer on duty and, according to Hillsdale County Dispatch records, he asked the Michigan State Police to conduct the investigation and answer the call to allay any issues of bias.

Miller said Sigler “flicked me in the face” with his hand then pinned me against a sliding glass door. The statement also said he grabbed her by the face. During the altercation, she suffered a bloody nose.

That night Sigler was transported to the Branch County Jail by MSP, where he was booked and released on bond.

A no-contact order was issued warning Sigler not to contact her but she contacted the court the next day to request the order be removed.



[MI POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED PERPETRATED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW ENFORCEMENT MURDER SUICIDE]

Thursday, March 13, 2008

03132008 - Deputy Kevin Haan - Allegan County SD

DEPUTY KEVIN HAAN, ALLEGAN COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT.



Former Officer Kevin Haan - Driving while intoxicated [Oct. 15, 2012]

Officer Kevin Haan - Driving while intoxicated [March 28, 2008]

Officer Kevin Haan - Arrested for violating domestic violence bond [March 13, 2008]

Officer Kevin Haan - Arrested for domestic violence [March 04, 2008]





From: Cloudwriter / Behind The Blue Wall:






Sheriff's deputy faces charges
by Advance Newspapers
Monday April 07, 2008, 10:53 AM
http://www.mlive.com/penaseeglobe/index.ssf/2008/04/sheriffs_deputy_faces_charges.html

An Allegan County Sheriff's Office Deputy was arrested three times in March and is currently on unpaid administrative leave.

Kevin Haan, 43, was arrested March 4 for making alleged threatening telephone calls to his estranged wife, then arrested again on March 13 for violation of the terms of his bond. According to bond conditions, Haan was under a court order to refrain from contacting his wife or consuming alcohol.

The third arrest, for alleged drunken driving, took place in Barry County on March 28.

A board of inquiry will recommend disciplinary action, which could result in Haan's termination






Deputy suspended for three arrests
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Holland Sentinel
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/stories/040208/local_20080402016.shtml

An Allegan County road patrol deputy was placed on unpaid leave after being arrested for the third time last weekend.

Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull said that Kevin Haan, 43, was first arrested by Allegan County deputies on March 4 for allegedly making threatening phone calls to his wife. Prosecutors charged him with malicious use of a phone.

He was initially placed on administrative leave with pay, Hull said.

Haan was arrested a second time for violating the conditions of a bond when he continued to contact his wife, Hull said.

On Friday, Haan was arrested by Barry County deputies on suspicion of drunken driving.

Hull said a board of inquiry, which includes two lieutenants and a sergeant of the Allegan County Sheriff's Office, met last week to determine whether Haan will be allowed to return to his position.

"They wanted some additional information and they are waiting on it right now," Hull said. "They will reconvene."

For the time being, Haan has been placed on unpaid leave.

Hull said Haan has no arrests prior to the March 4 incident. He called Haan a "great policeman" who has helped a lot of people in his 18 years with the sheriff's office.

Hull declined comment on any personal problems Haan may have been experiencing prior to his arrests.

"In any workplace, everyone knows about everyone's problems," he said. "I've been doing this for 34 years. Not much surprises me anymore."

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

03122008 - Firefighter Mike Risher - Detroit FD

Also See:
WXYZ / Channel 7, Detroit [reporter Scott Lewis] investigation of Firefighter Mike Risher's violence against women:
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2012/10/firefighter-mike-risher-detroit-fd.html


2005: A woman said she and Risher were arguing in the back seat of a minivan when Risher head-butted her. When she fought back, she said that Risher pinned her down and choked her.

2006: Risher gets in a bar fight and assaults a woman. The assault is caught on the bar's video cam.

2006: When police respond to Risher's assault of the woman, Risher flashes his badge and claims to the responding police that he is the victim.The police arrest the woman that Risher is seen attacking on the bar's video. Risher filed a false police report. The victim of his attack was falsely arrested.

2006: Victim of Risher's attack in the bar filed a lawsuit against Risher. She is awarded $15,000. But Risher only pays a small portion of the suit.

March 12, 2008: Risher's ex-wife had filed a domestic violence assault report with the police department. Charges were never filed against Risher.

Unknown Date: Risher's ex-wife had filed a domestic violence assault report with the police department. Charges were never filed against Risher.

September 18, 2009: Risher's ex-wife had filed a domestic violence assault report with the police department. Charges were never filed against Risher.

March 08, 2011: Risher assaulted Jennifer Panduren at a bar, when she and her friend Samantha Strozynski turned down his advances. Assault was caught on a security cam. Police refuse to review secuirty cam tape. Police refuse to file charges against Risher.

March 08, 2011: Risher assaulted Samantha Strozynski.

March 08, 2011: Risher arrested for disorderly conduct for assaulting Panduren and Strozynski. Charges were later dismissed.

March 08, 2011: Panduren [assaulted by Risher] was arrested for disorderly conduct. Charges were later dismissed.

Summer 2011: Risher attacked a woman when he accused her of spilling his drink. Risher picked her up by her neck and slammed her onto a boat deck after he accused her of spilling his drink.

                     



Police reports from three incidents of domestic violence that Firefighter Mike Risher's now ex-wife filed with the Clinton Police Department. Risher was never arrested / charged, although Michigan has a mandatory domestic violence arrest policy. And, according to Michigan law, if police do not make an arrest during a domestic violence situation, they must file a report detailing their decision not to arrest.







New, disturbing information on off-duty firefighter Mike Risher who attacked two women

Posted: 11/15/2012
By: Scott Lewis
WXYZ News, Detroit
http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/women-say-firefighter-used-badge-to-get-out-of-trouble7-action-news-investigation-turns-the-tide


(WXYZ) - The 7 Action News Investigators have uncovered new, disturbing information about the off-duty Detroit firefighter who attacked two women; this may not be his first offense of this kind.

Police are now looking into the case of off-duty firefighter Mike Risher attacking two women; Jennifer Panduren and Samantha Strozynski outside a bar in 2001. A high-profile attorney has also stepped in.

Meanwhile, two additional women told 7 Action News they were previously attacked by Risher.

It was Paczi Day 2011 when Panduren and Strozynski were arguing with Risher outside the Mars Bar in Hamtramck. Witnesses said Risher punched both in the face and knocked them to the pavement.

"I said to him, I was like, 'Oh, you're big, you're gonna punch a girl.’ And, yeah, I ate my words I guess you can say because he definitely did," Jennifer Panduren said.

Despite presenting security video to police, Strozynski says "Nobody would ever let us make a police report.”

Both women say they believe Risher received a free pass from police because he works as a firefighter.

An independent witness said police told him nothing much would come of the incident because Risher was a Detroit firefighter.

But everything changed after the 7 Action News Investigators exposed this incident three weeks ago.

After our investigation aired, Hamtramck Police brought in Panduren and Strozynski for interviews. They also took statements from two witnesses and are retrieving the women's medical records to document their injuries.

Hamtramck police Chief Maxwell Garbarino confirmed detectives are preparing a warrant request for the Wayne County prosecutor, seeking charges against the Risher. This comes a year and half after the incident happened.

High-powered attorney Ven Johnson has also offered to help Panduren and Strozynski. Johnson said although there is likely little or no money in it, he is preparing to file a civil lawsuit against Risher.

"No one's above the law. No one's above the law,” Johnson told Scott Lewis. “And it doesn't matter what you do for a living or who you work for, or how much money you make, you can't punch other people in the face and get away with it unprovoked. And that's exactly what we think Mr. Risher did."

Meanwhile, two additional women have come forward claiming Risher once attacked them as well.

One woman provided 7 Action News with pictures showing a scrape on her neck. She said the injury occurred last summer when Risher picked her up by her neck and slammed her onto a boat deck after he accused her of spilling his drink. An eyewitness backed up her story.

A second woman said Risher assaulted her in 2005. She said she and Risher were arguing in the back seat of a minivan when Risher head-butted her. When she fought back, she said that Risher pinned her down and choked her. That incident was also confirmed by a witness.

As we previously reported Risher and his then girlfriend were also sued over a bar fight in 2006 and ordered to pay the victims $15,000.

The lawsuit said that "Risher appears to be suffering from the effects of too many steroids. He has a larger than usual physic and a violent temper which he has trouble controlling".

Risher's ex-wife and a former girlfriend both confirm that he has taken steroids prescribed by a doctor.

Reports also show police were called to the Risher's Clinton Township home three times for domestic incidents. In one case, Risher's wife said he pushed her into a table, and knocked the wind out of her leaving a visible scrape. The report says she wanted to press charges but for some reason they were never filed.

Risher worked for a year in the Mount Clemens Fire Department but was terminated in 2003.

His six month performance evaluation gave him unsatisfactory ratings in "ability to get along with others," "carrying out instructions," and “work attitude.”

In all, Risher is accused of attacking five different women since 2005 with no significant repercussions.

Attorney Ven Johnson says it’s his motivation to push the Hamtramck case in civil court.

"My clients have the right to insist that [Risher] be held absolutely accountable for the last year going almost a year and a half,” said Johnson. “He was walking the streets smiling laughing about what he did to these ladies."

Hamtramck Police arrested Risher for disorderly conduct after the Mars Bar incident, but the ticket was later dismissed by a judge.

After Hamtramck Police submit their warrant request, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office will decide whether there is enough evidence to support a criminal charge.

Detroit Fire Commissioner Donald Austin released this statement to 7 Action News:

"The Detroit Fire Department learned of the allegations against Michael Risher when this story originally aired a few weeks ago. The Department has begun a thorough investigation of this incident.

"Regardless of whether criminal charges are filed, we need to determine whether Fire Fighter Risher violated the rules and regulations of the Detroit Fire Department. When our investigation is completed, we will take the appropriate disciplinary action, if any is warranted."

We also reached out to Mike Risher asking for comment on these latest developments.

So far, he has not responded.


Thursday, March 6, 2008

03062008 - Deputy Van Wert - Sentenced - Bay County SD

Also See:

Deputy Dale Van Wert charged with CSC

     












































Ex-deputy a sex offender
Friday, March 07, 2008
THE SAGINAW NEWS
http://www.mlive.com/news/saginawnews/index.ssf?/base/news25/1204903226111560.xml&coll=9

A former Bay County sheriff's deputy has received his punishment in a Saginaw court on charges he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in his care.

Dale P. Van Wert learned Thursday he will spend the next three years on probation.

Van Wert, 49, pleaded no contest to one count of attempted sexual assault.

Investigators said he sexually assaulted the teen at his Garfield Township home between Dec. 6, 2006, and Jan. 7, 2007.

Van Wert and his wife operated a foster care home for children from their home near Linwood.

As part of the probation, Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson ordered Van Wert to register as a sex offender, to undergo sexual abuse treatment, to not appear within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, arcades, playgrounds or anywhere else children gather, and not have contact with anyone younger than 17 unless an adult is present to supervise the visit.

Jackson handled the case because Bay County judges recused themselves. The crimes occurred in Bay County.

Jackson also ordered Van Wert to pay $840 in fees and fines and work a job at least 30 hours a week. He gave the former law man credit for the 413 days he already served in jail.

Van Wert's attorney, Matthew L. Reyes of Bay City, said his client was going to live with a brother in Bay County.

Van Wert didn't speak during the sentencing hearing.

''I'd like to know why you did this,'' the mother of the victim asked Van Wert in court. ''I need to know the reason. I don't understand why you threw your life away.''

Bay County Sheriff John Miller fired Van Wert in September 2006 amid allegations he used the Law Enforcement Information Network for his personal process-serving business and he did so while on duty for the sheriff's department.











Former sheriff's deputy gets three years probation
Friday, March 07, 2008
Bay City Times
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news11/1204906518131170.xml&coll=4

A former Bay County sheriff's deputy has received his punishment in a Saginaw court on charges he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in his care.

Dale P. Van Wert learned Thursday he will spend the next three years on probation.

Van Wert, 49, pleaded no contest to one count of attempted sexual assault.

Investigators said he sexually assaulted the teen at his Garfield Township home between Dec. 6, 2006, and Jan. 7, 2007.

Van Wert and his wife operated a foster care home for children from their home near Linwood.

As part of the probation, Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson ordered Van Wert to register as a sex offender, to undergo sexual abuse treatment, to not appear within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, arcades, playgrounds or anywhere else children gather, and not have contact with anyone younger than 17 unless an adult is present to supervise the visit.

Jackson handled the case because Bay County judges recused themselves. The crimes occurred in Bay County.

Jackson also ordered Van Wert to pay $840 in fees and fines and work a job at least 30 hours a week. He gave the former law man credit for the 413 days he already served in jail.

Van Wert's attorney, Matthew L. Reyes of Bay City, said his client was going to live with a brother in Bay County.

Van Wert didn't speak during the sentencing hearing.

''I'd like to know why you did this,'' the mother of the victim asked Van Wert in court. ''I need to know the reason. I don't understand why you threw your life away.''

The woman said Van Wert's actions left her angry and confused.

Although she said she's having a difficult time coping with the ordeal and she's certain he committed the crime, the woman said she has forgiven Van Wert.

Bay County Sheriff John Miller fired Van Wert in September 2006 amid allegations he used the Law Enforcement Information Network for his personal process-serving business while on duty for the sheriff's department.














Ex-Deputy Learns Fate In Child Sex Assault
After Serving 14 Months, Van Wert Could Get Probation
WNEN- Channel 5 News
POSTED: 11:23 am EST March 6, 2008
UPDATED: 11:31 am EST March 6, 2008
http://www.wnem.com/news/15512728/detail.html

SAGINAW, Mich. -- A former Bay County sheriff’s deputy will be sentenced Thursday for a sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl.

Dale Van Wert’s first trial ended in a hung jury in December. He entered a no-contest plea last month.

Van Wert will register as a sex offender, and since he has been in custody for 14 months he could be released Thursday and placed on immediate probation.

The sentencing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in Saginaw County court







Van Wert pleads no contest in assault case
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
By CRYSTAL McMORRIS
The Bay City Times

A former Bay County Sheriff's deputy has pleaded no contest to a charge of attempted sexual assault and guilty to three counts of unauthorized use of the Law Enforcement Information Network.

Dale P. Van Wert entered the pleas Monday afternoon in Saginaw County Circuit Court, where Judge Darnell Jackson is handling the case due to recusal of Bay County judges. The crimes to which Van Wert pleaded occurred in Bay County. He faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced March 6, but guidelines indicate a shorter sentence is likely.

Van Wert, who as a deputy was assigned to Bay County Court security, was accused of obtaining information through Central Dispatch for use in his own process-serving business while on duty in 2006

He also had been charged with several sex crimes alleging sexual assault of a 13-year-old at his Linwood-area home in 2006 and 2007. The more serious sex charges were dismissed as part of a plea bargain.

''You can lock a man up for 13 months with no bond, and eventually he's going to make decisions that are going to get him out of jail,'' said Matthew Reyes, Van Wert's defense attorney.

A jury in December was unable to reach a verdict after hearing several days of testimony about the alleged sexual assaults.

Bay County Prosecutor Kurt Asbury said he consulted with the victim and her mother and determined that it was ''in the best interest of the victim and the public to resolve this matter without another trial.''

Asbury said sentencing guidelines indicate that Van Wert may be released with time served, which will amount to about 14 months. Van Wert also will be required to register as a sex offender and will be placed on probation.

''Given all the circumstances of the case, and the fact that we tried to convict him previously, we're satisfied that he's been convicted of a very serious felony and will be a registered sex offender for life,'' Asbury said.

Reyes said Van Wert agreed to the plea bargain as a way of ''putting an end to the saga.''


Tuesday, March 4, 2008

03042008 - Deputy Kevin Haan - Allegan County SD

DEPUTY KEVIN HAAN, ALLEGAN COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT.

Arrested on March 04, 2008 for making threatening phone calls to his wife.

Original charges: Malicious use of a phone [misdemeanor].

Released on bond, with conditions that Deputy Haan have no contact with his wife and that he not consume alcohol.


Former Officer Kevin Haan - Driving while intoxicated [Oct. 15, 2012]

Officer Kevin Haan - Driving while intoxicated [March 28, 2008]

Officer Kevin Haan - Arrested for violating domestic violence bond [March 13, 2008]

Officer Kevin Haan - Arrested for domestic violence [March 04, 2008]





From: Cloudwriter / Behind The Blue Wall:






Allegan County deputy suspended after third arrest
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
By Nate Reens
The Grand Rapids Press
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/04/allegan_county_sheriffs_deputy.html



Deputy Kevin Haan [Allegan County Sheriff Department]


ALLEGAN COUNTY -- A veteran sheriff's deputy has been suspended without pay after he was arrested three times in the past month, twice by his co-workers, Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull said.

Kevin Haan, a 43-year-old road patrol officer serving the county's northeastern townships, has not returned to work since a March 4 arrest by fellow deputies for allegedly placing a threatening phone call to his wife.

Haan, who was charged by Allegan prosecutors with a misdemeanor for malicious use of a phone, was subsequently arrested on accusations he violated bond conditions by contacting his spouse again, Hull said.

The deputy originally was placed on a paid leave, but that status was changed by department leaders Thursday to unpaid suspension after an internal hearing.

The next day, Hull said, Haan was arrested on suspicion of drunken-driving in Barry County. Details of that incident were not available.

"He's really going through a tough time in his personal life right now," Hull said. "He's a fabulous deputy, but he's got some things he has to deal with right now and he can't do that while working."

Hull said Haan threatened his wife, but there is no allegation that any violence occurred. Haan could not be reached for comment.

The criminal accusations are a stunning departure from two years ago, when Sheriff Blaine Koops presented Haan with the department's ALLCOPS award for excellence in community policing.

"The professionalism, dedication and teamwork displayed by these officers are a credit to our department," Koops said in April 2006 while honoring Haan and several other employees.

As the undersheriff, Hull holds Haan's fate in his hands. Hull is responsible for reviewing recommendations for discipline that he expects a board of two force sergeants and a lieutenant to hand him next week.

Haan could be fired or face other corrective measures.

Had heart surgery.
Haan has worked for the county for about 18 years, earning praise from the heads of Dorr, Salem and Leighton townships in 2000. Leaders in those governments fought for Haan to be returned to their area after he was transferred to a neighboring community.

The deputy underwent an unspecified heart surgery, and the move was explained as a less-strenuous way to help him recuperate.

Hull said Haan's arrest by his fellow deputies was difficult, but necessary.

"They've got a job that they have to do, regardless of who it is," Hull said.









Court documents reveal arrested deputy's state of mind
Posted: April 1, 2008 10:36 PM CST
Updated: April 1, 2008 11:13 PM CST
By Marc Thompson
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.aspS=8104181

ALLEGAN, Mich. (WOOD) -- Court documents reveal an Allegan County sheriff's deputy is potentially a danger to himself and others, after winding up on the wrong side of the law, not once, but three times.

It is a story 24 Hour News 8 broke Monday night.

As we dug deeper into court records, it appears Kevin Haan may have been on the verge of a breakdown.

Haan was first arrested March 4 for allegedly making threatening phone calls to his estranged wife. He was released on bond, but with conditions, including not consuming alcohol and having no further contact with his spouse.

But according to court documents obtained by 24 Hour News 8, Haan violated those conditions by calling his wife again on March 13. He also admitted to drinking a half pint of vodka and blowing a 0.18 alcohol level.

Haan told his wife he was considering checking himself into Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids.

His wife told police "he should not be on the streets." She feared Haan may "try and kill himself...have an accident...or hurt her."

Haan told deputies he "could not go on."

Officers in his own department arrested him for a second time for violating an unknown condition of the bond.

Then came arrest number three on March 24. This time Haan was apparently drunk behind the wheel of his car in Barry County, crossing the centerline on M-37, according to a police report. He was arrested for operating while intoxicated.

Haan told the arresting officer he "was having marital problems." He again admitted to drinking a half pint of vodka.

Haan said he was on a cocktail of prescription medication for depression and bipolar disorder.

Haan is on unpaid administrative leave while a review board looks into his future with the department.

Sheriff's officials told 24 Hour News 8 all employees have access to mental health assistance through Help Net, a firm in Kalamazoo. Officials would not confirm for us, however, whether Haan sought that assistance.










Sheriff's deputy arrested a third time
Posted: March 31, 2008
By Tony Tagliavia
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8097623&nav=menu44_2

DORR TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) -- An Allegan County sheriff's deputy is off the beat after being arrested a third time.

Kevin Haan is on unpaid administrative leave as a board of inquiry decides his fate after allegations of drunken driving, making a threatening phone call to his wife, and violating the terms of his bond.

Haan patrolled Dorr Township and a couple of neighboring communities for years. He even won an award for community policing from Salem Township.

"That doesn't sound like him as far as what I knew him for," said Dorr Township Supervisor Don Kaczanowski. "He was very good at communicating the people."

The threatening phone calls occurred about a month ago. Haan was released on bond but violated an unknown condition of that bond and was arrested again.

Then Haan was arrested sometime last week in Barry County for drunken driving - a crime in and of itself, but also another violation of that original bond.

Undersheriff Jim Hull says these events have been tough on the department, describing Haan as a longtime employee, and a good one.

An internal affairs investigation was done and reviewed by an outside department.

Now a board of inquiry has met, waiting for more information, and is expected to meet again next week. The board will make a recommendation on what will happen to Haan as far as his job is concerned.

24 Hour News 8 was unable to contact Haan.