MICHIGAN OFFICER-INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MEDIA RELEASE

Today, [August 25, 2008] is the sentencing hearing for Officer Ken DeKleine, for his murder of his ex-wife Lori DeKleine.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ON OFFICER KEN DEKLEINE'S SENTENCING:
OFFICER KEN DEKLEINE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDER OF EX-WIFE LORI MUELMAN-DEKLEINE

Lori's family will be using thier victim impact statements also as their statements to the media. Their victim impact statements can be viewed on Lori's website at: http://michiganoidvlorimeulmandekleine.blogspot.com/

In honor of her sister and all victims of officer-involved domestic violence, Lori's sister Patty has requested that Michigan Officer-Involved Domestic Violence Corp. issue a media release on MIOIDV and officer-involved domestic violence.

MIOIDV MEDIA RELEASE

Laura Spars

Jennifer Aukerman-Drake

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

OFFICER KEN DEKLEINE SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDER OF EX-WIFE LORI MUELMAN-DEKLEINE

Extra security planned for DeKleine sentencing

By MEGAN SCHMIDT
The Holland Sentinel
Posted Aug 23, 2008 @ 11:31 PM
Last update Aug 23, 2008 @ 11:33 PMhttp://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x2090471065/Extra-security-planned-for-DeKleine-sentencing

Dan Irving
Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine, right, sits with his attorney Floyed Farmer as he listens to prosecution testimony during day two of his murder trial earlier this year in Grand Haven. DeKleine will be sentenced Monday, Aug. 25, for the murder of his wife, Lori.

Grand Haven, MI —

When former Holland Police Department Officer Ken DeKleine steps into the courtroom for sentencing on Monday, Aug. 25, he’ll be flanked by two Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

The additional security is not typical for a sentencing, said Ottawa County Circuit Court Administrator Kevin Bowling.

“Often times for sentencings there might be one or two guards that would bring everybody in,” Bowling said, since multiple defendants are brought in to the courtroom at the same time for sentencings.Those guards act as security for all of the defendants, but DeKleine will have his own.

“There’s going to be a couple uniformed deputies assigned specifically to DeKleine to move him in and then move him out,” he said.

DeKleine will be sentenced Monday in Grand Haven on convictions of first-degree murder and felony murder for the January homicide of his wife, Lori DeKleine.

DeKleine was found guilty on both counts July 11 after less than 90 minutes of deliberation by a jury at Ottawa County Circuit Court in Grand Haven.

Lori DeKleine was found strangled in the basement of her home on Calvin Avenue on Jan. 10.
Bowling said he was not yet sure if Lori DeKleine’s family planned on making a statement at the sentencing.

A request for an interview that was sent to Lori DeKleine’s father this week was not returned.

Former Officer Sentenced To Life For Killing Wife
POSTED: 9:27 am EDT August 25, 2008
UPDATED: 1:51 pm EDT August 25, 2008

NEWS NET 5
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/17286568/detail.html

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Ken DeKleine, 45, said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-officer sentenced in wife's death
Traverse City Record
August 26, 2008 09:40 am
http://www.record-eagle.com/statenews/local_story_239094059.html

GRAND RAPIDS -- A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-five-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




DeKleine sentenced to life in prison
Posted: Aug 25, 2008 10:16 AM CDT
Updated: Aug 25, 2008 11:43 AM CDT
WOODTV NEWS
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8894749&nav=0Rce

Ken DeKleine listens to Lori DeKleine's family at the sentencing

Lori DeKleine's sister, Patti Ticknor

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) -- A former Holland police officer will spend the rest of his life behind bars with no chance of parole for the murder of his wife.

Ken DeKleine was sentenced Monday morning on first-degree murder charges. He was found guilty of the charge in July.

DeKleine admitted strangling Lori to death January 10 - an admission he made to investigators, family members and friends. Even his own lawyer said he did it.

Ottawa County Prosecutor Ronald Frantz told the jury DeKleine started thinking about committing the murder a year before it happened, after Lori got a personal protection order against him.

The couple was in the process of a divorce. Their 16-year-old son found his mother's body and testified against his father during the trial.

DeKleine turned down the chance to speak before he was sentenced. But Lori DeKleine's family did.

Her mom, dad and sister talked about his ability to manipulate his wife and those around her. Lori's sister, Patti Ticknor, was blunt in her statement.

"I want Ken DeKleine to never see the light of day again.

To be placed in the worst possible prison, far away from the state of Michigan since he has shown no value for human life or emotion."

Her dad put some of the blame on the Holland Police, and claimed they protected DeKleine after Lori complained about his abusive behavior.




Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine ordered to spend life in prison for killing wife
by John Tunison The Grand Rapids Press
Monday August 25, 2008, 11:27 AM
http://www.mlive.com/grpress/news/index.ssf/2008/08/former_holland_police_officer.html

Press Photos/Mark CopierFormer Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine appears in Ottawa County Circuit Court for sentencing in the killing of his wife, Lori.

GRAND HAVEN -- Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine was ordered this morning to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

A 13-year Holland police officer, DeKleine, 45, was convicted in July of killing Lori DeKleine after a jury deliberated only 75 minutes.

DeKleine said nothing in court, but winked at family members seated in the courtroom.
Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman questioned why DeKleine did not get help when he was being overcome with the rage that led to the murder.

"With your Christian education, your training as a police officer, your good record as a police officer, why during the course of a year something didn't register in your mind there would be some other course of action to take remains a total mystery," Bosman said.

Ken DeKleine, left, in Ottawa County Circuit Court listens to statements made by family members of Lori DeKleine. The former Holland police officer was sentenced to life in prison without parole for her murder.

His video-taped confessions shows he entered the garage of his former Calvin Avenue home in the middle of the night Jan. 10, waited in attic for several hours, then pushed his way into the house after Lori DeKleine opened the door in the morning.

He admitted to strangling her with a climbing strap, then dragging her body into the basement and trying to stage a suicide. In the confession, he admitted to botching the scheme when he could not lift her body and simply leaving the unattached strap dangling from a rafter.

Court testimony showed DeKleine was in a bitter divorce and custody battle with Lori DeKleine, 43, and was obsessed with her relationship with her therapist. The couple have two teen children, Breanne and Christopher.

Family members of Lori DeKleine, including her mother, Jena Meulman, third from left, and her father, Paul Meulman, second from right, embrace outside Ottawa County District Court after Ken DeKleine was sentenced Monday.


The parents of Lori DeKleine and her sister, Patti Ticknor, made emotional statements before Bosman sentenced DeKleine, They said they cannot fathom why he took her life.

"Thoughts of this event plague my mind frequently. I have spent many sleepless nights trying to understand Ken's selfish act," said Lori DeKleine's father, Paul Meulman.

In court, Ticknor said she once respected and cared for Ken DeKleine, and admired him as a father, "until he thought it best to play God and kill Lori."

DeKleine portrayed his estranged wife as someone mentally unstable who was damaging their children psychologically, but Ottawa County Prosecutor Ron Frantz said the evidence did not show any problems. In fact, she was a good mother and was respected at her church job, he said.

In letters from jail, DeKleine told others he was at peace with his wife's killing and said he was "sleeping better now than I have in two years."

He wrote that the killing seemed like the best option to him.

"I feel so free. I am not worried sick by what (Lori DeKleine) is doing to the kids anymore by her lies, blackmail and extortion."

DeKleine's fellow police officers said they never imagined he would resort to violence, even though many knew about his marital strife. Lori DeKleine had a personal protection order against her husband.

Lori DeKleine's family believes the Holland police department should have done more to recognize that one of their own officers was losing control. They believe DeKleine was protected by the "blue wall," although Holland Police Chief John Kruithoff has always said DeKleine showed no outward signs of trouble.

Her sister's death has motivated Ticknor to become involved with the Michigan Officer-involved Domestic Violence group and try to spread the word about how women can get help in abusive homes.

"Lori would be proud of us for having someone else learn from her situation," Ticknor said. "She would want someone's life to be saved."

E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@grpress.com




Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine ordered to spend life in prison for killing wife
Posted by John Tunison
Muskegon Chronicle
August 25, 2008 11:49AM
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/08/former_holland_police_officer.html

Chronicle News Service.
Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine appears in Ottawa County Circuit Court for sentencing in the killing of his wife, Lori.

GRAND HAVEN -- Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine was ordered this morning to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

A 13-year Holland police officer, DeKleine, 45, was convicted in July of killing Lori DeKleine after a jury deliberated only 75 minutes.

DeKleine said nothing in court, but winked at family members seated in the courtroom.
Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman questioned why DeKleine did not get help when he was being overcome with the rage that led to the murder.

"With your Christian education, your training as a police officer, your good record as a police officer, why during the course of a year something didn't register in your mind there would be some other course of action to take remains a total mystery," Bosman said.

Ken DeKleine, left, in Ottawa County Circuit Court listens to statements made by family members of Lori DeKleine. The former Holland police officer was sentenced to life in prison without parole for her murder.


His video-taped confessions shows he entered the garage of his former Calvin Avenue home in the middle of the night Jan. 10, waited in attic for several hours, then pushed his way into the house after Lori DeKleine opened the door in the morning.

He admitted to strangling her with a climbing strap, then dragging her body into the basement and trying to stage a suicide. In the confession, he admitted to botching the scheme when he could not lift her body and simply leaving the unattached strap dangling from a rafter.

Court testimony showed DeKleine was in a bitter divorce and custody battle with Lori DeKleine, 43, and was obsessed with her relationship with her therapist. The couple have two teen children, Breanne and Christopher.

Family members of Lori DeKleine, including her mother, Jena Meulman, third from left, and her father, Paul Meulman, second from right, embrace outside Ottawa County District Court after Ken DeKleine was sentenced Monday


The parents of Lori DeKleine and her sister, Patti Ticknor, made emotional statements before Bosman sentenced DeKleine, They said they cannot fathom why he took her life.

"Thoughts of this event plague my mind frequently. I have spent many sleepless nights trying to understand Ken's selfish act," said Lori DeKleine's father, Paul Meulman.

In court, Ticknor said she once respected and cared for Ken DeKleine, and admired him as a father, "until he thought it best to play God and kill Lori."

DeKleine portrayed his estranged wife as someone mentally unstable who was damaging their children psychologically, but Ottawa County Prosecutor Ron Frantz said the evidence did not show any problems. In fact, she was a good mother and was respected at her church job, he said.

In letters from jail, DeKleine told others he was at peace with his wife's killing and said he was "sleeping better now than I have in two years."

He wrote that the killing seemed like the best option to him.

"I feel so free. I am not worried sick by what (Lori DeKleine) is doing to the kids anymore by her lies, blackmail and extortion."

DeKleine's fellow police officers said they never imagined he would resort to violence, even though many knew about his marital strife. Lori DeKleine had a personal protection order against her husband.

Lori DeKleine's family believes the Holland police department should have done more to recognize that one of their own officers was losing control. They believe DeKleine was protected by the "blue wall," although Holland Police Chief John Kruithoff has always said DeKleine showed no outward signs of trouble.

Her sister's death has motivated Ticknor to become involved with the Michigan Officer-involved Domestic Violence group and try to spread the word about how women can get help in abusive homes.

"Lori would be proud of us for having someone else learn from her situation," Ticknor said. "She would want someone's life to be saved."

E-mail John Tunison: jtunison@grpress.com




Ex-officer sentenced to life for wife's murder
WWMT TV NEWS
August 25, 2008 - 11:52AM
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/wife_1352656___article.html/murder_home.html
HOLLAND, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - In January, one of Lori DeKleine's children found her body in the basement of their home.

Initially police thought it was a suicide. Autopsy results proved otherwise.

They arrested her husband, Ken DeKleine the next day. The couple was in the process of getting a divorce.

In July a jury convicted him of murder. Monday, Ken DeKleine was back in court to hear his sentence, and hear from his victim's family.

Three very difficult statements were made by victims addressing Ken DeKleine. The convicted murderer is now going to prison for the rest of his life. There wasn't much mystery as to what would happen Monday. DeKleine got a mandatory sentence of life in prison for killing his wife Lori.

The trial was very one-sided. Little if any defense was presented. There was an enormous amount of physical evidence introduced, including the fact that Ken DeKleine's blood was found on Lori's clothes. Perhaps the most convincing evidence was that DeKleine admitted to the crime numerous times in chats and letters with family members, friends and even detectives.

This was an especially difficult trial because DeKleine served the community as a police officer and also had served in the military. Family members say they still don't understand it.

"The pain and despair I feel are beyond words. I don't understand how someone I once cared about was actually that evil and planned and brutally killed my sister cause he thought his kids would be better off," said Patti Ticknor, Lori's sister.

Despite what was said in court, DeKleine wrote in a letter shortly after the crime that it was quote "best for everybody" that she be dead for the sake of the family's two teenage children.




Ex-Holland officer gets life in wife's death
Midday update
ASSOCIATED PRESS • AUGUST 25, 2008 • FROM Lansing State Journal
GRAND RAPIDS - A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-five-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




DeKleine sentenced to life for killing wife
By MEGAN SCHMIDT
The Holland Sentinel
Posted Aug 25, 2008 @ 12:52 PM
Last update Aug 25, 2008 @ 05:52 PM
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x1311851501/DeKleine-sentenced-to-life-for-killing-wife

Grand Haven, MI — Former Holland police officer Ken DeKleine tried to play God when he murdered his wife.

That’s what Lori DeKleine’s family told the court just before Ken DeKleine was sentenced in Ottawa County Circuit Court in Grand Haven, Monday, Aug. 25, to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole.

By cutting Lori DeKleine’s life short, “Ken took upon himself the role of God,” said Jena Meulman, Lori DeKleine’s mother, in a statement. “I will never be able to trust anyone again the way I trusted Ken.”

Ken DeKleine, 45, was convicted in July on charges of first-degree murder and felony murder. His wife, Lori DeKleine, 43, was found dead in January in the basement of her Calvin Avenue home with a climbing strap tied around her neck.

Ken DeKleine confessed to the murder one day after her body was found.

He told investigators that after he killed his wife and dragged her body to the basement, he panicked and abandoned his plan to make her death look like a suicide.

Ken DeKleine gave no statement Monday, but smiled and winked at family in the room. As he stood facing his wife’s family in the courtroom, Lori DeKleine’s father Paul Meulman said the abuse Lori endured in her marriage was something she kept private.

“Her stories about Ken’s abuse of her were told to only a small group of people. I was included in that small group of people,” Meulman said.

Meanwhile, Meulman said, “Ken deceived and manipulated many people with his side of the story.”

Meulman voiced disappointment with the police department where Ken DeKleine worked.
“I have wondered why the Holland police were not more effective in protecting Lori,” he said.

Several Holland officers testified during the trial in July that Ken DeKleine seemed obsessed with his troubled marriage. He framed his wife as emotionally unstable to anyone who would listen, many of them said.

At the same time, he was a well-liked officer who excelled at the job, they said.

Lori DeKleine’s sister, Patti Ticknor, told the court Monday that Ken DeKleine’s interference caused rifts between the sisters for years.

“What hurts the most is that in the last 20 years, I did not get to have a relationship (with Lori) where Ken wasn’t pulling the strings,” she said.

Just before the murder, the sisters had reconciled, she said.

“On Christmas Day, I told her I loved her,” Ticknor said.

After giving the sentence, Judge Calvin Bosman said it was a mystery that Ken DeKleine plotted the murder for a year, never considering handling his issues with Lori DeKleine in another way.

“Why, during the course of a year, didn’t something trigger in your mind that there would be a different way to proceed in this matter?” Bosman asked.

After the sentencing, Paul Meulman said that his daughter never tried to damage her husband’s reputation the way he did hers.

“She never played his game,” he said. “She wouldn’t tell anyone about the things going on but she did start telling us.”

Meulman recalled sitting down with Ken DeKleine after Lori DeKleine told him about the abuse in her relationship.

Lori DeKleine first mentioned it to him after Ken DeKleine returned from a 2006 stint as a police officer in Iraq, he said.

“When Lori started opening up to us, we started to talk to him,” Meulman said. “We had quite a long discussion with him about how controlling he was.”

He showed little interest or remorse in that conversation, Meulman said.

“He won’t listen to other people,” he said. “He’s always been that way. As head of the household, he was always right.”

Dan Irving/The Holland Sentinel Patti Ticknor, left, sister of Lori DeKleine, addresses the court during the sentencing of former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine Monday at the Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven. Standing behind Ticknor is her father, Paul Meulman. Ken DeKleine was sentenced to life without parole for the January murder of his wife. (8/25/08)



Dan Irving/The Holland Sentinel Jena and Paul Meulman, parents of Lori DeKleine, are greeted by family and friends following the sentencing of Ken DeKleine Monday at the Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven. Ken DeKleine was sentenced to life without parole for the January murder of his wife Lori DeKleine at her Holland home. (8/25/08)



Dan Irving/The Holland Sentinel Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine, left, convicted in the January murder of his wife Lori DeKleine, is led into the courtroom for sentencing Monday at the Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven. DeKleine was sentenced to life without parole. (8/25/08)



Dan Irving/The Holland Sentinel Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine, left, convicted in the January murder of his wife Lori DeKleine, listens to a statement from Lori's sister Patti Ticknor during his sentencing Monday at the Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven. Lori's parents, Paul and Jena Meulman also addressed the court. DeKleine was sentenced to life without parole. (8/25/08)




Former Holland police officer sentenced for killing his wife
Posted By: Matt Campbell
WZZM NEWS
2:30pm, August 25,2008
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/most_popular_story.aspx?storyid=97550&provider=top




Grand Haven, MI (WZZM) - "I want Ken DeKleine to never see the light of day."

That was what Lori DeKleine's sister told a judge Monday morning at the former Holland police officer's sentencing for his wife's murder.

An Ottawa County Circuit Court judge sentenced DeKleine to life in prison without possibility of parole for the January murder.

Prosecutors say DeKleine was in the home and strangled his wife to death, then staged the scene to look like a suicide. DeKleine later confessed to the murder during a police interview.

DeKleine remained emotionless during his sentencing. The judge asked, "Mr. Dekleine anything you'd like to say?" He responded, "No, your honor.

However, Lori DeKleine's family had plenty to say as they stood a few feet from the son-in-law they once trusted. Gena Meulman is the victim's mother, "I now have peace that Lori is safe and free from a life of abuse and control." She told the court.

Lori's father, Paul Meulman, also spoke, "She has been released from from her world of fear, abuse and violence, into her heavenly home." On July 11, a jury took less than 90 minutes to find DeKleine guilty of killing his wife, Lori, at their home. She was seeking a divorce, and had personal protection orders out against him.

Lori' DeKleine's only sibling, Patty Ticknor choked back the tears as she spoke in court, "The pain and despair I feel are beyond words." Ticknor said she had recently reconciled with her sister, renewing a relationship she said Ken DeKleine had ruined 20 years ago.

"I want Ken DeKleine to never see the light of day again to be placed in the worst possible prison far away from the state of Michigan." And, she hoped the 13 year police officer would be imprisoned - for life - amongst the general prison population.




Ex-Holland officer sentenced in wife's death
WSBT NEWS
Story Created: Aug 25, 2008 at 2:36 PM EDT
Story Updated: Aug 25, 2008 at 4:27 PM EDT
http://www.wsbt.com/news/regional/27362104.html

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-five-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-Holland officer sentenced in wife's death
MLIVE
8/25/2008, 2:48 p.m. EDT The Associated Press

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-56/1219682946315930.xml&storylist=newsmichigan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-five-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-Holland officer sentenced in wife's death
Associated Press
August 25, 2008 2:54 PM ET
WLNS TV 6 Lansing MI
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=8895451&nav=menu25_2

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-5-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-Holland officer sentenced in wife's death
Associated Press
August 25, 2008 2:54 PM ET
WSJV News, South Bend Indiana
http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=8895451

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-5-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.Ex-Holland officer sentenced in wife's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-Holland officer sentenced in wife's death
Associated Press
August 25, 2008 2:54 PM ET
WTOL, Toledo Ohio
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=8895451

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-5-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-police officer sentenced in wife's death
Monday, August 25, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
NBC 25, Michigan
http://www.weyi.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=180022

(AP) -- GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-five-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-Holland Officer Sentenced In Wife's Death
WXMI NEWS
August 25, 2008
http://fox17.trb.com/news/082508-wxmi-sentencn,0,6915519.story

HOLLAND-AP — A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-five-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-Holland officer sentenced in wife's death
WOODTV
August 25, 2008
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8895433&nav=menu44_2_2

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A former Holland police officer has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

Forty-five-year-old Ken DeKleine said nothing during his sentencing Monday, which followed his conviction last month on a charge of first-degree murder in 43-year-old Lori DeKleine's death.

Court testimony showed the DeKleines were going through a bitter divorce and custody battle.

Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman told DeKleine it's "a total mystery" why he didn't consider another course of action given his Christian education, police training and good record.




Ex-Mich. officer gets life in prison for murder
August 25, 2008
PoliceOne.com, California
http://www.policeone.com/legal/articles/1729023-Ex-Mich-officer-gets-life-in-prison-for-murder/

By John Tunison
Grand Rapids Press

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — Former Holland Police Officer Ken DeKleine was ordered this morning to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole for killing his wife.

A 13-year Holland police officer, DeKleine, 45, was convicted in July of killing Lori DeKleine after a jury deliberated only 75 minutes.

DeKleine said nothing in court, but winked at family members seated in the courtroom.
Ottawa County Circuit Judge Calvin Bosman questioned why DeKleine did not get help when he was being overcome with the rage that led to the murder.

"With your Christian education, your training as a police officer, your good record as a police officer, why during the course of a year something didn't register in your mind there would be some other course of action to take remains a total mystery," Bosman said.

His video-taped confessions shows he entered the garage of his former Calvin Avenue home in the middle of the night Jan. 10, waited in attic for several hours, then pushed his way into the house after Lori DeKleine opened the door in the morning.

He admitted to strangling her with a climbing strap, then dragging her body into the basement and trying to stage a suicide. In the confession, he admitted to botching the scheme when he could not lift her body and simply leaving the unattached strap dangling from a rafter.

Court testimony showed DeKleine was in a bitter divorce and custody battle with Lori DeKleine, 43, and was obsessed with her relationship with her therapist. The couple have two teen children, Breanne and Christopher.

DeKleine portrayed his estranged wife as someone mentally unstable who was damaging their children psychologically, but Ottawa County Prosecutor Ron Frantz said the evidence did not show any problems. In fact, she was a good mother and was respected at her church job, he said.

In letters from jail, DeKleine told others he was at peace with his wife's killing and said he was "sleeping better now than I have in two years."

He wrote that the killing seemed like the best option to him.

"I feel so free. I am not worried sick by what (Lori DeKleine) is doing to the kids anymore by her lies, blackmail and extortion."

DeKleine's fellow police officers said they never imagined he would resort to violence, even though many knew about his marital strife. Lori DeKleine had a personal protection order against her husband.

Copyright 2008 Grand Rapids Press




Changes in Holland PD after DeKleine murder
August 25, 2008 - 5:07PM
WWMT- Channel 3
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/holland_1352666___article.html/murder_changes.html

HOLLAND, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - In the wake of the conviction and sentencing of former Holland Police officer Ken DeKleine for the murder of his wife, the Holland Police Department has made some changes to better support and protect each other.

"Because law enforcement is one of those careers, where it's stressful to be a cop and deal with what we deal with everyday," said Capt. Jack Dykstra of the Holland Police Department.

Which is why in Holland, a peer support team is available and has been for several years. What's new in the last few months is that family and friends of officers can voice their concerns through an on-line yahoo group.

The city's Human Resources Director also says that all 425 Holland employees get two free counseling sessions a year, and that has been an option for those employees for 20 years.

"The program has really been utilized across the board, by a lot of different people," said Gary Rahn, HR Director for the City of Holland.

Back at the police department, Capt. Dykstra isn't sure if the latest changes to the system could have helped spot what happened with officer Ken DeKleine.

"It could have given someone in the family a voice that they feel they didn't have," said Dykstra.

Which is what the Capt. says they are after, communication, both inside and outside of the Holland Police Department.

Capt. Dykstra said that the department has "challenged all the employees, not only police officers, but all the employees to say; hey, don't be afraid to admit this is stressful and it affects your family."

The Holland Police Department has also increased the frequency of its employee evaluations from once a year to once every four months.




Family blames killer cop, 'blue wall' of protection
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
By John Tunison
The Grand Rapids Press
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-43/12197565307910.xml&coll=6
GRAND HAVEN -- The family of Lori DeKleine says she fell victim to her police officer husband and the "blue wall," the supposed closing of ranks among police to shelter an officer doing wrong.

Nearly eight months after Ken DeKleine murdered his estranged wife, her family has trouble understanding how DeKleine's police officer friends never recognized his hidden rage, or how he escaped being charged with restraining-order violations.

In a Grand Haven courtroom Monday, Lori DeKleine's parents and sister mostly focused their anger on Ken DeKleine, not the police, as a judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole. In fact, Patti Ticknor, Lori DeKleine's sister, shuddered as she looked toward DeKleine and described her hostility.

"I want Ken DeKleine to never see the light of day again. He has shown no value for human life," she said.

Ticknor and her parents, Jena and Paul Meulman, all told how Lori DeKleine's murder shattered their lives. Ken DeKleine, who kept his emotions in check at his July trial and again Monday, said nothing when offered the chance to speak.

Ticknor later said she hoped he would say something, even apologize, but realized her hopes were "a fantasy."

DeKleine, a 13-year Holland police officer before his Jan. 11 arrest, confessed on videotape to strangling his estranged wife. They were going through a divorce and child custody battle and DeKleine, who portrayed Lori DeKleine as mentally unstable, told others he did it for his children.

The Meulmans said Monday they knew Ken DeKleine was abusive and controlling toward their daughter when she confided in them in December 2006 and afterward.

Ken DeKleine began slipping over the edge, they believe, when he returned from a year's stint in Iraq and realized his wife would no longer submit to his control.
But they still cannot fathom the murder.

"I have spent many sleepless nights trying to understand Ken's selfish act," Paul Meulman said. "And I wonder why the Holland Police Department was not more effective in protecting her."

But as he did in January, Holland Police Chief John Kruithoff said Monday there is no "blue wall" at the Holland Police Department.

Lori DeKleine's two reports of restraining-order violations -- instances in which Ken DeKleine came near her at her church workplace and a Memorial Day parade -- were documented by police but found to be incidental by prosecutors and he was not charged.

"I would not protect any officer doing something wrong," Kruithoff said.

Kruithoff said he never received calls from Lori DeKleine's family or friends that she might be in danger and Ken DeKleine, in a jail letter, wrote that he kept his deadly intentions a secret.

In court, Ticknor described how she finally became good friends with her sister about a year ago, with Ken DeKleine no longer "pulling the strings." She told her sister she loved her on Christmas Day.

"Ken has robbed me of the joy I experienced in connecting with her," she said.

Send e-mail to the author: jtunison@grpress.com




Former policeman sentenced to life for killing wife
Tue, Aug 26, 2008
BY MEGAN SCHMIDT
Holland Sentinel Writer
http://www.grandhaventribune.com/paid/298153083593607.bsp

Former Holland police officer Ken DeKleine tried to play God when he murdered his wife.

That's what Lori DeKleine's family told the court just before Ken DeKleine was sentenced Monday in Ottawa County Circuit Court in Grand Haven to spend the rest of his life in prison without parole.

By cutting Lori DeKleine's life short, "Ken took upon himself the role of God," said Jena Meulman, Lori DeKleine's mother. "I will never be able to trust anyone again the way I trusted Ken."

Ken DeKleine, 45, was convicted in July on charges of first-degree murder and felony murder. His wife, Lori DeKleine, 43, was found dead in January in the basement of her Holland home with a climbing strap tied around her neck.

Ken DeKleine confessed to the murder one day after her body was found. He told investigators that after he killed his wife and dragged her body to the basement, he panicked and abandoned his plan to make her death look like a suicide.

Ken DeKleine gave no statement Monday, but smiled and winked at family in the room.
As DeKleine stood facing his wife's family in the courtroom, Lori DeKleine's father, Paul Meulman, said the abuse Lori endured in her marriage was something she kept private.

"Her stories about Ken's abuse of her were told to only a small group of people," Meulman said. "I was included in that small group of people. ... Ken deceived and manipulated many people with his side of the story."

Meulman voiced disappointment with the police department where Ken DeKleine worked.
"I have wondered why the Holland police were not more effective in protecting Lori," he said.

Several Holland officers testified during the trial in July that Ken DeKleine seemed obsessed with his troubled marriage. He framed his wife as emotionally unstable to anyone who would listen, many of them said.

At the same time, he was a well-liked officer who excelled at the job, they said.
Lori DeKleine's sister, Patti Ticknor, told the court Monday that Ken DeKleine's interference caused rifts between the sisters for years.

"What hurts the most is that in the last 20 years, I did not get to have a relationship (with Lori) where Ken wasn't pulling the strings," she said.

Just before the murder, the sisters had reconciled, she said.

"On Christmas Day, I told her I loved her," Ticknor said.

After giving the sentence, Judge Calvin Bosman said it was a mystery that Ken DeKleine plotted the murder for a year, never considering handling his issues with Lori DeKleine in another way.

"Why, during the course of a year, didn't something trigger in your mind that there would be a different way to proceed in this matter?" Bosman asked.

After the sentencing, Paul Meulman said that his daughter never tried to damage her husband's reputation the way he did hers.

"She never played his game," he said. "She wouldn't tell anyone about the things going on, but she did start telling us."

Meulman recalled sitting down with Ken DeKleine after Lori DeKleine told him about the abuse in her relationship.

Lori DeKleine first mentioned it to him after Ken DeKleine returned from a 2006 stint as a police officer in Iraq, he said.

"When Lori started opening up to us, we started to talk to him," Meulman said. "We had quite a long discussion with him about how controlling he was."

Meulman said Ken DeKleine showed little interest or remorse in that conversation.

"He won't listen to other people," Meulman said. "He's always been that way. As head of the household, he was always right."

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

MIOIDV MEDIA RELEASE

Mission Statement of MIOIDV:

To provide support and validation to OIDV victims where they will not be discriminated against because of their spouse’s occupation in law enforcement; educating the public about the existence of OIDV and the need for legislation and policy changes; working with state agencies and legislators in offering assistance to OIDV victims; bringing awareness to law enforcement communities to the dangers of OIDV/OIDV murders and the need for their involvement in protecting/assisting these victims; and giving voice to OIDV victims and survivors. We are not going to accept another woman dying from negligence from the police departments, domestic violence agencies, and members of the community.


MIOIDV’s Goals:

Michigan Officer-involved Domestic Violence policies and legislation; and Pam’s Place [a safe haven specifically for victims of OIDV].



A Need for Change, for Victims of Officer-Involved Domestic Violence:

One of the hardest tasks for us at MIOIDV is receiving news of yet another senseless and often avoidable officer-involved domestic violence murder. The horrific murder of Lori DeKleine on January 10, 2008 came within weeks of a string of OIDV related murders in Michigan: Pamela Aukerman [murdered by her ex-husband / Officer Kevin Brainard of the Plainwell PD on 11/04/07]; Ladora Gibson [murdered by her ex-husband/ Detroit EMT Anthony Gibson on 11/24/07]; Rose Cobb [gunned down/murdered on 12/26/07. Her husband, Officer David Cobb/ Detroit PD, is currently under investigation for hiring hit men to murder Rose]; Rebecca Torres [murdered by her husband/Firefighter Enrique Torres on 12/27/07].

Another OIDV murder signifies to us at MIOIDV that the state of Michigan is continuing to fail these victims. Unless the Governor, state legislators, law enforcement officials, and the Michigan Attorney General’s Office ban together with MIOIDV, to tackle this issue head on with policies and laws, the roll call of OIDV murder victims will continue to grow. Just like an OIDV victim, MIOIDV is powerless to assist these victims, until change occurs.

Bringing about change [and thus hope] to victims of OIDV is achievable. Michigan has already proven that, in addressing the issue of non-officer related domestic violence. In the 1990’s, state legislators, law enforcement, and prosecutors across the state went to battle. Their battle cry was, “Zero tolerance of domestic violence.” The end result: in the nation, Michigan is rated as one of the top states for its domestic violence laws; police department dv response policies; domestic violence prosecutor office programs; and tough dv sentencing guidelines.

If the state of Michigan can do that for victims of non-officer involved domestic violence, there is no doubt that they can stand up and fight for victims of OIDV with the same determination of “Zero Tolerance”. For that matter, there is no justification for the state not to take action and offer victims of OIDV the same rights and protections that are guaranteed to other victims, under our state constitution and our state laws.



Law Enforcement Does Not Create Abusers:

There is an incorrect assumption that stress from law enforcement work, causes an officer to snap and become violent at home.

In order to understand why that assumption is incorrect, one needs to understand what domestic violence is about. Many assume that domestic violence is about the abuse/violence that the abuser inflicts upon the victim, when it is actuality about the abuser obtaining and constantly maintaining power and control over every aspect of their victim’s life.

Physical abuse and murder, or the threat of physical abuse/ murder, occurs when the abuser feels that his power and control over his victim is threatened. An abuser reigns his victim back into his web of power and control with acts/threats of violence.

An abuser’s need for power and control extends beyond the perimeter of their intimate relationship, into every aspect of his life, including their employment. They seek employment which will feed this need for power and control. A position in law enforcement offers an abuser the power and control he needs, which is why abusers are drawn to this type of employment.

Law enforcement doesn’t make or produce abusers. Instead, abusers are drawn to the position, because of the power and control it offers. And unfortunately, because psychiatric examinations of potential police officers does not screen for abusive attributes, abusers are able to slip through the cracks and become police officers…and abusers with guns and a badge, who not only believe they are above the law, but also convince their victims of this.



Statistics on Officer-Involved Domestic Violence:

According to the National Center For Women And Policing, 10% of families in the general population experience domestic violence. In comparison, "at least 40% of police officer families experience domestic violence".



The Uniqueness of Officer-Involved Domestic Violence:

OIDV is different from non-officer involved domestic violence, on many levels. 1] An officer, who is entrusted to uphold the law, is not only violating the law, but he is often using/ abusing his position to escape accountability for his crimes of dv. 2] There is a gun at every OIDV incident: the abusing officer’s duty gun. 3] Unlike victims of non-officer involved domestic violence, a victim of OIDV is often questioned as to the validity of her claims, as it is her word against a police officer’s word. 4] while victims of non-officer involved domestic violence turn to law enforcement agencies for protection, the opposite is true for victims of OIDV. Often, an abuser’s department will side with the abusing officer, or will dismiss the victim’s claims, and the victim finds that she has nowhere to turn to for help. 5] Because OIDV isn’t something which is talked about in our society, victims of OIDV are often left with believing that they are the only one this is happening to. Left without support from other victims/survivors of OIDV, these victims are very secluded from others, and left to deal with OIDV on their own. 6] Because a victim’s claims of OIDV are ignored, without any intervention, the abuse in these cases escalates more rapidly than in non-officer related dv cases…and often more likely to turn deadly for the victim; 7] If a victim of OIDV attempts to leave an abusive relationship, she finds that unlike other dv victims, she has no where to turn for assistance; and 8] In cases where an officer is reprimanded or arrested for OIDV, the victim is viewed negatively as being the ‘problem’ to the officer and the department.

Currently in the state of Michigan: 1] There are zero officer-involved domestic violence laws; 2] There is not a uniform OIDV policy for police departments; 3] There is no state agency which oversees OIDV complaints/arrests; 4] There are zero OIDV shelters and agencies; and 5] There are zero OIDV programs.



What Michigan needs to do, in order to better serve the needs of victims of OIDV:
**Reprinted from "Proposal for Michigan Police Officer Domestic Violence Bill" [authored by Renee' Harrington and Cheryl Rozman. 2007]**

1]To decrease the level of police officer domestic violence incidents we need to implement for these victims what Michigan implemented/has worked for victims in the general population: laws; programs; and most importantly the philosophy of zero tolerance of domestic violence.
In order to avoid 'allegiances' to an abusing officer's police department, that is common with area domestic violence agencies; police department and prosecutor office domestic violence programs, it is recommended that police officer domestic violence programs be a state agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office.


2]To decrease the incidents of police officer domestic violence murder/murder-suicide, the officer needs to be held accountable at the first indication/report of domestic violence, before the violence escalates, just as with abusers in the general public.

The state needs to implement a state agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office, that all cases of police officer domestic violence must be report to; review all cases of police officer domestic violence; file criminal charges in incidents where the state's domestic violence laws have been violated; oversee all department hearings in cases of police officer domestic violence; etc.

This system of checks and balances would take the discretion away from police departments in how they 'handle' officer domestic violence; prevent police officer domestic violence from escalating out of control; and most importantly protect the victim.

Another benefit of a state agency for police officer domestic violence, is that officers aware of another officer's abusive behavior, may be more inclined to report the abuse to a neutral state agency, than to their own department. A factor that leads to police officers not reporting abuse to their own departments is the fear of retaliation from other officers for having turned in another officer, for having 'crossed the blue line'.


3]In order to protect victims of police officer domestic violence, and halt the misuse of department policies to protect abusing officers, the state of Michigan needs to enact a laws which prevent police departments from investigating complaints of domestic violence committed by their own rank; prevent police departments from handling officer domestic violence as non-criminal complaints; prevent the use of department internal investigations/complaints and the privacy rights insured by that process, prior to/during a criminal complaint; and enforce that all police departments report all incidents of police officer domestic violence to a state domestic violence agency at the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

After the criminal justice process has been followed in a case of police officer domestic violence, the Michigan Attorney General's Office will conduct the abusing officer's departmental reprimand hearing.

4]If the Michigan Attorney General's Office oversees all incidents of police officer domestic violence and these incidents are handled through the criminal court system, the officer/department does not invoke the privacy rights of the internal complaint process, which have unfortunately only protected the abusing officer, and not the victim.

5]If the Michigan Attorney General's Office oversees all incidents of police officer domestic violence, the state's domestic violence laws would be adhered to as they are in cases of domestic violence in the general public.

6]With the Michigan Attorney General's Office overseeing all incidents of police officer domestic violence in both the criminal process and department policy reprimand process, incidents of abusing police officers slipping through the cracks would not exist.

7]Mandating through law, that all incidents of police officer domestic violence be reported/overseen by the Michigan Attorney's Office would require the recording of incidents of police officer domestic violence and the creations of records on police officer domestic violence incidents.

8]The creation of a state police officer domestic violence agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office, which sole purpose is taking compiaints from victims of police officer domestic violence; investigating and prosecuting officer domestic violence cases; overseeing police department internal repnmand hearings for police officer domestic violence; and assisting victims of police officer domestic violence.

9]The enactment of a law that prevents police departments from handling criminal cases of police officer domestic violence as policy merely policy violations, and gives authority to the Michigan Attorney General's Office to internally investigate police departments that violate this law.

10]The creation of a state domestic violence agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office whose sole purpose is assisting/working with victims of police officer domestic violence. A) Victims would receive assistance from professionals who are trained specifically in police officer domestic violence. B) Will prevent the prejudice/ denial of assistance that is often experienced by victims of police officer domestic violence when they seek assistance from domestic violence agencies that are geared for domestic violence among the genera! public. C) Will prevent the victim being denied assistance due to an agency not wanting to 'cross the blue line. D) Will be able to offer the victim of police officer domestic violence services/assistance/counseling that is geared to her situation, and that is different than that of other victims of domestic violence. E) Will be able to assist the victim in relocating, which victims of police officer domestic violence often must do. F) Will act as an advocate for the victim during the criminal process and the department reprimand process of the abuser. G) Will connect the victim of police officer domestic violence with other victims/survivors of police officer domestic violence, and end the isolation that is so prevalent with these victims, H) Will offer a domestic violence shelter specifically for victims of police officer domestic violence.

11]Enactment of laws to: A) Address police officer domestic violence; B) Accountability of police officer domestic violence; C) Reporting of police officer domestic violence; D} Handling of all incidents of police officer domestic violence by the Michigan Attorney General's Office; E) Handling of ail department hearings for police officer domestic violence; F) Address the safety and protection of victims of police officer domestic violence.



OFFICER-INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WEBSITES:

Michigan Officer-Involved Domestic Violence Corp Website [MIOIDV]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/

Lori DeKleine’s Website [maintained by MIOIDV]
http://michiganoidvlorimeulmandekleine.blogspot.com/

National Officer-Involved Domestic Violence Website [maintained by Cloud Writer]
http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/

Lane Judson’s website [National spokesman for victims of OIDV]
http://www.lanejudson.com/

Crystal Judson’s OIDV Journal
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=24319378&blogID=219973098



MICHIGAN OFFICER INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONTACT INFO:

Laura Spars: Founder and director of MIOIDV. mioidv@aol.com

Jennifer Aukerman: MIOIDV advocate, and spokeswoman. mioidvpamslaw@aol.com

Renee’ Harrington: MIOIDV awareness; research; websites. mioidvawareness@aol.com

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

Happy Birthday in Heaven Becky!

A candlelight vigil in memory of my Dear cousin Becky (Rebecca Burden ~Torres)will be held on Sat, Sept 6th @ 8pm in the parking lot of the old Beecher High building located on the corner of N Saginaw & Coldwater Rd!

Becky, as most of you know was sadly taken from us on Dec 27, 2007 as a result of Domestic Violence!

She was full of life, and loved her children and her family and friends more than anyone I know! She had the knack for putting parties together for anything she could think of! In addition, made sure she didn't leave herself out when it came to her Birthday!

September 3rd would have been her 36th Birthday! Therefore, in celebration of her birthday, we are having this vigil! Lets gather in Memory of Rebecca Ruth Burden~ Torres's Birthday and light Candles so she may see the glow from heaven! And lets help spread the word about Domestic Violence and the effect it has on not only the one who is abused, but on the family , friends, and community! Let us vow to not keep our heads turned and our mouths shut; as if this type of Violence can happen to Becky, it can happen to anyone!

We will be taking donations to give to the Women’s Shelter of Flint to help them in there struggle to help the women and children in Genesee Co.Thank you for your support!

Heather & Shelly!


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

OFFICER KENNETH PAPPAS, STERLING HEIGHTS PD

OFFICER KENNETH PAPPAS, STERLING HEIGHTS PD, AUGUST 23, 2008

Sterling Heights cop charged in assault on wife
The Detroit News
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/METRO03/808270305

MACOMB TOWNSHIP -- A Sterling Heights police officer has been charged with assaulting his wife over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday.

Kenneth Pappas, 34, of Macomb Township, an officer with the Sterling Heights Police Department, was arrested by Macomb County Sheriff's deputies on Saturday, said Capt. Anthony Wickersham of the Sheriff's Office.

Pappas was arraigned on Monday on assault charges in 41-A District Court in Shelby Township, Wickersham said. The crime is a misdemeanor and carries a penalty of up to 93 days in jail.

Police responded to a report of domestic violence at Pappas' Macomb Township home about 5 p.m. Saturday, according to authorities.

The officers determined Pappas had assaulted his wife, arrested him and transported him to the county jail where he spent the night, Wickersham said. He also said the officer posted a $25,000 personal bond and was released.



Cop arrested for domestic violence
By DEANNA ROSE
Source Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: Sunday, September 14, 2008
http://www.sourcenewspapers.com/stories/091408/loc_story40012.shtml

A Sterling Heights police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after being arrested following an alleged altercation with his wife in their Macomb Township home.

According to Macomb County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Anthony Wickersham, Kenneth Pappas, 34, was arrested after deputies responded to a domestic violence call placed by Pappas’ wife at 2 p.m. on Aug. 24.

Wickersham said officers determined an assault had taken place and took Pappas into custody.

He was charged with one count of domestic violence and taken to the Macomb County Jail for the night. He was released after posting personal bond following his arraignment the next day at 41-A District Court in Shelby Township.

Sterling Heights Interim Police Chief Michael Reese said Pappas was suspended pending the outcome of the criminal charge and a subsequent internal investigation.

Reese said the paid leave is normal protocol when an officer is involved in a criminal matter, although the entire situation rarely occurs.

Pappas will be back in the Shelby Township court Sept. 29. Reese said following the result of the court proceedings, a police department investigation into the matter will be conducted to determine if and when Pappas would be able to return to work - all in conjunction with the court’s findings.






Domestic violence charges dropped against officer
By DEANNA ROSE
Source Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: Sunday, October 5, 2008
http://www.sourcenewspapers.com/stories/100508/loc_story1001.shtml

A judge dismissed a domestic violence charge against a Sterling Heights police officer accused of engaging in a physical altercation with his wife, after the alleged victim and another witness failed to show up in court for the trial.

Kenneth Pappas, 34, was placed on routine paid administrative leave after his arrest at his Macomb Township home on Aug. 24, but was reinstated after the dismissal by Judge Douglas Shepherd at 41-A District Court in Shelby Township on Sept. 29.

Macomb County assistant prosecutor Erika Breitfeld told Shepherd that the prosecution had reluctant witnesses in Pappas’ wife, Kelly Pappas, and an eyewitness, and asked for an adjournment to a later date.

David Griem, Pappas’ attorney, asked Shepherd that the charges against Pappas be dismissed because Kelly Pappas was not in the courtroom.

Shepherd sided with Pappas and dismissed the charges, but told the prosecution he would grant reauthorization of the case if the victim brought charges.

Griem said Kelly Pappas did not show up because she did not want to press charges against her husband, from whom she is separated, and that it was the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department who brought the charges following the August incident. Deputies arrested Kenneth Pappas after responding to a domestic violence call at the home where Kelly Pappas is currently living.

“Kelly Pappas made it crystal clear twice in the police report that she did not want to prosecute,” Griem said. “Many times in cases like this, once the anger has subsided the case turns out to be something very different from what was first described to police, when one or both of the individuals were under the influence of their emotions.”

Griem said Kenneth Pappas and Kelly Pappas wanted the no-contact stipulation removed so the two could spend time at their child’s birthday party the following weekend. The couple has three children, ages 6, 8 and 10.

“Their only concern is the well-being of their three children. They both want to be the best parents they can possibly be,” Griem said. “When one speaks from their heart, many times things don’t come out the way they should. Both Kelly and Ken want to put this behind them.”

Griem said it was his understanding that Kelly Pappas was not in court that day because she was attending a field trip with their 6-year-old child.

Sterling Heights Police Lt. Robert Henigan said Pappas was able to return to work after the charge was dismissed, but an administrative investigation is ongoing with regard to any violation of department rules.






**********

Sterling Heights cops earn awards for saving lives
The Source
PUBLISHED: Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sterling Heights Interim Police Chief Michael Reese recently announced a series of merit and lifesaving awards for more than 20 police officers who demonstrated outstanding service to the community in 2007.

The merit awards recognize several officers for outstanding service to the community, while the lifesaving awards honor police officers and several firefighters for their actions in three separate incidents.

“While the vast majority of our officers perform at an extremely high level, these officers deserve special recognition for achieving results through investigation, observation or just being in the right place at the right time,” Reese said. “It’s efforts like these that help make Sterling Heights one of the safest cities in the state.”

The officers and circumstances that prompted their awards are as follows:
l Life Saving Award: Officer Jamie Dubay was honored for saving the life of an elderly woman who was unconscious and not breathing.

l Life Saving Award: Officer Randall Shippy and firefighters Jeff Duncan, Jason Nelson, Joe Toth and Kevin Wardrop were honored for saving the life of a mobile home resident who was succumbing to smoke inhalation.

l Life Saving Award: Officer Walter Smith was honored for saving the life of a woman who was unconscious and not breathing after suffering a heart attack.

In addition, merit awards for outstanding service to the community were presented to the following officers:

Det. Gregory Hill, Officer Craig Cole, Officer Michael Kunath, Officer Brandon Pluger, Lt. Paul Wilson, Sgt. Scott Anderson, Det. John Gurnow, Det. David Ormachea, Det. Kenneth Pappas, Det. David Sarvello, Det. Jason Selewski, Det. George Tsouroullis, Officer Jason Modrzejewski, Officer Rodney Damm, Officer Allan Golden, Officer Roger Mueller, Officer Rob Wojciechowski, Sgt. Guy Holmes, Officer David Allen, Officer Gregory Glinski, Officer Anthony Roeske and Officer Matthew Willard.

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

PROBLEMS OF OIDV AND PROPOSED CHANGES

**Reprinted from "Proposal for Michigan Police Officer Domestic Violence Bill" [authored by Renee' Harrington and Cheryl Rozman. 2007]**

Problems:
1) Escalating rates of police officer domestic violence, at a time where domestic violence is decreasing in the general public.

2) Increase in police officer domestic violence murders-suicides.

3) Police departments handling police officer domestic violence cases internally as 'family matters', instead of as the violent crimes they are.

4) Privacy rights of police officers and departments, when police officer domestic violence is handled through internal investigations and only as a violation of department policies.

5) Failure of police departments to apply Michigan's domestic violence laws/file criminal charges in cases of police officer domestic violence cases.

6) Police departments protecting and keeping known abusers in their ranks.

7) Non-existent methods of having police departments report/keep records of police officer domestic violence.

8) No state agency for a victim of police officer domestic violence to report the crime of domestic violence.

9) No state agency with the ability to force police departments to apply Michigan domestic violence laws to their own officers/file criminal charges against officers.

10) No state board to review all incidents of police officer domestic violence.

11) No state domestic violence agency which is set up to specifically assist victims of police officer domestic violence.

12) Lack of specific police officer domestic violence laws.


Problem #1: Why is the state of Michigan experiencing an increase in police officer domestic violence, while there is a decrease in domestic violence across the state?
During the past two decades, great strides have been made by Michigan in enacting tough domestic violence laws and police department policies regarding the handling of these calls. In addition, police departments and prosecutor offices often work directly with area domestic violence shelters and prosecutors offices, providing services directly to victims of domestic violence...with some Michigan prosecutor offices and police departments running joint domestic violence programs with area domestic violence agencies.

From the time a victim places her first call to a police department or an area domestic violence agency for help, all three of the agencies (police department, prosecutor's office, and domestic violence agency) will work together as a unit to assist the victim.

It is because of the combined efforts of police departments, prosecutor offices, and domestic violence agencies, along with tougher Michigan domestic violence laws, that Michigan has seen a decrease in domestic violence rates in the general population. This decrease in domestic violence, is an indicator that the laws and programs are working...for the general public.

The 'increase' we see in police officer domestic violence rates is an indicator of where domestic violence rates in the general public would be, without domestic violence laws and programs for domestic violence victims.

Victims of police officer domestic violence do not have the protections of Michigan's domestic violence laws, nor are they likely to receive assistance from police department, prosecutor office, or domestic violence agencies. Unlike domestic violence domestic violence in the general population, where the victim is seen as the one needing protection, the opposite is true in police officer domestic violence. Police officers and police departments in these incidents view the abusing officer and the department as the ones who need to be protected, against the victim's 'allegation' of domestic violence.

The theory of 'not crossing the blue line' holds true for police officers not reporting incidents of police officer domestic violence among the ranks and for police chiefs/sheriffs not adhering domestic violence Saws to victims of police officer domestic violence. The victim's 'allegations' are viewed as an attack on the abusing officer and the department, and are likely to be dismissed by the abuser's department.

Domestic violence agencies, prosecutor office and police department domestic violence programs are also iikely to follow suit in denying victims of police officer domestic violence assistance. Many of these programs/agencies work in conjunction with the abuser's police department and often share joint programming and funding. For these programs to assist a victim of police officer domestic violence, it is viewed as jeopardizing their relationship/programs/funding with the abuser's police department and as 'crossing the blue line'.

The victim of police officer domestic violence is left without the assistance and protection of laws, which have assisted victims in the general public and have contributed to the decrease of domestic violence in that sector of the population.

To decrease the level of police officer domestic violence incidents we need to implement for these victims what Michigan implemented/has worked for victims in the general population: laws; programs; and most importantly the philosophy of zero tolerance of domestic violence.

In order to avoid 'allegiances' to an abusing officer's police department, that is common with area domestic violence agencies; police department and prosecutor office domestic violence programs, it is recommended that police officer domestic violence programs be a state agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office.


Problem #2: Why are we seeing an increase in police officer domestic violence murders and police officer domestic violence murders-suicides?
Domestic violence murder/murder-suicide does not happen in a vacuum, It is a series of domestic violence incidents over a period of time, that continue to escalate in violence with each incident and leads to the abuser committing murder/murder-sutcide, if there are no outside interventions (police, domestic violence agencies, etc.).

Domestic violence in the general population is taken very seriously. When an abuser exhibits signs that his abuse will escalate to the potential for him to murder his victim, or commit murder-suicide, everyone from the domestic violence agency to the court will step up their efforts to protect the victim and hold the abuser accountable. Abusers in this sector are more likely to be held accountable for their actions before they escalate to the point of him committing murder/murcter-suicide.

With victims of police officer domestic violence, the building violence and warning signs of potential for murder/murder-sutcide may be ignored by the officer's department, or dismissed. In addition, victims of police officer domestic violence may be turned away from domestic violence agencies because of who their abusers are, or the victim does not trust the agency because of their connection to her abuser's police department.

This combination of the abuser beiieving/knowing he will not be held accountable for his crimes of domestic violence and the victim having no escape or avenue of assistance locks the victim into this vicious cycle of domestic violence that rapidly escalates out of control, There is nothing preventing the officer from abusing his victim or from escalating his violence to the point that he will consider murdering his victim or committing murder-suicide.

In addition; every incident of police officer domestic violence has the potential to become deadly, because of the presence of the abusing officers duty gun.

To decrease the incidents of police officer domestic violence murder/murder-suicide, the officer needs to be held accountable at the first indication/report of domestic violence, before the violence escalates, just as with abusers in the general public.

The state needs to implement a state agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office, that all cases of police officer domestic violence must be report to; review all cases of police officer domestic violence; file criminal charges in incidents where the state's domestic violence laws have been violated; oversee a!l department hearings in cases of police officer domestic violence; etc.

This system of checks and balances would take the discretion away from police departments in how they 'handle' officer domestic violence; prevent police officer domestic violence from escalating out of control; and most importantly protect the victim.

Another benefit of a state agency for police officer domestic violence, is that officers aware of another officer's abusive behavior, may be more inclined to report the abuse to a neutral state agency, than to their own department. A factor that leads to police officers not reporting abuse to their own departments is the fear of retaliation from other officers for having turned in another officer, for having 'crossed the blue line'.


Problem #3; Police officer domestic violence handled as a violation of department policy, instead of as a violation of Michigan's criminal/domestic violence laws.
The police policy procedures/investigations/hearings/reprimands are not meant to handle criminal complaints against a police officer, as a police department does not have the power/authority to hold criminal trials or issue criminal sanctions for the violation of crimes. In theory, when a police department becomes aware that an officer has violated Michigan's domestic violence laws, they are to file a report on the crime and forward the complaint to the county prosecutor's office.

To protect the department and the abusing officer, departments will label a criminal incident of police officer domestic violence, as a 'family matter' and handle the incident as a violation of department policy.

Treated as a non-criminal, internal complaint: 1) the abuser's police department does not have to report the domestic violence to the state, or any agency within the state of Michigan. 2) if the police department has its own policies and disciplinary polices, the incident of police officer domestic violence, investigation; reprimand hearing; and disciplinary actions taken against the abusing officer, do not have to be revealed to even the city/county commission., due to the privacy rights guaranteed under a departments policy. 3) The Bullard-Plawecki Employee Right To Know Act (Act 397 of 1978) prevents a police department from divulging information regarding an internal complaint filed against an officer, and also provides for any record/disciplinary action to be cleared from the officers record after four years. 4) SB0647 prevents statements made by an officer during an internal hearing, from being used against the officer in a criminal complaint.

Unlike criminal complaints, in which a police officer files the report, a victim of police officer domestic violence must file a written complaint with the department, (obtaining the complaint form from her abuser's department; filling out the complaint herself; and signing the complaint).

At the abusing officer's department hearing, the victim, victim's witnesses, and representative of the victim will not be allowed to attend. The only people in attendance at an officer's reprimand hearing will be a representative oi the abuser's department; the abusing officer, a union representative and/or an attorney for the abusing officer.

Both sides of the complaint are not heard at the abusing officer's department hearing. Instead, the victim's written complaint is read and the abusing officer is given the opportunity to dispute the claims. The department representative, and union representative/attorney for the abusing officer will then decide how the 'situation' is to be deaJt with. If there is enough evidence to support the victim's claim of domestic violence, the department may discipline the officer, but is unlikely to refer the case to the prosecutor's office for criminal charges.

After four years, under the Buliard-Plawecki Employee Right To Know Act, the abuser's police department must destroy all records of the victim's domestic violence complaint; records of the internal investigation; records of the reprimand hearing; and records of any disciplinary action the department took against the abusing officer.

If at a later date, criminal charges are filed against the abusing officer, the officer's department is not obligated to turn over records of past domestic violence complaints to the prosecuting attorney/court, as internal investigations for violations of department policy are protected under the privacy rights of the BuHard-Empbyee Right To Know Act, and SB0647.

When police departments 'handle' police officer domestic violence internally in Ihis fashion, they contribute to the escalation of domestic violence, by giving the abusing officer the messages: 1) You are above the law; 2) We will not hold you accountable for abusing your victim; 3) You wilt not be held criminally responsible for your crimes of domestic violence; 4} We will look the other way; 5} We wiil protect you, because you are one of us; and 6) Whatever trie victim claims, we will only listen to your side/believe you.

In order to protect victims of police officer domestic violence, and halt the misuse of department policies to protect abusing officers, the state of Michigan needs to enact a laws which prevent poiice departments from investigating complaints of domestic violence committed by their own rank; prevent police departments from handling officer domestic violence as non-criminal complaints; prevent the use of department internal investigations/complaints and the privacy rights insured by that process, prior to/during a criminal complaint; and enforce that all police departments report all incidents of police officer domestic violence to a state domestic violence agency at the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

After the criminal justice process has been followed in a case of police officer domestic violence, the Michigan Attorney General's Office will conduct the abusing officer's department reprimand hearing.


Problem #4: Privacy rights guaranteed to an abusing officer and his department, when police officer domestic violence is handled as a policy complaint and not a criminal complaint.
If the Michigan Attorney General's Office oversees all incidents of police officer domestic violence and these incidents are handled through the criminal court system, the officer/department does not invoke the privacy fights of the internal complaint process.


Problem #5; Failure of police departments to handle police officer domestic violence as criminal complaints,
If the Michigan Attorney General's Office oversees all incidents of police officer domestic violence, the state's domestic violence laws would be adhered to as they are in cases of domestic violence in the general public.


Problem #6: Police departments protecting and keeping known abusers in their ranks.
With the Michigan Attorney General's Office overseeing all incidents of police officer domestic violence in both the criminal process and department policy repnmand process, incidents of abusing police officers slipping through the cracks would not exist.


Probtem #7: Non-existent methods of having police departments' report/keep records of police officer domestic violence.
Mandating through law, that all incidents of police officer domestic violence be reported/overseen by the Michigan Attorney's Office would require the recording of incidents of police officer domestic violence and the creations of records on police officer domestic violence incidents.


Problem #8: No state agency for a victim of police officer domestic violence to report the crime of domestic violence.
The creation of a state police officer domestic violence agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office, which sole purpose is taking compiaints from victims of police officer domestic violence; investigating and prosecuting officer domestic violence cases; overseeing police department internal repnmand hearings for police officer domestic violence; and assisting victims of police officer domestic violence.


Problem #9: No state agency with the ability to force police departments to apply Michigan domestic violence laws to their own officers/file criminal charges against officers.
The enactment of a law that prevents police departments from handling criminal cases of police officer domestic violence as policy merely policy violations, and gives authority to the Michigan Attorney General's Office to internally investigate police departments that violate this law.


Problem #10: No state board to review all incidents of police officer domestic violence.
The creation of a state police officer domestic violence agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office, which sole purpose is taking complaints from victims of police officer domestic violence, investigating and prosecuting officer domestic violence cases; overseeing police department internal reprimand hearings for police officer domestic violence; and assisting victims of police officer domestic violence.


Problem #11: No state domestic violence agency which is set up to specifically assist victims of police officer domestic violence.
The creation of a state domestic violence agency in conjunction with the Michigan Attorney General's Office whose sole purpose is assisting/working with victims of police officer domestic violence. 1) Victims would receive assistance from professionals who are trained specifically in police officer domestic violence. 2) Will prevent the prejudice/ denial of assistance that is often experienced by victims of police officer domestic violence when they seek assistance from domestic violence agencies that are geared for domestic violence among the genera! public. 3) Will prevent the victim being denied assistance due to an agency not wanting to 'cross the blue line. 4) Will be able to offer the victim of police officer domestic violence services/assistance/counseling that is geared to her situation, and that is different than that of other victims of domestic violence. 5) Will be able to assist the victim in relocating, which victims of police officer domestic violence often must do. 6) Will act as an advocate for the victim during the criminal process and the department reprimand process of the abuser. 7) Will connect the victim of police officer domestic violence with other victims/survivors of police officer domestic violence, and end the isolation that is so prevalent with these victims, 8) Will offer a domestic violence shelter specifically for victims of police officer domestic violence.


Problem #12: lack of specific police officer domestic violence laws.
Enactment of laws to: 1) Address police officer domestic violence; 2) Accountability of police officer domestic violence; 3) Reporting of police officer domestic violence; 4} Handling of all incidents of police officer domestic violence by the Michigan Attorney General's Office; 5) Handling of ail department hearings for police officer domestic violence; 6) Address the safety and protection of victims of police officer domestic violence.

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

CURRENT MICHIGAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OIDV POLICIES

In the late 1990's, under Michigan domestic violence laws, each police department in the state was required to have a domestic violence response policy. However, while these policies mainly focused on non-officer involved domestic violence, they barely touched on OIDV.

In this actual copy of the Monroe County Michigan Sheriff Department's domestic violence policy, fourteen pages are devoted to non-officer involved domestic violence, while only a paragraph is devoted to procedure and response to OIDV.

From page 13 of the Monroe County Michigan Sheriff Department Model Law Enforcement Domestic Violence Policy:

"When the victim or the assailant is a criminal justice system employee or public official, the supervisor will investigate to ensure that the response is properly documented and that departmental policy has been followed. Whenever possible, the supervisor will respond to and take charge of the scene."


1] OIDV department policies are not written by the Michigan AG's Office, but by each individual police department= policies differ from one department to the other. 2] If a police department is not serious about addressing OIDV= their policies are gong to reflect this attitude. 3] Protections offered to victims through department OIDV policies are not uniform throughout the state. A victim in County A may be protected by tough/enforced OIDV department policies, while a victim in County B may receive very little protections under a loosely written OIDV policy that is not even enforced; 4] OIDV department policy are not enforceable. As the law is currently written, there is no agency within the state that monitors department OIDV, or insures that police departments enforce their own OIDV policies; 5] There are no reprocussions to police departments for not adhering to their own OIDV policies; 6] There is no state agency that a victim of OIDV can report non-compliance of a police department OIDV policy to; 7] Victims of OIDV very seldom receive copies of their abuser's department policy and often do not know that such a policy exists; 8] In this department's OIDV and many other OIDV department policies throughout the state, the officer's department does not refer/ direct cases of OIDV to another police department, to insure that a neutral law enforcement agency investigates their officer's OIDV allegatio; and 9] The policy fails to address any follow up by the department, with the victim of an OIDV assault.





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

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OIDV CASES AND NON-OFFICER RELATED DV COMPLAINTS

In a non-officer involved domestic violence case, the police: 1] Respond to the dv call / complaint; 2] Investigate the dv call / complaint for possible violations of Michigan's dv laws; 3] Arrest the abuser; 4] Write a report on the dv incident; and 5] File the dv complaint with the prosecutor for criminal charges, where the complaint now enters the criminal justice system.

From the point of the criminal complaint being filed with the prosecutor's office, what happens with the domestic violence case, is now completely out of the hands of the police department.

In cases of OIDV, the Chief of Police/Sheriff decides entirely on how the complaint will be handled...whether the OIDV victim's complaints will be taken seriously or not...whether or not an internal investigation will be conducted...and whether or not a criminal complaint will be filed with the proscutor's office. For a victim of OIDV, the criminal justice system is often beyond her grasp.

Only in cases of OIDV, is an employer allowed to investigate one of their own employees for a domestic violence crime. And only in OIDV, does a union have the authority to have an officer arrested/fired/convicted of OIDV placed back in uniform.

THE BEST ADVICE FOR VICTIMS OF OIDV: DO NOT REPORT INCIDENTS OF OIDV TO YOUR ABUSER'S DEPARTMENT. REPORT INCIDENTS OF OIDV TO THE STATE POLICE...OR TO THE MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, IF YOUR ABUSER IS A STATE TROOPER.



MICHIGAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE FLOW CHARTS [ From the Monroe City Police Department DV/Crime Victim Program and Monroe County Prosecutor's Office DV/Crime Victim Program, authored by Renee' Harrington]




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

INSIDE AN INTERNAL COMPLAINT FOR OIDV

As you listen to these tapes, compare the difference between how non-officer-involved dv is handled the criminal justice system...to how the case of OIDV is being mishandled in a police department internal investigation.

Any questions to the hoops a victim of OIDV must go through, to obtain justice?

Tape of OIDV Cover-Up (0-8 minutes of 42 minute tape/hearing)
Tape Of OIDV Cover-Up (8-16 minutes of 42 minute tape/hearing)
Tape Of OIDV Cover-Up (16-24 minutes of 42 minute tape/hearing)
Tape Of OIDV Cover-Up (24-32 minutes of 42 minute tape/hearing)
Tape of OIDV Cover-Up (32-40 minutes of 42 minute tape/hearing)
Tape Of OIDV Cover-Up (40-42 minutes of 42 minute tape/hearing)


TRANSCRIPTS OF OIDV DEPARTMENTAL HEARING:
Deputy Orval Parker, Monroe County SD pg 1-6
Deputy Orval Parker, Monroe County SD pg 7-12
Deputy Orval Parker, Monroe County SD pg 13-18

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

INTERNAL COMPLAINT OF OIDV & THE BULLARD-PLAWECKI ACT

In cases where an OIDV victim's complaints are handled as an internal complaint/department policy violation, instead of as a criminal complaint, the Bullard-Plawecki Employee Right To Know Act applies in not only keeping the investigation, department hearing, and reprimand confidential, but also in allowing the OIDV complaint to be deleted from the officer's employment file after four years.



Act 397 of 1978 Statute. BULLARD-PLAWECKI EMPLOYEE RIGHT TO KNOW ACT (423.501 - 423.512)

Section 423.501 Section. Short title; definitions.

Section 423.502 Section. Personnel record information excluded from personnel record; use in judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding.

Section 423.503 Section. Review of personnel record by employee.

Section 423.504 Section. Copy of information in personnel record; fee; mailing.

Section 423.505 Section. Disagreement with information contained in personnel record; agreement to remove or correct information; statement; legal action to have information expunged.

Section 423.506 Section. Divulging disciplinary report, letter of reprimand, or other disciplinary action; notice; exceptions.

Section 423.507 Section. Review of personnel record before releasing information; deletion of disciplinary reports, letters of reprimand, or other records; exception.

Section 423.508 Section. Gathering or keeping certain information prohibited; exceptions; information as part of personnel record.

Section 423.509 Section. Investigation of criminal activity by employer; separate file of information; notice to employee; destruction or notation of final disposition of file and copies; prohibited use of information.

Section 423.510 Section. Right of access to records not diminished.

Section 423.511 Section. Violation; action to compel compliance; jurisdiction; contempt; damages.

Section 423.512 Section. Effective date.


BULLARD-PLAWECKI EMPLOYEE RIGHT TO KNOW ACT

Act 397 of 1978

AN ACT to permit employees to review personnel records; to provide criteria for the review; to prescribe the information which may be contained in personnel records; and to provide penalties.

History: 1978, Act 397, Eff. Jan. 1, 1979 Popular Name: Right-to-Know
© 2007 Legislative Council, State of Michigan
The People of the State of Michigan enact:


423.501 Short title; definitions.
Sec. 1.

(1) This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Bullard-Plawecki employee right to know act”.

(2) As used in this act:
(a) “Employee” means a person currently employed or formerly employed by an employer.
(b) “Employer” means an individual, corporation, partnership, labor organization, unincorporated association, the state, or an agency or a political subdivision of the state, or any other legal, business, or commercial entity which has 4 or more employees and includes an agent of the employer.
(c) “Personnel record” means a record kept by the employer that identifies the employee, to the extent that the record is used or has been used, or may affect or be used relative to that employee's qualifications for employment, promotion, transfer, additional compensation, or disciplinary action. A personnel record shall include a record in the possession of a person, corporation, partnership, or other association who has a contractual agreement with the employer to keep or supply a personnel record as provided in this subdivision. A personnel record shall not include:
(i) Employee references supplied to an employer if the identity of the person making the reference would be disclosed.
(ii) Materials relating to the employer's staff planning with respect to more than 1 employee, including salary increases, management bonus plans, promotions, and job assignments.
(iii) Medical reports and records made or obtained by the employer if the records or reports are available to the employee from the doctor or medical facility involved.
(iv) Information of a personal nature about a person other than the employee if disclosure of the information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the other person's privacy.
(v) Information that is kept separately from other records and that relates to an investigation by the employer pursuant to section 9.
(vi) Records limited to grievance investigations which are kept separately and are not used for the purposes provided in this subdivision.
(vii) Records maintained by an educational institution which are directly related to a student and are considered to be education records under section 513(a) of title 5 of the family educational rights and privacy act of 1974, 20 U.S.C. 1232g.
(viii) Records kept by an executive, administrative, or professional employee that are kept in the sole possession of the maker of the record, and are not accessible or shared with other persons. However, a record concerning an occurrence or fact about an employee kept pursuant to this subparagraph may be entered into a personnel record if entered not more than 6 months after the date of the occurrence or the date the fact becomes known.


423.502 Personnel record information excluded from personnel record; use in judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding.
Sec. 2.
Personnel record information which was not included in the personnel record but should have been as required by this act shall not be used by an employer in a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding. However, personnel record information which, in the opinion of the judge in a judicial proceeding or in the opinion of the hearing officer in a quasi-judicial proceeding, was not intentionally excluded in the personnel record, may be used by the employer in the judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, if the employee agrees or if the employee has been given a reasonable time to review the information. Material which should have been included in the personnel record shall be used at the request of the employee.


423.503 Review of personnel record by employee.
Sec. 3.
An employer, upon written request which describes the personnel record, shall provide the employee with an opportunity to periodically review at reasonable intervals, generally not more than 2 times in a calendar year or as otherwise provided by law or a collective bargaining agreement, the employee's personnel record if the employer has a personnel record for that employee. The review shall take place at a location reasonably near the employee's place of employment and during normal office hours. If a review during normal office hours would require an employee to take time off from work with that employer, then the employer shall provide some other reasonable time for the review. The employer may allow the review to take place at another time or location that would be more convenient to the employee.


423.504 Copy of information in personnel record; fee; mailing.
Sec. 4.
After the review provided in section 3, an employee may obtain a copy of the information or part of the information contained in the employee's personnel record. An employer may charge a fee for providing a copy of information contained in the personnel record. The fee shall be limited to the actual incremental cost of duplicating the information. If an employee demonstrates that he or she is unable to review his or her personnel record at the employing unit, then the employer, upon that employee's written request, shall mail a copy of the requested record to the employee.


423.505 Disagreement with information contained in personnel record; agreement to remove or correct information; statement; legal action to have information expunged.
Sec. 5.
If there is a disagreement with information contained in a personnel record, removal or correction of that information may be mutually agreed upon by the employer and the employee. If an agreement is not reached, the employee may submit a written statement explaining the employee's position. The statement shall not exceed 5 sheets of 8-1/2-inch by 11-inch paper and shall be included when the information is divulged to a third party and as long as the original information is a part of the file. If either the employer or employee knowingly places in the personnel record information which is false, then the employer or employee, whichever is appropriate, shall have remedy through legal action to have that information expunged.


423.506 Divulging disciplinary report, letter of reprimand, or other disciplinary action; notice; exceptions.
Sec. 6.
(1) An employer or former employer shall not divulge a disciplinary report, letter of reprimand, or other disciplinary action to a third party, to a party who is not a part of the employer's organization, or to a party who is not a part of a labor organization representing the employee, without written notice as provided in this section.

(2) The written notice to the employee shall be by first-class mail to the employee's last known address, and shall be mailed on or before the day the information is divulged from the personnel record.

(3) This section shall not apply if any of the following occur:
(a) The employee has specifically waived written notice as part of a written, signed employment application with another employer.
(b) The disclosure is ordered in a legal action or arbitration to a party in that legal action or arbitration.
(c) Information is requested by a government agency as a result of a claim or complaint by an employee.


423.507 Review of personnel record before releasing information; deletion of disciplinary reports, letters of reprimand, or other records; exception.
Sec. 7.
An employer shall review a personnel record before releasing information to a third party and, except when the release is ordered in a legal action or arbitration to a party in that legal action or arbitration, delete disciplinary reports, letters of reprimand, or other records of disciplinary action which are more than 4 years old.


423.508 Gathering or keeping certain information prohibited; exceptions; information as part of personnel record.
Sec. 8.
(1) An employer shall not gather or keep a record of an employee's associations, political activities, publications, or communications of nonemployment activities, except if the information is submitted in writing by or authorized to be kept or gathered, in writing, by the employee to the employer. This prohibition on records shall not apply to the activities that occur on the employer's premises or during the employee's working hours with that employer that interfere with the performance of the employee's duties or duties of other employees.

(2) A record which is kept by the employer as permitted under this section shall be part of the personnel record.


423.509 Investigation of criminal activity by employer; separate file of information; notice to employee; destruction or notation of final disposition of file and copies; prohibited use of information.
Sec. 9.
(1) If an employer has reasonable cause to believe that an employee is engaged in criminal activity which may result in loss or damage to the employer's property or disruption of the employer's business operation, and the employer is engaged in an investigation, then the employer may keep a separate file of information relating to the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation or after 2 years, whichever comes first, the employee shall be notified that an investigation was or is being conducted of the suspected criminal activity described in this section. Upon completion of the investigation, if disciplinary action is not taken, the investigative file and all copies of the material in it shall be destroyed.

(2) If the employer is a criminal justice agency which is involved in the investigation of an alleged criminal activity or the violation of an agency rule by the employee, the employer shall maintain a separate confidential file of information relating to the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, if disciplinary action is not taken, the employee shall be notified that an investigation was conducted. If the investigation reveals that the allegations are unfounded, unsubstantiated, or disciplinary action is not taken, the separate file shall contain a notation of the final disposition of the investigation and information in the file shall not be used in any future consideration for promotion, transfer, additional compensation, or disciplinary action.


423.510 Right of access to records not diminished.
Sec. 10.
This act shall not be construed to diminish a right of access to records as provided in Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.231 to 15.246 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, or as otherwise provided by law.


423.511 Violation; action to compel compliance; jurisdiction; contempt; damages.
Sec. 11.
If an employer violates this act, an employee may commence an action in the circuit court to compel compliance with this act. The circuit court for the county in which the complainant resides, the circuit court for the county in which the complainant is employed, or the circuit court for the county in which the personnel record is maintained shall have jurisdiction to issue the order. Failure to comply with an order of the court may be punished as contempt. In addition, the court shall award an employee prevailing in an action pursuant to this act the following damages:
(a) For a violation of this act, actual damages plus costs.
(b) For a wilful and knowing violation of this act, $200.00 plus costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and actual damages.

423.512 Effective date.
Sec. 12.
This act shall take effect January 1, 1979.

History: 1978, Act 397, Eff. Jan. 1, 1979
Popular Name: Right-to-Know
© 2007 Legislative Council, State of Michigan
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 268 of 2008
© 2008 Legislative Council, State of Michigan
Courtesy of www.legislature.mi.gov

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

INTERNAL COMPLAINT OF OIDV & THE DISCLOSURES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACT

When an OIDV complaint is handled internally, the statements made by that abusing officer during the internal investigation/department hearing cannot be used against him in a criminal case, due to self incrimination, under the 'DISCLOSURES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT 563 OF 2006'.


Act 563 of 2006 Statute. DISCLOSURES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACT (15.391 - 15.395)

Section 15.391 Section. Definitions.

Section 15.393 Section. Use of involuntary statement by law enforcement officer in criminal proceeding; prohibition.

Section 15.395 Section. Confidential communication; exception.



DISCLOSURES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACT

Act 563 of 2006
AN ACT to restrict the use and disclosure of certain statements made by law enforcement officers.

History: 2006, Act 563, Imd. Eff. Dec. 29, 2006
© 2007 Legislative Council, State of Michigan

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

15.391 Definitions.
Sec. 1.
As used in this act:
(a) "Involuntary statement" means information provided by a law enforcement officer, if compelled under threat of dismissal from employment or any other employment sanction, by the law enforcement agency that employs the law enforcement officer.

(b) "Law enforcement agency" means the department of state police, the department of natural resources, or a law enforcement agency of a county, township, city, village, airport authority, community college, or university, that is responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and enforcement of the criminal laws of this state.

(c) "Law enforcement officer" means all of the following:
(i) A person who is trained and certified under the commission on law enforcement standards act, 1965 PA 203, MCL 28.601 to 28.616.
(ii) A local corrections officer as defined in section 2 of the local corrections officers training act, 2003 PA 125, MCL 791.532.
(iii) An emergency dispatch worker employed by a law enforcement agency.



15.393 Use of involuntary statement by law enforcement officer in criminal proceeding; prohibition.
Sec. 3.
An involuntary statement made by a law enforcement officer, and any information derived from that involuntary statement, shall not be used against the law enforcement officer in a criminal proceeding.


15.395 Confidential communication; exception.
Sec. 5.
An involuntary statement made by a law enforcement officer is a confidential communication that is not open to public inspection. The statement may be disclosed by the law enforcement agency only under 1 or more of the following circumstances:

(a) With the written consent of the law enforcement officer who made the statement.

(b) To a prosecuting attorney or the attorney general pursuant to a search warrant, subpoena, or court order, including an investigative subpoena issued under chapter VIIA of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 767a.1 to 767a.9. However, a prosecuting attorney or attorney general who obtains an involuntary statement under this subdivision shall not disclose the contents of the statement except to a law enforcement agency working with the prosecuting attorney or attorney general or as ordered by the court having jurisdiction over the criminal matter or, as constitutionally required, to the defendant in a criminal case.

(c) To officers of, or legal counsel for, the law enforcement agency or the collective bargaining representative of the law enforcement officer, or both, for use in an administrative or legal proceeding involving a law enforcement officer's employment status with the law enforcement agency or to defend the law enforcement agency or law enforcement officer in a criminal action. However, a person who receives an involuntary statement under this subdivision shall not disclose the statement for any reason not allowed under this subdivision, or make it available for public inspection, without the written consent of the law enforcement officer who made the statement.

(d) To legal counsel for an individual or employing agency for use in a civil action against the employing agency or the law enforcement officer. Until the close of discovery in that action, the court shall preserve by reasonable means the confidentiality of the involuntary statement, which may include granting protective orders in connection with discovery proceedings, holding in camera hearings, or ordering any person involved in the litigation not to disclose the involuntary statement without prior court approval.


Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 268 of 2008
© 2008 Legislative Council, State of Michigan
Courtesy of www.legislature.mi.gov


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

THANK YOU LAURA SPARS FOR GIVING VOICE TO VICTIMS OF OIDV

"Group aims to raise awareness of officer-involved domestic violence" [Holland Sentinel]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2008/08/group-aims-to-raise-awareness-of.html

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

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

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

REPRESENTATIVE KATHY ANGERER: MONROE COUNTY, MI/ 55TH HOUSE DISTRICT

WHAT DOES REPRESENTATIVE ANGERER HAVE AGAINST VICTIMS OF OFFICER INVOLVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Representative Angerer has got to be the most dangerous Michigan state legislator there is currently in office, to victims of OIDV. Angerer has done everything within her power to insure that OIDV legislation does not become a reality….


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