Kitchen was suspended for two weeks without pay and demoted from sergeant to patrol officer for violating department policy, said Smith. Charges were not filed because neither party wanted to prosecute. ["Third Heights cop faces felony charges". The Muskegon Chronicle. January 17, 2003.]
Police probe under way in stabbing of officer
Muskegon Chronicle, The (MI)
January 3, 2002
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Circumstances surrounding the stabbing early Tuesday of a Muskegon Heights police sergeant at a home on Jefferson Street are being investigated.
The officer, 36-year-old Roger Kitchen, was reported in serious condition this morning at Hackley Hospital. He suffered a stab wound to the chest area and had previously been listed in critical condition.
Police Chief George Smith Jr. said Kitchen was on duty at the time of the stabbing but had not been dispatched to a call at the home where it occurred.
Officers were called to 2520 Jefferson at 1:55 a.m. Tuesday to aid Kitchen, “who had asked for medical assistance because he had been stabbed,” Smith said. “He had a stab wound to the chest area.”
Kitchen was not wearing a protective vest at the time, but department policy leaves the decision about whether to use a vest up to individual officers.
Both criminal and internal investigations into the incident are continuing, the chief said.
“At this time, no charges have been filed against anyone,” he said.
A woman who allegedly inflicted the stab wound was detained and questioned by police but was released pending further investigation.
“The results of our investigation will be turned over to the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office for their review and for them to determine if an investigation by an outside agency is needed,” Smith said.
Smith said he hoped to have the investigations completed within the next couple of days.
State police to investigate stabbing of on-duty officer
Muskegon Chronicle, The (MI)
January 10, 2002
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The New Year’s Day morning stabbing of a Muskegon Heights police command officer by a woman he knew has been turned over to the Michigan State Police for further investigation.
The results of a Muskegon Heights police investigation into the stabbing of Sgt. Roger Kitchen, 36, were forwarded to the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office late Friday afternoon.
The prosecutor’s office concurred with the police department in asking an outside police agency to investigate further.
Kitchen has since been released from the hospital.
He had initially been listed in critical condition with a stab wound to the chest following the 1:55 a.m. incident at 2520 Jefferson.
Kitchen was on duty when the incident occurred but had not been dispatched to 2520 Jefferson on a call, Muskegon Heights Police Chief George Smith Jr. said earlier.
A woman, identified in police reports as Kesia Malone, 21, was questioned in connection with the stabbing and later released.
“From the reports, it appears there was physical contact by Kitchen with Malone before he was stabbed,” said Brett Gardner, Muskegon County’s chief assistant prosecutor.
Gardner said there appeared to have been a previous relationship between Kitchen and Malone.
However, Muskegon Heights investigators have indicated that “neither party wishes to cooperate with any prosecution,” Gardner said.
Muskegon Heights police determined further investigation was necessary and that “a referral to our office was appropriate, with a request that an outside police agency conduct a further investigation.” Gardner said.
Smith declined this morning to comment on Kitchen’s status with the department.
Neither Muskegon Heights police nor the prosecutor’s office would release the police report about the incident to the Chronicle, but Gardner provided some information.
The night of the stabbing, Kitchen first encountered Malone at 2217 Jefferson, the home of Jamaicio Lockhart, according to Gardner.
“There appears to have been an argument between the two that started at 2217 Jefferson and continued at 2520 Jefferson,” he said.
“They were arguing about the relationship.”
The 2520 Jefferson Street address is that of a relative of Malone’s, he said.
“There were other people in the house who may have been witnesses, and that is being followed up on,” Gardner said.
Stabbed officer suspended, demoted
Muskegon Chronicle, The (MI)
January 12, 2002
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A Muskegon Heights police command officer who was stabbed New Year’s Day morning while on duty has been suspended and demoted.
Police Chief George Smith Jr. said Friday that Roger Kitchen has been suspended for two weeks without pay and demoted from sergeant to patrol officer for violating department policy. The action came following an internal investigation.
What occurred between Kitchen and the woman involved in the stabbing, 21-year-old Kesia Malone, remains under criminal investigation by the Michigan State Police.
Muskegon Heights police provided reports of the incident to the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office, which turned the case over to State Police for investigation.
Kitchen, who was on duty when injured, violated department policy when first questioned about the incident, Smith said. Police officers “are required to be truthful in a situation like that,” Smith said, “and he was less than truthful in the initial stages of the investigation.”
Prosecutors said earlier that it appeared there had been “physical contact” by Kitchen with Malone before he was stabbed and that neither person wished to cooperate in any prosecution.
Third Heights cop faces felony charges
Muskegon Chronicle, The (MI)
January 17, 2003
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A Muskegon Heights police sergeant was charged with attempted rape of a preteen girl and writing bad checks Thursday, the third Muskegon Heights police officer charged with felony crimes in 30 days.
Sgt. Phillip E. Coleman, a veteran officer, was arraigned before 60th District Judge Andrew Wierengo III on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony carrying a life sentence upon conviction, and writing three nonsufficient funds checks during a 10-day period, also a felony.
“We are working with the chief of Muskegon Heights to send a strong message that this type of behavior is unacceptable,” said Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague.
“It’s unfortunate that the arrests in the last 30 days have tarnished the image of the Muskegon Heights Police Department, when in fact most officers are honest and hard-working,” the prosecutor said.
Coleman, 41, of 3220 Mona, was freed on bail shortly after his arraignment.
Muskegon Heights Police Chief George Smith Jr. could not be reached for comment this morning, but Lt. Lynne Gill said Coleman has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the case.
The alleged sex offense occurred in December 2001, but the allegation did not come to the attention of law enforcement officials until last September, Tague said.
At that time, Smith and the prosecutor’s office asked for an outside agency to investigate the complaint.
“There was an extensive investigation by the Michigan State Police, who found the victim’s testimony credible,” Tague said, “and there were other corroborating circumstances.” He did not provide details.
It is alleged that Coleman attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with the child while she was a guest in his home and that he was not successful in his attempt, Tague said.
Some of Coleman’s family members were present for the arraignment as well as a fellow police officer.
Frederick Williams, 32, said Coleman has been a friend for about 20 years.
“He’s a wonderful guy,” Williams said. “I had a bad juvenile record. Phil was more like a father, a best friend. He helped me overcome a lot of obstacles.”
Bobby Ellis, 25, said Coleman, who is his brother, “taught me right from wrong.”
Family members said the girl in the complaint is a friend of one of Coleman’s stepdaughters and that the girl’s mother frequently left her unsupervised. Ellis said Coleman tried to help the girl as he did many children.
“Every time she got sick, injured or suspended from school, she came to our house,” said Danyell Sherrill, 18, one of Coleman’s stepdaughters. “My mom even went to her school conferences.”
Sherrill said she has no problem leaving her 2-year-old daughter with Coleman. “I feel that no one should think he is a bad person who would do something like this to a child. If anyone thinks that, they ought to be ashamed. Everybody knows Phil is way better than that,” she said.
“He’s looking forward to vindicating himself,” said Al Swanson, Coleman’s attorney. He said he couldn’t comment further because he had yet to see the police reports of the cases.
The bad check charge involves three checks totaling $1,600, all of them presented and cashed at a local Plumb’s grocery store in November. A state police report shows Coleman’s account was overdrawn.
Coleman is the owner of “Secure One,” a business he started in 2000, and the checks were written on that account. The report said Coleman told an investigator “he got in over his head and couldn’t catch up.”
The first Muskegon Heights officer to be charged with a crime was 26-year-old Neil Siebert, a road patrol officer. He was charged Dec. 17 in connection with a “road rage” incident that was reported on I-96 in Fruitport Township.
Siebert faces a felony charge of assault with a dangerous weapon, along with two misdemeanor offenses, assault and battery and reckless driving. Last week, Siebert also was charged with assault and reckless driving in another alleged road rage incident that occurred last August in Kent County.
On Dec. 31, Sgt. George Hubbard, 52, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and malicious destruction of personal property. The 20-year veteran is accused of chasing and twice ramming a woman friend’s vehicle on Dec. 29. He also has been suspended from his job without pay until his case is decided.
Preliminary examinations in the Siebert and Hubbard cases have been adjourned until the court hears motions later this month from Swanson, who represents both men. Swanson contends the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office should be disqualified because the officers are witnesses in upcoming court cases and may have to deal with pending charges during those proceedings, creating a conflict of interest.
In 1997, Coleman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery for striking a man he saw kissing his wife. The officer, who was on duty at the time of the assault, wound up being fined $200. Coleman had reported the incident to his supervising officer immediately after it happened.
Another Muskegon Heights police command officer, Roger Kitchen, was suspended and demoted last year after he was stabbed during a domestic dispute while on duty.
Kitchen was suspended for two weeks without pay and demoted from sergeant to patrol officer for violating department policy, said Smith. Charges were not filed because neither party wanted to prosecute.
Thursday afternoon, Coleman posted 10 percent of a $5,000 bond in the criminal sexual conduct case and was directed by the court to have no contact with the girl or any minor child under the age of 16. A $2,000 personal recognizance bond was posted in the check case. Preliminary examinations were scheduled for Jan. 30.
Despite officers’ arrests, leaders support chief John S. Hausman
Muskegon Chronicle, The (MI)
January 18, 2003
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Key Muskegon Heights city officials firmly support Police Chief George Smith, despite what the mayor calls a “disturbing” number of felony charges against city police officers.
Three, including two command officers, have been charged with felonies in the last 30 days.
And Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague says he is working with the chief to correct “problems within the department,” while urging city officials to take a hard look at the situation.
Smith and other command officers could not be reached for comment Friday.
Sgt. Phillip E. Coleman, 41, became the most recent officer to be arraigned when he was charged Thursday with criminal sexual conduct and writing non-sufficient funds checks.
On Dec. 31, Sgt. George Hubbard, 52, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon for ramming a woman friend’s car.
On Dec. 17, road patrol officer Neil Siebert, 26, was charged with felony assault in connection with a “road rage” incident.
And several other Muskegon Heights officers and one former command officer have been investigated or prosecuted in a variety of incidents in recent years.
It would take a vote by the city council to have Smith fired, city officials said. But that’s not likely anytime soon, because city leaders are not blaming Smith.
“These are not work-related incidents,” said City Manager Melvin C. Burns II. “These are aberrations. The city’s other employees do their jobs without incident.”
“I don’t think it’s the chief’s fault that those people don’t know how to act when they’re off duty,” said Mayor Pro Tem Willie Burrel.
Burrel said that even though police officers are technically always on duty, the chief cannot be held responsible for the actions of officers not directly under his command.
However, Burns said, “nobody is saying the police department or the city council supports these officers’ actions.”
Mayor Rillastine Wilkins stressed that none of the three officers in the latest incidents has been convicted. But she called the number of allegations “disturbing.”
“They not only reflect badly on the chief, it reflects badly on the city,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins says she expects the chief to give the city council a full report on the recent incidents.
All three officers have been suspended without pay and those suspensions are forcing more overtime duty on the city’s already short-handed force.
City leaders have been struggling with a $1 million budget deficit.
“These suspensions will all put the city in a precarious position,” said Burrel. “We’ll have to have overtime for other folks while these officers are off. It’s not a good situation for us at all.”
Burrel said the city needs to adopt a code of ethics for all its employees.
Tague urged city officials to examine and improve conditions in the police department and repeated that he is working with Smith to make sure the situation improves.
“I can assure the citizens of Muskegon Heights that something is going to be done,” Tague said. “Whatever the problem is, it’s going to get solved, because we as a community can no longer tolerate this type of conduct in a police department.
“I’ve spoken to the chief about problems within the department and have received a commitment that we’ll be working together to ensure that penalties are paid for misconduct and that policies are put in place to prevent any future occurrences,” the prosecutor said.
“At this point I think the city has to take a hard look as to why these incidents occurred, and how they can address issues which led up to persons employed as police officers committing criminal acts,” Tague said.
“Certainly all law enforcement in the county is concerned when there are repeated arrests in a law-enforcement agency,” Tague said. “I’m extremely concerned with these cases because unfortunately it tarnishes the reputation of all the honest, hard-working police officers in our county.”
FAXBOX:
- Sgt. Phillip E. Coleman — charged Thursday with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and writing three nonsufficient funds checks within 10 days.
- Sgt. George Hubbard — charged Dec. 31 with assault with a dangerous weapon and malicious destruction of personal property. Accused of chasing and ramming a woman friend’s vehicle.
- Officer Neil Siebert — charged Dec. 17 with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery and reckless driving in an alleged “road rage” incident. Charged last week in Kent County with assault and reckless driving in another alleged road rage incident.
- Officer Roger Kitchen — suspended and demoted from sergeant last year after he was stabbed during a domestic dispute while on duty. Charges were not filed because neither party wanted to prosecute.
- Officer David Anderson — found innocent by a jury in January 2002 of a job-related assault and battery. The misdemeanor accusation stemmed from a November 2000 incident in which Anderson was accused of punching a handcuffed, seated suspect in the face without provocation.
- Former Detective Mel Jason Jordan — the department’s former second-ranking officer was suspended in 1998 after being arrested on a sex charge, stemming from an alleged on-the-job incident with a female police trainee. A jury later acquitted him. Jordan did plead guilty in 1999 to furnishing alcohol to a minor in the same incident and never worked as a police officer again.
Earlier in the 1990s, Jordan was twice prosecuted unsuccessfully for alleged crimes committed while on duty. Extortion and embezzlement charges relating to alleged police corruption in 1997 and 1998 were dismissed last March in exchange for Jordan’s guilty plea to a variety of drug-delivery and fleeing-police offenses committed in early 2000, after he left the force. A jury last March also convicted Jordan of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for a September 2001 incident with a 15-year-old girl. Jordan is now serving a prison sentence of 91⁄2 to 39 years for the drug and sex convictions.
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