01262004 - Officer Curtis Sanford - Detroit PD

On January 26, 2004,  Detroit Police Officer Curtis Sanford beat his daughter with his belt. Officer Sanford struck his daughter between 25 - 30 times with the belt.

Officer Curtis Sanford was arrested and charged with felonious assault.





BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of the Regular Board of Police Commissioners Meeting
Thursday, January 29, 2004
The regular meeting of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners was held on
Thursday, January 29, 2004, at 3:00 p.m., at Police Headquarters, 1300 Beaubien, Rm. 328-A, Detroit, MI 48226.

4. SECRETARY’S REPORT – EXEC. DIR. GOSSOn Thursday, January 29, 2004, Police Officer Curtis Sanford, badge
5073, assigned to the Police Athletic League was suspended without pay by
Chief Ella M. Bully-Cummings.

On January 29, 2004, the Professional Accountability Bureau, Internal Affairs Section, was notified of an allegation of misconduct on the part of Police Officer Curtis Sanford, badge 5073, assigned to the Police Athletic League.

More specifically, the complaint alleged that that Officer Sanford did use unjustified physical force against his eighteen (18) year old daughter (hereinafter complainant). As a result, an Internal Affairs investigation was initiated.

The investigation revealed the following:
That on January 26, 2004, Officer Sanford struck the complainant twenty-five (25) to thirty (30) times on the buttocks area with a belt as a means of reprimanding her for continuing a relationship with a young man that he disapproved. The complainant sustained injuries to the buttocks area, which makes it difficult for her to sit down, use the bathroom, and/or wear pants.

On January 28, 2004, the complainant was attending class at Wayne State University located in the city of Detroit, when Officer Sanford appeared in the classroom causing a disruption. The professor contacted Wayne State Police wherein the complainant advised the police that she was afraid of her father.

Thereupon, Officer Sanford was taken into custody and remains in the Thirteenth Precinct holding facility pending arraignment.

On January 29, 2004, felony warrant #04-56059 was issued against Officer Sanford charging him with Felonious Assault contrary to MCL 750.82. Felonious Assault is punishable as a felony with four years in prison and/or a fine of two thousand dollars ($2,000.00). Officer Sanford is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Thirty-Sixth District Court on today's date in the late afternoon.

Based on the above circumstances, it is recommended that Officer Sanford be charged with, but not limited to, the following violation of the Detroit Police Department Rules and Regulations:
Minutes of the Regular BPC Meeting
Tuesday, January 29, 2004
Page 9
CHARGE: CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN OFFICER; CONTRARY TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS, THIS BEING IN VIOLATION OF DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS SECTION 102.3-5.7, (3).Unless contravened by this Commission, the above suspension without pay will stand.There were no contraventions to the above suspension.