Friday, November 4, 2005

11022005 - Officer Ronald Dupuis- Tasered female partner while on duty - Hamtramck PD




OFFICER RONALD DUPUIS' [Former Ecorse Police Officer; Former Southgate Police Officer; Former Highland Park Police Officer; AND Former Hamtramck Police Officer; Current Highland Police Department]


SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR DUPUIS' HISTORY.







November 03, 2005: Hamtramck Police Officer Ronald Dupuis, accused of tasering his female partner, Officer Prema Graham.

Also See:

Southgate police officer Ronald Dupuis accused of stalking a woman while on duty. Before Dupuis could be fired, he quit the department. Criminal charges were not filed against Dupuis
[March 16, 1999]




















TASER OFFICER WINS ANOTHER ROUND AGAINST THE CITY OF HAMTRAMCK
Hamtramck Star
by Hillary
09/25/06 04:09:32 pm
http://hamtramckstar.com/index.php?s=Dupuis&sentence=AND&submit=Search

The city of Hamtramck (MI) has lost a third legal bout to fired police officer Ronald Dupuis. Dupuis was falsely accused of tasering his partner, Officer Prema Graham, in November 2005.

A Hamtramck jury quickly acquitted Dupuis of criminal assault charges.

Even though Dupuis was found not guilty of the charges, the city refused to reinstate him. The city through its attorneys, the Allen Brothers P.C., also contested Dupuis' Unemployment Compensation Claim.

That claim eventually lead to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. The judge ruled that Dupuis was entitled to unemployment benefits and that as a finding of fact that "The claimant performed a "function test" of his taser while he was in the passenger seat of the patrol car and did not tase his partner."

Dupuis was given a check for over $5,000 in unemployment compensation. The city filed for a rehearing, which was denied by the judge. Facing that defeat, the city then appealed to the Michigan Unemployment Security Board of Review.

Dupuis latest victory came, late last month, in the form of a decision from the Board of Review.

The Board affirmed the administrative law judge's ruling. In the ruling, the Board of Review chastised the city, represented by the Allen Brothers Law Firm, for making careless mistakes in their brief, including several instances of citing wrong pages of transcripts and also mischaracterizing the testimony of the witnesses.

The biggest rebuke the board made was when the city’s attorney attempted to quote Dupuis while citing certain pages, wherein no such quote appeared on those pages or even in the transcript in any place. (Pg. 2: Bd of Review Decision)

The city now has the option to appeal to the Wayne County Circuit Court. It appears the city is spending more tax dollars in legal and filing fees trying to fight the exonerated police officer, than they have paid out in the unemployment compensation claim itself.

Dupuis is still seeking reinstatement through arbitration. His union has been engaged in an arbitration hearing since July. While there have been two days of hearings, the next arbitration date is not scheduled until January 2007.

Dupuis who has maintained his innocence since the incident in question remains optimistic stating, "I'm glad a jury, a judge and now an appeals board was able to see the truth, I hope the arbitrator does too and I can finally get my job back. It's rough going over a year without a steady paycheck."

Dupuis remains appreciative of those who have supported him throughout the ordeal. He is especially appreciative of a fellow police officer, Dennis Whittie, who was fired by the same police chief for writing a "thank you" letter to residents.

Dupuis openly supported Whittie and appeared at a city council meeting to support Whittie in his quest for his job back. Dupuis' appearance at the council meeting took place just three weeks prior to Dupuis' termination.

Dupuis said of Whittie, "He understands the culture of the place and was willing to stick by me from the beginning, even when it seemed that everyone else presumed I was guilty. I just hope we'll both be reinstated soon."

Dupuis was represented by Attorney Paul Wright during the unemployment hearing.

BACKGROUND OF INCIDENT
Ronald Dupuis was accused of tasing his partner, Officer Prema Graham, in November 2005 while the two were riding in a patrol car. Dupuis was quickly fired by Chief James Doyle within days and later charged with assault and battery. The termination and charges came even before all the evidence was collected, including a read out from a taser computer chip that Doyle did not download until 30 days later.

The taser chip showed that the taser was fired one time for a period of one second, consistent with a function test according to Certified Taser Instructor and Hamtramck Police Officer John Aiello during his testimony at the trial.

Graham's version accused Dupuis of firing the taser at least two times and for longer durations into her thigh. She also alleged that Dupuis grabbed the steering wheel and she fought him off, yet the patrol car videotape was not introduced to the jury.

The Detective in charge of the case, Sgt. Vincent Bielecki testified that there was no evidence a crime was committed contained on the videotape in question. A Hamtramck jury took only 20 minutes to acquit Dupuis after the trial was held in March, in the 31st District Court in Hamtramck, MI.







Dupuis wins Unemployment dispute
Hamtramck Star
by Hillary,
06/16/06 10:13:19 am
http://www.hamtramckstar.com/dupuis_wins_unemployment_dispute/

Last month, an administrative law judge ruled that former Hamtramck Police Officer Ronald Dupuis did not tase his partner, in November 2005.

Administrative Law Judge Douglas G. Wahl specifically ruled as a finding of fact: “The claimant performed a “function test” of his taser while he was in the passenger seat of the patrol car and did not tase his partner.” (Ex. 1)

Dupuis was accused of tasing his partner, Officer Prema Graham, in November 2005 while the two were riding in a patrol car. Dupuis was quickly fired by Chief James Doyle within days and later charged with assault and battery.

The termination and charges came even before all the evidence was collected, including a read out from a taser computer chip that Doyle did not download until 30 days later. The taser chip showed that the taser was fired one time for a period of one second, consistent with a function test according to Certified Taser Instructor and Hamtramck Police Officer John Aiello during his testimony at the trial. (Ex. 2)

Graham’s version accused Dupuis of firing the taser at least two times and for longer durations into her thigh. She also alleged that Dupuis grabbed the steering wheel and she fought him off, yet the patrol car videotape was not introduced to the jury. The Detective in charge of the case, Sgt. Vincent Bielecki testified that there was no evidence a crime was committed contained on the videotape in question. (Ex. 3)

A Hamtramck jury took only 20 minutes to acquit Dupuis after the trial was held in March, in the 31st District Court in Hamtramck, MI.

This latest hearing was conducted pursuant to an Unemployment Claim dispute between Dupuis and the city of Hamtramck. In addition to the finding of fact exonerating Dupuis, again, Dupuis prevailed in that action and received a check for over $5,000 for lost unemployment compensation. The city filed for a re-hearing and was denied a re-hearing by the judge.

Strangely, the city only produced Chief James Doyle and Lt. Craig Serafino to testify. Noticeably absent from the hearing was Officer Graham herself, even though she was readily available and was on patrol on the day of the hearing. Lt. Serafino told the judge that he could not explain why Graham was not there. Chief Doyle told the judge that he did not get enough notice to have Graham present. However, the city received notice two weeks prior to the hearing, which is much more notice than most police officers get when they appear in criminal court.

This Unemployment hearing is now the second victory (after the acquittal) for Dupuis between he and the city of Hamtramck. An arbitration hearing is scheduled for July 2006 in which the Hamtramck Police Union is asking for reinstatement and backpay for Dupuis.Dupuis who has maintained his innocence since the incident stated after receiving the latest award, “I feel great. Not only has a jury found me not guilty of a crime that I did not commit, but now a judge has found specifically as a fact that I did not tase anyone on that day.”

“I hope the arbitrator is able to see what’s really happened as well,” Dupuis stated about the upcoming arbitration, “I really want to get back to work and put this unbelievable nightmare behind me.”








The Trial
Hamtramck Star
by Hillary
04/02/06 02:12:28 pm
http://hamtramckstar.com/index.php/2006/04/02/the_trial

On Friday, Steve and I attended the "Taser Trial" at City Hall. First, I must say the renovation of the 31st District Court is beautiful; a classic courtroom with wood accents and vintage furniture. The seats for the public were at one time pews in a Catholic church with kneelers and hymnals.

Family and friends of Dupuis packed into the pews on the right with a few college students attending for a class. We sat on the left with Graham's family and friends, and numerous visiting Hamtramck PD officers. A cameraman from FOX2 also sat in the back briefly.

The jury consisted of 4 men and 3 women. Three of the men were non-white, possibly Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian. Mr. Hammoud, the attorney sent by the prosecutor's office, is an ESL speaker, Arabic possibly being his first language. The investigating officer, Sgt. Bielecki, was seated next to the prosecutor. A Mr. Sullivan represented Dupuis.

Graham testified first. She has been employed by the HPD 8 years.

She said that on that day, she was driving, and Dupuis asked her to stop at a gas station for a drink. She drove to a gas station, but past the first entrance "messing with him". He grabbed the wheel for a second, and then stopped. She told him to "calm down", and he pulled out his taser, removed the cartridge, removed the safety, and "cranked it once".

She was intimidated by the crackling and said, "I know you're not going to tase me." Dupuis jabbed towards her twice with the taser off, and then jabbed her thigh and "cranked it again". She went straight to the station, made a report, and offered to show the marks to Lt. Mathias.

She did not seek medical attention.

On cross examination, Graham agreed that she wrote 2 reports about the incident, one immediately after, and another more detailed report later. That day, they stopped at a bank and a jewelry store immediately before. She admitted that Dupuis may have bought her a gift while vacationing in Hawaii, though she didn't remember receiving a call from him after she had been in an auto accident. Graham received training on tasers, but did not accept a shock herself as some officers did. She was positive the trigger was pulled twice, and was told by someone that the firing data matched. She tried to withdraw her complaint a couple hours after filing it, but her request was not honored.

Lt. Mathias, a 40-year veteran of the HPD, testified that Graham came into the station and made an excited utterance that she couldn't work with Dupuis anymore because he "dry stunned her". He said it was improper for Dupuis to pull the taser. He did not confiscate the taser, and had to retrieve it from another officer Dupuis passed it onto in order to preserve it as evidence.

Mathias said he sent Graham and Dupuis home. He did not look at Graham's thigh because he felt it would have been inappropriate.

On cross examination, Mathias was asked about Graham's testimony that she finished her shift, and he conceded that may have been true, and Dupuis also may have worked at a desk the rest of the night.
Dupuis was not arrested, a warrant was not requested, nor was his statement taken that night.

Mathias said he called an off-duty detective in "within the hour", but it was actually over 2 hours. Mathias was asked if police officers have a "different sense of humor", and if he had ever said something to the effect that he could "trump up charges". He agreed he had, but felt the quote was taken out of context.
Detective Crachiola, HPD officer 11 years, testified that she took the photos of Graham's thigh.

She is not trained as an evidence technician and no scale was shown. She described the marks as 2 circles, approximately an inch apart, less then 1/8th inch across. She had never seen a taser injury before, and agreed there were no lines between the marks or swelling.

Lt. Sarafino, HPD officer for 20 years, testified that he downloaded the data from the taser, and printed a report on November 30. The report showed the weapon was fired on November 3, at 15:24 hours, once for 1 second. Sarafino believed the report would show two entries if the weapon were fired twice. The defense attorney asked if information had been downloaded when Officer Nolan was tased, but it was ruled inadmissible.

Officer Aiello, HPD officer the last 11 years, trains Hamtramck officers on taser use and gave a demonstration (later seen on FOX2 news).

The attorney for the prosecution claimed to be afraid of the tasers, and gingerly moved them from his table to the witness stand.

Aiello testified that taking the cartridge out of a taser is like removing the magazine from a gun.

A drive stun only affects the local area. It is protocol to perform a function test at the beginning of each shift. Tasers fire for 5 seconds when the trigger is pulled. Turning the safety on during the 5 second period is the only way to stop it, which is common practice when performing a function test.

Sgt. Bielecki, HPD officer for 24 years, testified that he wrote the warrant request to the prosecutors office, and asked for the video and taser report in the course of his investigation.

When asked why he didn't get the report or video sooner, he said downloading was "not immediately urgent" and the video shows outside of the car and has no sound. He was assigned to this case by Chief Doyle. The investigation was not referred to Michigan State Police, nor were they consulted, which was also Doyle's decision. He was asked if he saw any problem with the discrepancies between his report and the report from the taser, he said he didn't.

The defense attorney said Bielecki led the prosecutor's office to believe the taser was fired twice when he didn't have the report yet, and asked if he felt he had a responsibility to present exculpatory evidence. Bielecki said he had sent a report to the prosecutor's office "by mistake". A warrant was issued on December 2.

The prosecution rested. The defense moved for a mistrial on the grounds that improper statements were made and hearsay introduced. His motion was denied.

The first witness for the defense was the president of Michigan Taser. He explained that a "drive stun" effects the localized area between the probes. If the trigger is pulled twice during the 5-second firing time, only one is recorded. Turning on the safety is the only way to cause a 1-second firing.

While cross examining this witness, the attorney for the prosecution was holding a taser very comfortably; so comfortable that he used his own leg to illustrate his questions. He also referred to the probes as "arrows", and continually talked about the probes until the defense objected on the grounds that they were irrelevant.

The expert said the printed report was correct assuming the software, computer, and taser were working properly, and other than printing a report, there is no way to tell when a taser had been fired. He recommends a function test before every shift. He still instructs courses, though not for Taser International, and was not paid for his appearance in court. He said injuries vary depending on the duration of contact, and can include swelling or blisters.

Ronald Dupuis testified that there are many practical jokers at the police department. That day, Graham was working a double shift. They stopped at a bank, and a jewelry store, and then he asked if she would stop at a gas station so he could buy something to drink. She told him he would have to wait until lunch. Lunch wouldn't be for another 4 hours, so he didn't believe her.

On the way there, she slowed down to tease him more. They were joking back and forth, when he realized his vest had opened his holster, and it reminded him to perform a function test. He tested the taser, and said something like, "I don't want to accidentally tase you when I collapse from dehydration." He pointed it at her a couple times while it was off.

She said, "You can get something to drink after I put some paper on this," and started to return to the station. He thought she was joking. Practical jokes are common at the police department, like hiding equipment in the freezer.

Dupuis said he did not intend to touch Graham with the taser and had no reason to because they were friends. He called to tell her about extra shifts, and bought her a gift while he was on vacation.

The prosecutor asked why Dupuis had said he accidentally tased Graham in a meeting with the prosecutor on November 15. Dupuis said he had started to doubt himself because he didn't think Graham would lie. He denied grabbing the steering wheel.

During closing arguments, the prosecution tried to portray Dupuis as an abuser who was blaming his victim, and claimed the records were faulty.

The defense said that tasers are designed to stop false accusations against police officers, and encouraged the jury to look at the physical evidence. He left them with the thought that if the marks on Graham's leg were from a taser, it was not the taser in evidence.

Within an hour of deliberation, the jury returned a not guilty verdict.
 
 

 
 
 
 
Taser case wasn't first problem for ex-officer
Checkered past casts doubt on the wisdom of his hiring
Detroit Free Press
January 19, 2006
BEN SCHMITT

Ronald Dupuis' troubled past.
Feb. 17, 1997: Written up for careless driving while working for the Ecorse Police Department.

Nov. 4, 1998: Reprimanded by the Southgate Police Department for a incident Oct. 8, 1998, in which he allegedly beat up a mentally disabled man at a gas station.

Dec. 24, 1998: Accused of falsifying overtime slips while working for Southgate.

March 16, 1999: Accused of stalking a woman and repeatedly pulling her over, also while working for Southgate.

March 30, 1999: Told by the Southgate Police Department that his one-year probationary period would not be honored and that he would be fired. He resigned three days later.

Nov. 7, 2000: Laid off by the Highland Park Public Safety department.

April 21, 2002: While working with the Hamtramck police, he is accused, with another officer, of assaulting a man during a traffic stop, which resulted in a lawsuit.

Nov. 3, 2005: Accused of discharging a Taser stun gun and striking his female partner, Prema Graham, in the leg with the weapon.

Nov. 5, 2005: Lawsuit settled for $20,000 stemming from traffic stop April 2, 2002.
Nov. 10, 2005: Fired from the Hamtramck Police Department.

Dec. 7, 2005: Charged with misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with the Taser incident.
Ronald Dupuis was written up for careless driving in 1997 when he worked for the Ecorse Police Department.

He was reprimanded for allegedly beating up a mentally disabled man at a gas station when he was a Southgate police officer in 1998.

And in 1999, he was accused of stalking a woman while on patrol in Southgate.

Yet the 32-year-old still had a job -- as a Hamtramck police officer -- on Nov. 3 when police say he wounded his partner with a Taser stun gun while on duty.

Dupuis, who is scheduled to appear in Wayne County Circuit Court on Jan. 31 on a misdemeanor assault charge involving the Taser incident, has been fired. But his history as a cop raises questions about why he was hired in Hamtramck in the first place.

Hamtramck police officials concede that their background investigation may not have been thorough enough. When Dupuis was hired in 2001, the state had taken control of the city's finances.

"We didn't have the funding to use detectives for thorough background checks," Hamtramck Police Chief James Doyle said Wednesday. "We did the best we could."

Dupuis has worked as a police officer in Inkster, Ecorse, Hudson, Southgate, Highland Park and Hamtramck. He also worked as a Wayne County sheriff's deputy.

Dupuis declined to comment on his prior troubles and the Taser case through his attorney James Sullivan, who said it's not uncommon for ambitious police officers to change jobs often.

Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel says his department doesn't take background checks lightly. Not only are would-be employees subjected to driving record and criminal background checks, but their neighbors and past employers also are interviewed."Everyone, I don't care who it is, goes through this," Hackel said Wednesday.

An examination by the Free Press of Dupuis' employment records with seven different law enforcement agencies in 10 years shows a checkered past.

Eleven months into Dupuis' tenure with the Southgate department, a panel of three officers wrote a report recommending he be terminated after his one-year probation.

The March 1999 note cited five problem areas: attention toward police work, acceptance of feedback, problem solving and decision-making, field performance and relationship with citizens.The panel pointed to a February 1999 incident when Dupuis went to lunch rather than assist other officers in an arrest.

According to the report, when confronted, Dupuis responded: "That's right," with no further explanation.The next night he was sent to a residence on a domestic violence call and never showed, the report said.

Attorney Ben Gonek sued Dupuis, his partner and the City of Hamtramck on behalf of a man who said he was beaten during a traffic stop in 2002, settling for $20,000 last year.Gonek said he checked Dupuis' background and was baffled that Hamtramck hired him."It's clear to me that any department that hired him after some of his previous incidents" was subjecting its taxpayers to liability, Gonek said. "It was clear from his demeanor when I deposed him that he had a real short fuse."

Doyle, who fired Dupuis after the Taser incident, declined to comment on the case because it's still pending.
In that case, Dupuis allegedly demanded that his partner, Prema Graham, who was driving the police car, stop for a soda. When she refused, Dupuis grabbed for the steering wheel before prodding her twice with the Taser as she warded him off with her free hand, police said.

He then recharged the Taser and drove it into her right thigh, police reports said. She was hospitalized with minor injuries and has since returned to work.

Most of his trouble came in Southgate. In 1998, a lieutenant accused him of overtime fraud. In 1999, a 26-year-old woman filed a complaint claiming he had been stalking her."I was afraid he was going to harm her," said the woman's mother, Vicki Bedo.

The Southgate memo written by the three officers mentioned the stalking claim, adding: "it has come to our attention that there are multiple claims of similar actions by Officer Dupuis."

While there are no set standards for background checks, Gonek wondered how Hamtramck Police didn't consider the incidents in Southgate."All they had to do was get his personnel files," he said.

Gonek said that after he checked Dupuis' background for his lawsuit, the Taser incident didn't surprise him at all."The guy just seemed like a walking time bomb to do something really stupid," he said. "Hamtramck had no business hiring him."













Officer charged with Tasering partner
The News Herald
By Lena Khzouz,
PUBLISHED: December 11, 2005

Former Southgate police Officer Ronald Dupuis, 32, was charged Wednesday with assault and battery for allegedly discharging a Taser at his partner last month in Hamtramck.

Dupuis was working for the Hamtramck Police Department at the time of the incident but has since been fired.

Dupuis allegedly used his Taser on his partner Nov. 3 while they were driving near Conant and Holbrook.

Maria Miller, spokeswoman for the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, did not confirm that it was the result of an argument, as has been reported in other news stories.

Miller said arrangements were supposed to have been made for his arraignment last week.

According to the 31st District Court in Hamtramck, Dupuis had not been arraigned yet as of Friday morning.

Representatives of the city of Southgate would not release the dates of his employment without a formal Freedom of Information Act request.

Several police departments Downriver use Tasers, which are conductive energy devices utilized as a use-of-force option for law enforcement, private security and the military, according to Taser International.

They are shaped like a gun and can immobilize a subject up to 35 feet away, depending on the skill of the handler, for several minutes.

When the city of Melvindale last week chose to request bids for Tasers for its Police Department, Ron Dehne, a local representative of Taser International, described how being struck with a Taser feels.

"To me, it feels like you hit your funny bone throughout your whole body," he said.










Michigan Cop Said to Taser Partner Over Soft Drink
Updated: December 8th, 2005 05:06 PM PDT
Detroit Free Press
http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?id=27335&siteSection=1

An argument between two police officers over whether they should stop for a soft drink ended with the male officer using a Taser stun gun on his female partner, authorities say.

A Taser delivers an electrical shock to immobilize its target.

Ronald Dupuis, 32, was charged Wednesday with assault, which carries up to 93 days in jail on conviction. His arraignment was not yet scheduled, Hamtramck police Chief James Doyle told the Detroit Free Press.
The chief fired Dupuis, a six-year employee, about a week after the Nov. 3 incident.

According to a police report, Dupuis and partner Prema Graham began arguing after Dupuis demanded she stop their car at a store so he could buy a soft drink. Graham instead drove back toward the police station.
The two then struggled over the steering wheel, and Dupuis used his department-issued Taser to hit Graham in the leg, the report said. She was not seriously hurt.

Hamtramck police union lawyer Eugene Bolanowski said he expected Dupuis to hire a private lawyer.

Bolanowski said he would represent Dupuis should the officer be involved in a grievance.

Dupuis has worked for police departments in Ecorse, Highland Park, Inkster and Southgate and as a Wayne County sheriff's deputy.








Mich. officer accused of using Taser on partner
Posted 12/8/2005 7:35 AM
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-12-08-taser-assault_x.htm

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (AP) — A police officer has been charged with using a Taser on his partner during an argument over whether they should stop for a soft drink.

Ronald Dupuis, 32, was charged Wednesday with assault and could face up to three months in jail if convicted. The six-year veteran was fired after the Nov. 3 incident.

Dupuis and partner Prema Graham began arguing after Dupuis demanded she stop their car at a store so he could buy a soft drink, according to a police report.

The two then struggled over the steering wheel, and Dupuis hit her leg with his department-issued Taser, the report said. She was not seriously hurt.

Hamtramck police union lawyer Eugene Bolanowski said he expected Dupuis to hire a private lawyer.

Hamtramck is a city of 23,000 surrounded by Detroit.











Police: Officer used Taser in fight over soda
6-year veteran charged with assaulting his partner in Michigan incident
Updated 6:17 a.m. CT, Thurs., Dec. 8, 2005
MSNBC News
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10378923/

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. - A police officer has been charged with using a Taser on his partner during an argument over whether they should stop for a soft drink.

Ronald Dupuis, 32, was charged Wednesday with assault and could face up to three months in jail if convicted. The six-year veteran was fired after the Nov. 3 incident.

Dupuis and partner Prema Graham began arguing after Dupuis demanded she stop their car at a store so he could buy a soft drink, according to a police report.

The two then struggled over the steering wheel, and Dupuis hit her leg with his department-issued Taser, the report said. She was not seriously hurt.

Hamtramck police union lawyer Eugene Bolanowski said he expected Dupuis to hire a private lawyer.
Hamtramck is a city of 23,000 surrounded by Detroit.










*************

Officer Ronald Dupuis' past law enforcement history:





Feb. 17, 1997: Officer Ronald Dupuis written up for careless driving while on duty. Ecorse Police Department.



Between 1997 and 1998: Officer Ronald Dupuis leaves the Ecorse PD and becomes an officer with the Southgate PD.



October 08, 1998: Officer Ronald Dupuis allegedly beat up a mentally disabled man. Southgate PD.



November 04, 1998: Officer Ronald Dupuis reprimanded by the Southgate Police Department for the October 8th beating incident.



Dec. 24, 1998: Officer Ronald Dupuis accused of falsifying overtime slips. Southgate PD.



March 16, 1999: Officer Ronald Dupuis accused of stalking a woman and repeatedly pulling her over while he was on duty. Southgate PD.



March 30, 1999: Officer Ronald Dupuis was informed that he would be fired from the Southgate PD [Stalking incident].



April 02, 1999: Officer Ronald Dupuis resigned from the Southgate PD, to avoid being fired for stalking incident.



Sometime after April 02, 1999: Officer Ronald Dupuis was hired by the Highland Police Department [after resigning from the Southgate PD, to avoid being fired for stalking incident].



Nov. 7, 2000: Officer Ronald Dupuis was laid off by the Highland Park Public Safety department.



Sometime after November 07, 2000: Officer Ronald Dupuis was hired by the Hamtramck PD, after being laid off by the Highland PD.



April 21, 2002: Officer Ronald Dupuis was accused of assaulting a man during a traffic stop. Hamtramck PD. Resulted in a lawsuit, which was settled for $20,000 on November 05, 2005. Dupuis was not fired from the Hamtramack PD. for this incident.



2004: Hamtramck police officer Dupuis was sued by a man who alleged Dupuis wrongfully arrested him and had him jailed for no reason. The man was released without being charged. His lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.



Nov. 3, 2005: Officer Ronald Dupuis was accused of discharging a Taser stun gun and striking his female partner, Officer Prema Graham, in the leg with the weapon. [Hamtramack PD]



Nov. 10, 2005: Officer Ronald Dupuis was fired from the Hamtramck Police Department for tasering Officer Prema Graham.



Sometime after November 10, 2005: Officer Ronald Dupuis won legal challenges related to the tasering incident Officer Prema Graham, and the Hamtramck PD's firing of him.



Sometime after November 10, 2005: Officer Ronald Dupuis returned to duty at the Highland Police Department [previously laid off from department in November 2000].



Dec. 7, 2005: Officer Ronald Dupuis charged with misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with the Taser incident.



April 01, 2006: Officer Ronald Dupuis found not guilty at trial of November 2005 taser incident against Officer Prema Graham



June 16, 2006: Officer Ronald Dupuis won an unemployment claim dispute against the City of Hamtramck for their firing of him after the November 2005 taser incident Officer Prema Graham. Chief of Police also refused to reinstate Dupuis.



2006: Officer Ronald Dupuis filed a lawsuit against the City of Hamtramck and Officer Prema Graham [November 2005 taser incident]



August 2006: City of Hamtramck lost appeal on Officer Ronald Dupuis' unemployment.



November 01, 2006: Officer Ronald Dupuis filed a lawsuit against the City of Hamtramck: Civil Rights / Employment. Police Chief refused to reinstate him. [November 2005 taser incident of Officer Graham].



January 2007: Officer Ronald Dupuis filed suit to be reinstated to Hamtramck PD, following his being terminated after November 2005 taser incident against Officer Prema Graham.



October 31, 2008: Officer Ronald Dupuis filed suit against City of Hamtramck.



2012: Officer Ronald Dupuis was accused of choking a woman who was in custody.



February 28, 2012: Officer Ronald Dupuis filed a suit against Highland Park: Civil Rights / Employment.



May 22, 2012: Officer Ronald Dupuis' gun "accidently" went off outside the department's cell block. Dupuis was shot in the leg. Sources at the Highland PD said there would be no disciplinary action taken against Dupuis.



September 19, 2013: Highland Park Officer Ronald Dupuis arrested uniformed / on duty Detroit Parking Enforcement Officer Rhianna Turner and her girlfriend Kera Hill, in front of Detroit PD. Dupuis transported them back to Highland PD and had the women jailed for four days - without charges. Turner lost her job due to the unlawful arrest and imprisonment.



January 12, 2015: An online video from Emma Craig surfaced, showing Officer Dupuis beating a handcuffed Andrew Jackson during an arrest. "Highland Park city attorney Todd Perkins said he's aware of Dupuis' checkered past, although he said he will "draw no conclusions" from it." In April 2015, Highland Park Police Chief Kevin Coney stated that Officer Dupuis was not facing discipline for the beating of Andrew Jackson.



January 14, 2015: Michigan State Police investigation of Officer Ronald Dupuis and other officers for the January beating of Andrew Jackson. Officer Dupuis was not suspended from duty during this criminal investigation.



February 09, 2015: Officer Ronald Dupuis was shot in the leg during a raid. Officer Dupuis was still on active duty despite an MSP investigation of the beating of Andrew Jackson during a January 2015 arrest.



February 13, 2015: Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy began criminal investigation of Officer Ronald Dupuis and other officers for the January 2015 beating of Andrew Jackson. Officer Dupuis was not suspended from duty during this criminal investigation.
"According to the office, it received a warrant request from the Michigan State Police, which investigated the arrest of Andrew Jackson Jr. on Jan. 12 by officers...One of the officers shown in the video making the arrest is Highland Park Sgt. Ron Dupuis..."



February 25, 2015: Lawsuit filed by Andrew Jackson against Officer Ronald Dupuis for January 2015 beating.



April 15, 2015: Lawsuit filed by Rhianna Turner and Kera Hill against Officer Ronald Dupuis for unlawful arrest and false imprisonment [September 2013]



April 20, 2015: Officer Dupuis cleared by Prosecutor Kym Worthy of criminal charges in the January 2015 beating of Andrew Jackson.
"Worthy did not defend some of the officers’ conduct.  She said some of Sgt. Dupuis’s behavior was improper and warrants possible punishment from his superiors. Still, Worthy said, charges aren’t warranted."



April 20, 2015: Highland Park Police Chief Kevin Coney announced that Officer Ronald Dupuis was not facing disciplinary action for the January beating of Andrew Jackson.

















Friday, October 7, 2005

10072005 - Chief Kenneth Norton - Sentenced - Colon PD


Also See:


Deputy Kenneth Norton dismissed from St. County Sheriff Department for CSC allegations [1994]


Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton - August 2004 CSC assault and charges



 In August 2004, Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton sexually assaulted an acquaintance while he was on duty. During the investigation of the victim's complaint, other  victims of Norton's  stepped forward...Including a victim from 1994.








It was discovered during the 2004 - 2005 investigation that before he was Chief of Police for Colon, Kenneth Norton was a deputy on the St. County Sheriff Department.  He was terminated from the sheriff department in  August 1994, after a victim filed a CSC complaint against him. Criminal charges were never filed against him AND on April 15, 1995, Kenneth Norton became Colon's Chief of Police.








Former police chief given probation
Saturday, October 8, 2005
Kalamazoo Gazette
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1128766907256390.xml&coll=7

CENTREVILLE -- Former Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton will escape a jail sentence but must serve three years' probation for fondling a woman while he was on duty.

A Calhoun County special prosecutor credited the willingness of "several other women" to testify about their own alleged, past sexual abuse by Norton at his sentencing Friday on the fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge.

Norton, who pleaded guilty to fondling a 33-year-old Colon woman in her residence while he was in uniform and on duty in August 2004, was sentenced to three years' probation, avoiding serving 90 days in jail as long as he complies with the terms of his probation.

The sentence means Norton, who resigned as Colon police chief Aug. 13 following the charges, will lose his law enforcement certification and must register his whereabouts on the Michigan State Police Sexual Offender Registry. He also was ordered to pay fines and costs totaling $2,217.

Calhoun County Assistant Prosecutor Deirdre A. Ford, acting as special prosecutor, confirmed Friday that several other women contacted investigators about Norton after the Colon woman's case became public. She declined to give an exact number but said other alleged victims claimed to have had "similar experiences."

In an interview with the Kalamazoo Gazette, the victim said Ford told her that the case against Norton became stronger when additional women agreed to testify if the matter went to trial.

Shortly after the additional women came forward, Ford added two other, more serious charges to the woman's complaint that were later dropped in exchange for Norton's guilty plea.

Ford said she agreed to drop second-degree criminal-sexual conduct and felony firearms charges in exchange for Norton's plea to fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct to save the victim from having to testify at trial.

It is the Kalamazoo Gazette's policy not to reveal the names of sexual-assault victims unless they agree to be identified. The woman declined, saying she has not disclosed what happened even to some family members.

"I'm satisfied with the sentence for this particular offense," Ford said after the proceeding. "But it's not a sentence for prior incidents."

Defense attorney J. Richard Colbeck, of Coldwater said the former police chief had begun counseling and was "well on the way to recovery."

But Ford cautioned that Norton should be under close scrutiny during his probation.

"This individual needs very, very close monitoring during the course of his probation so as not to have a repeat of this again," Ford told St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman.

The Colon woman who filed the charges and another woman who made similar allegations against Norton in 1994 were both in the courtroom Friday for the sentencing.

Norton declined an opportunity to speak prior to sentencing. He responded quietly to several questions directed to him during the proceeding and left the courtroom immediately afterward without comment. Colbeck also declined comment.

Friday's sentencing means Norton must forfeit his permit to carry a concealed weapon and relinquish any firearms, including hunting rifles that Colbeck had sought unsuccessfully to allow Norton to retain. Ford said other offenders generally get no exception that allows them to hunt and argued that Norton should be treated no differently.

Norton resigned from his $60,000-a-year police chief's post Aug. 13 after the charges were filed. Prior to his 10 years as Colon's chief he was a St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department deputy for 18 years.

County records show he was suspended in July 1994, and then dismissed from the sheriff's department in August 1994, following a sexual-misconduct allegation. But a Kalamazoo County special prosecutor reviewed that case and did not issue criminal charges.

In November 1995, St. Joseph County paid Norton $5,000 to settle the grievance he had filed to get his job back and allowed him to resign.

Norton was hired as Colon's chief April 15, 1995.

In defense comments before sentencing Friday, Colbeck said publicity surrounding Norton's charges had become "a media event and beyond" and suggested that he could easily have presented "well over 100 witnesses to talk about the good (Norton) has done."

Colbeck called the incident "unfortunate, illegal and improper" and said Norton has voluntarily begun counseling and "deeply regrets" the offense.

"My client is well on the way to recovery and he offers his apologies to the victim," Colbeck said.

Ford called Norton's admission that he moved the woman's shirt to expose part of her breast and then reached inside her shirt to fondle her "particularly egregious," because he was on duty as a police officer and Colon's police chief at the time of the incident.

                     












Ex-police chief avoids jail time
Due to a plea agreement, the former Colon law enforcer will lose his certification.
By KATHY JESSUP
South Bend Tribune
September 05, 2005
http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2005/09/05/local.20050905-sbt-MICHBEx_police_chief_avoi.sto

CENTREVILLE -- Former Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton will lose his law enforcement certification and will be listed on Michigan's sex offender registry, but he's expected to stay out of jail for his guilty plea last week to one charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Calhoun County assistant prosecutor Deirdre A. Ford, acting as special prosecutor in the case, agreed to drop two additional felony charges in exchange for Norton's plea and his participation in a sexual offender treatment program.

Norton, 60, of Colon, was originally charged July 6 with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for an Aug. 14, 2004 incident when a Colon woman alleged that Norton exposed part of her breast and then fondled her without her consent. Police reports indicated Norton, then Colon's top law enforcement officer, was in uniform when he came to the woman's home during his work shift.

Ford subsequently amended the complaint to add charges of second-degree CSC in which a weapon was used and a felony firearms violation, both charges that could have brought mandatory jail time.

A Michigan State Police affidavit said Norton initially admitted to investigators that he had exposed part of the woman's breast, but he denied touching her. However, last week Norton told St. Joseph Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman that he did touch the woman's breast without her permission during a visit to her residence.

Judge Stutesman set Norton's sentencing for Oct. 7 and agreed to continue his personal recognizance bond.

The fourth-degree CSC charge carries a maximum punishment of up to two years in jail and/or a $500 fine, plus mandatory testing for HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases. It also will require Norton to register his whereabouts on Michigan's Sex Offender Registry.

Defense attorney J. Richard Colbeck, of Coldwater, Mich., told the court Norton already has begun a sex offenders treatment program also required in the plea arrangement negotiated with Ford. Terms of that plea agreement are expected to keep Norton from serving any jail time if he satisfies all other conditions of the deal.

Eliminating the two felony charges will not save the long-time police officer's law enforcement certification, however. Larry Jones, an investigator in the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards compliance section, said sentencing for any crime that has a penalty of one year or more of jail time forces the permanent revocation of a police officer's certification. Fourth-degree CSC has a maximum jail penalty of two years.

Norton was reported on an extended, planned vacation and made no public comments when the charge was announced in early July. The Colon Village Council took no immediate action to change the longtime chief's employment status. But trustees subsequently met behind closed doors before publicly announcing the chief's resignation in late August.

Norton responded to court questions during last week's brief plea hearing in a quiet, hesitant tone and had no comment when leaving the courtroom. A St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department deputy assigned to courthouse security hugged Norton and offered him words of encouragement before returning to her post.

Ford acknowledged that Norton has strong support in the community and among law enforcement officials.

                   



Facing sex charges, police chief quits
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Kalamazoo Gazette
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1124292047303350.xml&coll=7

Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton resigned Tuesday, six weeks after he was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving the inappropriate touching of a woman.

Additional charges of felony firearm and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in which a weapon was used also recently were filed against Norton in the case.

Colon village officials accepted Norton's written letter of resignation at a special meeting Tuesday night, Village Council President Anthony Wolowicz said.

Wolowicz said council members were told of Norton's resignation request during a closed session. The council reconvened in public and Wolowicz announced the chief's resignation, he said.

Norton, 60, had been on vacation since early July when the fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge against him became public. A police affidavit said Norton, a Colon resident, was in uniform when he came to a 33-year-old woman's apartment, made comments about her breast, pulled on her shirt to expose part of her breast, then put his hand down her shirt and fondled her.

The affidavit says Norton admitted to moving the woman's shirt to expose part of her breast, stating that he thought the woman was willing to allow that. He denied he fondled her.

The woman made a complaint with authorities shortly after the Aug. 14, 2004, incident, according to Michigan State Police investigators. A special prosecutor from Calhoun County was assigned to the case.

Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison, second-degree criminal sexual conduct is a 15-year felony and felony firearm carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.

Wolowicz said village officials will discuss filling Norton's position at its next regular meeting Sept. 13.

                       









More charges for chief
Additional allegations made; Norton pleads not-guilty
Sturgis Journal, MI
Aug 5, 2005
By Kathy Jessup Journal correspondent
http://www.sturgisjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=65&ArticleID=19158&TM=37157.95

CENTREVILLE — Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton entered a not-guilty plea this week in a case of criminal sexual conduct allegations.

Norton is charged for accusations that he fondled a Colon woman’s breast in August 2004 while he was on duty.

But a Calhoun County prosecutor has added two more charges. If Norton were convicted of those charges, it could result in mandatory jail time and a loss of his police certification.

Meanwhile, a Michigan State Police investigator said Thursday “other people” have come forward with claims that they experienced similar sexual abuse by Norton.

“We have some old instances that are similar, but at this point nothing is chargeable,” said Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Michael Spring of the Paw Paw Post. “The other residents said they have had contact with him, but they’re too long ago to pursue. They would testify if this comes to trial.”

Spring declined to elaborate on the identity of others who made claims or what they have told police.

According to Anthony Wolowicz, Colon village president, and J. Richard Colbeck, Norton’s Coldwater attorney, Norton has been “on vacation” since early July, when the charges first became public.

Norton has been unable to be reached for comment. Colon village attorney David C. Tomlinson has continued to say the situation is under study and that the Colon Village Council currently has no meeting scheduled to consider any change in Norton’s employment status.

Calhoun County assistant prosecutor Deirdre Ford was named special prosecutor in the case after St. Joseph County prosecutors disqualified themselves, citing previous law enforcement relationship with the defendant. Ford initially charged Norton with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which includes inappropriate touching with force or coercion.

A St. Joseph County Circuit Court official said the charges were recently amended to add a more serious count of criminal sexual conduct, second-degree, in which a weapon was used, along with a felony firearm charge.

A police affidavit indicated Norton, a Colon resident, was in uniform when he came to a33-year-old woman’s apartment. According to the affidavit, he allegedly made comments about her breast, pulled on her shirt to expose part of her breast, then put his hand down her shirt and fondled her.

The police affidavit says Norton admitted to moving the woman’s shirt to expose part of her breast, stating that he thought the woman was “willing” to allow that. He denied having fondled her.

The report does not indicate a firearm was drawn or threatened. The woman told police “she did not know what to do because Norton was working and in full uniform.”

Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of up to two years. Second-degree CSC is a 15-year felony, and a felony firearm charge carries a mandatory two-year minimum incarceration, Spring said.

According to Spring, the alleged victim made a complaint shortly after the August 14, 2004, incident. But he said charges did not come until 11 months later due to a “long delay in getting a special prosecutor.”

Norton has been free on a $2,500 bond and ordered to have no contact with the complainant.

Calhoun County Prosecutor John Hallacy declined to comment Thursday about whether the additional charges were brought to pressure Norton to plead guilty to the original, lesser charge.

“We added those charges based on the facts and the circumstances of the case,” Hallacy said.

Colbeck said Thursday he does “not see this going to trial.”

Norton, a former St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputy, has been Colon’s police chief for more than a decade.