Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - An internal police board recommended three black Montgomery police officers be dismissed as part of an investigation into corruption on the force, in which eight white co-workers already resigned.
The three officers faced disciplinary hearings Wednesday for failing to stop or report incidents where other officers reportedly beat suspects and threw rocks at a suspected crack house.
Officers Gerald L. Davis, Maurice L. Copeland and Michael Provo only witnessed the incidents and weren’t directly involved, their attorneys told the Montgomery Advertiser. They are on leave with pay.
“All three are very young, inexperienced officers who didn’t know what to do, who they could trust, whether they would be believed or retaliated against,” said Davis’ attorney, RoiAnne Conner.
Chief John Wilson will review the case, followed by Mayor Bobby Bright, who has the final say on the matter.
“In the process of getting rid of the real bad apples, they are getting rid of some of good apples - apples that could be saved,” said attorney Mark Dukes, who represents Copeland. “Maurice is one of those good apples.”
The officers would likely appeal if they’re fired, their attorneys said.
Federal and state authorities are reviewing the case for any criminal charges, including possible civil rights violations.
The case of officer Michael Clark, who was accused of stopping a patrol car and getting into a fight with a prisoner, led to the wider probe that removed 11 of the 46 officers on the overnight shift.
Clark has been charged with harassment and criminal use of a defense spray, a felony. Attempts to reach Clark for comment have been unsuccessful.
Police haven’t released details of most of the allegations against the 11, but the black officers’ attorneys described them as uninvolved bystanders who didn’t want to cross their white colleagues.
In one incident, Davis was with five other white officers, including Clark, who chased down a black man after responding to a domestic disturbance call, Conner said. She said Clark kicked the man while he lay on the ground. Then she said the officers brought the man to a cemetery, where Clark allegedly punched him in the face and two other officers threw him in the bushes.
“After it happened, I was afraid for my life, that I would be in danger if I said anything,” Davis said.
Another time, Provo stood by while six white officers threw rocks and bottles at a suspected crack house, said attorney Bernie Brannan.
“For his role in it, (dismissal) is a harsh punishment,” Brannan said.
Copeland declined to talk to reporters following the closed police hearing.