Quincy officer sues city

SPOKANE — A Quincy police officer is accusing the city’s former police chief, two sergeants and the city of violating his civil rights.

Officer Aaron Doyle filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court, claiming he was punished by the department and the city for exercising his First Amendment rights.

The officer claims the problems started with a November 2007 incident after he chased Frank V. Mora Sr., 50, Quincy.

Doyle stopped Mora after the man allegedly failed to come to a complete stop, according to a Quincy police report. After performing a breathalyzer test, Mora reportedly sped off, leading to a chase through the city, reaching speeds of 80 mph. The pursuit ended when Mora allegedly stopped in front of his house. When Doyle grabbed the man’s shoulder, Mora reportedly struck him.

When Doyle obtained an arrest warrant for Mora, former Police Chief Bill Gonzales allegedly tried to convince Doyle to request dropping the charges, according to the complaint.

“Officer Doyle immediately notified his supervisor, Sgt. Scott D. Jones, and his union representative, Officer Salvatore Mancini, that he was being pressured to recommend that charges be dropped against Mr. Mora,” according to the complaint.

Doyle and the union reportedly convinced the city to conduct an ?investigation in Gonzales’ conduct, according to the complaint.

“During the course of the investigation, chief Gonzales openly expressed his displeasure that officer Doyle and others participated in the investigation,” according to the complaint. “In addition, chief Gonzales specifically threatened to discipline police clerk Lucinda Bepple and officer Doyle for their roles in the investigation.”

In a response to the claim, the defendants stated the city’s report concluded there was no evidence of misconduct.

Before the incident, Doyle alleges Gonzales promised him a sergeant’s position if he was on top of the civil service eligibility list, according to the complaint. When Doyle met the requirement, he claims Gonzales added a requirement to exclude him. The complaint continues, stating the officer who got the job, was not as qualified.

Doyle claims the retribution continued after he claims to have witnessed Quincy Sgt. Scott Jones allegedly assault his stepson. After five or six days of trying to speak to Gonzales, the former chief reportedly said, “the matter would go no further.”

Gonzales said in a previous interview the situation wasn’t reported to him initially, but when it was reported a week after the incident, he said he referred it to the city’s attorneys to provide a recommendation. When the attorneys reported back there was a problem, he referred the situation to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

The complaint states Gonzales retaliated by eliminating a K-9 program scheduled to start about a week after the incident.

In a previous interview, Gonzales said the program was suspended, not canceled, adding they decided to change the type of dog they wanted.

Doyle claims the chief denied the officer a position on the Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Jones and Sgt. Dan Dopps continue to harass him.

“The harassment and retaliation included … refusal to back up officer Doyle on routine and dangerous calls … encouraging other officers not to back up officer Doyle … false accusations of stealing evidence (methamphetamine),” according to the complaint. “Sgt. Dopps told QPD that he was going to ‘get rid of’ officer Doyle and confiscate officer Doyle’s firearm.”

The city, Dopps, Jones and Gonzales denied the allegations of retaliation, according to a response to the complaint.

Quincy City Administrator Tim Snead said he couldn’t comment at the advice of the city’s attorney.

Doyle is requesting promotion to sergeant and a detective position, and money “in an amount necessary to compensate him for his actual damages,” according to the complaint.