Allegations against Quincy police officer released

QUINCY - Quincy released documents illustrating 24 allegations of misconduct by former police officer Aaron Doyle.

Police Chief Richard Ackerman issued a letter to Doyle Feb. 18 stating the officer was terminated from his position after 24 allegations of misconduct were "sustained as factual." The officer was originally accused of 27 acts of misconduct.

"Many of the proven allegations on their own would be cause for serious disciplinary action," Ackerman wrote in his decision. "However, when an arbitrator is faced with the review of 24 allegations that were proven to be true it is necessary to look at the big picture."

Doyle's Attorney Garth Dano called the release of the report part of a "witch hunt" against his client, saying the city released the information after saying they would wait for a pending motion in federal court.

"This is not a complete investigation," he said. "He is in an appeal process ... They're going to have (federal) Judge (Edward) Shea and a federal jury decide this in January. They've tried to smear him at every turn."

The Columbia Basin Herald requested access to documents listing the allegations under the state Public Records Act.

Many of the allegations focused on not filing paperwork associated with his work as an officer, including not filing six police reports dating back to 2008, not returning a telephonic search warrant and not modifying a citation, according to the report. Much of the paperwork was reportedly discovered in Doyle's mailbox at the Quincy Police Department.

The report continues, alleging Doyle lied to superiors and co-workers when they asked about the paperwork, according to the report. One of the allegations states Doyle had 15 citations needing to be completed on July 23, 2008. Sgt. Dan Dopps sent Doyle an e-mail on Oct. 17, 2009, pointing out he had 60 open and incomplete cases.

Dano called the allegations ridiculous, saying if they are true then Ackerman should fire the entire Quincy police force.

He was also accused in five of the counts of videotaping or recording people without informing them they were being recorded, a violation of state law and police policy, according to the report.

The department also accused Doyle of leaving a 17-year-old boy, with outstanding warrants, in a holding cell for an hour and a half, while he continued to work. A different officer reportedly discovered the boy in the holding cell and transported him to the Grant County juvenile detention center.

Ackerman said leaving the boy in the cell caused a liability for the city if something happened to the child.

Doyle is also accused of issuing nearly $2,000 in citations to someone he arrested five months earlier. Ackerman called the citations retaliatory, saying it was clear Doyle issued an excessive amount to the man because he was angry the person had been let off with a light sentence.

The report alleges Doyle reportedly left work twice so he could participate in paramedic training and apply for a job at Quincy Valley Medical Center. Ackerman said Doyle was guilty of "time theft."

He also allegedly failed to return an expired Washington State Driver's License and an identification card he confiscated, failed to clean his gun, keep ammo for a police-issued rifle in his car while he was working and left his sidearm unattended on a chair in the break room, according to the report. 

Dano called the accusations about Doyle's guns laughable.

"Even the chief of police of Quincy thinks it was laughable," he said. "They've destroyed the evidence about the gun, so we can't even look at it."  

The report also alleges Doyle filed legal action against a records request of the city from Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee. Doyle reportedly took the legal action, seeking a writ of mandamus, concerning the Quincy Police Department without getting approval from his superiors.

The requested documents are about two lawsuits concerning the sheriff's office in Sierra County, Calif. Doyle worked as a deputy and filed suit against the county after he was fired. The sheriff's office filed a lawsuit against Doyle as well. Many of the documents involved are still under a court-ordered seal.

Doyle's response to many of the allegations stated he didn't remember the events, according to the report. Ackerman stated he didn't believe the officer, calling the lack of memory "self-serving."

"If his responses are true, they reflect a complete lack of job knowledge and memory so deficient as to call into serious question his ability to perform the duties of a police officer," Ackerman wrote.

Ackerman said the department made numerous attempts to coach, counsel and guide Doyle.

"It is important to remember that this investigation and contemplated sanction was arrived at because of Doyle's action," he wrote.

Both Ackerman and Dano pointed out Doyle's arrest records, saying he was a leading officer in citations and arrests in the department.

"His record with the city is exemplary," Dano said.