WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (AP) - A review board on Thursday overturned the demotion of a police lieutenant who headed a now-disbanded drug unit in Utah’s second largest city.
The West Valley City Civil Service Commission agreed with John Coyle’s argument that his demotion was unfair, and ordered the West Valley City Police Department to award him back pay.
Coyle will be reinstated as a lieutenant but assigned to an administrative job, West Valley City Police Chief Lee Russo said.
City administrators had held Coyle responsible for problems with the drug unit, including the failure to book evidence or account for some drugs and money.
Russo told The Salt Lake Tribune (https://bit.ly/T6QOLy) that he’s disappointed in the decision but noted the commission agreed that Coyle did violate policies.
“We feel strongly the decision that was made for demotion was appropriate in this matter,” Russo said.
City attorneys are reviewing the decision and preparing to appeal it, Russo said.
Coyle’s attorney Blake Hamilton declined to comment, citing the possible appeal.
Problems with West Valley City police department’s Neighborhood Narcotics Unit eventually led prosecutors to dismiss in 126 drug cases. The investigation was sparked by an officer-involved fatal shooting in November 2010, where an unarmed 21-year-old woman was killed during a suspected drug transaction.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill later ruled the shooting of Danielle Willard was unjustified. No charges have been brought against the detectives involved, but Gill’s office is still reviewing the case.
Shaun Cowley, an officer in the drug unit who was involved in the shooting, was fired in September for a “pattern of behavior” that undermined investigations, West Valley Police Chief Lee Russo has said.
Cowley is challenging his firing in another hearing pending before the civil service panel.
Coyle was demoted last year and other officers were placed on leave after the drug unit was disbanded. Coyle’s attorneys have argued he was made to be a scapegoat.
West Valley City police have said Coyle wasn’t properly reviewing or reporting incidents when guns were used or displayed by the unit’s officers, per department policy.
Coyle also took part in seizing loose change from cars and using the money to buy drinks and snacks, he said.
Coyle said he was unaware of policies about reporting incidents involving the display of guns. His attorneys also argued the city was relying heavily on claims made by Cowley, the fired officer.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, https://www.sltrib.com
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