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AZ man no longer candidate for ND chief post DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) — A longtime police commander in a Phoenix suburb who resigned amid allegations of police department misconduct is no longer being considered for a police chief position in North Dakota. Former Goodyear, Ariz., police commander Ralph McLaughlin was put on paid leave in early May and resigned in July, the Arizona Republic reported earlier this year. The Dickinson Press reported Thursday that Dickinson officials have removed him as one of three finalists for the police chief position in the southeastern North Dakota city of about 16,000 people. Investigations into the Goodyear Police Department were spurred by questions about how the department handled the probe into a fatal 2008 hit-and-run in which a police officer was implicated. Dickinson Administrator Shawn Kessel said he spoke with McLaughlin about the incident, the investigation and McLaughlin's role in the probe, and officials then decided to remove McLaughlin as a candidate. "Obviously, I'm disappointed in it, but I respect Kessel's decision," McLaughlin said. "I'd hoped that they'd be able to look past the media frenzy ... but I'll keep searching for other opportunities and I wish the best of luck for Dickinson." Dickinson is searching for a successor to retired chief Chuck Rummel. The remaining candidates are Dickinson police Capt. Dustin Dassinger and Muscatine, Iowa, police Lt. Jeff Jirak.
Ex-Goodyear police commander no longer finalist for N.D. job by Jackee Coe - Sept. 29, 2011 12:19 PM The Arizona Republic Former Goodyear Cmdr. Ralph McLaughlin no longer is a finalist for a police chief position in North Dakota. Dickinson City Administrator Shawn Kessel announced Wednesday that McLaughlin is not a candidate anymore for the top spot after a routine background check revealed his involvement in the Goodyear Police Department's alleged mishandling of a 2008 fatal hit and run that involved a Goodyear police officer. The investigation revealed "a series of anomalies" in the department's investigation, "including allegations of impropriety by Mr. McLaughlin," according to a written statement. Kessel spoke with McLaughlin "to learn more from Mr. McLaughlin about the facts surrounding the investigation, the role he had in the investigation, and the incident itself." After a "thorough review" of all the information, Kessel decided not to consider McLaughlin for the vacant chief position. McLaughlin could not be reached for comment Thursday, but he told the Dickinson Press Wednesday that he was disappointed but respected the decision and would continue searching for other opportunities. McLaughlin retired from the Goodyear Police Department's second-in-command spot July 8 after he was put on leave in May while multiple investigations into department mismanagement and misconduct were conducted. He was accused of poor leadership and lax discipline, particularly in relation to the 2008 hit-and-run death of 18-year-old Jered Pendleton in which a Goodyear officer was accused of fatally striking the teen. McLaughlin also could be facing possible suspension or revocation of his state peace officer certification, depending on misconduct documentation Goodyear officials are expected to submit to Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, which oversees certification.
Ex-embattled Goodyear police commander finalist for N.D. post by Jackee Coe - Sept. 27, 2011 08:57 AM The Arizona Republic A former Goodyear police commander who retired amid investigations into misconduct and mismanagement allegations has made the list of final contenders for a police chief position in North Dakota. Ralph McLaughlin is one of three finalists for police chief in Dickinson, according to a city news release. The other two candidates are Jeff Jirak of Wilton, Iowa, and Dustin Dassinger, of Dickinson, now a captain with the Police Department. The city has a population of about 18,000. A scoring committee reviewed 29 applications for the police chief position and narrowed the candidates to seven. City Administrator Shawn Kessel interviewed the semifinalists and selected McLaughlin, Jirak and Dassinger as finalists. Kessel did not return multiple phone calls, and McLaughlin could not be reached for comment. McLaughlin retired from the Goodyear Police Department's second-in-command spot July 8 after he was put on paid administrative leave in May while multiple investigations into department mismanagement and misconduct were conducted. McLaughlin was accused of poor leadership and lax discipline, particularly in relation to a 2008 fatal hit-and-run involving a Goodyear officer, and of illegally releasing court information about a former colleague, which is a misdemeanor. An independent city-commissioned investigation released in March criticized the Police Department's handling of the hit-and-run, finding officers protected one of their own, supervisors failed to discipline any officers for misconduct, and department leaders failed to turn over the investigation to an outside agency. It blamed the issues on McLaughlin and then-Police Chief Mark Brown, citing leadership failures. Brown abruptly retired March 30. A Phoenix police investigation also found that in February McLaughlin released indictment information to the media before a judge had signed off on it and the defendant, a former Goodyear police sergeant, had been notified. Releasing indictment information is a misdemeanor when not done as part of official duties. The Yavapai County Attorney's Office opted not to file charges against McLaughlin because there was not enough evidence "beyond a reasonable doubt" that he had the "necessary criminal intent" when he released the information, according to an agency memo. The controversies surrounding McLaughlin's retirement could lead to a re-examination of his police certification in Arizona, but an official with the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, which oversees peace officer training, conduct and certification, said it is too soon to tell. A termination document Goodyear submitted to AZPOST after McLaughlin's retirement and obtained by The Republic indicates there was "conduct that may violate Arizona Administrative Code." AZPOST officials are waiting for the city to submit documentation of the misconduct. Once the documentation is submitted, AZPOST officials will present a summary of the allegations to the board, which will decide whether to open an investigation to determine whether to suspend or revoke McLaughlin's certification. |