Need help with a problem with local police......please read?

Question

I live in a very small town (pop. 1300). My husband grew up with the assistant chief of police and we were all friends. We sold him a van and motorcycle last year. He ended up trying to take total advantage of us and go completely against the deal we had all made and we had to take him to court. We won the case and the judge even looked at him and said he was a lier and a disgrace to his profession. Even since then he has started horrible rumors about us. It is getting so bad now that it's affecting our children as people are small minded and will believe anything any athority figure says around here. I even had to end up quitting my job that I had in town because things are getting so bad. I have no idea what to do to get this to stop. We can't really afford to hire a lawyer right now and I need to know if anyone has any other sugestions. Please only serious answers! Thank you....

Answer 1

...you need to get a lawyer (can't afford one then call the nearest local free assistance program)...call your court to find out where there is one...anyway..he is slandering and harrassing your family....not only is that against the lawyer but as assistant chief..he should know that....can you talk to his boss first?! and if it's so small whay doesn't the boss already know this and do something about it...this guys going to lose his job and pension.....and it's all his fault..don't people know you won so they should figure out what his motive is?! I don't know this is crazy....if no one will listen then you need to take it to the next level of enforcement and that would be the State Police....because if a town has "dirty police" then they take over...we had a somewhat small town in my State and they needed to do that.....and call your Attorney General's office in your State Capitol to have them aware too.....take this to the top....any good newspaper people?!..I wouldn't use names but they could write up a story..and not use names..that way YOU can't get in trouble for the ALLEGED crimes he's doing but people would be aware of what's going on!! good luck...don't let him win....and this is a good example to teach your children to make them stronger....

Answer 2

You are in a NO WIN situation. You are going to have to weigh some options here! You have things which you COULD do which would make matters WORSE and some things which are questionable at best.

Consider this....if you got a lawyer and took him to court over defamation of character, he would only get WORSE. He must be a spoiled brat.

But you HAVE to live there, unless you choose to move.

Only possible solutions will rest on how receptive this officer is to being placated. Does the man think YOU owe him money? What does he want from YOU? Find out what he wants and basically give it to him. If it is money, or he declares you cheated him, them go on the safe side and make it right with him just as you would do with a disgruntled customer. The cost compared to what you are losing...ie job...paying a lawyer, etc, is much less to just give him what he wants. Needless to say, after you make things agreeable with him, at YOUR expense, you must cut off all relationship with this man and then be totally SILENT over the whole matter. NO GOSSIPPING to neighbors or FAMILY. Cut it off at the vine and it will die.

OR

You can move away....at least 200 miles if possible. He will make your life a living hell for as LONG as you live there, you KNOW this. These things NEVER die in a small town. NEVER. Folks will still be talking about it in 25 years.How do I know? Because, folks are still talking about OLD stuff that happened YEARS ago...are they not? Sure they are.

Answer 3

File a small claims court case against him for slander. You can file for 35 bucks generally and put the case together yourself. You need signed and notarized statements from those who heard the rumors first hand and a statement from where you work that proves you had to quit because of this persons statements. I would also go to the judge who heard your original case and tell him/her what is happening. The judge might be able to handle the situation without going to court.

See your county clerks office for the filing papers and to make an appointment with the judge.

Good Luck~~~~

Answer 4

You should talk to an attorney and look at suing for maybe slander or harassment. I'm sure you'll be able to find an attorney that will work on commission and not require any money from you up front. Also, if you have a town council you need to bring up this very unprofessional behavior and get the chief relieved of his duties. Good luck and stand up for yourself.

Answer 5

absolutely do Not give into him if you do it will escalated to more serious things i think you get the picture find an out of town attorney whom will accept small payment or contact the bar association at times you can also a teaching university some students may take it up as practice or class project, in different circumstances i did the same thing some years back i contacted case western university in Ohio and they assisted in a federal suit and we won the worsts thing is to give in about contacting the original judge???ps revred 300 ABOVE HAS A VERY GOOD IDEA

Answer 6

This guy sounds like a bully

i know it is harder in a small community but I believe silence is the best weapon. Truth usually comes out.

I have been there with all sorts of things being said about me especially to my boys by my ex wife. Thankfully I was brought up to do the right thing and I had to realize that she is the mother of three of my four boys (first wife died of cancer). I said nothing bad about her to anyone and eventually neighbours and friends realized the truth, As Shakespeare wrote 'To thine own self be true"
Good news is after a few years my boys came to live with me by their own choice.
I know it is not quite the same situation but the principle behind it remains true

On the other hand if possible I would sue his rear end for slander
Good luck

Answer 7

The answers here are all good ones. I'd seek a lawyer out of town who would consider doing the legal stuff "pro bono" maybe that'll put this guy on notice and he'll stop. He may, however, become even more entrenched b/c of your affront and devise more sinister plans to use against you and your family.

Unrelated to your situation, and not meant as a joke at all, but this sounds reminiscent of the extremist muslim thought process. Ppl who are motivated in this manner are of a similar mind-set and, therefor, very difficult to defeat. God speed!

Answer 8

I know how small towns can be, they suck because of the rumors but great at the same time.
Things do pass in time but maybe you can start new if its effecting your family so much. I moved away but still go visit.
There is always revenge.

I am sorry this isn't the best answer.

Answer 9

Well, I've noticed that cops in small towns get really bored and usually find someone they don't like and make their life Hell. He probably started those rumors because he had his feelings hurt by the judge. If I were you I'd save some cash and sue him for slander.

Answer 10

i go to andy n ask to tell barney to lay off lol. i know the feeling your haveing. 30 years ago my stepmother had a friend at the courthouse & my dads will dissapeared. an aunt & uncle that were supposed to look after my little sisters rights declined to do so./// anyway on to your problem. go to your state judicial discipline office & make your complaint to them i doubt that theres an internal affairs aka (infernal affairs lol) in such a small town . make sure instances of abuse false claims etc are notated date time etc. the state police may also help you if they are aware of illegal doings inside the pd there. last resort would be the fbi. hope this helps tom