What control does the Police department have over it's employee's? Respond only if you know the answer.

Question

My BF was wrongly accused by my child of suspected sexual abuse but was exonerated by both CPS as well as the police sex crimes unit when they found no evidence of any wrongdoing on his part. I believe she was coerced into saying the things she said since nothing that was said had any merit on the situation (ie. I was asleep when this happened, which never occurred since I was always there beside them). We began dating again after the investigation was complete and kept it quiet due to him being a police officer, but then apparently the chief found out we were seeing one another and gave him a warning not to date me or else it would be his job. I want to know if they are able to dictate who he dates since he is an adult and should be able to decide if he feels the relationship is worth the risk (ie. the possibility of my child accusing him ever again), and if there is any merit behind the threat of him losing his job if we continue to date. The state where he is an officer is Alabama.

My child is 5 and the school notified CPS after she pulled her pants down at school at a little boys request. The teacher saw her pull her pants down but not when the little boy did it. They assumed that she was somehow sexually abused because of this incident and that opened the investigation. I had just started dating my BF and I can attest to the fact that he was never left alone with my child since I know pedophilia can happen. The things she told the CPS investigator never could have happened since I was never asleep when he was there and I never left her alone with him, even when I went to the bathroom. I do know that some women cover up for their BF's but this is not the case. CPS questioned my child at the school w/o notifying me of their intentions and I truly believe she said the first male person's name that popped into her head when asked certain questions. Believe me if I suspected him of doing anything with my child there would not have been a relationship after that.

Answer 1

My husband is an investigator for his department's IA (Internal Affairs) and whether it is fair or not, He is always saying that the laws that govern law enforcement officers are not the same as those which govern society. The charges being dropped only indicates that there was not sufficient evidence to prosecute him, it does not however mean that there is not enough evidence to merritt a civil trial. The burden of proof is different; in a civil trial, one only needs to prove a preponderance of guilt, not guilty without a Shadow of doubt. So... while he may not have been charged with a crime, his actions could be considered "conduct unbecoming of a Peace Officer", which at least in my husbands department, is reason enough to terminate his employment. Your boyfriend's Chief is doing him a favor by warning him not to date you right now. If you truly believe he was wrongly accused, have him check out this advocacy group.

http://www.familyrightsassociation.com/bin/white_papers-articles/stuckle/false_sex.htm
This is a non-profit organization that helps those who have been wrongfully accused of child abuse (including sexual molestation).

BUT... if you have any doubts at all, please put your child's safety first!!! I cannot emphasize this enough!!! Child predators are notorious for seeking out single mothers so that they can victimize their children and just because your boyfriend is a cop does not mean that he is above pedophilia, sadly it has happened before.

Answer 2

Sheriff's dept works the full county, such as the cities in that county. The police works the city in which they're employed, the electorate contained in the city has the right to request a deputy to artwork a criticism. The sheriff has the full duty of the courtroom abode the position city officer do not, the bailiff is continually a deputy or human being appointed by the choose

Answer 3

I changed my answer because of your additional details

The additional details you added say a whole lot more! I have watched TV programs and read incidents on reputable websites about children this age who get words basically put in their mouth by investigators etc... a child that age can lie and literally believe their lie to be true if they are coerced by adults in the right way... especially if these adults are automatically assuming she is sexually abused.

And yes, they can fire him if they wanted to, although he may be able to sue depending on the situation. He should definately consult a lawyer and get an opinion. You would think that it is none of the PD's buisness whom he dates, but public servants such as police officers have certain higher expectations placed upon them based on moral character etc, and not abiding by these expectations can get them easily and legally fired. This is probably the Chief's reasoning for his decision. I learned about this in a Business Law course, but I can't find info to source it.

Answer 4

They have an "unofficial" say in the situation, I guess. They probably think your daughter will make the same accusations again. I can't believe you don't realize how police departments are able to cover for "their own", and, just because you were asleep doesn't mean you would have definitely woken up (depending on what exactly he was accused of doing, of course). They (departments) have the reputation of the department to uphold, so I doubt they would coerce your daughter into accusing your boyfriend of something he could go to prison for. I'm not saying if I believe your daughter or your boyfriend. Either one of them would be lying, but I seriously doubt the department tried to get her to say things that would damage the reputation of the police force. Be careful of who you're blaming.

Answer 5

Almost every dept out there has an SOP (standard operating procedure) where it outlines conduct unbecoming a police officer. Also, if the Dept believes that the relationship will reflect badly on it, or him, they can order him to not date you.
If he disobeys, he can be disciplined for disobeying an order.

Answer 6

We have at will employment in the States, so I would bet that they can fire him for any reason. Is he in the FOP? He needs to speak with his union rep and a lawyer in your state.

Answer 7

Employee's? Why the apostrophe? I believe your child.