whatashocker
07-22-2009, 08:03 AM
Official: Police chief headed probe on himself
A former Suffolk County police official said he ordered complaints about the mishandling of a 1998 boat explosion that injured 11 officers to be investigated by the same commander who had ordered police onto the boat, as testimony continued Tuesday in a federal suit by one of the injured cops.
Former Deputy Commissioner James Abbott said former Chief Phillip Robilotto reported back that complaints from wounded Officer Thomas Wallace were "unfounded" - but Abbott didn't realize that Robilotto had given the orders.
"I never received anything in writing, it was a verbal response from the chief," said Abbott, who became the department's second in command six months after a suspect ignited a massive propane explosion during the boat siege in Sayville. "I was not aware he was the commanding officer on the scene."
Wallace, who suffered severe ankle, elbow and back injuries when he was hurled off the boat, says in his suit that the department retaliated against him for threatening to go public with complaints about substandard training and equipment and rash command decisions.
He is seeking damages from the county, Robilotto, Abbott and former Commissioner John Gallagher for harassment and for allegedly forcing him into retirement in 2004. The county says there was no retaliation, and Wallace refused to return to work when independent doctors said he was ready for "light duty."
Robilotto and Abbott both testified Tuesday that they had viewed Wallace as a solid officer, and offered him a range of non-taxing jobs - including desk and training duty - when the county pushed to reduce a contingent of more than 200 officers who were getting full pay and benefits without working due to "line of duty" injuries.
They said Wallace wasn't interested.
Wallace, on cross-examination, acknowledged that, despite his injuries, he had been able to play occasional rounds of golf, bicycle, go fishing with his children, and swim in police competitions. He said much of that activity was therapeutic and brief, unlike an eight-hour shift behind a desk.
"I have a herniated disk . . . an arthritic condition in my hip," he said. "It just builds pain."
A former Suffolk County police official said he ordered complaints about the mishandling of a 1998 boat explosion that injured 11 officers to be investigated by the same commander who had ordered police onto the boat, as testimony continued Tuesday in a federal suit by one of the injured cops.
Former Deputy Commissioner James Abbott said former Chief Phillip Robilotto reported back that complaints from wounded Officer Thomas Wallace were "unfounded" - but Abbott didn't realize that Robilotto had given the orders.
"I never received anything in writing, it was a verbal response from the chief," said Abbott, who became the department's second in command six months after a suspect ignited a massive propane explosion during the boat siege in Sayville. "I was not aware he was the commanding officer on the scene."
Wallace, who suffered severe ankle, elbow and back injuries when he was hurled off the boat, says in his suit that the department retaliated against him for threatening to go public with complaints about substandard training and equipment and rash command decisions.
He is seeking damages from the county, Robilotto, Abbott and former Commissioner John Gallagher for harassment and for allegedly forcing him into retirement in 2004. The county says there was no retaliation, and Wallace refused to return to work when independent doctors said he was ready for "light duty."
Robilotto and Abbott both testified Tuesday that they had viewed Wallace as a solid officer, and offered him a range of non-taxing jobs - including desk and training duty - when the county pushed to reduce a contingent of more than 200 officers who were getting full pay and benefits without working due to "line of duty" injuries.
They said Wallace wasn't interested.
Wallace, on cross-examination, acknowledged that, despite his injuries, he had been able to play occasional rounds of golf, bicycle, go fishing with his children, and swim in police competitions. He said much of that activity was therapeutic and brief, unlike an eight-hour shift behind a desk.
"I have a herniated disk . . . an arthritic condition in my hip," he said. "It just builds pain."