The future of the Troy Police Department appears shaky after one of its officers and chief unintentionally broadcast a conversation Thursday morning on a frequency accessible to the public.
“There was some disparaging comments made about some officers and others that are no longer with us,” chief Mitch Walters said.
Walters and officer Kit Pearson allegedly used foul language and celebrated the fact that a Troy deputy was fired late last spring and a Troy resident recently passed away. The conversation also pointed to soon being rid of Bob McLeod, the only other Troy officer.
The state Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into the incident, according to mayor Jim Hammons. Meanwhile, Walters is on administrative leave and Pearson is the only officer working.
The investigation will determine if the alleged incident involves criminal activity.
“That’s all part of the investigation,” said Kevin O’Brien, spokesman for the state Department of Justice. “Those are all things that would be flushed out in the investigation.”
Rumors of the radio conversation spread like wildfire Thursday and Friday, appalling Troy residents.
Pearson, who has been on the force for almost four years, declined to comment over the phone Friday about the incident because of orders he received from Hammons.
Det. Capt. Roby Bowe of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that the city would not suffer from lack of law enforcement if the Troy Police Department was short on officers.
“They’ll still get the same coverage,” he said.
Walters, who has been on the force for 14 years, said Friday morning that he is “in the process of retiring.”
He maintains that he is a “whistleblower” into alleged misconduct by McLeod relating to the deployment of a Taser two years ago and that much of the hoopla surrounding Thursday’s broadcast is political.
“This is a battle of good versus evil. I have discovered evidence of a civil rights violation and the county attorney as well as other city officials have covered up,” Walters said. “I’m being labeled as a problem because I’m not letting this thing die.”
Walters said he would use his retirement to prepare to run for sheriff in 2010.
“I think some of it's politically motivated because I’m becoming a real threat,” he said.
havnfaith777
HAHAHA...This sounds like a scripted scene from sitcom or something. I'm sure the people involved don't think this is very funny, but from my point of view, this is pretty funny stuff....HAHAHA..
smalltown
We are having a blue ribbon march in support of Officer McLeod on Sat. Nov 28th at 1pm starting at 6th and hwy2 or Missoula Ave and marching to 3rd st and than on to city hall. Come and support the only Police Officer Troy, MT has had in a long time, the only officer that when he is on duty he is out there. Walters and Pearson can't same the same!!!! This small town want their town back. Walters and Pearson as the signs say DOWN WITH WALTERS AND PEARSON THE EXIT IS HWY 2 BYE BYE WE WON'T MISS YOU.
momof4
Is this chief still in grade school? Sounds like it if he is talking about one of his own officers behind that officer's back. And discussing these things with another officer???? This guy should not be the chief - even if there are only three of them on the force. I don't care if he is a "whistle-blower" or not - what he did was wrong. If this guy becomes the sheriff in 2010 then Lincoln county residents are dumber than I thought...
cuzican
Ahhhhh yes, the stuck button on the mic. Happens from time to time. The chief of the fire dept. I was a member of in a different town had the same sort of thing happen to him and another guy while they were driving across town. Luckily all of their conversation was pretty lame stuff.