RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

INTERl\fAL AFFAIRS
\VITNESS OFFICER ADMONITION
C0-12-08
COMPLA'!NTNlJMBER
l '3 -Q -..::D __ _ hours. I am
Commander Paul Cline interviewing Officer--regarding a complaint of
Violation of Renton Police Department General Orders,
26.l.l.ll.B Unbecoming Conduct,
26.1.1.1l.G Fictitious 111ness or Injury Report and
26J.1.11.TT Truthfulness.
which is alleged to have occurred on July 13, 2012 at approximately1600 hours.
Officer- do you understand that this cnnversation is being tape recorded?
(Answer)
Officer- you are here as a witness in the above listed complaint, a matter which
concerns another officer. A complaint has not been filed against you, and you are not
under investigation in this matter.
Officer- I wish to advise you that you are being questioned as a part of an official
investigation of the Renton Police Department
You are reminded that section 26.1 "Insubordination, and "Truthfulness" of the Renton
Police Department General Orders do apply in this matter and that you must truthfully
respond. Any refusal to respond may result in disciplinary action as outlined in general
Order No. 26. 1
STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
COMPLAINT NUMBER: C0-12-08
INTERVIEWER: Commander Cline
LOCATION: Renton Police Department
DATE: July 24, 2012
1300
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Alright, today's date is July 24, 2012 at 1300 hours. I am Commander
Paul Cline with the Renton Pollee Department, Professional Standards
Division. Uh, I'll be interviewing Officer- ~ n d uh reference
Complaint Number C0-12-08. Prior to the interview I wanna read uh you
the Witness Officer Admonition,- Today's date is July 24,2012 at
1300 hours. I am Commander Paul Cline interviewing Officer-
-regarding compliant ofthe violation of the Renton Police
Department General Orders 26.1.1.2b, Unbecoming Conduct, 26.1.1.2.g
Fictitious Illness or Report Injury Report and 26.1.1.2.tt which is
Truthfulness, which is alleged to have occurred on July 13, 2012 at
approximately 1600 hours. Officer- -do you understand
that this conversation is being tape recorded?
Yes.
And dol have your permission to do so?
Yes.
Officer o u are here as a witness in the above listed complaint, a
matter which concerns another officer. A complaint has not been filed
against you and you are not under investigation in this matter. Officer
- wish to advise you that you are being questioned as part of an
official investigation ofthe Renton Police Department. You are reminded
that section 26.1, Insubordination and Truthfulness, of the Renton Police
Department General Orders do apply in this matter and that you must
truthfully respond, Any refusal to respond may result in disciplinary
action as outlined in General Orders number 26.1. Do you understand
that?
Yes.
If I could have you initial this, I'm going to sign at the bottom. In fact I'll
have you sign it too.
Okay.
And when this is done I'll also give you a copy of this.
(MO/H:POAOMIN:MEUSSA:Comp!alnts/COl208
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Okay.
STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
Alright- I'm gonna ask you some questions uh regarding um what
contact you had with Officer on Ju!y 13t
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Um, could
you please your name and employment?
Officer-- I work, I'm a Police Officer with the City of Renton.
And are you aware of why I'm interviewing you today?
Yes,! am.
Do you recall the afternoon of Ju!y 13, 2012 at approximately 1300
hours?
Yes.
And where were you and what were you doing at that time?
I was with Officer Ralph Hyett. We were coming back from lunch um at
La Fuente's when an injury collision was called out at about the 1600
block of NE 3rd.
Okay and you responded to that?
I, I went with him, yes to that collision.
Okay. Uh, now you're in the Traffic Division correc.t?
I an\ yes.
Okay. Do you recall seeing or speaking to Officer- on that date
and at that approximate time?
Yes, I do.
And how would you describe your relationship with Officer-
We used to work on the same squad for a brief time and I would consider
us friendly.
Okay. Was Officer- working uh when he contacted you in that
date and what was he doing when he contacted you?
{MD/H:PDADMIN:MELISSA;Complaints/COlZOS 2
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
Yes, he was working. He was with uh Officer- and they urn they
responded to the collision first because it was called out as an injury so
they responded before we could get there. And by the time we got there
they were just out talking to uh both parties, making sure they weren
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totally injured and I think Renton Fire Department was on scene as well
(Cline interjects with "Okay") at the time.
Did you take over that investigation at that time, or?
I, l was with Officer Hyett and we, yes} him and J both took over the
investigation so they, when we showed up, they kind of wer'e like okay
we, we can leave now.
Okay. Did you have a conversation wlth Office- at that time?
I did.
And do you recall the conversation? And if so can you tell me what it was
about?
l recall it. He had urn several small incisions or scars and some bruising
on his, on his arms, they were kind of covered by his uh, by his uniform
and I was like what did you, whafd you do? And he's like I had surgery
for, he had some lumps or something removed, and so he was telling me
about that and I think lt, we had some other small talk, and l was talking
to uh- as well. And then .. and I kinda walked down away from
where the collision was and either, it was either after l had helped Officer
Hyett move the cars out of the roadway to get the roadway cleared, and
then ~ o m e h o w Officer uh-and I ended up kind of in the middle of
the roadway and l don't think anyone else was around at the time, and
he showed me his thumb. And I don't remember which thumb it wast
but l, I saw lt and it was bruised and kind of purple, discolored and a little
bit swollen. And l was like dude, what the hell did you do? And he looks
at me, he goes we!l1
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l have DT, something to the effect of I have DT, 1
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gonna hurt itthere. And I go, no seriously man, I'm like what the fuck did
you do? And he goes
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something to the effect of I have DT I'm gonna
hurt it
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I have DT later, I'm gonna hurt it there. And he never answered
me as to what he did. But l was standing there looking at him like I can't
believe you just said that to me. So 1
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! really didn't think anything else of
it and so I went back to the car and l was helping uh Officer Hyett do you
know the Sector Collision and then we got another collision report, or
{MD/H:PDADMlN:MELISSA:Complaints/C0-1208-
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
another report of a injury collision that happened at NE 4th so Ralph and !
took off for that one. And I didn't think anything else of it at the time.
Okay, so you said when you first
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when you noticed it uh you said his
hand was visibly injured?
Yeah, it, his thumb was visibly discolored. And l c a n ' t ~ I don't know if it
was his left or right, I can't remember but he showed me and, and I was
like dude. And I just saidJ I mean it was enough to the point where! was
like what did you do? And I can't remember if it was hugely swollen but
it was, it was discolored, it was purple.
So it was, it was noticeably discolored- interjects with "Yes") and
swollen?
Yes.
Uh, was the other hand injured at all?
Not that I remember seeing, no.
Okay, so just the one hand?
Right.
And you say you, you don't recall whlch hand it was?
I don't remember which thumb.
Okay. Uh, did you notice any other injuries other than what you, what
you were talking about?
No
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just the, the surgery he had on his arms.
And those were old?
Right.
Okay. Did, and you said he didn't tell you how he had actually injured his
thumb and wrist...
Cline and -talk over each other
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
No he didn't. I aslc .
... or his thumb?
!ask ...
Did he mention his wrist?
No, he didn't mention his wrist, he just said thumb. And I said, and I
asked him, at least twice, dude what did you do? Cuz f, I'm standing
there thinking you're talking to me (-laughs} and l've been out for
eight, almost eight months, you know. So I'm like! can't believe that
you're telling me this but urn he yeah, he just said his thumb and he was
just, l asked him and he never answered me {Cline interjects with "But'')
as to what he actually did.
He specifically told you that he was, had DT later in the day and that he
was going to injure it there.
Right and he kind a ...
(Cilne interjects) What did you presume he meant by that?
!, I cou, l didn't think he wasser, I, I couldn't, honestly I was like I know .
you're not, it took me a while to kind of really believe that he was
actually telling me this. Cuz I'm thinking, that's, he
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S not really gonna do
that, he's kidding. And then he said lt again and I was like well, !, l
thought what anybody would think I think is that he's gonna go to DT and
say that he injured it there so he can you know go off work for job injury.
Okay. Um
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did he say anything else about the injury after that?
No. I, like I said, I went back to the car to help -do the Sector (Cline
interjects with "Okay") and then, the Sector Collision, and then we got
another call for a injury collision so we took off and I didn't see him again
urn, at a!l that day.
How long would you say the conversation lasted?
Oh, probably a minute and a half, two minutes.
Okay.

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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
- !f that long.
CLINE: Now after he'd mentioned a second time that he was gonna say it
happened at DT did uh, um, did you at some point and time start to think
he was not joking, that he was serious?
- Honestly, I, I was really, I think I was hoping that he was joking because I
didn't, I, l just didn't think that he would really say that and then do it.
And, and i didn't really think anything of it until the following week.
CLINE: Okay. Now you, so, but there's no doubt in your mind that you saw the
injury to his thumb, and that he did say uh that he was gonna injure it at
DT?
- There's no doubt in my mind.
CLINE: Okay. And he said it twice?
- Yes.
CLINE: Okay. Now you said uh a week later you, the topic came up again or
something. How can you tell me about that?
- Weill, um, well actually the, on the 13t
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, actually I, I can't say 1 didn't
think about it again, cuz I actually went home that night and told my
girlfriend that l (Cline interjects with "Mmm hmm") that what happened.
And I was like I can't believe you know he said that or whatever and she
asked me did he do it? l sald I have no idea, I was gone before ! heard
anything else. So, the following Wednesday we had a Traffic meeting and
we were in um the Traffic meeting and Commander Wilcox was telling us
about how uh short staffed Patrol is and all the injuries and all the people
that are out on injury and he goes we just lost another one Frlday. And I
was like oh, and I was kind of joking and I said- And he's like no,
Ylinen. And in my mind rm thinking thank God it wasn't-cuz then
he didn't do anything. And then later on I was told that urn, that it was
actually -and he had the wrong, that Commander Wilcox had the
wrong name.
CLINE:
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So Commander Wilcox had just given the wrong name and actually the
person who had gone on disability was-
Yes.
{MD/H:PDADMIN:MEUSSA:Complaints/C012-08 6
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
O k a y ~ What did you do after hearing that?
1 talked to Sergeant- briefly, and I told her like what had
happened because I sti, I still thought it was, at that time I still thought it
was Ylinen and so I told her what happened and, and the next thing I
know we went, we had gone to lunch, Sergeant -.and I, and l
came back from lunch um and I got a phone call from Commander Wilcox
and he said I need to know what happened with- And I was like
what? He goes l had the wrong name, it wasn't Ylinen it was-nd
I need to know what happened. So l told him what happened.
Okay. And do you know if that, that's the same information that was
relayed up through Sergeant -to Commander Wilcox?
I haven't talked to Sergeant-since (Cline interjects with
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0kay'')
since that day, since our Traffic meeting so I don't know, but I'm
assuming it is.
Old you actually talk to Commander Wilcox or did just Sergeant -
talk to him?
I talked to, I didn't talk to Sergeant or Commander Wilcox on that
Wednesday at the Traffic meeting. I went to lunch um with Sergeant
-and talked to her. And then as far as 1 know she reported it to
him. And then l talked to Co, Commander Wilcox after he called meum
(Cline interjects with "Okay"} that day.
And did you relate the same information to him(- interjects with
"Yes") that you just gave to me?
Yes.
Okay. Now you said you were at the accident scene with other people.
Was anybody close enough to hear your conversation with Officer
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I, l don't think so. I don't know where Officer Hyett was at the time or
Officer- I don't know in proximity to us where, l think we were
kind of away in the, in the middle of the road, and we were kind of
standing pretty dose {Cline interjects with "Okay"} cuz traffic and
everything else so !, I highly doubt that anybody else heard.
(MD/H:PDADMIN:MELISSA:Complaints/C01208: 7
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
Would you say that his uh, what was his tone during the conversation
with you? Was he just talking, was he serious, was he laughing?
He was, he was talking and he kinda, he kinda said it jokingly um but he
was smiling. It was nothing like really too serious, I didn't think. It was
just kind of talking how we're talking now.
Okay. Did you talk to any other of the other officers who were with you
about the conversation you had with-
I, not on that day, no.
And have you since then?
Yes.
Um, and who would
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who would you have talked to?
J talked to Sergeant -like I said, I talked to Officer Hyett ...
(Cline interjects) And Officer Hyett's the O!C In your division, correct?
Correct/ yeah.
Okay.
Sergeant Sjolin is aware of the situation.
Okay. And, so let me get caught up here really quick.
Okay.
Did Sergeant- make any kind of comments to you after you told
her the information uh about what Officer- had told you?
Uh, I don't remember her exact, if she said anything or not.
Okay. Have you spoken to Officer- since this time?
No, I haven't seen him.
Only you and .. _ were at the uh scene there talking about it.
Um, and I'm gonna, I'm kinda asking your opinion in this. In your opinion
(MD/H:PDADMIN:MEUSSA:Comp!aints/C0-12-08 s
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
do you think Officer-was telling you that he was going to report
his thumb as injured uh in DT training uh as being serious once you've
thought about it and heard everything, or do you think it was just being
flippant?
Uh, initially I was hoping it was just being flippant, but now af, obviously
after thinking about it and, and it bothered me enough to go home that
night um I think he was serious.
Okay. And that would be why you went to your supervisor ...
-interjects) Yes .
... and gave the information to them? Okay. - is there anythlng
else you can recall about this incident that might help me to determine
what occurred and, or anything that you can think of that I've missed uh
about what happened out there at that scene?
No, not that I, not that I can recalL
Alright that'll end this interview. And the interview is conducted in the
office of Professional Standards at the Renton Police Department. And
the time ls 1313 hours.
{MD/H:PDADMtN:MEUSSA:Complaints/C0-12-08:- 9
Interview Questions
Interviewer: Commander Paul Cline
Officer:--
Date:d, <l 0
Location: (2P]) 6. P. ,
Interview is being recorded. Please give clear, verbal answers:
Read, "Witness Officer's Admonition".
\\; L Please state your name and employment
\? 2. Are you aware of why I am interviewing you?
'v 3. Do you recall the afternoon of July 13, 2012 at approx 1300 hours?
.;v 4. Were you working that day? If yes where were you assigned?
C0-12-08
V 5. Where were you and what were you doing at that t}me?
'v 6. Do you recall seeing or speaking to Officer-on that date and approximate time?
'v 7. How would you describe your relationship with Officer-
'-., 8. Was Officer-working and what was he doing when he contacted you?
'-......, 9. Did you have a conversation with Officer-at that time?
'v 10. Do you reca!l the conversation and if so can you tell me what it was about?
11. Did you notice anything about Officer-such as injuries?
\.r 12. Can you describe what you noticed?
"-.,.. 13. Did you mention what you noticed to him and if so what did he say?
'v 14. Did he tell you how he got the injury to his thumb and wrist?
'v 15. Did you ask how he got the injury to his thumb and wrist?
'v 16. Did he tell you anything else about the Injury to his thumb and wrist?
'v-17. Did -tell you he was going to attend DT training later that day and that he was going
to report that he had injured his hand at the DT training?
'v 18. What was your response to that?
"':"119. Did he say anything else to you about the injury and how did your conversation end?
""' 20. How long was your conversation?
21. Were there any other people around during your conversation with-and if so do you
believe they could have overheard what was said?
22. Is your recoflection of your conversation with -dear?
23< What was the tone of the conversation?
24. Do you beiieve -was being serious?
hs. What did you do when -left?
/}6 .. Did you talk to any of the other officers who were there about what- told you?
V'J.7. Did you attend the Traffic Meeting on Wednesday July 18, 20127
.J 28. Do you reca!! hearlng about the officers who were on light duty and specifically Officer
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Do you remember why he was on light duty?
J 30. Did you speak to Sergeant -about this?
31. When was this and what did you tell her?
32. Why did you tell Sergeant-about this?
-(33. What did Sergeant-say after you told her about your conversation with-
Are you aware that she notified Commander Wilcox of your conversation with-
/ )5. Have you to anyone else what told on July 13, 2012?
./ 16. Have you spoKen to Officer -mce then and 1f so what was satd?
J 37. Was there obvious injury to Offlcer- right thumb and hand when you spoke to him
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on July 13, 2012 at 1300. Prior to his attending defensive tactics training?
3K Why in your opinion, do you think Officer- was telling you that he was going to
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, report his thumb injury as occurring at DT training?
39. !s there anything else you can recall about this incident that might he!p me to determine
what occurred?
Date and time interview was concluded. Do not discuss your invofvement in this incident with
anyone else at work for the time being.
RENTON POLICE DEPART14ENT
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
\VITNESS OFFICER ADMONITION
C0-12-08
COMPLAINT NUMBER
Today' s date "26=-l'--'C..- ____ . _at _
____ hours. lam
Commander Paul Cline interviewing Officer--regarding a compla1nt of
GO 26.!.l.ll.B Unbecoming Conduct
GO 26.1.1.11.0 Fictitious Illness or Injury Reports
GO 26.1.1.11 :rr Tmthfulness
which is alleged to have occurred on July 13, 2012 at approximately 1600 hours.
Officer- do you understand that this conversation is being tape recorded?
(Answer)
Officer- you are here as a wimess in the above listed complaint, a matter which
concerns another officer. A complaint has not been filed against and you are not
under investigation in this matter.
Officer- I wish to advise you that you are being questioned as a part of an official
investigation of the Renton Police Department.
You are reminded that section 26.1 "Insubordination" and of the Renton
Police Department General Orders do apply in this matter and that you must truthfuliy
respond. Any refusal to respond may result in disciplinary action as outlined in general
Order No. 26.1
STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
COMPLAINT NUMBER: C 0 ~ 1 2 - 0 8
INTERVIEWER: Cornmander Cline
LOCATION: Renton Police Department
DATE: July 25, 2012
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Today's date is July 25t
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at 2012 and the time is 2:09pm. l'm Commander
Paul Cline of the Professional Standards Division of the Renton Police
Department and I'll be conducting a taped interview with Officer-
- And- before I start I'd like to read you the Witness Offlcer
Admonition. This is reference C0-12-08 and we are in the Professional
Standards office at the Renton Police Department. Uh l am Commander
Paul Cline interviewing Officer-- regarding a complaint of
General Orders 26.1.1.2b Unbecoming Conduct, 26.1.1.2g Fictitious
Illness or Injury Report and GO 26.1.1.2tt Truthfulness which is alleged to
have occurred on July 13, 2012 at approximately 1600 hours. Officer
-do you understand that this conversation is being tape recorded.
f do.
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And uh Officer-you are here as a witness in the above listed
comp!aint
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a matter which concerns another officer. A complaint has not
been filed against you and you are not under investigation in this matter.
Officer-! wish to advise you that you are being questioned as part
of an official investigation of the Renton Police Department You are
reminded that section 26.11nsubordination and Truthfulness of the
Renton Police Department General Orders do apply in this matter and
that you must truthfully respond. Any refusal to respond may result in
disciplinary action as outlined in General Order 26.1. Do you understand
that?
I do.
- do you recall, well let me ask you first do you, do you know why
you're here today?
Uh about uh .. _being injured at DT.
Okay. Um, do you recall the incident we're here to discuss and, and the
fact that it occurred on July 13th at approximately 1600 hours?
l, I know, yes I know of the incident.
Okay. Were you working on July 13, 2012 and if so, what was your
assignment?
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Uh yes l was working and I was uh the Officer in Charge that day since
Sergeant Summers was on vacation.
Okay, Were you working on Ju, oh I'm sorry. Did you conduct briefing on
July 13, 2012?
I did.
And was .. Officer .. _present at that briefing?
Yes he was.
And did you have any contact with him at that briefing?
Yes, just general briefing interaction.
Okay, you, you had been seated at the front of the briefing room and he
was seated how far away from you would you say?
Urn, I was at the podium, he's in the, the second table back right in the
middle.
Okay. Would you say probably ten feet away then maybe?
Yes and that's the 13th ls the date ofthe injury. I didn't learn about it
until the following day at the 14th.
Correct.
Yeah.
Did you notice or did he mention any injuries at the tlme of the briefing
on the 13
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No.
Were you in a position do you think uh to see if he had any injury to his
right hand or right thumb at that time during briefing?
Uh anything visible I was in a position to but I didn't see anything.
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STATEMENT OF
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Did, would you, (-interjects with "Um") would you normally looked
or anything or?
I've, I would have, I, I wouldn't have noticed anything if he, unless he was
holding himself or complaining about it.
Okay. But there's nothing that stood out to you at that time?
No.
Okay.
Huh uh.
Do you recall going on any calls with Officer-prior to 1430 hours
on the 13th of July?
No. l may have, !...
Nothing that you recall though?
Nothing that l can remember, no.
Okay. Did you notice anything unusual or any injuries on him after the
briefing uh specifically to his right hand or thumb area?
No.
Did he make any mention of anything like that?
No.
Did anypf the other officers that you work with mention anything like
that?
Huh uh.
Okay. To your knowledge did Officer-attend Defensive Tactics
training on July 13, 2012 at 1430 hours?
Yes I reminded him to be there.
Okay. Did you see him or talk to him on the 13th after his training?
(MD/H:PDADM!N:MELISSA:Comp!aints/C0-12-08-- 3
STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
- No, I had gone for the day.
CUNE: Okay so you left at whattlme?
- Ah, I left at 1630.
CUNE: Okay.
- A half hour prior because I had a, my, a doctor's appointment.
CUNE: And 1630 would be about that time that the Defensive Tactics training
ended?
- Yes.
CLINE: Okay. When was the next time that you spoke to Officer-
- Um I spoke to him the morning of the 14th but I first learned of his injury
he text me on my way in, so he text me at about 4:30 in the morning on
the 14
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CLINE: Okay and what was that text about?
- Uh, basically said um I hurt my urn thumb in DT yesterday, I'm not sure if
J can draw my weapon.
CLINE: Okay. Did he say anything about reporting it to anybody at DT or?
- Um when he got to, we didn't do that via text but when we got in before
briefing he said that um he, he told me how it happened. He said-
was there and that one of the instructors, ... had taped him up
after the injury.
CLINE: So he had shown the injury to-(-interjectswith "Uh huh")
and Officer- was aware of it as well?
- Yes that's my (Cline interjects with "Okay") understanding.
CLINE: Did he say how it happened?
- Yes.
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STATEMENT OF
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What what did he say?
He said they, and I haven't done this round of DT yet, but it's weapon
retention. And he said that he had reached out to um to 1
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playing suspect, trying to get -weapon, and that his thumb got
lodged in between the holster in the waistband and -hip. And l
guess part of the tactic is to, to move and to twist fast to get out of that
and that's when -did that
1
that's when his thumb got, he's got
wrenched and he motioned that it got yanked down.
Okay. Now did he
1
so he did come to work on July 14th?
He did. But he sent me a text prior saying I may not be able to stay if I
can't draw my weapon.
Okay. So what happened when he came in to work that morning?
Um I started the, he, it was, he was babying it enough to kn, to for me to
know that he was injured and needed to get medical attention, the way
he was acting, so I started the paperwork.
{Cline interjects) Now when you say, when you say he was babying it,
what was he doing?
Urn he just wasn't using it and urn he had his own uh sidearm that he
takes in back and forth to work and he, he was showing me how he was
having a hard time just doing the thumb break, the thumb snap on a, a
personal weapon and he's, he goes wei! I doubt I could even do it on my
Level3 as opposed to my little one snap.
Okay. Did you observe his right thumb at that time and his hand area
when he came in on the 14th and if so what did you see?
Uh l saw it. He pointed out to me urn where it was hurting but I didn
1
t
see any swelling or discoloration.
So and he showed you his right hand -interjects with "Mmm
hmm") and you didn't see any swelling or discoloration?
Yeah and we talked about cuz when I dislocated my thumb it took a while
for cuz my palm turned black but it was a while later so.
Okay.
{MD/H:POADMIN:MEUSSA:Cornplaints/C0-1208- 5
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
He said it hurt.
So, so nothing real visible other than the fact that he was babying it?
Yes, (Cline interjects wlth "Okay") and he was saying it hurt but I didn't
see anything but 1...
{Cline interjects} Okay. And I, I should mention on this when we, when
we uh discuss DT we're talking about Defensive Tactics training, correct?
Yes, (Cline interjects with "Okay") it was the weapon retention {Cline
interjects with "Okay") segment. And he does have a messed up, he's
had, he's got a big scar on his hand so it, his wrist looks a little different
than normal so ...
Okay.
!t didn't look any different to me but I mean if it's inside I wouldn't be
able to, I'm not a doctor.
Okay. Okay, after he came in you saw the injury and he sald he didn't
know he'd be able to draw hls weapon, what happened after that?
I said wei! go, it was before briefing, l said well get upstairs and see if you
can dolt cuz there's no reason for you to be here if you can't.
So see if he can draw his weapon?
Yes.
Okay.
And then he came back down and said he couldn't. And I said well let's
get the paperwork done and you can't stay here. I'm not in a position to
authorize light duty and he hadn
1
t sought medical attention so I was
telling him he needed to do that.
Okay so you told him at that time he needed to leave and not work
because of the injury ...
Yes.
{MD/H:PDADMIN:MEUSSA:Comp!aints/C0-12-08--
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
... And to seek doctors attention?
Yes.
Okay.
Cuz that's kinda the show stopper, if you can't draw your gun.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Did, did he do that?
He did.
What, if anything, did Officer- tell you had caused the injury to his
hand? I know you said it was the, the twisting on his wrist by Officer uh
when Officer-twisted- interjects with HYeah") away. Did he
say there was any other kind of injury, other than his thumb?
Yeah, it wasn't twisting his wrist it was just his thumb.
Okay.
And he just said it got wrenched and um that it had got, like I said, got
wedged in between his holster and hip and he said uh he doesn't know
exactly how it happened, it happened really quickly and that it got
yanked or wrenched back, yanked and wrenched were the two words
that he used.
Okay. Did you fill out the Supervisor Injury Report form for Officer
-
l did.
And did Officer- read and sign that form"?
He did.
And the reason for, listed on the form was uh an on duty injury at
Defensive Tactics?
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Yes.
STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
Okay, What happened after he went home the morning of the 14th, uh
did you contact him at all further that day or?
Yeah, I followed up with him and said um well, it was my understanding
that he was going to go to a walk-in and L.
(Cline interjects) A walk-in clinic?
Walk, I'm sorry, walk-in doctors clinic (Cline interjects with "Okay"} and
um I followed up several hours later, said what do you know, are you
going to be here tomorrow or, you know is something broken? And he
said he hadn't been able to get into his doctor yet and, and this was via
text.
Right.
Um, and then l said we!! okay I thought you were, it was my
understanding that you were going to a walk-ln. And he said oh I
thought, he thought he was going to try and get into his own doctor. And
so I text him four different places, cuz he lives down by where I do in
Pierce County area, and ! text him the four different walk-ins that are
right in our area, and um by that time he said I'm already in the waitlng
room at Sound Family Medicine to be seen.
Where his doctor is?
Where one of the walk-ins is, (Cline interjects with uoh, okay, okay"}
that's not his doctor.
Now when Officer -left um did you have sufficient staffing uh
when he left because of his injury on the 14th or did you have to call
someone in or borrow an officer from another squad or?
Uh, l believe we had to borrow but I'd, I'd have to check TeleStaff. We've
been so short handed I don't know what day.
So you, you think it put you below minimum when he left?
I believe so, I'd have to confirm though.
Okay, but you think it did?
{MD/H:PDADMIN:MELISSA:Complaints/C0-12-08-
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I do, yeah.
Okay.
STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
If you want me to log on real quick r can check.
Well we, we can do that after -interjects with "Okay") uh this
interview. Um, had Officer- asked for any time off between July
13th and 24th prior to this incident?
Um ...
To your knowledge?
Not that i am aware of, no.
Would you know if he had?
If he'd asked me
1
yes. But Paut well
1
13th to the twenty, unless Paul, he
did with Paul. He should ask Paul first.
Sergeant Summers?
Yes, I'm sorry, yes.
Okay. Alright, do you know what Offlcer-sick leave balance was
on July 13th?
Not exactly, but I know it's, it's low.
Okay. When you say low, do you mean less than ten hours, less than
twenty hours, do you have an approximate?
I think the last time Sergeant Summers and I had a discussion about that
it was under fifty hours.
Okay.
But that was a few months ago and I, I know that he's been trying to
work on savlng it up.
Okay. Did Officer- report back to you after seeinga doctor?
{MD/H:PDADMIN:MELISSA:Comp!aints/C0-12-QS;-
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Yes.
STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
And what did he tell you?
He told me the doctor had said I can authorize you light duty right now or
you follow up with your primary care physician in three days.
Okay.
And I said okay, and then um, and I sald, said confirm so you won't be
here tomorrow meaning Sunday, July 15th so J could get staffing
arranged. And he said no he wouldn't be. And then on our days off,
Monday, he text me and said urn that he was not able to get in to his
primary care doctor until the 23rd.
Okay. So then basically he was, would be offthrough the 23'd to your
knowledge?
Yes, but I asked him because the initial person he saw at the a l k ~ i n clinic
sald ! can give you a light duty slip now or you can follow up with your
doctor. And he goes ! had planned on just following up with my doctor; I
didn't think it would be hard to get in especially with a new injury, but he
was having a hard time doing that.
Okay. Did you have any further conversation with Offer, Officer-
about his injury or how it happened?
Um, not about how it happened but I'd followed up with him since Paul,
Sergeant Summers is gone, it's my responsibility to keep an eye on that
(Cline interjects with "Uh huh") and um just kind of back and forth said
urn if you can try and get in sooner because the Departmenes going to
want, if it is light duty, they're going to want a return to work date and
(Cline interjects with
11
Right") have some more answers since, and since
this kinda fell over a weekend time um and I left messages with uh
Melissa and Sue uh on Monday urn cuz Melissa, make sure that l had all
the paperwork I needed on my aspect end of it and urn ...
(Cline interjects} And that would be the uh Supervisor's Report of Injury,
{-interjects with "And"} the City of Renton Incident Report{-
interjects with "Correct") and then uh there'd also be an L&l report I
believe, correct?
(MD/H:PDADMIN:MELISSA:Complaints/CQ-12-08:- 10
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
Yes, l checked that out of the (Cline interjects with"Okaf) Sergeant's
Locker and got that assigned to him. _
Okay. Have you uh notified, at that time did you notify Sergeant
Summers or Commander- about the injury and the leave time
for-
I notified Commander-but uh Sergeant Summers was on
vacation and I opted to not tell him until it was getting dose to our days I
didn't want, he'd worry about it
Okay, so y o u , ~ - - interjects with"And there's nothing') but you did
notify Commander-
Oh
1
immediately.
Okay.
Immediately, yeah.
Alright. Uh have you spoken to anyone else about this incident since it
occurred on July 13t
11
?
Uh, the thirt, about-
Since, since he injured his hand.
Well just talking to him about it with.
(Cline interjects) Any other officers, or anybody say anything to you about
it, or?
No. We uh, uh that morning of the Saturday the 14th he was in the report
writing room and Officer- was in there and they were kind of
reenacting when it happened, cuz somebody else had asked and there
was another party sitting in there.
(Cline interjects) Now is Officer- in your squad as well?
He's, he work my same days but he's a southender.
Okay hes a south end squad, you are the north end squad?
(MD/H:PDADMIN:MEUSSA:Complalnts/C0-12-08:-
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Yeah.
STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
Okay. Now you'd mentioned the reports that you filled out. Are they an
accurate account of what occurred on July 13th to your knowledge and
what was relayed to you by Officer-
Yeah, we!! it was what he told me (Cline interjects with
11
0kay") and l
didn't have any reason to ...
(Cline interjects) And when did you complete those reports?
The same day.
Okay. Would it have been possible for you not to have seen if Officer
- right thumb was swollen or bruised both in the briefing and
out, throughout the day prior to his going to Defensive Tactics?
lt, would it have been impossible?
Why do you say impossible?
(Ciine interjects) Would it have been possible for you not to have
noticed ...
-interjects) It, it was pos ...
(Cline interjects) ... whether he was injured or not ...
- interjects} ... absolutely possible ...
(Cline interjects) ... prior to the defensive ...
- interjects) ... nothing visible.
Okay.
But it cou!d have, ! don't inspect (Cline interjects with "Right") body parts
I'm just (Cline interjects with "Okay
1
'} like making sure you have your
radio and your(- laughs) and so forth. Urn, but he did show me his
hand. He, he pointed out where there, there was pain. l didn't see ...
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
(Cline interjects) No I mean that was on the 14
1
h-Interjects with
"The 14
1
h"). I meant
1
! meant on the 13t
11

... would it be possible for you not to notice it?
It, it's possible buL
Okay. Is there any other information about this incident and Officer
- injury that you have that might be pertinent to this
investigation?
I, l was kinda shocked. I have no, no idea.
he said that -urn had, had taped him up (Cline interjects with
uokay"). And that's also, I had asked him because when you get noti, you
get hurt at DT they usually say anybody hurt, just to make a notification.
So I assume (Cline interjects with usure") that so I'd asked if he'd made
the report to them !ike a formal one and he said no, he opted to wait
untif come back to his own crew.
Okay.
Which l understood.
Did you talk to any of the DT instructors who were at his training about
the incident and his injury, and that would specifically be ....
-Susan uh Hassinger and Patrick Morgan?
I, I didn't talk to any of 'em (Cline interjects with "Okay
11
) about that.
Have you heard other officers talking about the incident or how Officer
-injured, was injured, and if so what have you heard? And I know
you already mentioned that you! Officer- was reenacting what had
happened -interjects with "Yeah") but other than that have you
heard anything else?
No
1
just people talking about staffing levels and what happened to
- oh _!got hurt in DT. I mean just in passing, nothing (Cline
interjects with "Okay") specific.
Now, he was off for an enti, the 13th and the 14th, and then the entire
next three day rotation, correct?
(MD/H:PDADM!N:MELISSA:Complalnts/C0-12-08- 13
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STATEMENT OF
OFFICER--
And did you have to back fill with overtime for those positions?
Yes.
On the, the last three days?
Yeah, we stole, we stole from the south um on two of the days and on
one of the days l, we had to get overtime.
You called somebody in?
Yes and (C!ine interjects with "Okay") especially on all three days because
we already had somebody coming in on overtime for the 21st um and
then having him that would just make another overtime body.
Uh, this last question just, I'm asking your opinion. Do you have any
information or knowledge to cause you to doubt how and when Officer
-was injured?
No.
Okay.
I don't, !, l this is the firs-laughs) I've, I've heard of anything.
Okay. Alright that'll conclude this interview and the time is 2:26 pm.
Okay. Do you want me to hop on TeleStaff and I can ...
(Cline interjects) We can, we can actually uh check that right after uh
when I, once I get the tape stopped.
Oh, l'm sorry.
That's alright. Thank you.
(MD/H:PDADM!N:MEUSSA:Complaints/C0-12-0S- 14
Interview Questions
Interviewer: Commander Paul Cline
Officer: Officer ... _
Date: Tv {'f ~ '2-orz. Time: I t{ 0 ~
Location: RP D c. e S.
Interview is being recorded. Please give dear, verbal answers.
Read, "Witness Officer Admonition".
1. Please state your name and employment.
2, Are you aware of why lam interviewing you?
C0-12-08
3. Do you recall the incident we are here to discuss that occurred on July 13, 2012 at approx.
1600?
4. Were you working on July 13, 2012 and lf so what was your assignment?
5. Did you conduct briefing on July 13, 2012?
6. was Officer present at that briefing?
/ 7. Did you have any contact with him?
/ 8. Did you notice or did he mention any injury at that time?
/ 9. Were you in a position to see if he had an injury to his right thumb?
,..., 10. Do you recall going on any calls with him prior to 1430 on July 13?
/ 11. Did you notice anything unusual or any injuries on him, specifically to his right hand and
thumb area?
/ 12. To your knowledge did Officer-attend defensive tactics training on July 13,2012 at
1430 hours?
/ 13. Did you see him or talk to him on the 13th after his training?
.,..,- 14. When is the next time you spoke to Officer-
- 15. What was that conversation about?
- 16. Did he come to work the next day?
"""" 17. Were you in charge O!C on the July 14, 2012?
-""' 18. What happened when he came into work?
../ 19. Did you observe his right thumb I hand area when he came in on the 14th and if so what did
you see?
_ 20. What happened afterthat ?
_, 21. Did you tell him he needed to go home/ see a doctor?
_. 22.. Did he do that?
- 23. What if anything did Officer-tell you had caused the injury to his hand?
- 24. Did you confirm this and did you fill out the Supervisors report of injury form?
......_ 25. Did Officer -read and sign that form?
- 26. What happened after he went home the morning of July 14
1
h?
-1 27, Did you have sufficient staffing after Officer -left due to his injury on July 14
1
h until
he returned to work today or did you have to call someone in or borrow an officer from the
South squad?
....... 28. Had Officer-asked for any time off between July 13th and 24
111
prior to this incident?
- 29, Do you know what Officer-sick leave balance was on July 13?
........ 30, Did Officer-report back to you after seeing a doctor?
- 31. What did he tell you?
- 32. Ho'w long was Officer-off due to his injury to hls thumb and wrist?
......, 33. Was his time of scheduled as Job Injury leave?
'"""f 34. Did you have any further conversations with Office injury or how it
happened?
' 35. Did inform Sergeant Summers or Commander VanValey about the injury and leave time
- 36. ' n to anyone else about this incident since it occurred on July 13th?
- 37. What reports or memos, if any did you complete as a result of this incident?
""'t 38. Are those reports an accurate account of what occurred on July 13th and 14th, 2012
involving Office
- 39. When did you reports?
- 40. Would it have been possible for you not to have seen if Officer-rlghtthumb was
swollen or bruised in briefing or could you have easily not noticed it?
...._ 41. What about on ca!ls you went to with him during the day?
._ 42. !s there any other information about this incident and Officer
that might be pertinent to this investigation?
that you have
- 43. Did you talk to DT instructors who were at his training about the incident and his injury?
, , Susan Hassinger or Patrick Morgan?
- 44. Have you heard other officers talking about this incident or how Officer
was injured
and if so what have you heard?
- 45. Do you have any information or knowledge to cause you to doubt how and when Officer
-was injured.
Date and time interview was concluded.
RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
WITNESS OFFICER ADMONITION
C0-12-08
COMPLA.INT NlJ!vffiER
Today's date is ::ru { 1 2).J.
1
?-<ill-at_...:.../-=CJ;_;_/_7:..._._ ____ hours. I am
Commander Paul Cline interviewing Officer--regarding a
complaint of
GO 26.1 J .ll . .B Unbecoming Conduct
GO 26. Ll.ll :G Fictitious Jllness or Injury Reports
GO 26.1.1.1 LTT Truthfulness
which is alleged to have occurred on July l3> 2012 at approximately 1600 hours.
O f f i c e r ~ do you understand that this conversation is being tape recorded?
(Answer) '{ J..o .,
Officer- you are here as a witness in the above listed complaint, a matter which
concerns another officer. A complaint has not been filed against you, and you are not
under investigation Jn this matter.
Officer- I wish to advise you that you are being questioned as a part of an
official investigation of the Renton Police Department.
You are reminded that section 26.1 "Insubordination;' and "Truthfulness
1
' of the Renton
Police Department General Orders do apply in this matter and that you must truthfully
respond. Any refusal to respond may result in disciplinary action as outlined in general
Order No. 26.1