Post by WaTcHeR on Feb 8, 2006 11:51:24 GMT -5
New Jersey - The Newark police commander under investigation for allegedly having sex in his patrol car was promoted last month despite an earlier charge he groped a female officer under his supervision.
At the time of his Jan. 24 promotion, Capt. Ralph Boswell was on trial in Newark Municipal Court on charges he tried to kiss the younger officer during an overnight shift at the department's North District headquarters.
That harassment trial has been held up by adjournments and scheduling problems, attorneys said.
Boswell's lawyer, Randy Davenport, said the captain did nothing wrong, and deserved the promotion. "It was based on his qualifications," Davenport said.
A promotional review board "thoroughly examined Captain Boswell's record during his 21 years of service with the department before making their recommendation and voted to move forward with his promotion," Police Director Anthony Ambrose said.
Capt. Derek Glenn, a police spokesman, added that Boswell remains under a 90-day "working test period" that he must complete in order to keep his promotion. "The outcome of the case could determine what if any disciplinary action is warranted and could also result in the captain being demoted," Glenn said.
Boswell, 49, is a decorated former narcotics and homicide detective. With his promotion to captain, he received a raise and a new assignment: overseeing the department's nighttime patrols.
That was his job Thursday night, when he allegedly had sex with a woman in his marked cruiser in the parking lot of a McDonald's on 18th Avenue. At the time, Boswell and another captain were the highest ranking officers on duty in the city.
The woman has not filed a criminal complaint, but told investigators she left her underwear in the back seat. Investigators later found the underwear there, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the case. The matter is now under investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
Ambrose suspended Boswell Friday from his $86,572-a-year job.
Boswell's trial on the harassment complaint began in November, with his accuser, officer Darlene Young, testifying he "grabbed me and tried to kiss me" while the two were in a supervisor's office on July 20, 2005, according to court transcripts.
After getting off work that morning, she gave a statement to internal affairs investigators and filed a harassment complaint against Boswell in Newark Municipal Court, said her lawyer, Joseph E. Govlick.
The trial was still pending on Jan. 24, when Boswell was one of 52 officers awarded promotions in a ceremony at City Hall.
Davenport said yesterday Boswell has filed a counter-complaint against his accuser, saying she filed a false police report.
"Our position is this: He didn't do anything wrong, and he maintains his innocence," Davenport said. "We're having a trial, and when the trial is over, we believe he'll be found innocent."
Davenport declined to comment on the recent allegations because he is not representing Boswell in that matter. Boswell could not be reached for comment.
The harassment trial was scheduled to resume yesterday afternoon, but was adjourned until tomorrow, when Govlick said he will seek permission to play Young's videotaped statement to internal affairs investigators.
At the time of his Jan. 24 promotion, Capt. Ralph Boswell was on trial in Newark Municipal Court on charges he tried to kiss the younger officer during an overnight shift at the department's North District headquarters.
That harassment trial has been held up by adjournments and scheduling problems, attorneys said.
Boswell's lawyer, Randy Davenport, said the captain did nothing wrong, and deserved the promotion. "It was based on his qualifications," Davenport said.
A promotional review board "thoroughly examined Captain Boswell's record during his 21 years of service with the department before making their recommendation and voted to move forward with his promotion," Police Director Anthony Ambrose said.
Capt. Derek Glenn, a police spokesman, added that Boswell remains under a 90-day "working test period" that he must complete in order to keep his promotion. "The outcome of the case could determine what if any disciplinary action is warranted and could also result in the captain being demoted," Glenn said.
Boswell, 49, is a decorated former narcotics and homicide detective. With his promotion to captain, he received a raise and a new assignment: overseeing the department's nighttime patrols.
That was his job Thursday night, when he allegedly had sex with a woman in his marked cruiser in the parking lot of a McDonald's on 18th Avenue. At the time, Boswell and another captain were the highest ranking officers on duty in the city.
The woman has not filed a criminal complaint, but told investigators she left her underwear in the back seat. Investigators later found the underwear there, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the case. The matter is now under investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
Ambrose suspended Boswell Friday from his $86,572-a-year job.
Boswell's trial on the harassment complaint began in November, with his accuser, officer Darlene Young, testifying he "grabbed me and tried to kiss me" while the two were in a supervisor's office on July 20, 2005, according to court transcripts.
After getting off work that morning, she gave a statement to internal affairs investigators and filed a harassment complaint against Boswell in Newark Municipal Court, said her lawyer, Joseph E. Govlick.
The trial was still pending on Jan. 24, when Boswell was one of 52 officers awarded promotions in a ceremony at City Hall.
Davenport said yesterday Boswell has filed a counter-complaint against his accuser, saying she filed a false police report.
"Our position is this: He didn't do anything wrong, and he maintains his innocence," Davenport said. "We're having a trial, and when the trial is over, we believe he'll be found innocent."
Davenport declined to comment on the recent allegations because he is not representing Boswell in that matter. Boswell could not be reached for comment.
The harassment trial was scheduled to resume yesterday afternoon, but was adjourned until tomorrow, when Govlick said he will seek permission to play Young's videotaped statement to internal affairs investigators.