Post by KC on Oct 27, 2006 22:30:28 GMT -5
The Mobile Police Department fired an officer Monday after an review board heard the results of an investigation into complaints that he had beaten a man in one incident and illegally searched a woman's home in another, city officials said.
The department's internal trial board found that 1st Precinct Officer William Oblak acted improperly during the man's arrest and when he was called to the home of a woman who had been receiving threatening calls, according to Officer Eric Gallichant, a police spokesman. Gallichant said that the trial board met last week and Oblak was officially terminated Monday.
After a hearing conducted under oath, the trial board -- a panel of three department officials -- made its recommendation to Chief Phillip Garrett, who then offered a recommendation to Mayor Sam Jones. The mayor said Monday that he approved the decision to fire Oblak.
Oblak can appeal to the Mobile County Personnel Board, the chief has told the Press-Register.
"When we find an officer who has misconduct, we will take action to remedy it," Jones said. "We want the very best in the department."
The Press-Register has been unable to reach Oblak or anyone representing him for comment on either of the complaints against him. It's standard policy for officers not to speak publicly about such matters, Gallichant said.
The Mobile Police Department employs more than 500 sworn officers.
Witnesses have told the Press-Register that while arresting Jimmie Grayson on Sept. 23 outside a Dauphin Island Parkway Exxon station, Oblak kicked and punched Grayson repeatedly and threw him on the hood of a police cruiser. Medical personnel at the Mobile County Metro Jail later refused to accept Grayson, 57, who was charged with disorderly conduct, because of his condition.
City prosecutors did not immediately return a telephone call concerning whether Grayson will still face the misdemeanor charges. He has told the Press-Register that he is scheduled for a court hearing Oct. 30.
Judy Heninburg, who lives in the Midtown area, said that Oblak responded to her home July 16 because she had been receiving threatening calls. She said he searched her kitchen even though she told him three times that he did not have permission to do so.
www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1161681393150530.xml&coll=3
The department's internal trial board found that 1st Precinct Officer William Oblak acted improperly during the man's arrest and when he was called to the home of a woman who had been receiving threatening calls, according to Officer Eric Gallichant, a police spokesman. Gallichant said that the trial board met last week and Oblak was officially terminated Monday.
After a hearing conducted under oath, the trial board -- a panel of three department officials -- made its recommendation to Chief Phillip Garrett, who then offered a recommendation to Mayor Sam Jones. The mayor said Monday that he approved the decision to fire Oblak.
Oblak can appeal to the Mobile County Personnel Board, the chief has told the Press-Register.
"When we find an officer who has misconduct, we will take action to remedy it," Jones said. "We want the very best in the department."
The Press-Register has been unable to reach Oblak or anyone representing him for comment on either of the complaints against him. It's standard policy for officers not to speak publicly about such matters, Gallichant said.
The Mobile Police Department employs more than 500 sworn officers.
Witnesses have told the Press-Register that while arresting Jimmie Grayson on Sept. 23 outside a Dauphin Island Parkway Exxon station, Oblak kicked and punched Grayson repeatedly and threw him on the hood of a police cruiser. Medical personnel at the Mobile County Metro Jail later refused to accept Grayson, 57, who was charged with disorderly conduct, because of his condition.
City prosecutors did not immediately return a telephone call concerning whether Grayson will still face the misdemeanor charges. He has told the Press-Register that he is scheduled for a court hearing Oct. 30.
Judy Heninburg, who lives in the Midtown area, said that Oblak responded to her home July 16 because she had been receiving threatening calls. She said he searched her kitchen even though she told him three times that he did not have permission to do so.
www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1161681393150530.xml&coll=3