Post by WaTcHeR on Dec 28, 2006 12:07:43 GMT -5
12.28.2006 - SPRINGFIELD - A city police officer was arrested yesterday for the third time since 2004 after failing to appear for his trial on charges of assaulting an ex-girlfriend and carrying a firearm while intoxicated.
The absence of Patrolman Karl P. Johnson in Springfield District Court yesterday morning forced Judge Nancy Dusek-Gomez to issue a default warrant, court and police officials said.
Johnson, who was home asleep, was arrested and brought to court, said Assistant District Attorney Eileen M. Sears. Dusek-Gomez released him on $1,000 bail and rescheduled the trial for Jan. 4.
Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Flagg said Johnson's employment status is under review, and disciplinary action is possible.
Johnson, laid off in 2003 and rehired earlier this year, works the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, said Flagg, chief of staff for Commissioner Edward A. Flynn.
"He will not be working tonight," Flagg said, adding any decision on disciplinary action will be announced later this week.
Johnson's lawyer, Roy Anderson of Springfield, could not be reached for comment.
Sears, who is prosecuting the case, said the assault and firearms charges against Johnson date back to Dec. 30, 2004.
While refusing to discuss details, Sears said the case involved a dispute between Johnson and an ex-girlfriend.
Johnson tangled with the law again on Nov. 2, 2005, when he was arrested and charged with trespassing and resisting arrest, Sears said. No details in the case were available late yesterday.
Both cases occurred while Johnson was laid off.
Johnson had served three years on the force before being laid off in 2003 due to the city's looming financial crisis.
The rehiring off laid off officers are governed by Civil Service laws, Flagg said.
Flagg said she could not discuss Johnson's record as a patrolman.
www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-6/116548110515900.xml&coll=1
The absence of Patrolman Karl P. Johnson in Springfield District Court yesterday morning forced Judge Nancy Dusek-Gomez to issue a default warrant, court and police officials said.
Johnson, who was home asleep, was arrested and brought to court, said Assistant District Attorney Eileen M. Sears. Dusek-Gomez released him on $1,000 bail and rescheduled the trial for Jan. 4.
Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Flagg said Johnson's employment status is under review, and disciplinary action is possible.
Johnson, laid off in 2003 and rehired earlier this year, works the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, said Flagg, chief of staff for Commissioner Edward A. Flynn.
"He will not be working tonight," Flagg said, adding any decision on disciplinary action will be announced later this week.
Johnson's lawyer, Roy Anderson of Springfield, could not be reached for comment.
Sears, who is prosecuting the case, said the assault and firearms charges against Johnson date back to Dec. 30, 2004.
While refusing to discuss details, Sears said the case involved a dispute between Johnson and an ex-girlfriend.
Johnson tangled with the law again on Nov. 2, 2005, when he was arrested and charged with trespassing and resisting arrest, Sears said. No details in the case were available late yesterday.
Both cases occurred while Johnson was laid off.
Johnson had served three years on the force before being laid off in 2003 due to the city's looming financial crisis.
The rehiring off laid off officers are governed by Civil Service laws, Flagg said.
Flagg said she could not discuss Johnson's record as a patrolman.
www.masslive.com/springfield/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-6/116548110515900.xml&coll=1