Suspended Policeman Quits The Force City Hasn’t Released Results Of Investigation

Sat., Dec. 23, 1995

By John Craig johnc@spokesman.com

Newport Police Officer Ed Miller Jr. resigned Friday in the face of possible criminal charges that he abused his authority.

Miller, 40, had been suspended with pay from his $22,128-a-year job since Oct. 11. He was suspended for entering a family’s house in the middle of the night without a warrant for the strong-armed arrest of a man who allegedly harassed him on the telephone.

Miller was not immediately available for comment. “I believe it is in the best interest of myself and my family to make this career change,” he said in a prepared statement.

City and county prosecutors dropped all charges against Troy Dexter, who complained that Miller roughed him up, squirted him with pepper spray and held his wife and daughter at gunpoint.

The Washington State Patrol investigated the incident and issued a report on Nov. 28. City officials declined to make public the report, which may lead to criminal charges against Miller.

City Administrator Jack Henderson said City Attorney Mark Hanley will appoint a special prosecutor to prevent the appearance of a conflict of interest. The special prosecutor could take no action, file misdemeanor charges or ask Pend Oreille County Prosecutor Tom Metzger to file felony charges.

Meanwhile, the city and its insurance carrier are still reviewing eight $100,000 claims filed by Newport attorney Dennis Scott on behalf of Dexter and others who claim Miller abused them. If unpaid, the claims could lead to lawsuits against the city.

Public records show that other police officers also have complained Miller used profanity and excessive force during his three years on the force. Police Chief Gary Markwardt admonished Miller about his behavior several times.

A reserve city police officer filed a three-page report in March 1994, complaining that Miller was unnecessarily belligerent in a case of underage drinking that they handled together. Miller wound up using pepper spray on a youth.

The reserve officer said he witnessed other incidents in which Miller was “just as verbally abusive and extremely rude.”

“I feel that his attitude and his treatment of the public in Newport is harmful to the Police Department and is creating resentment towards the police,” the officer stated.

In a Feb. 8 letter to Markwardt, Sheriff Doug Malby threatened to cancel Miller’s county authority. Citing Miller’s attitude and language in a Feb. 4 incident, Malby said it was one more example of “very unprofessional” conduct.

Malby warned Markwardt his deputies might withdraw backup support from Miller.

“If they observe or hear any unprofessional contacts, they are to advise the parties involved that the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Department does not condone such behavior and leave the area immediately,” Malby said.

, DataTimes

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.