Deputies who faked chase on paid leave

Three Spokane County sheriff’s deputies who engaged in a mock pursuit that ended with damages to a city of Spokane police car have been put on paid administrative leave, officials announced Friday.

The deputies’ names are being withheld pending an administrative and criminal investigation into the Oct. 3 incident.

“I fully expect that criminal charges will go forward on this, likely by Wednesday,” Sheriff Mark Sterk said. “I want to look at the totality of the situation, but it could include up to termination. Our community needs to know we are an agency of integrity.”

The incident began after a routine traffic stop. A deputy in a marked patrol car turned on its lights and chased two plainclothes deputies in an unmarked Mustang. The three deputies were headed to the Public Safety Building downtown to end their shifts. The chase continued onto Division Street where a city police officer saw the mock pursuit, which he believed was legitimate.

Spokane police officers who were at Anthony’s restaurant on a false alarm were radioed by the first officer. The officers threw out spike strips, ending the chase. The police then drew their guns to bring the presumed criminals out of the muscle car. During the commotion, a police officer left a patrol car in gear. It rolled through a fence and into a pole, causing about $2,200 damage to the vehicle.

“The heartbreak part of this is they’ve been outstanding deputies,” Sterk said. “They made a poor choice and they put themselves in this position.”

The deputies could face anything from a traffic infraction to criminal traffic charges, such as reckless driving, depending on the results of the investigations, Sterk said.

The three deputies, who were hired in 2002, were put on paid administrative leave while the facts of the incident are determined. Paid administrative leave is typically an action taken while a matter is under investigation, as opposed to an unpaid suspension, which is generally a form of discipline, according to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff has sent the deputies a letter – an official step in the investigative process – in which he asked for an explanation.

The examination into the three deputies’ actions will also include looking at their records with the sheriff’s office.

In terms of discipline, Sterk said, he can’t comment on what the punishment should or would include.

He said he also has to consider he has “tens of thousands of dollars invested in these guys,” and if he can salvage their career he’d like to. But if he can’t, he’ll move up the line to termination.

“I’m sure whatever Spokane County decides will be well thought out,” Spokane Police Department spokesman Lt. Dean Sprague said. “And I trust it will be fair and prudent. The consequences should mirror the offense.”

E-mails to the Spokane Police Department from “the more vocal public” have suggested the deputies’ punishment include letters of apology and that the deputies pay for the damages, Sprague said. But they don’t stop at that; they’ve also recommended criminal charges and firing.

“It’s interesting that we all want justice for everybody else,” Sprague said. “But we all want mercy for ourselves.”

Sterk will make the final decision about disciplinary action after the simultaneous investigations.

“The lack of professionalism from our three guys is disappointing to me,” Sterk said. “This is embarrassing not only for the organization, but also for the police department. They were dragged into this as well. It’s also embarrassing for the community.”