By Jim Burrows
Warrants were issued today for the former chief of police of
Granby and his second in command.
Chandler, Keller and a third officer, John Epperson, were fired
at Tuesday night's city council meeting following an executive
session in which the council voted 4-0 to terminate the officers.
Thomas Craig, who had been a sergeant, was appointed acting chief.
Sheriff Ron Doerge said both men have agreed to turn themselves
in at the Newton County Jail and he will personally arrest the
former officers.
The prosecuting attorney said investigators from the sheriff's
department who conducted the investigation have submitted no
allegations of wrongdoing against Epperson.
Bridges said two search warrants were executed Tuesday afternoon
at the Granby Police Department and at the chief's house. He said
evidence, including a tape recording of the Sept. 4 closed meeting
of the Granby Police Review Board, was seized.
"The allegations are we have evidence the chief borrowed -- it's
called an Echo device and repeater -- from the highway patrol and
that Echo device was put in the council chamber wherever they have
closed meetings," Bridges said.
He said the device consists of a combination micro-phone and
transmitter and a receiver which records conversations within the
range of the microphone. He said it was a body mike and transmitter
often used by officers in undercover drug investigations. He said
there is an exception to the wiretapping law which allows officers
to use such devices to record conversations during undercover
investigations.
"But it can't be used to eavesdrop," Bridges said.
He said Chandler had borrowed the listening device from the
Troop D headquarters in Springfield.
Chandler and Keller were allegedly recording the police review
board meeting because, "from the information we received, they were
concerned about about whether or not Epperson was going to be fired."
He said, if convicted, the former officers could no
---------------------------------------------------
longer work as police officers. He said maximum punishment for the
Class D felony is up to five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
Bond has been set at $2,500 each.
Sheriff Doerge said investigators received complete cooperation
from the Granby City Council and the Granby Police Review Board.
Doerge said the sheriff's department was contacted by Kevin
Selby, Granby's city attorney.
"The information was the city had reason to believe, that at a
closed meeting of the police review board, they believed the meeting
may have been monitored or taped," Doerge said.
He said it appeared more than one person knew of the tape and
that it was at the police department.
Doerge said he, Chief Deputy Chris Jennings and three
investigators went to the Granby Police Department and, about 4:15
p.m. Tuesday, served the search warrant on Acting Chief Craig.
He said it was very unusual for Granby to have borrowed a
listening device from the highway patrol because that type of device
was available for loan to the police department by the sheriff's
department. He said Chandler could have also obtained such a device
from the Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force, of which the Granby
Police Department is a member.
"We question, if it was a legitimate need for a listening device,
why they did not come to us," Doerge said.
He said a case like this where officers violate the law is rare.
"It is extremely rare and very unusual. It surprised all of us,"
he said. "This is unthinkable to me," he said.
"Most officers are very honest and very hard working individuals
and are concerned for any officer or officers that would conduct
themselves in a manner that would be a violation of law.
"At all times officers remind themselves that they have the trust
of the public, the citizens, or those who appoint them and it's a
violation of their oath to uphold the law in a manner that's
prescribed by law."
.
Daily News Staff
Prosecuting Attorney Greg Bridges said he filed felony illegal
wiretapping charges against George E. Chandler, 39, the former
chief, and Trevor D. Keller, 25.
Page 2, Granby chief, officer face criminal charges
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