French says he didn't slap man | Bryan/College Station, Texas

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Published Tuesday, November 25, 2008 6:05 AM

French says he didn't slap man

By CASSIE SMITH
cassie.smith@theeagle.com

Sgt. Steve French testified Monday that he never slapped a 23-year-old man who was accused of assault and didn't know why another officer would fabricate the allegation.

French, who is fighting to get his job back at the Bryan Police Department, acknowledged that he engaged in unbecoming conduct by using unnecessary language while arresting Jonathan Moore and deserved punishment for those actions. Still, he said he should not have been placed on indefinite suspension, which effectively means he was fired.

"I don't think I violated the use of force rule," French said.

Following a complaint-driven internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Moore's August arrest, French, 39, was indefinitely suspended for violating three department policies -- use of force, conduct unbecoming an officer and truthfulness.

Police audio recordings show that French launched a "verbal barrage" that, ultimately, another police officer at the scene said, led to a physical confrontation with a 23-year-old man accused of assaulting his 13-year-old girlfriend. French has maintained that he knocked Jonathan Moore to the floor after being kicked by the man, but said that he did not slap the handcuffed prisoner, as the city contends. The city represents the department in the termination case against French.

Based on an investigation from the Texas Rangers, the Brazos County District Attorney's Office said in September that it would not file criminal charges against French for using excessive force. The sergeant is appealing the police department's decision of indefinite suspension and is asking for back pay.

"I probably could have used better words when I spoke to the guy," French said about cursing two or three times and threatening to go "old school," indicating he wasn't going to deal with the way Moore was acting.

Houston attorney Richard Aman, who is representing French, questioned Assistant Chief Curtis Darby and his interviewing techniques with Moore and Officer Randell Hall, who initially complained to supervisors about French.

Darby said he tried to use open-ended questions about the incident with Moore, who eventually told him he didn't recall French slapping him. Moore has not filed a complaint relating to French.

"My thought was I didn't want to plant the idea in his mind," Darby said, adding if the idea about being slapped was mentioned he wanted it to come from Moore himself.

Chief Ty Morrow, who was placed on paid administrative leave Monday in connection with an unrelated incident under investigation, said his goal has always been an "extreme degree of transparency" for the department.

"I found that he was a very well-respected shift supervisor, that his men and women adored him and thought he was a good supervisor," Morrow said in reviewing French's history, adding the sergeant had minor disciplinary issues.

However, Morrow said the heart of police work is truthfulness, "because if the community does not trust us ... then they will not tell us what crimes are being portrayed in their particular communities."

Morrow said he would not be capable of trusting French if the hearing examiner reinstated the sergeant to the department, because he believes French is lying about the slap.

However, if French was reinstated, Morrow said he would respect that decision, though be "very watchful and cautious" of French.

Aman asked Morrow what he had done for Moore since this incident if he truly felt it was his obligation to protect Bryan residents.

"Shouldn't he know about this? If you're going to protect the citizens of the city of Bryan," Aman said about Morrow feeling confident French slapped Moore.

Morrow, who testified for less than an hour, said he hadn't thought of bringing the allegations made by the department to Moore's attention, but would after having the issue brought to his attention, so Moore could take legal action if he wanted.

Aman called Lt. Jackie Maynard as a witness, who said his main role was shadowing the investigation as part of on-the-job training in internal affairs.

Maynard, who spoke about 15 minutes, said the evidence that French slapped Moore came from Hall, along with the Hall pointing out a noise on an audio recording.

French, who was on the stand for about an hour and a half, said he told Sgt. Brett Boswell that he had listened to the audio from the patrol car that night and, looking back on it, he had "talked some trash" and it didn't sound good. Which is why, French said, he expected to get a "day off," because he didn't say "the nicest things to this guy."

Aman presented numerous awards and commendations French received while working for the police department, along with evaluations where the sergeant was rated, "meets expectations."

French, who in 13 years took three sick days, said he left the department for a year, then returned to do what he loved.

"I enjoy the work and I actually missed the people I work with," he said. "I missed the community."

The mediation hearing, which included two days of testimony in October, will continue at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Bryan City Hall basement. The hearing is expected to conclude Tuesday, though the arbitrator won't make a decision immediately.

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27 comment(s) found!

Posted by: On: 11/28/2008

Comment Title:
If the chief can't obey the laws of the land and follow established policies and procedures, yes get rid of him. He is no better than any of us.

Posted by: On: 11/27/2008

Comment Title:
Sounds like the chief does the something. Are you going to run him out also Bryan?

Posted by: The police dept seems hell bent on running him out. On: 11/27/2008

Comment Title:
Hell yes, if he cannot follow departmental policies and procedures who needs him. There should be only one leader, good or bad, and the underlings should follow policies and procedures set out by that leader. Can you imagine A&M's football team all doing what they think is best. Can you imagine their record?

Posted by: I've dealt with Sgt. French since he was a rookie officer and he's been nothing but professional. On: 11/27/2008

Comment Title:
Frenchie has had an ego problem since he joined the academy. He finally showed his true nature in front of someone who did not appreciate these actions.

Posted by: TRAPPED BY BRYAN RATS. On: 11/27/2008

Comment Title:
I am wondering if officer French was not one of the officers responding to the DV at the city managers house or the police chief's in February. Maybe it was some other event that has yet come to light. The police dept seems hell bent on running him out. Despite their own cover ups and unprofessional behavior. This is the same dept that calls him untrustworthy? WOW if that is not the kettle calling the pot black.

Posted by: Aggie372@yahoo.com On: 11/27/2008

Comment Title: Dangerous?
Wow, you think that Sgt. French is a danger to the public? Taking a child molester off of the streets? A rogue cop? What an idiot putting such stupid comments on here. I've dealt with Sgt. French since he was a rookie officer and he's been nothing but professional. You have no idea what you are talking about!

Posted by: TRAPPED BY BRYAN RATS. On: 11/26/2008

Comment Title:
Bryan Police department and city hall are hitting all time Lows these days even by Bryan standards. But who cares in Bryan. This city is becoming one Big Joke fast. No problem Bryan citizens have no shame. Just ask the CS/AM Basher from Bryan this fool will show you and tell you so..

Posted by: On: 11/26/2008

Comment Title: Bad Boy
I would rather have a sister in a whore house than a brother in law enforcement!

Posted by: txswinner On: 11/26/2008

Comment Title: Professional Reporting
For years the Eagle has written biased reports on many issues. The job done by this reporter is a breath of fresh air. Without attitude, opinion or obvious bias she has done a great job of reporting the facts. Thank you.

Posted by: On: 11/26/2008

Comment Title: LIAR
Hes a liar! No Liars on the police force!

Posted by: I would be the last person that people would expect to support Sgt French On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
Tell the world why oh great truth teller.

Posted by: He wants to blame French for excessive force- On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
Bull, his judgment is that French acted inappropriately, i.e. violated departmental policies and procedures.

Posted by: That department has always had it's problems- but things are only getting worse. On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
List the problems and how are they getting worse. Your hearsay won't cut it. Supported facts are required or you are flat out a liar.

Posted by: He should be welcomed back with open arms and a HUGE apology. On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
Why? He admitted he acted inappropriately.

Posted by: The department had the chance to deal with him (Hall) over a year ago and Morrow chose not to. On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
What the hell are you talking about. This is more of the groundless drivel put out by chicken siht Brazos County residents with some axe to grind. This type misinformation is why Brazos County is the laughing stock of the state. Keep on posting this bs and all will keep laughing at you.

Posted by: All of this could have been avoided..... On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title: Contradictions
I would be the last person that people would expect to support Sgt French... but I strongly believe that he did not deserve to lose his job. He should be welcomed back with open arms and a HUGE apology. Officer Hall is the problem.... always has been. The department had the chance to deal with him over a year ago and Morrow chose not to. As for the current situation- how can Morrow say that he wouldn't trust French and that he would need to keep a close eye on him... then go home, get into altercations with his wife, and expect respect? That department has always had it's problems- but things are only getting worse. You can't expect Morrow to make positive changes when he canot handle his own home. He wants to blame French for excessive force- yet he RESTRAINED his OWN WIFE? Unacceptable!

Posted by: Texas Ranger investagtion for this officer. In house for the Boss-Top Cop. On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
The normal thought process for a Brazos County Yokel. What is the state's interest in an incident where no charges have been filed? Stupid stupid stupid yokels.

Posted by: On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
"French, who is fighting to get his job back at the Bryan Police Department, acknowledged that he engaged in unbecoming conduct by using unnecessary language while arresting Jonathan Moore and deserved punishment for those actions." Should be GAME, SET, MATCH. This rogue cop should be dismissed.

Posted by: On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
Let Steve hit the road. He expected "a day off because he didn't say the nicest things." This piece of crap can antagonize someone until they react - that is your idea of a lawman. Typical Brazos County Yokel thinking - until it happens to you. Stupid stupid stupid people

Posted by: On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title: Its a SHAME
It's a shame that a police officer has to play protect my job with the thugs and dope heads they arrest. Some of them need a good ass whoopin'

Posted by: NBA--NORMAL BRYAN ACTIVITY. On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
NOT GOOD

Posted by: On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
Imagine that a cop is lying! But what cop is lying and which one is telling the truth? The officer that witness officer French slap the suspect, what does he have to gain by lying? Internal investigation "officer French's" peers found that he used excessive force, conduct unbecoming an officer and truthfulness. You don't see that very often where the department doesn't stand behind one of their own. Officer Steve French is a danger and a threat to the community and his own department knows that, that's why he's no longer able to carry a gun and a badge! I know that I feel safer knowing that officer Steve French is no longer on the streets. I hope that if he gets his job back, there's a stipulation that he go back through "basic" training because it sounds like he sure needs it!

Posted by: On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
Texas Ranger investagtion for this officer. In house for the Boss-Top Cop.

Posted by: On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
I agree, but this POLICE OFFICER BACK ON THE STREETS, come on because he slapped a child molester. Don't you watch cops, people don't like to get arrested, so sometimes they don't go that easy, A slap! COME ON!! Good job officer, I hope you get your job back,and slap more offenders.

Posted by: Loser Police On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title:
Get Steve back on the street. Keep up the good work, Steve.

Posted by: On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title: Good Coverage
Great coverage by the reporter - appreciate the factual reporting

Posted by: On: 11/25/2008

Comment Title: Transparentcy?
I hope they put this much effort into the investigation regarding allegations again Chief Morrow.