Post by LadyBlue on Jun 24, 2007 12:06:43 GMT -5
CANTON The city’s police department has a “black eye,” admits Chief Dan McKimm. But he hopes the community — and nation — won’t assess the department and police officers based on one man’s actions.
McKimm expressed his concerns at a press conference held to announce the arrest of officer Bobby L. Cutts Jr. in the death of his girlfriend, Jessie Marie Davis and her unborn child. Cutts will be formally charged Monday with two counts on murder in their deaths.
Despite the turn of events, McKimm said he hopes the community and nation aren’t quick to judge any law enforcement agency “by the isolated acts of a rogue officer.
“Doing so denigrates all of the many, selfless acts of law enforcement personnel who daily put their lives on the line to protect and serve the citizens in their communities,” McKimm said.
Cutts has been a Canton police officer since 2001, but his career couldn’t be called stellar.
In 2003, after a cousin ended up with Cutts’ service weapon, he was fired and tried on felony charges. A jury cleared Cutts and an arbitrator determined that firing was too severe of a punishment for Cutts. He ordered Cutts be returned to work with back pay.
Last week, after sheriff’s deputies began investigating Davis’ disappearance, Cutts was placed on administrative leave.
During the investigation, McKimm said his department maintained a professional distance, but has helped and will continue to help. “We mostly provided records,” McKimm said Saturday night.
Results of the investigation, McKimm said, show “that regardless of who you are or what position you hold in Stark County, law enforcement will pursue justice and hold guilty parties responsible as the facts dictate.”
McKimm said he hopes for a quick resolution to this crime, but that it will take time. “In the end I believe justice will be served and members of this community will reap the benefits of another professional, cooperative effort by their local and national law enforcement agencies.”
www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=361679&originalStoryID=361671&r=
McKimm expressed his concerns at a press conference held to announce the arrest of officer Bobby L. Cutts Jr. in the death of his girlfriend, Jessie Marie Davis and her unborn child. Cutts will be formally charged Monday with two counts on murder in their deaths.
Despite the turn of events, McKimm said he hopes the community and nation aren’t quick to judge any law enforcement agency “by the isolated acts of a rogue officer.
“Doing so denigrates all of the many, selfless acts of law enforcement personnel who daily put their lives on the line to protect and serve the citizens in their communities,” McKimm said.
Cutts has been a Canton police officer since 2001, but his career couldn’t be called stellar.
In 2003, after a cousin ended up with Cutts’ service weapon, he was fired and tried on felony charges. A jury cleared Cutts and an arbitrator determined that firing was too severe of a punishment for Cutts. He ordered Cutts be returned to work with back pay.
Last week, after sheriff’s deputies began investigating Davis’ disappearance, Cutts was placed on administrative leave.
During the investigation, McKimm said his department maintained a professional distance, but has helped and will continue to help. “We mostly provided records,” McKimm said Saturday night.
Results of the investigation, McKimm said, show “that regardless of who you are or what position you hold in Stark County, law enforcement will pursue justice and hold guilty parties responsible as the facts dictate.”
McKimm said he hopes for a quick resolution to this crime, but that it will take time. “In the end I believe justice will be served and members of this community will reap the benefits of another professional, cooperative effort by their local and national law enforcement agencies.”
www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=361679&originalStoryID=361671&r=