Fountain Police Chief Crawford Reinstated

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Posted: 5:07 PM May 6, 2008
Last Updated: 9:24 PM May 6, 2008
Reporter: KKTV
Email Address: news@kktv11news.com

17 comments

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11 News has confirmed Fountain Police Chief Charles Crawford will return to work on Wednesday.

Crawford was placed on administrative leave in March pending an internal investigation into the Chief leaving his personal firearm, which he was carrying on duty, in a public place.

When Crawford discovered it missing, he contacted his Deputy Chief. He was then told the weapon had been located and was being reclaimed without incident. It was then that Crawford initiated an
internal investigation against himself. During the process Crawford was placed on administrative leave without pay.

During Crawford's suspension, there was speculation the investigation was into rumors involving elected officials who were seeking special treatment for traffic citations.

City Manager Scott Trainor confirms Chief Crawford's leave, and the investigation, were solely based on the incident involving the misplaced weapon.

Deputy Chief Mike Barnett stepped in for the last few months as acting chief during the internal investigation.

Crawford has been with the Fountain Police Department for about three years.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 31, 2008 at 05:22 PM
sure enough, just like you

Posted by: Julie on May 29, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Are you people still rambling on and on.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 28, 2008 at 09:11 AM
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." ~George Washington

Posted by: James Location: Fountain on May 14, 2008 at 09:01 PM
I'm curious as to why the exact nature of the so called "Traffic Citations" aren't published. I've never seen in print the exact violations neither onfirmed or denied. I know that Chief Crawford refused to make these "Citations" go away. Hence, when Jeri and crew saw an opportunity to stick it to the Chief... Viola! A fiasco ensued! There are people who really know what happened, thats why we rallied to support the Chief.

Posted by: think about it on May 14, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I was reflecting the other day about why our founding fathers made the very first admendment to the constitution the "Freedom of Speech". Just perhaps in their wisdom they could see the opportunity for so many to show the rest of us just what fools they are.

Posted by: get it right on May 10, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Administrative leave is in general PAID time off. Suspension - once an investigation finds fault with a need for a corrective action - is UNPAID. Huge difference! Just because it states here 'unpaid administrative leave' does not mean that is what took place. It's not the Gospel. The press has been known to get things wrong. Paid and elected officials have been known to lie in press releases.

Posted by: Dennis from Detroit on May 9, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Mayor Howells and her close friend convicted felon Al Lender must be steaming over this. All the plotting and scheming, the "anonymous tips" to the media, the dramatic anger outburst over the community supporting the Chief, and he is still here. Howells may be the Mayor for now, but we can change that :) Let me correct that, we are obligated to change that.

Posted by: hmmm on May 9, 2008 at 07:53 PM
"I see too many defensive and personal jabs and attempts at trying to convince others of their viewpoint." ~ Bill from Boston - who forgot his own pontificating speech, when he went on a little rant here.

Posted by: I support honesty and integrity. on May 9, 2008 at 07:09 PM
It is good to know the Chief is back on the job. "Confidence in another's honesty is no light testimony of one's own integrity." - Michel E De Montaigne

Posted by: Recall the Mayor! on May 9, 2008 at 05:59 PM
The glass house and the rocks :)

Posted by: Anonymous on May 9, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Thanks Bill from Boston, very well said. Funny how everyone loses sight of the fact the Chief of Police lost his loaded weapon. Let's deflect the attention on piddly manners. By the way, being caught red handed and then fessing up isn't self-reporting.

Posted by: Bill from Boston Location: El Paso County on May 9, 2008 at 07:11 AM
In my opinion, this whole thing smells. I guess I'm wondering why the chief losing his personal firearm (if true!) isn't even discussed. Being an avid 2nd Amendment supporter, losing your firearm, especially "in a public place", is really irresponsible, stupid, embarrassing, and could have resulted in a bad person using it in a criminal act. AND, this is the police chief...???!!! I also feel Mr. Trainor missed the boat on this one, and we're all still wondering what the heck really happened. Why all the secrecy? Trust me, to lose a weapon in a public place is totally bizarre. He is irresponsible and should now be restricted from carrying ANY WEAPON at all. He's shown he can't handle the responsibility! And, yes, it states "without pay"... thank goodness!

Posted by: Paula on May 8, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Nearly 2 months of paid administrative leave for the Chief of Police - so Mr. Trainor could figure out what to do. This still seems lengthy and financially irresponsible, especially since the Chief had been forthcoming and cooperative from the start. It looks like there was not much to clear up from the get go. I am glad to hear that the Chief is back at work. Mr. Trainor would be well advised to take a lesson in integrity and honesty from this man.

Posted by: . on May 7, 2008 at 04:28 PM
How many traffic accidents has Jeri C Howells been involved in?

Posted by: Anonymous on May 7, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Mr. ... if you read closely it says UNPAID

Posted by: ask the right person on May 7, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Is the Police Department confirming Trainor's story that no request for preferential treatment regarding Mayor Howell's traffic citation was made? You should check.

Posted by: .. on May 7, 2008 at 11:07 AM
It seems to me that almost 2 months of paid suspension - on taxpayer's expense - is rather extreme and financially irresponsible. Mr. Trainor had all the facts from the start, the Police Chief reported himself and was willing to cooperate with an investigation. Why did this take so long? What is the matter with these "leaks" on confidential personnel matters by a Fire Department volunteer and the Mayor? Scott Trainor was responsible to oversee and manage this case. How much did his lack of ability to handle this matter in an appropriate, professional and timely fashion cost the City of Fountain?

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