Proceedings against Gary cop dismissed
by Lori Caldwell lcaldwell@post-trib.com | 648-3258 October 2, 2012 5:26PM
Updated: October 2, 2012 7:46PM
GARY — Two years and 47 days after Patrolman Gerald Richardson allegedly mishandled a call involving a burglary and a missing teen, the matter was dismissed because too much time passed.
The hearing set for Tuesday afternoon ended before it began, with City Attorney Schenell McClendon presenting a motion to dismiss the matter.
City Attorney Alger Boswell and Richardson’s lawyer, Scott L. King, both signed the motion.
Apparently the city believed that because the hearing was set for more than two years after the incident, proceeding would violate Gary Police Civil Service Commission rules.
However, during Richardson’s prior disciplinary matter, then City Attorney Shana Levinson and King told the commission they had agreed to waive the time restriction because Richardson had just been ordered to serve a 400-day unpaid suspension.
Richardson faced termination in the first case for taking a co-worker’s gun from a locker in the booking area, then lying to his supervisors about what he did on Dec. 1, 2009.
Then on Aug. 16, 2010, Richardson responded to a burglary call and allegedly allowed a “victim” to retrieve belongings without proof of ownership and without making a record of the action.
While at the scene, he encountered a missing teen but allegedly failed to follow protocol regarding her return.
Then Chief Gary Carter asked the Gary Police Civil Service Commission to “take appropriate action” in the matter.
