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Nov 1, 2009 9:08 pm US/Central
Mpls. Police Hire Cop Reprimanded For Porn
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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"Snodgrass brings no credibility to what he is here to teach," said Minneapolis Police Federation Vice President Bob Kroll. (File)
CBS
The Minneapolis Police Department has hired an expert on "how to identify officers with issues." But now many officers are questioning that choice.
Sgt. Ron Snodgrass retired from the Phoenix Police Department in December. Now, he's been hired as a consultant for two weeks to train Minneapolis police officers.
Snodgrass made headlines in The Arizona Republic back in January. According to the newspaper, Snodgrass was accused of showing photos of his topless wife to a female detective.
WCCO-TV's sister station in Phoenix, KPHO, interviewed the 39-year-old detective who complained about Snodgrass.
"I wasn't sure what I was seeing and I said, 'What is that?" recalled Linnea Knowles.
Linnea Knowles said it was pornography that Snodgrass showed her on his office computer.
"I said, 'Aren't you afraid to have pornography on your city computer?' And he said, 'Oh, I'm not going to worry about it, it's on my C: drive," said Knowles.
Knowles filed a complaint and an internal investigation sustained her allegation. Although a one-day suspension for Snodgrass was recommended, Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris gave him a written reprimand.
Now Minneapolis cops are questioning the hiring of Snodgrass, who now advises on early intervention to police supervisors.
"Snodgrass brings no credibility to what he is here to teach," said Minneapolis Police Federation Vice President Bob Kroll. "Snodgrass is a guy we wouldn't hire as a recruit because of his background."
Kroll said he has heard complaints from many who have attended Snodgrass' training sessions about inappropriate statements Snodgrass makes -- though Kroll would not specify what those statements were.
Some officers say they like Snodgrass and his message. They say he's respected as a leader in early intervention systems for identifying officers with issues.
Snodgrass has taught five training sessions in Minneapolis and he has two to go. WCCO obtained a copy of his contract showing Minneapolis Police agreed to pay him $15,000 to teach the early intervention classes to supervisors.
WCCO tried to get in touch with Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan, through his public information officer. Monday night he said he could not comment on allegations he was not aware of.
Tuesday morning, police officials said they did not know of Snodgrass' past problems until they found out from WCCO. They plan to let him continue his classes, which wrap up this week.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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