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| Gordon Crowell in 2014. You can add a beard today. |
Crowell was accused of misrepresenting himself as a police officer on three separate occasions. In a 2017 incident, he had a dispute with a flagman who was directing traffic in Forks Township, and is alleged to have threatened to throw the road worker in jail. More recently, in May, he had another encounter with a person whose vehicle almost collided with his as he backed into his driveway. He followed and caught up with this driver, and allegedly told her he was a Forks Tp police officer and undercover detective. He also allegedly made the same misrepresentation to Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Taschner's staff.
Forks Township Detective Philomena Kelly recounted these events from several police reports as well as her own investigation. But she was unaware that the Board wanted to hear from the actual victims as well to assess their credibility. This doomed the complaint.
Despite the absence of victims, the Board seemed concerned about Crowell's statements to Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Taschner's staff. But it decided against any action because Judge Taschner stopped giving him work. "[W]hatever level of violation was committed by Constabe Crowell, Judge Taschner took appropriate and reasonable steps to terminate the behavior and sanction the offender."
Basically, the Board cleared Crowell, but told him not to do it again.
The Constable Review Board includes the following: Judge Baratta, Magisterial District Judge Dan Corpora, Constable Kevin Spano, Acting Sheriff Rich Johnston, Controller Richard "Bucky" Szulborski, Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron and Magisterial District Court Administrator Debbie French.
Crowell has steadfastly denied the allegations of misconduct. he was represented by Allentown Attorney Ron Clever.
Excuse the French but f this sh....if you or me tried this we"d be in jail
ReplyDeleteSome of these constables actually believe they are actual cops. Constables should have no authority in anything other than delivering paperwork for the courts. The only reason this idiot went before a board was that he was working for the court at the time and even so, he is still a constable because the court won't use him any longer so they washed their hands of him.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens now, when he harasses a neighbor, or another flagman or driver? Threatens them with arrest?
Nothing, because the review board only hears constable complaints if the constable works for the court. If they aren't, the review board won't hear a complaint.
This needs to be addressed at the state level. The state statute addressing constables needs to be revised to strip them of doing work of any kind unless employed by the local courts.
as I said before just like all the incidents Constable Richard Seeds this review board just sweeps this shit under the rug.....they dont hold this assholes responsible for anything...if YOU WANT TO BREAK THE LAWS JUST BECOME A CONSTABLE HELL yOU CAN KILL PEOPLE AND THERE ISNT ANY RECOURSE ..SEEDS did!!
ReplyDeleteThe constable review board has been in existence since last year. It has removed one constable and has just admonished Crowell. Even if the Board had testimony from he actual victims, I believe the sanction here is appropriate. Contrary to what one commenter said, assuming that these victims are accurate, Crowell's misrepresentations to them did not rise to the level of a crime because he did not force them to do anything. Had he acted criminally, I am sure he would have been charged. Forks Tp is the first police department in the county to become accredited, and I am sure officers get upset when some constable starts bragging that he is a Forks cop. Det. Philomena Kelly did an excellent job of handling this matter in an appropriate way. Serving papers for the minor judiciary is a constable's livelihood, so it's appropriate to consider these matters carefully. If the same constable comes up repeatedly, then you have a problem.
ReplyDeleteThe review board's authority to act at all is under challenge by constables, who claim they can only removed by conviction of an infamous crime, impeachment or the governor with the concurrence of the Senate.
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ReplyDeleteI am confused. Does this mean if the victims had testified at the hearing there may have been a different outcome? Does this board have subpoena power? How do you define force? Does it have to escalate beyond verbal orders and intimidation? How is the ordinary citizen to handle encounters with this rather odd person? I commend Det. Kelly for trying. Think the Chief of police of Forks should get off his behind and sit down with this board. This loose cannon is going to meet up with the wrong person.
ReplyDeleteTotally abusive behavior sanctioned.
ReplyDeleteAppalling.
The entire Valley is a Banana Republic.
ReplyDelete10:37, Had the victims been there, it might have changed the outcome if the board believed them over Crowell. But I personally think that depriving someone of his livelihood should be reserved for more egregious offenses.
ReplyDeleteThis guy is clearly a loose cannon.
ReplyDeleteDereliction of public trust,public accountability and public safety at every level of involvement.
This guy gets to carry a gun as an agent of the court system?
Chasing down cars and harassing flag men????
Frightening.
It’s my understanding that a constable runs for the office in their respected district where they live.. just bc magistrate taschner doesn’t provide him work anymore, doesn’t mean he can’t go to another magistrate for work. I believe he can work out of ANY magistrate in the state. So if u ask me, he got a slap on the hand here. It will be back to business as usual.
ReplyDeleteYes, a constable can work statewide for any magistrate. Crowell does work for two MDJs now, but it was three. You say he received a slap on the wrist. Well, that is what an admonishment is. The constable review board is not there to collect heads, but to ensure the professionalism of constables within NC. Crowell knows that if they hear another case like this one, they will be more likely to take more punitive action. The county seal contains two words - "justice" and "mercy." Both should be exercised.
ReplyDelete@12:23,
ReplyDeleteBeing an agent of the court does not give one the right to carry a gun. It is a separate certification that any citizen may acquire.