Pubdate: Sun, 17 Dec 2006
Source: Miami Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2006 The Miami Herald
Contact:  http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/262
Author: Elaine De Valle

OFFICERS DEMOTED AFTER DRUG BURN

Two Police Officers Were Demoted in the Department's Efforts to Clean 
Up the Special Investigations Unit.

Two Coral Gables police officers have been demoted for  their role in 
an illegal narcotics burn in the Redland  yard of another officer.

Lt. Alexander Roffe was demoted to the rank of police  officer and 
Sgt. Alan Matas received a 10-day  suspension Tuesday when the city 
manager's office  upheld the recommendations of the police chief.

Roffe, who could not be reached for comment, will start  as an 
officer in uniform patrol on Monday, said Police  Chief Michael Hammerschmidt.

Matas, who is on vacation and also could not be  reached, will start 
his 10-day suspension upon his  return, the chief said.

Matas also will likely be reassigned to patrol after he  trains 
someone new to oversee the accounts in the  special investigations unit.

There was no disciplinary action recommended for  Officer William 
Swikehardt, whose property in the  Redland -- which already had a 
burn barrel for yard  debris -- was used to burn small amounts of 
marijuana,  cocaine and pills. Lt. Ed Hudak, who heads the city's 
internal affairs division, said Swikehardt was not  disciplined 
because he thought the proper paperwork was  in order.

Eugene Gibbons, president of the Fraternal Order of  Police Lodge No. 
7, could not be reached for comment.

Hammerschmidt said Roffe got a harsher punishment  because he was the leader.

"He's the overall manager responsible for the  operation of the unit 
and I found serious misgivings in  several different areas within the 
unit,"  Hammerschmidt said Friday.

The demotions, the chief added, end an ugly chapter in  the 
department that began with allegations of theft  against another 
sergeant in the special investigations  section, the city's vice squad.

Sgt. Spencer Green was found to have stolen a movie  poster and other 
memorabilia from a crime scene and was  demoted to officer.

During the course of the investigation, other  allegations surfaced 
about an illegal April 1, 2005  narcotics burn and overtime abuse by 
Roffe. The  overtime abuse charges were not substantiated.

The cases uncovered holes in policies that led the  department to 
disband the special investigations unit  last month, taking out half 
of its personnel at least  temporarily until new procedures can be 
put in place. That process is ongoing.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine