Pubdate: Thu, 23 May 2013
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/about/feedback/
Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Authors: David Gambacorta and Barbara Laker
Page: 5

NO STRANGER TO COMPLAINTS

JEFFREY WALKER, the veteran Philly narcotics cop who was federally
charged yesterday with allegedly robbing a drug dealer, has been the
subject of 18 Internal Affairs complaints during his career.

The civilian complaints - none of which was sustained - included
accusations of theft, physical and verbal abuse, and illegal searches.

Walker, 44, joined the police force in 1989 and was assigned to the
Narcotics Field Unit South 10 years later.

Walker has worked with some of the six narcotics cops who were
transferred to different assignments in December after the District
Attorney's Office said that the officers would no longer be called to
testify in drug cases.

District Attorney Seth Williams has not explained the decision, but
federal lawsuits and citizen complaints to the Internal Affairs Bureau
accuse the officers of theft, physical abuse, and planting and/or
fabricating evidence.

The transferred officers - Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, John
Speiser, Michael Spicer, Perry Betts, and Lt. Robert Otto - have not
been charged with crimes.

Several of the Internal Affairs complaints filed against Walker
portrayed him as a cop who was quick to use his fists on suspects.

Surreal Cunningham alleged that on March 19, 2011, Walker punched him
in the face and then dragged him down the steps of his North Philly
apartment during a drug-related arrest that also involved
Liciardello.

Cunningham alleged that he suffered back and shoulder injuries.
Investigators didn't sustain the allegation, noting that Cunningham
had chronic back problems that were not caused by his encounter with
Walker.

Donald Graham, of West Philadelphia, alleged that Walker took $1,470
from a safe in his home during a raid on May 3, 2011. Graham, who was
under house arrest for narcotics violations, claimed that Walker
removed $5,670 from the safe, but only reported confiscating $4,200.

Graham told investigators that officers found drugs while serving
previous warrants, but not during the May 2011 raid. Marijuana residue
and plastic zipper bags were recovered inside the house.

Walker told Internal Affairs that he opened the safe, placed the money
inside a plastic bag and gave it to his supervisor, who double-sealed
it in evidence bags.

Internal Affairs concluded that since Graham could not provide bank
statements, the allegation could not be proved.

Donnie Athy told Internal Affairs that he saw Walker tackle his
brother, Brian Jones, during a drug arrest in West Philly on May 17,
2004. Athy claimed that Walker put Jones in a headlock and choked him
until he seemingly lost consciousness.

Walker allegedly kicked Jones and told him to "stop faking" while his
body shook on the ground. Internal Affairs didn't sustain the
complaint, noting that Walker and Liciardello, who was also involved
in the arrest, denied the allegations.

John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, said
the union will not represent Walker.

"We're not going to be wasting any of our resources on somebody who
committed such alleged crimes," he said.

McNesby said it was "disheartening" to hear that a veteran cop had
been accused by the FBI of committing crimes that include extortion,
robbery and falsifying police records.

"I don't know what's going through people's heads," McNesby said. "It
casts a shadow over all of the good cops. This is something we don't
condone, and I've taken the stance that the FOP won't represent him."
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