BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Bellingham’s police chief is responding to a report of officers pranking each other at the expense of a mentally ill man.
Chief David Doll says “I deeply apologize. This is not the level of behavior that our community should expect or have from our police officers.”
The Bellingham Herald obtained documents detailing the investigation into the incident September 19, 2019 that began when the man called 911 at 3 a.m. to request a cab.
The man and his tendency to act out in public was well known to police, and four officers came up with a plan to prank several off-duty officers they knew were eating at Shari’s restaurant on the Guide Meridian.
The man was taken to the restaurant in a patrol vehicle and given money to spend with the intent that he would make the off-duty officers uncomfortable.
The four officers received letters of reprimand in their files and remain on the force.
Chief Doll says that level of discipline was appropriate given the honesty and remorse the officers displayed during the investigation.
The Herald identifies the officers as Sgt. Craig E. Johnson, Officer Nicholas D. Sturlaugson, Officer Chris L. Johnson and Crime Scene Investigation Officer Melissa A. Whipple.
Doll points out that the investigation into the incident was launched internally and not because of an outside complaint.
