Investigation follows reports of earlier misconduct

By Sophia Voravong
svoravong@journalandcourier.com

State police are investigating whether a West Lafayette police lieutenant wrecked his department-issued vehicle after returning from a Fraternal Order of Police-sponsored bus trip last month to Cincinnati.

It's one of two crashes under scrutiny after allegations of misconduct and possible criminal activity by members of the West Lafayette Police Department during and after the trip, the police chief confirmed Thursday.

"We are held to a higher standard, absolutely. I hope people know that we are taking this investigation very seriously," Chief Dan Marvin said.

An anonymous e-mail sent to Mayor Jan Mills accuses some officers of getting out of control during the July 21 bus trip to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game. The complainant, who attended the trip, alleges that the head of the detectives division wrecked his vehicle later that night.

Marvin declined to release details of either crash pending an internal investigation and separate state police criminal investigation, but confirmed that Lt. Matt Coddington recently wrecked his department vehicle.

According to a crash report obtained by the Journal and Courier and verified by Marvin, Coddington crashed into a mailbox in the 2700 block of Yeager Road -- damaging the hood, windshield and passenger side mirror of his 2001 Chevrolet Impala -- at 2:26 p.m. July 22, the day after the bus trip.

The report states that Coddington was on his cell phone and looked away from the road, causing the vehicle to veer right.

The homeowner has not returned messages left by the Journal and Courier seeking comment.

The e-mail complainant further accuses officers of providing alcohol to a minor, drunken driving after the game and leaving the scene of a crash. Marvin, who was on vacation in July, learned about the e-mail Aug. 1 and launched the investigations.

"We have department policy rules and regulations. The (police) merit commission has rules and regulations officers must follow," he said.

Both cover officer conduct, whether on-duty or off-duty. Merit board regulations have a section on alcohol consumption and behavior.

Lt. Gary Sparger, a West Lafayette police officer who attended the trip to Cincinnati, said he expects to be interviewed about what he observed.

But he said he and other officers who are being interviewed are under orders not to discuss the case publicly or with other members of the department while the investigation is under way.

Mills was attending an Indiana Association of Cities and Towns meeting on Thursday and could not be reached for comment.

Marvin said the police captain conducting the internal investigation returned from his vacation early to help move the probe forward.

The department also is trying to get a copy of a videotape the e-mail complainant claims to possess, but attempts have been unsuccessful, Marvin said.

Officials hope to complete the internal investigation by next week.

"I do hope this in no way affects the public's perception of other officers who are doing their job well and are out there in the city and the community," Marvin said.