Opinion ID: 74654
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cooper Incident

Text: 16 In May 1997, Stanley had an altercation with Lieutenant Cooper. Stanley wanted to copy a large stack of papers and asked Lieutenant Cooper to instruct his staff to assist. Cooper refused even though his staff was not busy. Stanley responded by saying damn it, I'll do it myself. Stanley proceeded to the copy room and began to make copies. Cooper followed Stanley and told Stanley that he would take care of it. Stanley asked Cooper to leave him alone, but Cooper insisted on helping and pulled the stack of papers away, causing them to fall. 17 Stanley and Cooper began to argue and Stanley repeatedly asked Cooper to leave the room, but he refused. When Stanley tried to leave the room, Cooper stood in the doorway, blocking the exit. Stanley placed his hands on Cooper to try to move him out of the way, causing Cooper to stumble. As described by Stanley, I was going to march him through the door but when I went to spin him he jerked out backwards and he nearly fell. Cooper then left the copy room. When Captain Neal asked what was going on, Cooper reported that Stanley had struck him. Stanley began cuss[ing] [Cooper] out because Cooper had falsely accused him of striking Cooper. 18 After the altercation, Chadwick placed Stanley on administrative leave pending investigation. Captain Walthour investigated, and his written summary concluded that misconduct had occurred because Stanley used profanity and placed his hands on Cooper. Walthour also found that Cooper shared responsibility for the incident. Walthour concluded that [w]e can not tolerate this type of interaction between employees. I recommend a ten day suspension without pay and advanced training in interpersonal relations as well as conflict management. 19 After a pre-disciplinary conference with Stanley, Chadwick issued a written reprimand of Stanley for conduct unbecoming an officer and simple battery, ordered Stanley to serve a six-day suspension, and required Stanley to undergo a fitness for duty examination by a psychologist. 1 Chadwick's written reprimand stated that I will not tolerate in the future your display of temper in this manner in any form. Any further conduct along this line will result in further disciplinary action up to and including termination. No disciplinary action was taken against Cooper.