Domestic case dogs Bartlett cop
Department files charges
Shortly after domestic assault charges were dismissed against a Bartlett police officer Wednesday morning, he was cited with an array of departmental violations stemming from an internal investigation into the same episode.
Quentin Crowley, 37, left Bartlett Municipal Court after a brief appearance, needing only to pay the court costs associated with the case that began in the early morning hours of June 16. Crowley, a member of the department’s uniform patrol division, and his wife, Amanda, were in an argument that escalated until she said she was pushed, causing her to fall and hit her head on the hardwood floor.
Crowley was charged with domestic assault, but that was dismissed after he underwent counseling and avoided other problems after the incident. The process was similar to the way many domestic cases are handled in Bartlett.
Ted Hansom, who represented Crowley in the court case, said the dismissal “is a good compromise. They’ve got kids and are trying to work things out.”
The departmental charges were handed to Crowley not long after he left the Bartlett Municipal Courtroom. The police administration offices are across the lobby from the courtroom.
Capt. Tina Schaber charged the officer with city policy violations, including poor moral char- acter, gross misconduct and physical assault upon a person. Under the police department general orders, Crowley was cited for the order on law enforcement code of ethics and oath of honor.
Crowley’s administrative hearing is on July 16.
Crowley’s situation marks at least the second time recently that the department has cited an officer for a serious violation. About the same time as Crowley’s arrest, Officer Zack Watkins was cited for absenteeism and abusing the city’s sick leave policy. The internal investigation showed Watkins took his sick days as soon as he earned them, causing, according to the charges, a strain on the department regarding personnel and overtime.
Watkins resigned June 20 shortly after his hearing.