Are police officers’ side businesses a conflict of interest?

Created on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 09:33 Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 09:33 Published on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 09:33 Written by Rebecca Nuttall - Courier Staff Writer Hits: 874

WARNER MACKLIN III

Last week the New Pittsburgh Courier received a package of documents regarding the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police from an anonymous source. The documents raise questions about everything from the unauthorized account opened at Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union to moonlighting and implicates a slew of officers and the police administration.
While focus was originally placed on former Police Chief Nate Harper, and officers engaged in a side business with him, these documents suggest corruption at varying levels of the bureau. However, even though the spotlight has moved away from Harper, three police personnel originally linked to him, Officer Tonya Ford, her mother Kim Montgomery, and Tamara Davis remain on administrative leave.
“Right now we’re glad that everything is quiet. There are a lot of other issues that are being uncovered. And we’re glad my three clients are not the focus of any of those issues,” said Warner Macklin, spokesperson for the three women. “We’re still wondering why my clients are still off from work. We haven’t received any information why any of them are off from work.”
Some speculated the three women were suspended for their involvement in side businesses, but the documents provided to the Courier show evidence of several side businesses owned by other officers. According to the bureau, officers are not prohibited from having side businesses.