Cops accused of Toys for Tots thefts ‘tarnished’ police’s image, official says

Local News

Cops accused of Toys for Tots thefts ‘tarnished’ police’s image, official says

By Freeman Klopott
Examiner Staff Writer 12/25/08

The four District of Columbia police officers reportedly caught on tape stealing from Toys for Tots “tarnished” the department’s image, a police official said.

Police confirmed that the four officers had been put on desk jobs as internal affairs investigates them for stealing toys. Officials said if the officers did take the toys intended for the city’s youth, they will be prosecuted.

On Christmas Day, the department’s community outreach director, Yvonne Smith, fired off a message to an e-mail network for residents of the Southeast D.C. neighborhood where the thefts allegedly occurred.

Smith wrote that she’d hoped to see Christmastime news coverage include positive stories about police outreach in one of the city’s poorest, most crime-plagued neighborhoods — the 6th District in Southeast Washington — instead of a tale about the strong victimizing the weak.

The story of the four officers accused of taking the toys “starts off Christmas on a sour note, puts distance between the community and the police, and worst of all, tarnishes the image of the Department during a time when we are trying to build strong relationships to foster trust that ultimately helps us solve crimes,” Smith wrote.

As police officials released few details on the investigation on Christmas Eve, police cadets were unloading a van stuffed with toys at Sursum Corda and Potomac Gardens Public Housing Developments, Smith wrote.

“People of all ages ran out and surrounded them, taking toys and saying, ‘the police have never done anything like this here,’ ” she wrote, highlighting how police outreach can benefit relations with the community.

“Please don’t let the Christmas story of the day be about an investigation of officers who make up .001 percent of the department,” Smith concluded. “Many many many more members made outstanding contributions during this holiday season to make a difference in the lives of families who are struggling.”

Two of the accused officers worked for the department’s youth services division, and the four were caught on tape taking the toys, WJLA reported.