JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- Police started an internal investigation Monday to determine whether a veteran officer did anything improper when he helped his brother get away from the scene of a weekend shooting. Officer Derek Brown regularly patrols the area around 45th Street and Decoursey Avenue in Latonia where the shots were fired early Sunday. But he was off duty when he got a call that his brother, Ricky, had allegedly fired a gun in the area.
No one was hurt, but Ricky Brown faces a charge of wanton endangerment. He was arraigned in Kenton District Court on Monday and was released from jail after posting $250, 10 percent of his $2,500 bond. The shooting apparently stemmed from an earlier fight which left Mr. Brown's head bleeding.
What Officer Brown's superiors have to figure out is whether his actions -- he took his brother from the scene -- violated any department policies, said Lt. Col. Steve Schmidt, department spokesman. Officer Brown did not immediately report his involvement in the incident to his superiors.
"There are allegations that were made against the officer," Lt. Col. Schmidt said. "And we will investigate it fully."
He declined to elaborate, invoking the state Police Officer's Bill of Rights. He did, however, say he suggested that the officer, who works third shift, be transferred to work a different part of the city.
Police responded to the intersection shortly after midnight on a call of trouble in the area. They found Mr. Brown, 32, of Ryland Heights, with blood on his head, but the man declined to file a report and said he did not want medical attention, Lt. Col. Schmidt said. The shots-fired call came at 2:43 a.m. Sunday. Officers responded again, but Mr. Brown was already gone. Neighbors identified him to police and said his brother, the officer, had been there, too. Mr. Brown was not arrested until more than 10 hours later, at 1 p.m. Sunday. Police found him when he returned to the area.
The intersection is a busy one for the police department. Juveniles and adults gather near the corner and harass people as they come by, Lt. Col. Schmidt said. Many neighbors are intimidated by the activity and don't want to file complaints, he said. The activity had settled down somewhat, he said, but officials expect it could heat up again in the wake of this incident and because the weather is warming.
"We're going to go after this now," Lt. Col. Schmidt said, referring to the community-oriented policing officers he commands. "And I'm sure patrol's going to be watching it, too."
