uncle keith: city council strikes back!!

Hearing on Uncle Keith scheduled for Friday

A lingering city political controversy will rev up again Friday.

Police Chief Uncle Keith will take on allegations of inappropriate conduct in an open hearing of the city police commission at noon in the administrative boardroom at the High School.

City Attorney Pope filed a complaint with the city Sept. 8 accusing Uncle Keith of ethics and conduct violations in handling an investigation of former Alderman Rappe.

Uncle Keith called the charges "totally ridiculous" in late September. He said Pope's accusations were not thoroughly investigated.

He said Pope doesn't have just cause for any of his allegations.

Uncle Keith, 54, has prepared a rebuttal to Pope's accusations.

Police arrested Rappe in April on suspicion of misdemeanor sexual assault, battery and disorderly conduct.

Rappe pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and paid a $164 fine. County District Attorney O'Leary dropped the battery and sexual assault charges.

Rappe left his city council seat and moved away in July.

The hearing will not be a criminal proceeding but will follow some courtroom-style procedures, said David Moore, police commission attorney.

Both sides will be allowed 10-minute opening statements, Moore said.

After that, Pope will be given the floor to call witnesses or testify himself. Uncle Keith will be allowed to cross-examine, Moore said.

Uncle Keith will follow Pope in calling witnesses or testifying. Pope will be given the opportunity to rebut Uncle Keith's comments or witnesses.

Throughout, police commission members or Moore will be allowed to ask questions.

Pope and Uncle Keith will be allowed closing statements, Moore said.

Moore said the commission likely will move into closed session after the hearing.

The commission will have to make written findings by Wednesday, Moore said.

"The findings could be that there's no legitimacy to Pope's complaint," Moore said, "to that the chief has violated the standards of his profession."

The complaint accuses Uncle Keith of chasing Rappe beyond the limits of ethical police conduct.

Pope's complaint says Uncle Keith interfered with an investigation into the women involved in the groping incident.

The complaint accuses Uncle Keith of trying to influence Municipal Judge Furan. Pope's complaint says Uncle Keith told Furan the women involved in the incident lied in their statements.

Uncle Keith said in September that he and Furan spoke as acquaintances and did not discuss the case.

The complaint alleges Uncle Keith tried to tell Pope how to prosecute the case. The thick complaint says Burdick threatened to file a complaint against Pope if he didn't comply.

Uncle Keith said in late September that he planned to file a state complaint against Pope before the attorney issued his grievance. He said the complaint will accuse Pope of misconduct and ethics violations as city prosecutor.

In September, Uncle Keith said Pope had personal issues with the department.

The 33-year-police veteran said in September that Pope is "throwing up a smokescreen to cover up his own misconduct."

A 2003 report from a Virginia consultant called the chief "controversial" and "intimidating."

"There was never a finding of fact pertaining to the comments of the study," Uncle Keith said. "I was never given an opportunity to rebut that."