This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/13/ferguson-interim-police-chief-suspended-three-times

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ferguson's interim police chief suspended three times in the past Ferguson's interim police chief suspended three times in the past
(34 minutes later)
The interim Ferguson police chief appointed to try to repair shattered community relations amid racial unrest has a series of suspensions on his police record and a past order of protection against him following an allegation that he hit a woman in the face, it has emerged.The interim Ferguson police chief appointed to try to repair shattered community relations amid racial unrest has a series of suspensions on his police record and a past order of protection against him following an allegation that he hit a woman in the face, it has emerged.
Andre Anderson joined the Ferguson police department in July with a mission to help bridge the racial divide in a town where a predominantly black community is presided over largely by white officials. He is on a temporary transfer from Glendale, Arizona.Andre Anderson joined the Ferguson police department in July with a mission to help bridge the racial divide in a town where a predominantly black community is presided over largely by white officials. He is on a temporary transfer from Glendale, Arizona.
Related: White militiamen roam Ferguson with rifles while black men wrongly arrestedRelated: White militiamen roam Ferguson with rifles while black men wrongly arrested
Yet a new report cites a number of blemishes on his professional record in the past, which on Thursday prompted the Ferguson police department defend its new chief.Yet a new report cites a number of blemishes on his professional record in the past, which on Thursday prompted the Ferguson police department defend its new chief.
While serving in Glendale, Anderson was once accused of falsifying official documents and was suspended three times during a 12-month period in 1996-1997, at times without pay, according to a report by news website Vocativ. While serving in Glendale, Anderson was once accused of falsifying official documents and was suspended three times without pay during a 12-month period in 1996-1997, according to a report by news website Vocativ.
It further reported that in the summer of 1996 a court order of protection against Anderson was granted to a woman who accused him of striking her in the face and causing injuries, with the protection order being in place for six weeks but no criminal charges resulting.It further reported that in the summer of 1996 a court order of protection against Anderson was granted to a woman who accused him of striking her in the face and causing injuries, with the protection order being in place for six weeks but no criminal charges resulting.
The chief began work as a police officer in 1989 in Phoenix but left shortly afterwards and was employed in various ways outside policing for a time before returning to policing and eventually settling with the Glendale department 24 years ago, where he earned praise alongside the blots on his record.The chief began work as a police officer in 1989 in Phoenix but left shortly afterwards and was employed in various ways outside policing for a time before returning to policing and eventually settling with the Glendale department 24 years ago, where he earned praise alongside the blots on his record.
A statement from Ferguson police department on Thursday said that the new chief underwent background checks before being put in charge of the Missouri city in a process “which has been followed for years”.A statement from Ferguson police department on Thursday said that the new chief underwent background checks before being put in charge of the Missouri city in a process “which has been followed for years”.
“The allegations regarding chief Anderson allegedly striking a woman are more than 15 years old, were unfounded and thus never led to criminal charges being filed,” the statement said.“The allegations regarding chief Anderson allegedly striking a woman are more than 15 years old, were unfounded and thus never led to criminal charges being filed,” the statement said.
It went on to say that the remaining allegations concerned personnel matters on which the city does not comment.It went on to say that the remaining allegations concerned personnel matters on which the city does not comment.
“However, because an allegation that a law enforcement officer falsified documents goes beyond employment, the city will provide an explanation … Chief Anderson provided information on a mileage report in error, not out of an intentional, malicious action,” the statement said.“However, because an allegation that a law enforcement officer falsified documents goes beyond employment, the city will provide an explanation … Chief Anderson provided information on a mileage report in error, not out of an intentional, malicious action,” the statement said.
It added that the chief has “excelled in his law enforcement career with countless recommendations. He has also been promoted numerous times.”It added that the chief has “excelled in his law enforcement career with countless recommendations. He has also been promoted numerous times.”
Shortly before Anderson joined the Ferguson police department, the city appointed former Glendale city manager Ed Beasley to be its interim city manager.Shortly before Anderson joined the Ferguson police department, the city appointed former Glendale city manager Ed Beasley to be its interim city manager.