Private Investigator and Texas Rangers Investigate Liberty PD

LIBERTY, October 10, 2008 - In December of 2006 Liberty City Council voted to approve the selection of Richard Michael, “Mike” Cummings as Police Chief for the City of Liberty. It was in the first part of 2007 that Cummings arrived in Liberty to begin work as Chief of the City of Liberty Police Department.

Research for this story involved lengthy interviews with several long known, reliable sources close to the investigation that must remain anonymous.

It was about four months ago when allegations first surfaced of possible criminal wrongdoing when it was reported that a high ranking Liberty Police Official made derogatory and threatening remarks against a State District Judge critical of the Judge’s ruling in a criminal case involving a police officer. It is further alleged that Police Officers harassed members of the Judge’s family by following them in marked patrol cars as well making the Judge’s vehicles the object of frequent traffic stops.

Reports of alleged wrongdoing in the department were reported to Liberty City Manager Ron Woods about six months ago.

According to our sources the City of Liberty recently retained the services of a private investigator from out of town to investigate this and other alleged wrongdoing. At some point the alleged wrongdoing became the subject of a currently ongoing criminal investigation by the Texas Rangers.

Shortly after the arrival of Chief Cummings as Police Chief in Liberty, City Council approved adding additional Officers, equipment and Patrol Vehicles at his request and at considerable expense to the taxpayers.

According to our sources, it is alleged that a high-ranking Police Official operated a City owned vehicle while under the influence.

The next two allegations involved very recent activities during and just after September 13, 2008 when Hurricane Ike came through Liberty.

You may recall that the city a few years ago made the decision to construct a new City Hall, new Fire Station and new Animal Facility, but left the Police Department in its location in the 300 block of San Jacinto Street. Some questioned why everyone, even the dogs, got new facilities but the Police Department did not.

You may recall that the Patrol Officers Headquarters for the City of Liberty was moved from its present location on San Jacinto Street to an office building in the 400 block of US 90 near the Trinity River due to damage that occurred to the Police Department building on San Jacinto Street during Hurricane Ike.

It is alleged that on the night of Hurricane Ike’s arrival that water pipes in the ceiling of the Police Department ruptured and when city workers arrived to turn the water supply off to the building, Officers on Duty at the time denied workers access to the building so that they could prevent flooding. Additionally it is alleged that officers kicked in some of the interior doors in the facility willfully and knowing destroying City property. Due to the large amount of water in the facility caused by the broken pipes, evidence in criminal trials held at the Police Station was destroyed. The willful destruction of evidence is a criminal offense.

It is further alleged that one evening during the week after Hurricane Ike’s arrival Officers on duty at the time held what was described as a, “Drunken Party,” at the new Police Headquarters on the west end of town and that Officers invited others to join the party through the use of text messages encouraging the attendance of others and requesting that they bring alcoholic beverages.

Sources we spoke to characterize the atmosphere of the Police Department as closely resembling that of a, “Frat House.”

During this week i-dineout.com has left messages for Chief Cummings to get his comments concerning these allegations but we were told he was out and our calls were never returned.