Deprecated: mb_convert_encoding(): Handling HTML entities via mbstring is deprecated; use htmlspecialchars, htmlentities, or mb_encode_numericentity/mb_decode_numericentity instead in /var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/super-cool-ad-inserter/inc/scaip-shortcode-inserter.php on line 37
It’s been “years” since a subpoenaed city police officer failed to show up for a Citizen Police Review Board hearing on a citizen complaint, says CPRB Executive Director Elizabeth Pittinger.
But silence greeted the call for city police Sgt. William Vollberg on March 18. Vollberg didn’t appear at a review-board hearing to investigate charges that he had violated police regulations “related to use of force,” and that he’d engaged in “unbecoming conduct toward the public.”
The charges were prompted by Noah Willumsen, of Bloomfield, who was among 25 demonstrators picketing a Marines recruiting center in Shadyside on April 3, 2007. Willumsen claims that when he attempted to photograph a juvenile protester’s arrest by Vollberg, the sergeant slapped the cell-phone camera from Willumsen’s hand and grabbed him. Willumsen was then arrested on misdemeanor charges that were later dismissed; he was convicted of summary disorderly conduct.
The CPRB’s Pittinger told board members that “Sgt. Vollberg was subpoenaed” twice — once through a colleague and once directly. On March 12, she said, CPRB investigators “personally delivered to him a subpoena to appear here tonight.” Given that, Pittinger said, Vollberg’s absence “appears to be deliberate.”
When questioned by City Paper about his absence from the hearing, Vollberg said, “I was working. I answer to the taxpayers.” He’s not sure he’ll respond to future subpoenas, either. “I can’t tell you what my intentions are in the future, anymore than anybody else can,” Vollberg said.
Officers rarely testify before the review board — one officer spent a recent hearing listening to Guns ‘N Roses on an mp3 player during his questioning — but they do at least show up. The city’s Code of Ordinances says, “The Police Bureau shall cooperate with and make a good faith effort to accommodate the [Citizen Police Review] Board’s request for police personnel to testify at such hearings. … Failure to comply with a validly issued subpoena should be considered by the Bureau as misconduct.”
Lt. Jennifer Beidle, who deals with CPRB policy for the city police, did not return several calls for comment.
Vollberg has testified about the April 3 incident before, during a September city court hearing on the charges facing Willumsen. At that hearing, Willumsen and his lawyer maintained that photographing a police officer was perfectly legal, and that Vollberg grabbed Willumsen around the neck and squeezed.
Vollberg told the court that he hadn’t known what Willumsen was thrusting toward him. As for the neck squeeze: “I don’t believe I did, but even if I did, so what?” Vollberg said then.
The CPRB voted to issue another subpoena — and to seek a Court of Common Pleas order compelling Vollberg to answer it.
This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2008.
the CPRB to the rescue!!!! another government bureaucracy to over see the ones who over see…seems kind of redundant.
What exactly has the CPRB accomplished? How long have they been in existence? How much money does it cost me? Why is the City Paper the only rag who gives a rat’s ass about what they do?
Does the CPRB have any power? Can they fire guys who misbehave? Are they a paper tiger? do they actuall yserve the tax payers well?
I think the title of the article should be-“CPRB fails at wasting time of Police Officers” or “Another failed attempt at justifying wasteful tax money”
I won’t have a swimming pool in my neighborhood or seniors center/program. My street did not get plowed when it snowed. I’ll fill the olympic pool sized pothole to swim in because it will still be here in June. BUT alas, I have the safety and security knowing full well that the CPRB is out…doing what again?
Purvis
well heres another thing thats happening to these out of control cops in pittsburgh and every were else above the LAW I KNOW IF I DONT SHOW UP FOR A SUBPOENA THE COME LOOKING FOR YOU AND YOU MIGHT SPEND SOME TIME IN JAIL THIS COP SHOULD BE STIPPED OF HIS JOB AND NEVER BE ABLE TO WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAIN AND BY THE TIME I GOT DONE WITH HIS PUNISHMENT HE WOULD BE LUCKY IF HE COULD GET A JOB AT 7 /11 SWEEPING FLOORS FIRE HIS ASS
ALSO IF COPS GO BAD IT SHOULD BE DOUBLE THE PUNISHMENT FOR THEM APOSED TO JOHN q PUBLIC BECAUSE THERE TO UP HOLD THE LAW NOT BREAK IT THANKS FOR THIS POST
Good Lord- pantime or is it “Payin’ time” mispelled like the rest of your angry diatribe???
how about finding out what the hell kind of power the review board has?? Huh, it’s not a legitimate court system!!!! That’s the problem, they have a budget and an agenda but obviously NO POWER!!!! They are useless and this cop proved it!!!! Act 47 should have done away with this cry baby watch dog group!!!
The cops don’t have to respond to their silly kangaroo court hearings! Even if they did, they don’t have to answer to the witch hunt!!
purvis
“I don’t believe I did, but even if I did, so what?” Vollberg said then.
That about sums it up, the police can do whatever they want. I guess it is about time to show them how vulnerable they really are… 1705 Cosmos St. West Mifflin.