Delaware’s Office of Defense Services, the state’s public defender, put out a call Wednesday for tips related “suspicious encounters” with Millsboro Police officers.
The call for information was prompted by Millsboro Police acknowledging that one of their officers is under investigation for potentially “tampering” with drugs held by the department as evidence.
What you need to know:
Chief Defender Kevin O’Connell, who runs the office, said news of “possible drug use” and “evidence tampering” by an officer is troubling and that substance abuse can lead to other work problems like “dishonesty and stealing.”
He said it is “critical that any investigation into this matter be broad in scope.”
To that end, his office set up a tip line where individuals who have had a “suspicious experience” with the department can confidentially report the matter. Tips can be sent to ODStipline@delaware.gov or 302-577-6031.
What’s going on with the investigation into the officer?
Last month, Millsboro Police announced an unnamed officer was under investigation after the officer was found “unresponsive” in his patrol car one morning in February. A news release from the department said he was hospitalized for “possible exposure to fentanyl.”
Read more:Millsboro police officer under investigation for possibly tampering with drug evidence
The department said the officer was in charge of evidence and may have “improperly accessed” drugs seized in criminal cases.
The investigation is being conducted by State Police as well as officials from the Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust. The officer has not been charged with any crime.
Potential fallout
An officer taking improper actions with evidence can both taint actual evidence as well as confidence in the evidence stored at Millsboro.
A spokesperson for the Delaware Department of Justice, the state’s prosecutorial arm, said the office is dropping some drug cases due to the investigation.
Nearly 10 years ago, the state’s justice system was sent reeling by a scandal involving the evidence lab used by several departments.
Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. Follow @Ber_Xerxes on Twitter.
