City Desk

Hindsight Is 20/20

On July 26, 2005, D.C. police Lt. Sherman Lankford made a boo-boo. According to a department investigation, he arrived at the scene of a crime, took a pair of binoculars from a car being searched, and handed them to another officer.

It’s not clear whether he stole the binoculars or just mishandled evidence, but it was enough to launch an internal investigation of the 20-year police-force veteran. About seven months later, the department notified Lankford that disciplinary action was being considered—a process that, under the law, must result in a decision within 45 days from the time notice is given. But it wasn’t until May 4, 2006, that a panel chaired by then commander and now Chief Cathy Lanier recommended firing the lieutenant.

Lankford got his final notice on July 20—140 days after he’d been warned his job was on the line. He fought the decision, and the D.C. Office of Employee Appeals reversed his termination this March, meaning the city will have to fork over a few hundred thousand dollars in back wages because it took so long to get the disciplinary ball rolling. Lanier’s office has not responded to requests for comment.

One Response to “Hindsight Is 20/20”

  1. DC4LIFE Says:

    Imagine that, I wonder how they process these cases, there are MANY MANY more still waiting that occurred whay before this “official” decided to STEAL evidence..How is is “NOT CLEAR” if he mishandled the evidence, its pretty clear if you ask me what he did, he STOLE the evidence….What about the rest of the cases that are just sitting collecting dust….

Leave a Reply

Inauguration Housing and Inauguratin Rentals
Shop Local
DC SEARCH
calendar
restaurants
movies
classified
personals

Find an Event

Select the type of event, and the particular day this week below.

Submit your event to the City Paper's Event Calendar.

Find a Restaurant

Enter a restaurant name, or select a cuisine and neighborhood below.

Find a Movie

Select a movie theater in the box below to see a list of all movies at that theater.

...Or view a full list of theaters, films, and showtimes.

Search Classified Ads

Post a Classified Ad

Find It

Find a Match

Age range: to
Find It

Who saw you? Check I Saw You
Looking for something kinky? Wild Side

City Paper Newsletter
advertisement
CarTango

Get a Car

Search inventory on the City Paper's CarTango website:

CP Events

Naughty and nice

This Week

Current Issue
The Issue of Nov. 27 - Dec. 3, 2008

This Week in
City Paper History

  • Exit Strategy
    Is Anthony Falzarano's effort to help gays go straight sexual healing or a way to deny reality?
    Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 1999
  • Midget Wrestling
    Wannabe politicos come to D.C. colleges to soak up the federal ambiance. In the age of Starr and Lewinsky, they're learning their lessons well.
    Nov. 26 - Dec. 2, 1999
  • Soulsby on Ice
    MPD Chief Larry Soulsby has finally run out of denials.
    Nov. 28 - Dec. 4, 1997
advertisement
advertisement