LETTER EXPLAINS LIEUTENANT'S DISMISSAL FROM POLICE FORCE

SCOTT CITY -- As tempers continue to flare in Scott City over the recent firing of a police lieutenant and the resignation of two officers, the three in question are maintaining a low profile.

But as Scott City residents continue to question the reasons behind the dismissal of Lt. Bobby Wooten, others are battling for his reinstatement.

In a letter dated May 24, Wooten was accused by Scott City Police Chief Rob Elledge of committing several violations of departmental codes, including verbally threatening a city councilman and a fellow officer.

The lieutenant is accused of threatening to assault Ward 4 Councilman Norman Brant on at least three occasions -- all of which were in a public forum.

"These statements, if taken seriously, are nothing less than a threat of physical violence against a city official," the letter stated. "The statements, if not taken seriously, are not excusable or justifiable in that they still bring discredit to the department and show a lack of respect to an elected city official."

Wooten denies making such statements and claims that Brant is "out to get him," because the officer once arrested Brant's son.

"He's just looking to get even," said Wooten. "When he (Brant) ran for election, he told people that he wanted to get on the council so he could deal with me."

The letter from Elledge also accuses Wooten of circulating a picture of a dead rat -- an alleged insult aimed at Scott City police officer Randy Zimmerman. Wooten also is accused of demanding Zimmerman return the picture to him, threatening to fire the junior officer if he did not comply with the lieutenant's demands.

Elledge wrote: "I have also determined that you have, on numerous occasions over the course of the last year, exercised oppressive and tyrannical conduct toward an inferior in rank and used abusive and insulting language to an inferior in rank, (Zimmerman), by threatening him with assault, orally demeaning him and using various methods to force him to leave the department."

Finally, the lieutenant was accused of illicitly removing a body wire from the department for an investigation, without the permission or knowledge of the chief of police.

"That's all a lot of bunk," said Wooten. "The stuff I was supposed to have stolen has been at the department for months. They're just grasping for strings."

As to the allegations concerning Zimmerman, Wooten said it was he who was victimized by Zimmerman.

"One night, the mayor and Zimmerman followed us around town in the mayor's wife's car," said Wooten. "Our job is tough enough without knowing there is someone looking over your shoulder all the time, watching your every move, waiting for you to screw something up."

Wooten's dismissal prompted the resignations of officers Eric Shafer and John Blakely. All three were veteran officers of the department.

In a recent interview, Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan denied Wooten's allegations that he and officer Zimmerman were spying on Wooten and the two other officers.

"But I do have the right to follow them anywhere if I so wish," said Forhan. "As mayor, I'm responsible for supervising the police department. I am, in effect, the chief law enforcement officer of the city."

On that point, the mayor and Wooten agree.

"In Scott City, you're supposed to live by Forhan's law," said Wooten. "Every day we had to come in and answer to him. He thrived on putting pressure on the police officers and the other employees.

"He told us once before that he was the `Father of the City,' and that he had every right to do what he wanted to do with us," said Wooten.

Shafer added: "We just couldn't take the scrutiny any more. We were being harassed constantly. It had to stop. I was accused of falsifying reports, stealing guns and selling drugs. None of that is true. None of it."

Since the departure of Wooten and the other two officers, the city has contracted help from outside police agencies, paying off-duty officers for patrolling Scott City streets.

Forhan said Scott City received several applications from people wishing to work as police officers for the city, and replacements will be hired as soon as possible.

But when asked if there was any way that Wooten or the two officers who resigned could be reinstated, Forhan said: "No. I don't think that will ever happen."