Here is an article from the Phoenix New Times on BadPhoenixCops. It made the cover story, so swing by your local CircleK to pick up a copy.http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2009-06-11/news/behind-badphoenixcops-com-the-blogger-who-took-on-the-phoenix-pd-and-the-homicide-detective-who-might-be-his-best-source/
The Phoenix New Times is notorious for never doing any negative article on the Phoenix PD. In this one however, they at least admit we are taking on the Phoenix PD and unraveling the fiber of Police department - and of course driving them nuts!
The Phoenix New Times is notorious for never doing any negative article on the Phoenix PD. In this one however, they at least admit we are taking on the Phoenix PD and unraveling the fiber of Police department - and of course driving them nuts!
Our blogger Jeff commented on the article (his comments are at the end of the piece and comment #4). He denied an interview for the article as did Dave Barnes since it would have probably been twisted and used against them.
Enjoy the article and feel free to post your comments here or at the end of the article. The first few comments are pretty good - that the police could have fixed this from the very start but opted not to.
15 comments:
You were right about one thing Ms. Fenske, Mike Polombo's trouble all started with women. At least that is what the therapist told us when we sought her help during Mikes first affair while I was pregnant with our daughter. I believe she called it "Emotional incest" and a "strong hatred of women."
Which leads us to the next part of your story, Karen Vance. Yes, Mike hated her, came home and vowed to have her fired. Called her a "incompetent cunt" one of his favorite terms to use when referring to women. You see MS. Fenske, Mike was jealous because she is a Detective...something he was not and will never be. But How..you ask...did he get into homicide. Uncle Bill a Commander that owed Mike a favor for handling a rape charge his son had been accused of. Oh..Ms Fenske..you didn't know about that ? Well, I dont believe you have the journalistic ability to research that story but, perhaps your friend and co-worker Paul Reuben could ask his friend Mike Polombo who was introduced by Jack Ballentine. All who plan on writing books and movie deals based on their great "dick" abilities.
And then there is Dave Barnes... Mike referred to him on several occasions as the "best detective that he and the homicide department had ever seen" Mike so badly wanted Barnes in his squad. But Barnes was on Karen vances squad and that friendship didn't set well with Polombo. Oh, what a tangled web was weaved, covering up affairs both of himself and his Lieutenant. Fabricating allegations on a Order of Protection all "smoke and mirrors" to make the x wife look crazy in order to deflect the spotlight off of his dirty deeds.
And then the most important part of your story..the Baseline investigation. I remember when he came home ..crying over the crime lab..feeling so guilty. Little did I know at the time that he was having an affair with a subordinate. Ultimately 7 people paid the price. I wonder Ms. Fenske if your daughter had been a victim of such an oversight, would you want Detective Dave Barnes on the case or Mike Polombo.
By the way, I do not hold the title of Mrs. Potato Head..that honor rests solely on his current wife Heather Armstrong. I can assure you any title with the word "head" in it belongs to her.
Sloppy journalism......There are numerous taped conversations, cellphone records..polygraphs etc that would have changed the direction of you story...But alas you didn't do the work.....Sloppiness seems to be the COMMON THREAD
Comment by Suzanne from Glendale on Jun 11th, 2009, 15:44 pm
I hope if I ever need a homicide detective working for me I have someone as dedicated as Barnes, willing to stand up for what is right and make sure each and every piece of evidence is looked at. SHAME ON THE PHX PD!! If every homicide detective took his job as seriously as Barnes did, maybe the Phx PD's clearance rate would not be 50% as reported by local CBS.
That figure is skewed, by the way, as it is known that figure includes cold cases, police shootings and other ways Lt. Knott has come up with to try and increase the clearance rate. The real rate is in the 30's, ask anyone in the detail who knows the real figure for current murders.
Bravo Suzanne!!! Bravo. I am sure you have a lot more to say and we would all love to hear all the details you have on Mr. Potato Head.
You should be proud to stand up for your self!!
Hats off to "Gratitude" for setting the record straight. It was very apparent that this reporter was NOT unbiased and fair or it would NOT have turned into a case of defense for the PPD or the Players from 4th Floor.Ms. Fenske should have done a little more research and put the same zest into her story that she puts into the Stories against Joe Arpio ( the blubber from MCSO another embarrassment for Maricopa County).My friends on the Force are all elated that they can vent on BPC and finally tell the truth.I am very sorry for the Barnes and Jeff's family that they had to endure these miscarriages of justice but hope that real soon the truth will finally come out and those responsible will be brought out into the open.........hope they don't scurry like cockroaches under the light. Criminal Charges need to be forthcoming and Harris needs to be exposed for what he really is along with all the Fuck Faces from his circle of Goons( Criminals).
Thank you for keeping us informed and giving us a place to vent.
Roses are Red
Violets are blue
The Phoenix PD
Are coming unglued
I never thought it could happen
To mt friends in blue
But after reading the New times
I know it to be true
It was a riveting read
That Fenskes story
I read in horror
That your divorce was so gory
It is plain as day
your ex wants you off the map
How could the PPD
Fall into such a trap?
She made up evidence
Harassment at best
And after her lies and reports
She still isn’t under arrest?
It appears you know Suzanne P
Or maybe she knows you
Polmbo is now out of control
There is nothing they can do
As I sit back and watch the city unravel
And drink my corona
I heard 2 more cops visited
Attorney Jess Lorona?
Patacki I never imagined
This could ever ring true
That a man who was wronged
Could cripple the PPD like you do
I sit in awe and wonder
How one man with a blog can make such an impact
I think if we all banded together
What we all can do to jack
History will show
What a person can do when put to task
kotecki, Polombo, knott richards
Can all suck my ass
You have done so much for everyone
And your story is full of pity
You helped exposue such corruption
I would vote for you any day anytime, if you ran for a post in the city
I have said it before and it needs repeating
You have do so much, for so many of us
You are givng jack and the city a beating
Word will never express
The gratitude and what you have done
In the eyes of all the good cops
BPC you are absultely number one!
May God bless you and watch over you and your family
May God Bless Dave Barnes and all the good cops who fight for what is right.
After reading this story, now know where the book deal is going to be coming from. i hope the final chapters are how one man blogging got off Mark goudeau in the biggest botched criminal investigation in history.
This is quite a story and I must say i am impressed (for once) with Sarah fenskes facts. She could have done more, but she at least didn't make the blogger or the cop out to be fools.
BPC maybe you can post an area on your blog for citizens to vote a "NO CONFIDENCE" on City Manager Fairbanks and Jack Harris. They need to be removed immediately. Why has the city counsel let this go on for so long? And where is Mayor Gordon? If he thinks he will land a Federal job the citizens of Phoenix will make sure that doesn't happen, and then lets sit back and see how fast he gets rid of Jack Harris and Frank Fairbanks.
(Dickweed Tovar)....Hello
(Jack Harris)....Now look what you have done "Little Louie" you've really pissed them off now.....do you have me on that damn speaker phone? Its the next button dickweed...CLICK.....don't hang up...
Louie?
(Tovar's speaker phone)...It's all about keeping BPC on Harris's ass and make him take the heat and look like an assclown
(Joe Balloon Knot) Yep
(Mr. Potatoe Head) Yep
(Jack Harris) I have you guys on tape, I am calling Stan the Man....OOOOH, WHOO, hey go easy Heather
I have to agree with other bloggers about, clyde schellenger, who is another fucktard of Harris' circle.
He was one of the most corrupt cops I knew b4 Polombo came along. He thinks he is a private investigator, but talking with people who work with him, say he is an incompetent PERVERT!
He is butt buddies with M. Oconnell, so beware. Marks not getting satisfied at home so he gets it from clyde. Also kown to have 3somes with Harris.
Clyde, isn't time to push in Oconnell's stool.
Both are Fucktards, and can't be trusted. Rumor has it, Oconnell's been fucking Heather.
FYI: Clyde has aids! Ask all the women he has infected. Your a fucking Loser Schellenger!
I encourage everyone reading this blog to respond in the New Times "comments" section (you have to go to at least page 2 at the top to the "show comments" and then you can reply). I did and my response is below.
Regards,
Faithful Supporter of BPC, Jeff, Dave, and all the GREAT Phoenix Cops! :-)
>>>>
As a native Phoenician and a professional journalist, I am disheartened by the one-sided journalism in this article.
Perhaps it was one-sided because no one would talk to your reporter.
Do you even have to WONDER why that is??
All this article did, was once again, defend the ineptness of the higher ups in the PPD and the County Attorney's office.
I guess the relationship between Paul Ruben, The Phoenix New Times, and the Brass of PPD continues - even the author claims to be Ruben's "friend and colleague." As if putting a disclaimer in there makes the reporting any more unbiased (rolling eyes).
This article should have focused on the INJUSTICE that has been served against Dave Barnes, Jeff Pataky, and yes, even Mark Goudeau.
Did the author of this article even READ the BadPhoenixCops.com website?
If so, it would have been PAINFULLY obvious that there is a cover-up in the LARGEST murder investigation that Phoenix has ever seen.
Evidence was hidden (which now has been made public - read the report for yourselves on the BadPhoenixCops.com website) that could have kept Mark Goudeau out of jail.
The homicide detectives did not even give credence to the report that was compiled by a "lowly Patrol Officer."
The officer was DEAD ON in his assumption that Terry Wayne Smith could very possibly be The Baseline Killer.
I beg people - report the report!! It will make you so mad, you will want to spit. This kind of nonsense (hiding important information in a crucial investigation) has to stop!!
Did the PPD feel so threatened by Dave Barnes and Jeff Pataky, that their secrets would be revealed, that they tried to strong-arm both of these men?
Please, Phoenix New Times, report ALL of the story next time.
I know your staff wants to be buddies with the PPD higher ups, but journalism is supposed to be UNBIASED!
Perhaps your writers need to take a page from Sam Donaldson's book on fair reporting. Never, did Sam EVER report on something that wasn't balanced or factual.
Seems to me the PPD Brass handed you what they "wanted" to be known - not the truth!
<<<
"...and near-constant use of the term "assclowns" to describe high-ranking officers."
It's funny because it's true.
It all started with one lie. The homicide department could not $afford$ for Sgt Polombos affair and cover up to come out. That, coupled with the error of the crime lab would undermine all the work that had been done. The timing couldn't be worse. Right in the middle of a serial killer investigation, the biggest the City had seen. Mike Polombo had an affair with a subordinate during the investigation and then LIED about it. THAT WOULD RUIN HIS CREDIBILITY. SO they had to "make it go away" So, when Suzanne Polombo threatened to tell Mikes Commander, he jumped into action by slandering Suzanne and anyone who befriended her. The witchhunt began, calls made to other departments including the Communication department silencing anyone that knew Suzanne or talked to her. Anyone who befriended Suzanne was immediately suspect. If only, Mike Polombo had been a man, told the truth, taken his consequences, if only. Fortunately, for all of us there was a man, Dave Barnes, who stood up for the truth. And because he did they will have to discredit him as well, because like I said the department cant $afford it$
If only Mike Polombo would tell the truth, just one time. Lie Number One
I did not have an affair with Heather Armstrong during my marriage. 1.But, if Verizon cell phones records were subpoened, it would show hundreds of telephone calls between Sgt Polombo and his subordinate Heather Armstrong. 2.The Vegas Convention where they both attended. Mike Polombo was not in his room the entire night. The hotel will have record of the hundreds of calls that were made to his room. Hotel surveillence cameras would have shown the dirty details. 3.After telling his Lt. Benny Pina that he "was not seeing Heather Armstrong",Benny Pina and his wife were at dinner at a local restaurant and ran into Mike Polombo and Heather Armstrong. The next day Lt. Pina told his boss Commander Klima that he had seen Mike and felt like Mike had made a fool of him and it was evident the Mike had lied. 4.Mike Polombo and Heather Armstrong were seen by a witness that will come forward at a volleyball game. When Mikes daughter asked him who he was at the girls volleyball tournament with he replied "what volleyball game?"
Lie Number two.
I have never called a co-worker the N word. I am not a rascist.
You only need to pull his early records to show that Mike Polombo was repremanded for calling a black man "Buckwheat". You only need to ask his x-wife and daughter or many co-workers how many time he referred to Kevin Robinson and any other black person for that matter, the N word. There is an Italian name for black people, one of his favorite terms. He told his daughter he would kill her before she would be allowed to date a black man.
CONTINUED IN NEXT COMMENT
PART 2 - CONTINUED FROM ABOVE
Lie Number 3. Mike made false allegations on an Order of Protection.
1. Mike Polombo signed and swore that his x-wife had been in two mental hospitals. Of course, he had no documentation to support the allegation. BECAUSE IT IS A LIE By the way, Mike Polombo voluntarily relinquished his parental rights and gave sole custody to Suzanne Polombo, Why would you give your only child to a mentally ill bipolar woman.
2. Mike polombo signed and swore that his x-wife was diagnosed bi-polar . But of course Mr. polombo was unable to suppport his allegation with any Dr. or pharmacy perscriptions. BECAUSE IT IS A LIE
3.Mike Polombo was quite positive that his x-wife wrote the annonomous letter to the Phx PD. Suzanne Polombo paid for a private polygraph service used by the Glendale PD and has the documentation. She passed the polygraph test stating that she did not write the letter and did not ask anyone to write the letter and did not know who wrote the letter.
4. Mike Polombo continues to claim that Suzanne Polombo "tried to extort monies" from him. Michael Polombo has the actual phone call taped. PLEASE subpoena the tape, it was taped the same day Suzanne Polombo found the numerous telephone calls on his cell phone made to his subordinate Heather Armstrong and called him at work to confront him. .
Lie Number 5. Mike said his x wife rifled through his personal files.
Mike Polombo worked in Internal Affairs prior to being handed or gifted his position into Homicide. Mike kept his cases in his garage. When he left his wife and child he left his files in an unsecured garage for over a year. His x-wife called internal affairs and had them pick them up. Tracy Montgomery was one of the IA files that was left in the unsecured garage. HIPPA..GARRITY..everything you wouldn't want the public to get their hands on. His xwife Suzanne continues to find tapes and dvds as recently as June of 2009 and continues to turn them over to IA.
Lie Number 6. Mike Polombo slandered his wife Suzanne Polombo in order to insure she did not get re-hired.
Suzanne Polombo passed the polygraph, the written test, the Criti-call test, the background check and the panel interview. Suzanne Polombo received a phone call from Lt. Spalla informing her that she was not eligible for re-hire because " she was in the process of a divorce with a current employee." Lt Spalla then turned around and gave her a sterling recommendation to the Glendale Police Department. Consequently, Suzanne Polombo was hired by the Glendale Police Department.
Next time you run a story, maybe you should interview the people that you write about.
Gratitude, way to go! Some truthful insight into the real Potato Head Polombo. People like Polombo always gets what is coming to them. How he is still an active supervisor and not under investigation and on admin leave himself is a true mystery. Or is it...
It is amazing how Potato Head Polombo gets away with this. It is widely speculated he has so much dirt on so many chiefs that he is protected to prevent him from exposing all the dirt that has gone on for so many years, all the corruption, all the innocent officers who were fired for no reason but to satisfy a chief that had a beef with an individual officer. It is known he covered up that rape committed by Sgt. Lewis (900 patrol, FTO squad) for the benefit of his dad, retired Asst. Chief Bill Lewis, known as Uncle Bill to Polombo, Kotecki and the rest of his "followers" Just get hold of the rape victim and see how her life has been ruined and traumatized. get the report and see how many times Polombo interviewed her, changing her story until she was discredited.
It sounds like "Gratitude" has some good insider info. We all would like to hear "gratitude's" insider info on that rape investigation!!
What has to be done to get an reputable agency to investigate all of this! Why can't the union push this or do they not have the power many of it's membership are led to believe they hold! When Billy Coleman retired, the union lost it's voice. He was the most outspoken one and not much is heard since his untimely departure.
This City government is ran like the Government in Iran!! You only hear and get results that favors the one in charge!!!!
Great article. It all starts at the beginning though really. I personally know the detective who filed the initial harrassment charges has a history of wanting to prosecute without proof and the victim's word. He is known to be malicioius and it would be great if the PSB would start looking into his history of forwarding cases to the County Prosecutor without hard evidence.
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