Pullman Police sergeant investigation passed to prosecutor

PPD officer still on paid administrative leave, other cleared of wrongdoing

IAN SMAY, Evergreen reporter

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) completed its investigation into two police sergeants in Pullman, passing its findings to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office for further action.

Investigators with the WSP finished their work last week and sent the information to Prosecutor Denis Tracy for further action, WSP Public Information Officer Jeff Sevigney said.

“The investigation was turned over to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office,” he said. “It would be up to them to comment on the particulars of the matter since it’s in their hands now.”

Tracy could not be reached for comment, and no one from the prosecutor’s office, the WSP or either police department would release the names of those involved.

The case began in April when a woman claimed a sergeant from WSU Police and a sergeant from Pullman Police sexually assaulted her.

The sergeant from WSU Police has been cleared of wrongdoing and is back on active duty, WSU Police Assistant Chief Steve Hansen said.

“Our sergeant is back to work,” he said. “We’ve gathered information that our sergeant has been eliminated as being a subject in [the investigation].”

Sevigney confirmed the WSU sergeant had been cleared.

The Pullman Police sergeant remains on paid administrative leave, Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said.