MARICOPA, AZ -- The City of Maricopa Police Association (COMPA) has responded to an officer's claims that he was being attacked after emailing pictures containing nudity to another Maricopa police officer.
In a news release emailed to ABC15, COMPA said:
"COMPA is not attacking anyone. The City of Maricopa Police Association is simply doing the right thing by its members and the citizens of Maricopa by exposing incidents of excessive force, civil rights violations, and violations of law and City policy by members of Maricopa Police Department Management."
The statement was sent by COMPA President Aki Stant and goes on to address the release of Eckhardt's email and photos.
"The release of public records containing the inappropriate email content was used to further demonstrate Lieutenant Eckhardt's poor decisions and the obvious disparity in treatment of such incidents by Police Command. While members of COMPA have been subject to administrative leave, reassignments, suspensions and termination for similar alleged misconduct, Chief Fitch has again proven Lieutenant Eckhardt’s protected status."
Lt. Larry Eckhardt, a Maricopa police lieutenant, said he and other high ranking officers are being attacked by several lower ranking officers after a news release from the City of Maricopa Police Association surfaced recently.
The news release revealed an email exchange between Lt. Larry Eckhardt and his partner, Lt. Willie Payne.
Using a city computer, Eckhardt sent Payne an email that contained nudity.
"I definitely regret it," said Eckhardt, while sitting in the living room of his Maricopa home.
The incident happened in April and Eckhardt says he was disciplined by the Chief of Police.
"It (email) had some nudity on it from the waist up and basically it was sent as a joke," said Eckhardt.
The photos and email were obtained by the City of Maricopa Police Association through records requests and released to the media.
The news release, when referring to Eckhardt's email, states, "The records request also resulted in evidence of gross impropriety between a couple of Police Department managers in several violations of City of Maricopa Personnel Policy 5.8; which governs the use of city-owned email and internet."
The Maricopa Police Department is a little more than two years old, but it seems there is quite a bit of fighting taking place within the small department.
"They (COMPA) are just out to get me and other high ranking police department officials," said Eckhardt.
With 33 years of experience, Eckhardt says he regrets very little, except for sending the email.
Eckhardt says he and others with the ranking of Lieutenant or higher cannot be a member of any police union or association in the town of Maricopa.
"It was a joke, sent by a friend in law enforcement and it referred to terrorism and Canadian currency. I regret it, but the people behind this release vowed to make every effort to remove upper management in this department," said Eckhardt.
After word spread of the news release, Eckhardt's wife, Venecia expressed her anger.
"People have called this email pornography, it wasn't pornography, it was a tasteless joke, maybe he shouldn't have sent it, but it was far from pornography," said Venecia.
She said since her husband was disciplined, and she thought it was over.
"Someone wants revenge on Larry and tried digging up dirt and that's the most they could find," said Venecia.
While Lt. Larry Eckhardt says he focuses on his reputation and family, Venecia says the couple is concerned about the fallout for their 15-year-old daughter.
"We have a 15-year-old daughter who goes to high school, she has friends over, they always come to our house, is that going to change, how is this going to affect her at school?" said Venecia. "My husband is a stand-up, loving, loyal man who sent a joke email, that's it."
