By Mark Scott
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-835738.mp3
Buffalo, NY – A hearing officer has found Cold Case Detective Dennis Delano guilty of insubordination and releasing crime scene information. But the suspended Buffalo Police detective could keep his job.
Hearing officer Thomas Rinaldo, who presided over a departmental proceeding against Delano, has recommended Delano be given 60 days unpaid suspension as punishment. Delano was temporarily relieved of his duties after he continued investigating the 1993 death of Crystallyn Girard.
Buffalo Police Commissioner McCarthy Gipson says he'll hold a penalty hearing soon. Gipson says he usually accepts the hearing officer's recommendation.
Gipson was hoping Rinaldo would recommend that Delano be fired. If he does accept the less severe punishment of suspension, Gipson says Delano would be reinstated to his detective duties.
Delano's attorney Steve Cohen wants his client cleared of all charges. Cohen says even Rinaldo acknowledged that Delano's motivations were for the greater good.
But Commissioner Gipson says a police department is a para-military organization where orders must be followed. Cohen says while his client has always wanted to return to his job, the bad feelings created by the disciplinary hearing has Delano thinking about retirement.
Click the audio player above to hear Mark Scott's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.