Internal Affairs Unit - Cleveland.com
Internal Affairs Unit - Cleveland.com
Internal Affairs Unit - Cleveland.com
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'"-<br />
<strong>Cleveland</strong> Division of Police<br />
<strong>Internal</strong> <strong>Affairs</strong> <strong>Unit</strong><br />
Investieative Report<br />
(Did you get permission from Branden Bryson to use his driver's license to rent these<br />
vehicles?) No.<br />
(How did you obtain Branden Bryson's driver's license?) There are always ID cards in the<br />
downstairs office - lost IDs, etc. I just went down there and picked one.<br />
(Under whose authority did you use Branden Bryson's driver's license to rent vehicles for<br />
the covert rental program?) No. I am not sure how we came up with the idea. I was doing<br />
it as a police officer doing a police function. I had used cards from there before when<br />
working under-cover and having to enter clubs. To me, I could have just made up the<br />
name, it would have no difference to me. I did not know that it was against the law.<br />
(Was Lieutenant Barrow aware that you had rented vehicles using another's driver's<br />
license?) I am sure he had to be. I turned the rental paperwork into him, and it had<br />
Branden Bryson's driver's license information and my signature of his name.<br />
(Did Lieutenant Barrow suggest you use other people's driver's license to rent vehicles for<br />
the covert rental program?) I am not sure where it originated from. We thought it was an<br />
OK idea.<br />
(Did Lieutenant Barrow order you to stop renting vehicles using another's driver's<br />
license?) I am going to say that we could not rent vehicles anymore.<br />
Detective John Foster #1863 has been on sick leave since June 7, 2010, and was not scheduled for a<br />
Garrity statement.<br />
Investigation Reveals:<br />
The <strong>Cleveland</strong> Division of Police has a Covert Rental Car policy through This<br />
program is to augment <strong>Cleveland</strong> Division of Police undercover vehicles. These vehicles will be<br />
deployed as surveillance cars only and cannot engage in pursuits or be used as take-down vehicles.<br />
acknowledges and agrees that Division of Police receiving vehicles may use<br />
fictitious names that are agreed to in advance by . and the City of <strong>Cleveland</strong>. The<br />
City of <strong>Cleveland</strong> shall pay for <strong>com</strong>pleting all services required under their<br />
agreement an amount not to exceed $45,000.<br />
Initially, the Covert Rental Car program was used only by the <strong>Cleveland</strong> Division of Police Narcotics<br />
<strong>Unit</strong>. Prior to enactment of the covert rental car policy at the District level, Narcotics <strong>Unit</strong> Sergeant John<br />
Sotomayor forwarded documents regarding the rental agreement and procedures, including the Narcotics<br />
Rental Car Policy. While this policy covers many facets of the procedures regarding the rental vehicles,<br />
it does not address the actual renting of the vehicles, nor the presentation of your own driver's license.<br />
This last fact was addressed by a 1011512009 e-mail from Commander Gingell to the District<br />
Commanders where he states in pertinent part, "They will need to show their drivers license." (Emphasis<br />
added.)<br />
IAU Case #2010-061 Administrative Report<br />
Page 6 of 11 pages
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