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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Neighborhoods Employment Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 29, 2006 Bob Kershaw Phoenix PD chief arrested, suspended By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Phoenix Chief of Police Bob Kershaw was arrested Tuesday on felony tampering and forgery charges after investigators determined he altered a police report to absolve his son — a Phoenix police community service officer — of criminal charges. Kershaw was lodged in the Jackson County Jail Tuesday and was suspended from duty indefinitely, Phoenix Mayor Vicki Bear said. "The news came as a shock and extreme disappointment," Bear added. "We are working very closely with the sheriff’s office in assisting with the investigation." The case began on Jan. 27 when a Phoenix officer was called to Kershaw’s home in the 4300 block of Dark Hollow Road to help Talent police search for a missing juvenile believed to be at the residence. When officers arrived they found Andrew Kershaw, the chief’s son and a Phoenix police community service officer, and Steven Odom, a Phoenix reserve officer, allegedly partying with several minors. Among the evening’s festivities was marijuana and alcohol, according to Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters. Advertisement Kershaw decided to take the lead in the investigation, despite efforts from Talent Police Chief Bob Rector to persuade him to turn the case over to the sheriff’s department. Winters was made aware of the situation a week later and asked sheriff’s Capt. Rod Countryman to contact Kershaw and convince him to direct the investigation to an outside agency. According to Winters, Kershaw reluctantly turned the case over to sheriff’s detectives on Feb. 8. They soon discovered the reports given to them were not the ones made by the initial investigating officer. Kershaw allegedly made changes to the original report by deleting portions of the narrative implicating his son in criminal activity. Also missing was a written statement made by a witness at the Kershaw home that night, officials said. Kershaw has since sold the residence, Winters said. Winters and his detectives met with Bear and the Phoenix City Council on Monday, where it was decided that Kershaw be suspended. Kershaw was called to meet with the mayor at Phoenix City Hall Tuesday evening, where he was taken into custody by the sheriff’s department. Winters said he and his lieutenants would fill the leadership void created by Kershaw’s absence. "We are assisting the city with supervision and in its day-to-day activities," Winters said. "We have always worked closely with the Phoenix Police Department." Bear said there are no immediate plans to replace Kershaw. "We are not going to make any decisions concerning the chief until the end of the investigation," she said. Winters referred his agency’s investigation to Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston, who then turned the case over to the Oregon Department of Justice. He cited his working relationship with Phoenix police as the reason for the move. Huddleston said he is not sure when Kershaw will make his first appearance in court. "It will be up to (the Department of Justice) to decide how the case proceeds," he said. Kershaw is no stranger to controversy. In July 1991, he was fired from his position as a sergeant in the Keizer Police Department amid allegations of illegally taping phone conversations, leaking confidential information, failing to appear as a witness in court while suspended with pay and using a city vehicle and cellular phone for personal business. He later sued the police department, and as part of the settlement his records were changed to state that he had resigned. The state Government Standards and Practices Commission concluded in December 1991 that Kershaw broke state law by using the city’s car and cellular phone for personal use. Kershaw remained jailed late Tuesday on charges of first-degree forgery, hindering prosecution, first-degree official misconduct, tampering with physical evidence and tampering with public records. His bail was set at $14,000. Andrew Kershaw and Steven Odom were fired from the positions with the department. A criminal case against them is under way, Winters said. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Phoenix PD chief arrested, suspended ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing GMAT Prep Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Advertisement s