Officers released from duty and charged

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Christopher Whitfield
[Click to enlarge]

In a statement released by Sheriff Bob Holder the sheriff said the Dunklin County Justice Center Administration has dismissed one full-time and one part-time corrections officer.

The officers were dismissed, according to Holder, after an internal investigation revealed that one of the two men had taken nude photos of three female inmates and the other had knowledge of the photos and did not report it to the sheriff.

Christopher S. Whitfield, a part-time officer, took the nude photos, according to the statement. Alen Powell had knowledge of the photos, according to the statement.

Alen Powell

Whitfield and Powell are being charged under the state statute 566.145 regarding sexual contact with a prisoner or offender.

Both officers were relieved of duties on Monday, April 21, 2008, and were served warrants on Wednesday, April 23, 2008.

Comments

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I really hate to hear that about Chris. He has been a role model for our area young for a long time. I have heard his named metioned at school functions in the past. This really breaks my heart......I hope for him its just not true....... So you know I am behind you man! Hang in there.

-- Posted by momma74 on Thu, Apr 24, 2008, at 5:51 PM

they should go to jail but you watch they will get out of it they are above the law in there books

-- Posted by tommyl on Thu, Apr 24, 2008, at 5:53 PM

AS A FORMER RESIDENT OF THE BOOTHEEL AREA WHO HAS LIVED IN TOPEKA, KS SINCE 1989 I`VE SPENT THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT- SPECIFICALLY IN CORRECTIONS WITH BOTH THE SHAWNEE COUNTY DEPT OF CORRECTIONS AND AM CURRENTLY A SERGEANT WITH THE STATE OF KANSAS DEPT OF CORRECTIONS, THESE ARE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO DISGRACE THE PROFESSION-PROSECUTE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, ALSO THE DEPT. HEAD BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BREACH OF SAFETY AND SECURITY STANDARDS, WHERE, WHAT, WHEN AND HOW DID THE CAMERA (CELLPHONE?) HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE FACILITY IE: CONTRABAND, THERES A LOT OF ????`S HERE. CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ARE THERE TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM THE INMATES AND AS WELL PROTECT AND LOOK OUT FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THE INMATES WHILE THEY ARE IN CUSTODY.

SGT. M. BURLISON-KDOC

-- Posted by BURLI8025 on Fri, Apr 25, 2008, at 5:18 AM

TO Momma 74... A role model whose name is mentioned in school? You sound like you have some praise for this degrader of women! Abuse by people that represent positions of trust ( priests, jailers etc ) is beyond belief. The man would no doubt photograph your students after a school function given the chance. The word that really comes to mind is perverted and the proof no doubt in the pictures.

-- Posted by jdharkey on Fri, Apr 25, 2008, at 1:51 PM