Shortly after complaints of an officer’s social media activity on June 2, 2020, the Bellevue Police Department hired an independent fact-finding investigator to examine the officer’s posts. Officer Nick Roche was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
Following an exhaustive review, the investigator found that while the officer’s social media posts were “Ill-advised and imprudent,” she concluded, “There is an absence of evidence suggesting that Ofc. Roche ascribes to or harbors alt-right or extremist beliefs, or any other improper ideologies or biases that call into question his fitness to serve as a law enforcement officer.”
Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett did find the officer violated the Bellevue Police Department’s Standards of Conduct Policy 11.00.240. “The Bellevue Police Department takes complaints of an officer’s integrity and judgement very seriously,” stated Chief Mylett. “In this case, the investigator determined no impartiality, but the officer’s social media activity was in poor judgement and in violation of BPD policy.” Officer Roche received a letter of reprimand in his file.
The officer has returned to full duty.
Bellevue Beat Blog 