Dumfries police probe grows wider

Investigators from Fairfax city police -- called in to conduct an administrative investigation of the Dumfries Police Department -- copied the contents of three computers as part of their probe.

Dumfries Town Manager Kim Alexander said she requested the outside investigation by the Fairfax police.

"I've asked for this administrative investigation because of several allegations and information that has been brought to my attention," Alexander said Tuesday.

"It is my understanding that several other organizations also are conducting investigations," she said. "I do not have specific information as to what or who is being investigated."

Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert said the FBI is also looking into the Dumfries Police Department.

Ebert and Alexander would not elaborate on the nature or circumstances of the investigations.

Alexander met for several hours Tuesday morning with representatives of Fairfax police. The city officers began interviewing Tuesday.

Alexander said she called in the officers to investigate on Friday. They copied the hard drives of two computers in the Dumfries police squad room.

Since each of the 12 Dumfries police officers does not have his own computer, these two computers are used by several officers. The Fairfax city officers also icopied the laptop computer in the squad car used by Dumfries police Officer John Chapman.

Chapman, who has been with the department since 2006, was placed on administrative leave with pay Friday.

Chapman, a patrol officer, also heads up the department's Internet Crimes Against Children efforts. He has been involved in the arrest of sexual predators from across the country.

On Saturday, following an emergency meeting of the Dumfries Town Council, police Chief Calvin L. Johnson also was placed on administrative leave with pay.

Johnson has been with the Dumfries Police Department for 27 years and has served as chief since 1995.

Alexander said she did not know how long the administrative investigation currently underway by the Fairfax city police would take. "It depends on where it leads them," she said.

The administrative investigation is separate and different than the police assessment that Alexander initiated in January.

The law enforcement consulting firm FifteenOct is working on that project, which has not been completed yet.

Alexander said the assessment is looking at police policies and procedures and whether they are being followed.

"It's an overall general assessment of everything: hiring, personnel and general orders," she said.

The administrative investigation is focused on specific allegations.

"They are completely separate," she said.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-878-8010.