In The News

Charges sideline 2 police officers
Davis vows to revamp policies on steroids, domestic violence
By Maria Cramer
Boston Globe Staff
F ebruary 6, 2008

They were disciplined for the very crimes they are paid to prevent.

A Boston police narcotics detective was suspended after officials said he tested positive for steroids on the same day that a detective in the domestic violence unit was arrested in an assault on his girlfriend, department officials said yesterday.

Kevin Guy, an 18-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, received a 45-day suspension Monday after drug tests he took about two weeks ago came back positive for steroids, police said.

On Monday afternoon, Randolph police arrested Windell Josey, 51, after his girlfriend accused him of assaulting her in their Randolph home, police said. Josey, a 23-year veteran of the Boston force, has been charged with domestic assault and battery and intimidating a witness.

"I'm extremely disappointed in their actions," Commissioner Edward F. Davis said in a telephone interview yesterday. "They both certainly know better than to be doing these activities, and I think that what's important is we're taking corrective action immediately."

Davis said Josey has been stripped of his department-issued firearm and has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of the charges. Police said Josey's girlfriend did not immediately seek medical attention.

Neither detective could be reached for comment yesterday.

Jack Parlon, president of the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society, said the union stands behind the detectives.

"I have every faith that everyone will come out on the shining side of this," he said. "They're both great. They're good detectives, very credible, very capable guys."

Davis said he is planning changes in the department's policies regarding domestic violence and drug abuse. Officers are not tested for steroid use in their annual drug exams, which check for nearly every narcotic and controlled medication, including cocaine, opiates, and OxyContin. Tests for steroids are conducted only if an officer is suspected of using them.

"This is very much in the preliminary stages," Davis said of expanding drug testing. "I've always considered it to be an issue because of the way that steroid abuse manifests itself; one of the symptoms is aggressiveness, and that's a particular concern in a police agency."

The department was rocked last year by the conviction of three police officers who had agreed to guard shipments of cocaine for apparent traffickers who turned out to be undercover FBI agents. One, Officer Roberto Pulido, later admitted to using steroids and in tapes secretly recorded by the FBI implicated other officers. Davis said he could not comment on whether Guy's case was tied to Pulido.

Davis said he has been working with Jane Doe Inc., a statewide coalition against domestic violence and sexual assault, on ways to improve the department's policy for officers accused of domestic abuse. Davis said he recently mandated that officers who are accused of domestic violence immediately surrender their guns. The weapons are returned only after charges against the officers are resolved.

Davis said he also wants to review whether accused officers are receiving proper counseling and treatment.