Surveillance video shows "inappropriate" behavior at Elkhart P.D. Save Email Print
Sexually suggestive photos taken
Posted: 5:57 PM Feb 6, 2008
Last Updated: 11:25 AM Feb 8, 2008
Reporter: Mark Peterson
Email Address: mpeterson@wndu.com

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ELKHART, IN - It would be pretty tame as an episode of “Girls Gone Wild,” but surveillance video of what happened at Elkhart Police headquarters last Thanksgiving, was hot enough for two workers to lose their jobs.

While we’ve heard about behavior termed “inappropriate” between police department employees and a female visitor, only now is the public getting a look at what all the fuss was about.

It all started early Thanksgiving morning when a woman with dark hair, a white shirt, and denim mini skirt and white boots entered the lobby of the Elkhart Police headquarters.

The entire episode was recorded by two separate surveillance cameras, although there was no audio.

The woman in question was not under arrest.

"She was just waiting on transportation I believe,” said Assistant Chief Timothy Balyeat, “she resided in Chicago and was waiting on somebody to come pick her up.”

At one point, one of the men working behind the front desk gives the woman a drink.

Not all the friendly gestures were so innocent.

At about 4:04 a.m. the woman stepped into a room to the side of the front desk.

Through an open door, the security camera shows body contact and inappropriate touching between the woman and at least one police worker.

The images indicate that pictures are being taken, and at one point it appears the woman’s skirt is pulled up to her waist.

Around 4:15 a.m. the woman climbs onto the counter at the front desk.

At least two of the three males behind the desk appear to take pictures with camera phones.

One even walks out from behind the counter and enters the lobby so he can take a picture from behind.

"Everybody played their little part. It was just wrong all the way around,” said Balyeat.

The Elkhart County Prosecutor has finished reviewing the video.

While Curtis Hill concluded that the conduct was “unbecoming, inappropriate, and otherwise an embarrassment to the department,” he also determined that the conduct did not warrant the filing of criminal charges.

Balyeat said he was happy to “close this chapter and get on with regular business.”

He said that the police department did a good job of policing itself, and “we’re moving on.”

Earlier in the day, the woman was traveling in a vehicle on the Indiana Toll Road when the driver was arrested for drunk driving.

She was brought to the police department as a courtesy, and was trying to arrange transportation back home.

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Posted by: What were they thinking?! on Sep 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM
I can't believe this is still one of the popular headlines for WNDU. But since it still is, I'd like to say... YUCK! There's no telling where this girl has been, or who she's been with, or what diseases she has. Putting aside that these cops should have been working instead of messing with this woman, I think they need to think before having anything to do with a sleazy stranger. Again, I say... YUCK!

Posted by: john doe Location: Chicago on Jul 20, 2008 at 06:19 PM
Hey, Why have they not shown the whole video and if nothing happened why did he resign

Posted by: Lindsey Location: Elkhart on Apr 18, 2008 at 05:20 PM
These are still our police officers that protect us and have been there when we needed them. God forbid if they are human and still act like men. She was the one pulling up her skirt not them. This does not make them above the law.

Posted by: Alice Location: Omaha on Mar 15, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I think they should all be fired!!!! Glad it wasn't my daughter..........

Posted by: Mark Location: Elkhart on Mar 5, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Curtis Hill has worn out his welcome. Time to resign

Posted by: Bobbie Location: Kewanna on Feb 15, 2008 at 10:27 AM
The officers involved in this act knowing they were on video themself only shows how stupid they really are. I bet your family's are real proud of you for that one. Yeah thats my dad people isn't he great. How sick are you boys? you don't deserve to be called men. Shame on you for the shame you put upon your family.

Posted by: Duh! on Feb 15, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Rem - if you had read the previously posted items, you would have learned that the background is a sand dune that is being blown by the wind. It is a background option from that model and program of computer.

Posted by: Angie Location: Granger on Feb 15, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Well, at least we know what the police are doing when it takes them forever to respond to 911 calls...

Posted by: rem Location: South Bend on Feb 15, 2008 at 04:17 AM
I think they forgot to black out the picture on the computer screen in the video, very revealing

Posted by: me Location: Mishawaka on Feb 14, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Well said Bill from Elkhart.

Posted by: Bill Location: Elkhart on Feb 14, 2008 at 07:11 AM
The bottom line is the fact that this took place at not only a public building but also at their place of employment. I can guarantee that if something like this took place at my place of employment. Or most other places of employment EVERYONE involved would be seeking other employment! Why should these officers be any different? I'm really surprised that none of the female officers in Elkhart have complained about this fact! Let's just open more of my tax dollars up to a sexual harrasment suit!

Posted by: K Location: Mishawaka on Feb 13, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Yuk. These are disgusting men and should feel ashamed of themselves.

Posted by: Good For You! on Feb 13, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Tired of Ignorance.... Well said, I agree with you all the way!

Posted by: Tired of Ignorance Location: Ind on Feb 12, 2008 at 10:08 PM
M ... are you one of the officers involved in this disrepectable pathetic behavior? You sound like it .. especially when you say that all these ignorant men should've gotten is a slap on the wrist. AND to attempt to pass on negative thoughts to a young 16 year old kid - WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? As adults we're suppose to encourage children in a positive manner, not knock them down and discourage them! And if you're not a man, you'd make an absolutely terrible mother. Mother's are suppose to be nurturing ... which is something you obviously lack. The bottom line is, what these officers did was WRONG. Along with taking an oath to protect and serve, there is a code of ethics that they are SUPPOSE to follow ... which you should know if you really were an officer. None of those officers thought how their actions would affect their fellow brothers and sisters, who have to continuously apologize to the Community for their selfish - childish - thoughtless behavior. They should've ALL been FIRED!

Posted by: fmr Location: MN on Feb 12, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Becky, what "rights" are you standing up for??

Posted by: Mitch Location: Mishawaka on Feb 11, 2008 at 10:23 PM
Becky, not only can you not form a proper sentence; You cannot spell either. I would ask you what kind of world we are forming for our kids if we allow public servants that the kids look up to get away with this type of behavior. The actions are on the media and the kids see it. These guys are perverts as well.

Posted by: AUDREY Location: ELKHART on Feb 11, 2008 at 08:04 PM
I THINK WE COULD HAVE A GOOD ELKHART POLICE FORCE. BUT WE DON.T NEED THINKS LIKE THAT GOING ON IN IT. BECOUSE PEOPLE WILL GET WHERE THEY WON'T TRUST THE POLICE IN THIS TOWN.AND ARE POLICE IS TO PERTECT EVERYONE. AND BUY LETTING THAT GO ON PEOLE IS LOOKING AT ELKHART POLICE DEPARTMENT NOW. I DON'T LIKE IT,. I THINK IT IS WRONG.

Please do not post in all caps. Thank you. -WNDU.com


Posted by: Becky Location: Ind on Feb 11, 2008 at 07:17 PM
You hit the nail on the head Mike from Goshen.Don't this Country have any Balls to stand up for whats right.Just slap the hands of murderers, perverts ect.SELF CONTROL PEOPLE!What kind of world are we making for our kids and grandkids.Men and women are dieing in Iraq and other places for our freedom but this is rediculous

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawaka on Feb 11, 2008 at 06:12 PM
Paul...go look for your adult video's elsewhere. Mike..this is a very big deal. Neither case was handled properly. Clinton should of been kicked out of office and these jail workers should of been canned. Public servants have no business doing anything like this outside of their private homes.

Posted by: Mike Location: Goshen on Feb 11, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Seriously here...if the former President "got down" while in office and lied about it - what's the big deal if some small town cops do the same thing and put it on video???

Posted by: Paul Location: Plymouth on Feb 11, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Anyone have a link to the full, un-edited video of this?

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawka on Feb 9, 2008 at 07:39 PM
Fire all of them working the desk during this. The officer in blue did nothing to stop this and it was highly inappropriate for them to take pictures with phones and also not stop her from climbing the counter and coming behind a secure door. The officer should of been charged with battery...the female was clearly drunk and did not have the clear facilities to tell him no.

Posted by: Paul Location: Plymouth on Feb 9, 2008 at 03:23 PM
All police officers are above the law.

Posted by: Slade Location: Mishawaka on Feb 9, 2008 at 11:02 AM
I feel the tape shows enough...the woman was at wrong also. However, she's not a public servant like the police officers are. These officers should have asked her to conduct herself in a lady like manner but they didn't. At this point they were just at fault as she was. The officers I guess didn't care if they were also being video taped. Two lost their jobs and four suspended not real smart if you ask me.

Posted by: lucy Location: south bend on Feb 9, 2008 at 09:32 AM
The whole video must be really bad if they're not showing all of it. Pretty sad!

Posted by: Curious on Feb 8, 2008 at 10:47 PM
WNDU, is there more information about this story that was not released? Other posters are stating that more than touching took place, I guess, alluding to actual sexual conduct. Also posted is that this incident took place over a few hours...yet from your story, I thought it took place over the span of about 20 minutes, half hour. Can you, or anyone, provide more information than what was covered in the original story?

Posted by: embarrassed Location: goshen on Feb 8, 2008 at 09:15 PM
we should all be proud of our police deparment, the story is on AOL home page, they made national news. . . . . .

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Plymouth on Feb 8, 2008 at 07:13 PM
A few short video excerpts do not give viewers a true picture of what happened! WNDU should place the entire video on the web and let viewers decide who is guilty of misbehaving. From what we have viewed so far, only a few of the officers reprimanded are on camera.

Posted by: Bonnie Location: Elkhart on Feb 8, 2008 at 06:32 PM
I don't have a problem with WNDU showing this video. I am appalled that the Elkhart Police Department even involved themselves with this type of behavior. Why wasn't she arrested for her behavior? I don't think the investigation went deep enough. I have often wondered how some of them even qualify for their position.

Posted by: wow Location: elkhart on Feb 8, 2008 at 06:14 PM
Embarrassed is an understatement....The new Chief walked into a hornets nest at that department. I wonder what he would have done with all of those involved, probably more than their last weak chief. All of the rest of the people working there now have to be embarrassed for the dumb actions of a few. It's too bad that all the doubters of the police couldn't have one full weekend without them at all and see how bad it can get. Complain as you want, it's your right, but remember who chases the guy that just robbed you and your wife at gunpoint without ever considering his or her own safety. One weekend with no police that would be quite the thing. Don't forget the ones that act right and protect you at all costs to them and their family, someday you may need them!

Posted by: curious george Location: planet earth on Feb 8, 2008 at 04:32 PM
who broke the story? do you have a reporter at the p.d. watch all the tape every day? Are you a cell phone favorite of the officers and just received a video message? Thanks for the free smutt,just don't call it news.

Posted by: Disgusted Location: Connecticut on Feb 8, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Well, we've got you beat in CT. Madison CT police officers have been fired this month for meeting w/ prostitutes while on duty (incl. behind schools, nice? Nothing new for police behavior, they are well known to be highly promiscuous, & when married, cheaters. PO's, at least while on duty, should protect those who are not, if only momentarily, at their best to make good decisions. A similar story w/ NJ State Troopers in DEC, 6 guys (4 married, I believe) take turns having sex with one 18 y.o college student,who has now alleged sex assault. If an 18 yo is going to have sex with 6 men in succession, you don't have to be a behavioral scientist to know that something is not right in her head, and she needs your help, not for you to get in line to get serviced. The EH woman's behavior is wrong, but she's probably young, drunk, thought she was still in the club, and it is expected of young women in most clubs now to act like strippers.

Posted by: Kim Location: St. Joseph on Feb 8, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Doesn't she know hot pants and white boots are soooo wrong after Labor Day?! What poor taste!

Posted by: Wow Location: Warsaw on Feb 8, 2008 at 03:50 PM
WNDU, Thank you for the caring letter from the news director...ha! Now I guess I see how important my family and several others are to your station...NOT VERY! Basically stated if you don't like it, watch somthing else. To tell the truth I miss Ft. Wayne news...Warsaw didn't get to pick we just got switched to SB. I watched the same story on WSBT and they chose not to show the "lady" climbing on the counter and the touching, and it was much more appropriate for the 5:00 hour!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: ELKHART on Feb 8, 2008 at 03:19 PM
wish i was there. i dont blame those guys, she was smokin hot.

Posted by: mother of 2 Location: mentone on Feb 8, 2008 at 01:50 PM
If that would of been a man doing that he would of went to jail! All i can say is shame on you Elkhart pd.

Posted by: Steve A. Location: Bristol on Feb 8, 2008 at 01:41 PM
What to say?.....First of all Dean "Kane" is the actor who played Superman. Dean Crane would be the police officer that you spoke about, and he admitted his guilt, immediately resigned his position, and moved on with his life. The comparison you poorly tried to make is absurd. What some of these men would have been construed as sexual assault had it occurred in a public establishment, like a bar or night club. Obviously Mr. Eaton's ultimate fighting career caused him some brain damage, and while he may have done the right thing in some people's eyes by resigning, he only did the right thing for him. Cpl. Kruszynski is the child-looking subject in the video that some of you inquired about, and how ironic that he is being portrayed as a child, kind of coincides with his behavior. These men were given the opportunity of a lifetime to serve their community, and they took advantage of thier positions. Cpl. Rucker continues to act inappropriately at work, just ask the dispatchers!

Posted by: Angie Location: Granger on Feb 8, 2008 at 01:30 PM
After hearing the initial report about this story, I wasn't left with lingering questions that only could be answered with physical video evidence. This video is offensive, especially to families. Great job, WNDU, on showing unnecessary filth on TV.

Posted by: stewie Location: SB on Feb 8, 2008 at 12:38 PM
There's one question everyone seems to be over looking. Where did they find that girl, 1985!? Nice moon-boots!

Posted by: Jim Bontrager Location: Elkhart on Feb 8, 2008 at 12:28 PM
To all the officers at EPD: I believe in you guys because I know who you really are. People have no idea the sacrifices that each of you make on a daily basis. I'm sorry that the whole department gets a black eye because of the choices of a few. Keep your eye on the prize and live in such a way to prove the skeptics wrong.

Posted by: M Location: V on Feb 8, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Mama, I'm not slamming him, I'm telling him I think, by his words only mind you, he has a little growing up to do before he become one of our finest. Especially saying training to be an officer is "crap like that". Also, not all cops and astronauts are men as you assumed from my words. Anyway, how small are you that you feel the need to slam someone that you think is very small? Well Pilgrim? Good luck Austin, hope you work hard for your dream.

Posted by: Terrance Location: Granger on Feb 8, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Are these polls confessionals, or a way to redeem yourselves, or say what you would never say in public, at your job, to a loved one, or friend? I have never posted a comment before, and could care less about the rebuttals that will come after I say this. No one knows who I am anyway. And I won’t be coming back every day to see what is said. ALL OF YOU NEED TO GET A LIFE. I mean, the back and forth, like you know each other, and then the hostility, than you have the FEW who have compassion, and make sense. Seems when one gets reemed...God pops up, what is the deal with justifying who you are, like that shows you have some substance. Your on a website. Personally, I think its sad that all you have time to do is post opinions about what’s in the news, like what you have to say means anything to anyone other than you.

Posted by: Mama Location: The Real World on Feb 8, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Hey "M" - You must be a very small man if you feel the need to slam a 16 year old kid who’s always dreamed of becoming a police officer - VERY SMALL! Austin would make a much better cop than any of those involved in this mess. You ever hear of “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover?” If you’re judging (or slamming) him because of his typing skills or his use of verbiage, that’s pretty pathetic! Obviously, this was something he felt very passionate about and wished to express his thoughts so the correct punctuation, etc. probably wasn’t too high on his priority list. And by the way, Austin has been commended by several police officers, who have to work with these fools, for his thoughts and beliefs. I think it’s about time you take a good look at yourself and stop picking on the “little man” to make yourself feel better! In the police world, I believe this is what’s referred to as the “John Wayne” syndrome, "Your nothing until you’re in your uniform." Good thing you’re no longer a cop!

Posted by: Jackie T. Location: Elkhart on Feb 8, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Hey Chaz,,I read your comments...and the human body must DISGUST you..or you have a disgusting body. I didnt read in any other comments about the human body being disgusting, or anything to that nature. The fact you mentioned a garment that covers the entire body, states so much about you as a person. For you to be a Christian man, you sure don't post comments that are God like.

Posted by: A wife, mother, and daughter Location: Doesn't matter on Feb 8, 2008 at 10:55 AM
I don't give a rat's *** if these were "red blooded normal American men". If there was a hot man that came into my office, I'm going to still do my job. What these creeps do after hours is their business, but