BC Chief: Officer crash not covered up

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) - Two veteran Battle Creek police officers, including a lieutenant, face the possibility of discipline after an alcohol-related crash just outside the city nearly two weeks ago, police sources confirmed.

Battle Creek Police Chief Jackie Hampton confirmed that the i ncident involved a crash and that the officers are veterans -- one with 10 years of experience, the other with 20.

Both the officers are on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation. Hampton said he expects to rule on potential discipline on Monday.

"I'm confident when all the information is made available, it will be apparent there was no attempt to cover up," said Hampton.

The family of Lt. Todd Madsen confirmed he was one of the two officers suspended, but said he was not the center of the investigation. They said Madsen was the lieutenant on duty that night and he was under department orders not to discuss the case.

The off-duty incident happened early in the morning on July 31 in Bedford Township, according to Hampton. Bedford Township is patrolled by Battle Creek police.

Stacy Spindlow said the crash happened about 3 a.m. just outside her home on West Michigan Avenue at Custer Drive.

A car nearly crashed into her car, which was parked in her driveway, Spindlow said. She then discovered one of the wheels was bent under the car, as if it had struck a curb. Spindlow said the car left a trail of leaking fluid.

24 Hour News 8 confirmed the car, a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, is registered to a Battle Creek police officer.

The neighbor said two Battle Creek police cars and an unmarked police car showed up. When she asked officers what was going on, they told her it involved teenagers. She said a woman was sitting in the passenger seat of the car holding her head.

Hampton wouldn't say whether the officers were arrested that night.

A Calhoun County jail official said neither Lt. Madsen, nor the officer who owns the car, has ever been booked at the jail.

The officer's wrecked car was towed to a salvage yard in Ionia County and is now at a salvage yard in Flint. Sources say it was not driveable.