WSP: Yakima trooper investigated before for misconduct with a woman
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima trooper accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a woman he arrested, was involved in an internal investigation last year for misconduct with another woman, KIMA learned.
Trooper Travis Lamb was suspended a week ago and the Washington State Patrol are saying very little.
The criminal investigation is still active.
"Number one is the concern of impropriety. Did this affect the criminal case involving the defendant? Even if it didn't, with the criminal case, does it create an appearance of impropriety?" said Washington State Patrol Spokesperson Robert Calkins.
Investigators confirm Lamb had arrested a woman for a crime, but they won't say who she is, when she was arrested or what for; only to confirm her criminal case has been cleared.
Out of that arrest an alleged relationship developed. WSP will look into whether the woman was pressured in any way.
"When you have someone that has the authority and uniform of a police officer, one of the questions we have to ask is it ever really consensual?” Calkins said.
KIMA dug deeper and found Trooper Lamb was the center of four internal investigations before this latest case.
In fact, this is the second one for misconduct involving a woman. That one was last September.
Documents obtained by KIMA show the trooper stopped a woman and her friend for expired tabs on South First Street in Yakima.
The report indicates the woman apologized then Lamb said, "It’s OK, I thought you looked cute and I wanted to pull you over anyway."
Internal investigators also determined Lamb, “did not run the vehicle license through communication prior to making the traffic stop."
That's against protocol, according to WSP.
Lamb essentially agreed to a plea bargain, though this wasn't a criminal case; he admitted wrongdoing and was guilty of what's called "violating courtesy."
Lamb wasn't guilty of violating the code of ethics and unacceptable conduct, the initial allegations.
These previous cases were all handled internally with WSP But this new accusation is serious enough that it could result in criminal charges.
"We expect our people to maintain an appropriate and arm’s length relationship with those they contact as defendant,” said Calkins.
KIMA reached out to the people involved in Trooper Lamb's previous investigation. They declined an interview.
WSP investigators say their findings in this criminal case will be turned over to local prosecutors after completion. It will be up to them to determine whether to file charges.
Trooper Travis Lamb was suspended a week ago and the Washington State Patrol are saying very little.
The criminal investigation is still active.
"Number one is the concern of impropriety. Did this affect the criminal case involving the defendant? Even if it didn't, with the criminal case, does it create an appearance of impropriety?" said Washington State Patrol Spokesperson Robert Calkins.
Investigators confirm Lamb had arrested a woman for a crime, but they won't say who she is, when she was arrested or what for; only to confirm her criminal case has been cleared.
Out of that arrest an alleged relationship developed. WSP will look into whether the woman was pressured in any way.
"When you have someone that has the authority and uniform of a police officer, one of the questions we have to ask is it ever really consensual?” Calkins said.
KIMA dug deeper and found Trooper Lamb was the center of four internal investigations before this latest case.
In fact, this is the second one for misconduct involving a woman. That one was last September.
Documents obtained by KIMA show the trooper stopped a woman and her friend for expired tabs on South First Street in Yakima.
The report indicates the woman apologized then Lamb said, "It’s OK, I thought you looked cute and I wanted to pull you over anyway."
Internal investigators also determined Lamb, “did not run the vehicle license through communication prior to making the traffic stop."
That's against protocol, according to WSP.
Lamb essentially agreed to a plea bargain, though this wasn't a criminal case; he admitted wrongdoing and was guilty of what's called "violating courtesy."
Lamb wasn't guilty of violating the code of ethics and unacceptable conduct, the initial allegations.
These previous cases were all handled internally with WSP But this new accusation is serious enough that it could result in criminal charges.
"We expect our people to maintain an appropriate and arm’s length relationship with those they contact as defendant,” said Calkins.
KIMA reached out to the people involved in Trooper Lamb's previous investigation. They declined an interview.
WSP investigators say their findings in this criminal case will be turned over to local prosecutors after completion. It will be up to them to determine whether to file charges.
Not all investigations have a foundation to support any illegal but more to the appearance of involvement which I think the story has brought to light.
I know for a fact that several officers around the State have been placed on leave with pay (ie no evidence supporting wrong doing) and later found to be clear of all charges.
It appears more to the liking, he is young, a young woman caught his eye and interest and did not side step and walk right on by.
The earlier reported actions were and are very minor and well is somewhat expected from someone young but nothing criminal.
Who has not heard about the officer who pulled over a pretty girl? blah blah blah, is it out of line yes but not criminal and should not happen again.
So the young lady has to be guilty because the trooper said she was, but it is impossible for the trooper to be guilty, because....?
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And odds are, she didn't rat him out, one of his fellow officer's did. Because there are still some dedicated professionals on the force.
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Maybe Lamb, if he is found guilty, will be able to get a job with the Yakima PD? At a significant raise I bet.
Do you know the "young Lady"? I do know Trooper Lamb. She is innocent until proven guilty (by law). Why are you considering Trooper Lamb guilty without any investagation or proof for that matter. Why would you give the benifit of the doubt to her and not to him?
If I were the attorney for a young lady guilty of ??? whatever, I would most definately try to turn the focus to the officer that arrested her. The only way to make my client look less guilty is to tarnish the reputation of the trooper. I would have had access to trooper Lamb's record and would have seen a "plea agreement" from the prior case and that would be my way in. Distroy his reputation and then I have my case for getting my client off or sue the WSP based on phony allegations against the trooper.Â
If the charges are forwarded to the Prosecutor's office for charges, can we really trust this Prosecutor to carry out his duties against a Police Officer?Â
Prosecutor Hagarty seems to be the friend and protector of the Police. (Unless this was the officer who arrested Prosecutor Hagarty?)
Mr. Lamb, what has the reporter posted that was NOT based on fact. Are you saying he made up the prior investigation? Are you saying that the Trooper is not currently under investigation? Is he not suspended?Â
The reporter never said that he was guilty of what he is being accused of. But maybe you know the truth? Has he dated women he had arrested or cited? Maybe you should ask him before you start accusing the reporter of lying.
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Why don't you contact the State Patrol with the name of the women your son has dated, and let them compare those to the name of the women your son has arrested.
The reporter has not convicted your son, merely done what your son does as part of his job. Report the facts.
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Unless you are saying a Police Office should be allowed to ask out women he arrests?Â
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thought you were fair in precenting all sides of the story. your actions with this reporting are unfair and unfounded. maybe you should get the truth before convicting my son. tone of them is not telling the truth and hopefully u will crucify her with her lyes. think then youll have a story worth reporting on. trooper lamb has been an outstanding trooper. maybe we should know what her background is. kima u have failed with this style of reporting. maybe trooper lamb will have his say to one of your family members who is killed by a drunk young lady.Â
Well... at least it's not misconduct with a man.Â
 @GeorgeG. why should that matter? There are many fine officers who are homosexual.Â