Something seems to be amiss in the Purcellville Police Department

By Lloyd Harting

Several news articles have been published in Loudoun County newspapers reporting on an internal affairs investigation that was recently conducted at the Purcellville Police Department. The newspaper articles identified by name the Purcellville Police Department employee who was the subject of the investigation, Police Officer Carl “Ben” Nett, and also revealed details of the internal affairs investigation including the allegations made against him. 

However, law enforcement agency internal affairs investigations are by definition “internal” to the law enforcement agency and must not be revealed to the public, and internal affairs investigation information must not be disclosed to any person who does not have both lawful authorization and a “need to know” in order to receive it. 

So this situation logically leads to asking the following question: “Who leaked the details of the internal affairs investigation to the press, and why did that person leak that sensitive and confidential employee information to the press?” 

The Purcellville Police Department prohibits disclosing the details of police department investigations, which includes employee internal affairs investigations. The Purcellville Police Department Regulations state in Section D (Administrative Activities), Subsection D-4 (Security of Official Records) the following: “Personnel shall not reveal police information except as provided elsewhere in this manual or as required by law or competent authority. Specifically, information contained in police records … are to be considered to be confidential in nature. Indiscriminate and unauthorized disclosure of this or similar information reflects gross misconduct.” 

Also, Purcellville Police Department Policy #320 (Standards of Conduct) states in Section 320.5.6 (Unauthorized Access, Disclosure or Use) the following: “a) Unauthorized and inappropriate intentional release of confidential or protected information, materials, data, forms or reports obtained as a result of the member’s position with this department. b) Disclosing of any police-related information to any unauthorized person, including confidential information … Disclosing confidential information to anyone except for whom it is intended or as directed by a supervisor or under the process of law.” 

Furthermore, Purcellville Police Department General Order #126 (Disciplinary Procedures) states in Section 126.1.8 (Disciplinary Records) the following: “The Chief of Police will maintain all documents relating to Internal Affairs investigations and will not place them in the concerned employee’s personnel file … Unless otherwise approved by the Chief of Police, records of disciplinary action will be kept in the employee’s file and retained in accordance with The Library of Virginia Records Retention Schedule.”

It appears that a disciplinary offense may have been committed by an employee of the Purcellville Police Department, so this apparent violation of the police department’s directives must be investigated for the good order and efficiency of the police department. 

Accordingly, the Purcellville Interim Town Manager should request another law enforcement agency to investigate this apparent violation of Purcellville Police Department directives in order to identify the offender (if any). Upon conclusion of that investigation, the investigating law enforcement agency should refer any identified offender to the Purcellville Town Manager for termination of the offender’s employment on the grounds of having committed gross misconduct. 

Lloyd Harting is a former sworn federal and local law enforcement officer who lives in Purcellville.