UPD Chief Barnes put on leave
Andrew Torrez
Issue date: 8/24/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Earlier this month, Chief Andre Barnes of the San Jose State University Police Department was put on "paid temporary leave," Nancy Stake, SJSU director of government and media relations, said in a statement.
Barnes had been the UPD chief of police since 2004 and is currently under investigation for an Aug. 3 situation involving former SJSU football player Katrell Collier.
"Chief Andre Barnes is currently on paid temporary leave while an investigation is underway concerning the circumstances surrounding Katrell Collier's contact with the UPD prior to his death," Stake said.
According to reports taken by officers from UPD, Collier met with Chief Barnes to name the location of a stolen gun.
In the reports, officers said they were told not to arrest Collier and to "just bring the gun back to UPD and book it in." Officers stated that Barnes felt Collier wasn't a threat and would turn in the gun without any problems.
Before Collier's death, he had told Barnes he was "trying to clean up his life" and that "he just wanted to get rid of the gun," the report said. On Aug. 9, Collier died after falling from a building in an apparent suicide.
"We take these matters seriously and we want to understand what happened," Stake said. "Cpt. William Coker has agreed to serve as interim police chief during the investigative process. This will allow the investigation to proceed as the University Police Department continues to serve the university community."
Interim Chief Coker has been with the UPD since 2000. In a statement, the interim chief stated that normal police operations would go on under his command.
"We are continuing to pursue our critical role of making this a safe campus for everyone," he said. "Students, faculty and staff can count on the University Police Department to provide the same 24/7 professional support as we always have."
Barnes was not available for comment, but he told the San Jose Mercury News that he felt he did nothing wrong and that he never stopped his officers from arresting Collier.
"I had an opportunity to get a gun off the streets," Barnes told the Mercury News. "I think my officers misinterpreted the situation."
Barnes had been the UPD chief of police since 2004 and is currently under investigation for an Aug. 3 situation involving former SJSU football player Katrell Collier.
"Chief Andre Barnes is currently on paid temporary leave while an investigation is underway concerning the circumstances surrounding Katrell Collier's contact with the UPD prior to his death," Stake said.
According to reports taken by officers from UPD, Collier met with Chief Barnes to name the location of a stolen gun.
In the reports, officers said they were told not to arrest Collier and to "just bring the gun back to UPD and book it in." Officers stated that Barnes felt Collier wasn't a threat and would turn in the gun without any problems.
Before Collier's death, he had told Barnes he was "trying to clean up his life" and that "he just wanted to get rid of the gun," the report said. On Aug. 9, Collier died after falling from a building in an apparent suicide.
"We take these matters seriously and we want to understand what happened," Stake said. "Cpt. William Coker has agreed to serve as interim police chief during the investigative process. This will allow the investigation to proceed as the University Police Department continues to serve the university community."
Interim Chief Coker has been with the UPD since 2000. In a statement, the interim chief stated that normal police operations would go on under his command.
"We are continuing to pursue our critical role of making this a safe campus for everyone," he said. "Students, faculty and staff can count on the University Police Department to provide the same 24/7 professional support as we always have."
Barnes was not available for comment, but he told the San Jose Mercury News that he felt he did nothing wrong and that he never stopped his officers from arresting Collier.
"I had an opportunity to get a gun off the streets," Barnes told the Mercury News. "I think my officers misinterpreted the situation."
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