Ferguson officials defend interim chief

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS

Ferguson city officials on Friday defended interim Police Chief Andre Anderson after an online report raised concerns about his record as an officer in Glendale, Ariz.

The news website Vocativ.com, citing personnel records obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request, first reported that Anderson was suspended three times from the Glendale Police Department during a period of less than one year in the late 1990s. Vocativ also reported that Anderson was served with an order of protection in 1996 by a woman who claimed he struck her in the face.

The Associated Press on Friday also obtained Anderson’s personnel file through an FOIA request.

Anderson declined an interview request. But in a statement, the city of Ferguson defended him.

“The allegations regarding Chief Anderson allegedly striking a woman are more than 15 years old, were unfounded and thus never led to criminal charges being filed,” the city statement read.

The statement said the city typically does not comment on personnel issues. It did, however, address one matter from Anderson’s Glendale files – a finding that he falsified documents.

“In that instance, Chief Anderson provided information on a mileage report in error, not out of an intentional, malicious action,” the city said.

Anderson, who is on leave from the Arizona department while he works in Ferguson in suburban St. Louis, has been promoted several times in Glendale, and his records show generally favorable, sometimes glowing, reviews. But he was suspended without pay for two days in December 1996, eight days in July and August 1997, and two days in September 1997.

No reasons were cited for the 1997 suspensions. The 1996 suspension was the result of problems that occurred while Anderson served on a Drug Enforcement Administration task force. A performance review showed that he was found to be conducting personal business on city time and falsifying official documents.