CPL. STARCHER CLEARED OF MISCONDUCT CHARGE

(08/30/2006)
A professional misconduct charge filed by a Calhoun family in July with the WV State Police against Calhoun Cpl. Doug Starcher, has not been sustained by the agency.

Following an internal review, Captain Joseph Parsons told the Ronald Hart family of Millstone that "A review of the facts surrounding the incident has uncovered no chargeable actions" against the officer.

Hart had alleged that Starcher professionally misconducted himself regarding a custody problem over their two-year-old grandchild.

The complaint referred to "behavior and threats directed toward us" (Hart family) by officer Starcher, among other allegations regarding failure to perform.

Hart, in his complaint, said "We are law abiding citizens and do not deserve this kind of treatment from a law officer."

The complaint was sent to the Calhoun Chronicle, Hur Herald, Sgt. Darrin Campbell (Grantsville Detachment), Col. D. L. Lemmon (Head WV State Police), Captain Joe Parsons (Professional Standards OIC) and Gov. Joe Manchin.

The agency denied any wrongdoing by Sgt. Starcher earlier this year after a mother complained Starcher served a domestic petition to her juvenile daughter instead of the adult person to which it was directed.