Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas - During a recent District 96 Forum Republican challenger Michael Leyman running against incumbent State Rep. Bill Zedler was asked about his 10 years of service with the
Arlington Police Department
specifically if he was the focus of an internal affairs investigation during his service. Leyman answered Yes.
When pressed to reveal the subject of the investigation with Zedler seated next to him in the forum Leyman responded
Im not going into that. Its none of your business.
Following several weeks of investigation
the Arlington Voice has learned through an
Open Records request that Leyman was the
subject of an internal investigation involving sexual misconduct in 1971. From the depositions the scenario can be pieced together vividly.
While working traffic and patrol in Future Park of Arlington later renamed Richard Simpson Park Leyman found a young couple in their vehicle engaged in sexual intercourse. After handing over their identification the young man stepped out of the vehicle to speak with Leyman. Leyman advised him that his girlfriend could be arrested for indecent exposure. Leyman then asked to speak with his girlfriend privately 15 to 20 yards away where according to the young mans affidavit they spoke for a good period of time.
The young woman accounts Leyman asking her a series of questions including where she went to school how old she was and even going as far as asking Were you having fun?
After his private conversation with the young woman Leyman talked to both of them together and asked the young man why he shouldnt arrest her. After receiving an answer he took down the young womans name address and other information but only took down the
young mans name and birth date.
Three hours later at 8:15 p.m. Leyman phoned the woman at her home asking her to meet him.
Where? the young woman repeatedly asked to which he would respond Ill let you know that if youll come.
She asked if her boyfriend could come and was told by Leyman that he would rather (she) would come alone.
The young woman told police investigators Leyman wanted to meet her where she and her boyfriend had been engaged in their activity -- near the back of the park. She initially refused responding that she wasnt going into the back of the park by herself at night. Leyman told her he would meet her at the front of the park in his police car instead. Giving her twenty minutes to arrive Leyman said goodbye and hung up.
She reluctantly agreed but decided to go with her boyfriend his step-father and a mutual friend. Upon arrival they could not find Leymans vehicle. After waiting about 15 minutes and driving down to the lake and back his police cruiser pulled into the park around 9 p.m. When Leyman approached her car he spotted the three men ducked down in the back seat.
Her boyfriend challenged Leyman. What are you doing calling my girlfriend? Leyman denied making the call.
She retorted Did you stop us today? Leyman admitted that he had.
She then told Leyman that she had noticed he did not have a name plate or a badge during the afternoon stop. Leyman said Ive got a badge but no name plate.
Her boyfriend asked the officer to identify himself. Leyman complied. Her boyfriend then taunted I hope youll have a good time looking for another job! and advised Leyman they would see him in the office of Police Chief Herman Perry.
After the exchange the woman and her companions went directly to the police station and filed a formal complaint against Leyman.
During five hours of interrogations from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. the foursome answered questions from two police detectives and filed their affidavits.
Believing their fellow officer who from the beginning vehemently denied the validity of his accusers story the detectives reported to the Police Chief that they tried every trick in the book to break this girl and (sic) for her to admit
she made this up - but she would not break.
According to affidavits it wasnt until 3 a.m. that Leyman admitted to phoning the woman and that all her charges were true. Detectives then reported that they started trying to get the (department) and officer out of the heat.
Leyman was disciplined internally and received a three-day suspension without pay.
Records from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Educations show that Leyman continued to serve in the Arlington Police department for another eight years. He moved to the Mansfield Police department where he worked for seven years before moving to the Richardson Police Department for his longest stay of 16 years. Currently Leyman is Chief of the Mansfield ISD Police Department.
Attempts to contact Leyman via phone and e-mail have been unsuccessful. However he did extend additional commentary during the forum to the audience member who asked the question.
Let me be very clear about this said Leyman. He paused before continuing Uh that was in the very early part of my career...I served my time.
I dont believe something I did as a young raw rookie is something I want to discuss tonight after a career of well over forty years said Leyman.
After listing his resume of law enforcement experience Leyman challenged the audience member to go back and ask any one of his previous departments about his service.
Speaking with assurance of anonymity four police officers each of whom served with him for ten or more years reported to
the Arlington Voice that Leyman has an apparent pattern of abusing his authority for sexual gain.
