For anyone thinking about joining the Reserve Police Officers Association or contributing money to it, you should know the information below as you're making your decision. If Michael B. Webster a/k/a Brooke Webster is still the president of this organization or has some other high-level position there, you might want to know that he was dismissed from the NYPD Auxiliary Police program after an Internal Affairs investigation into him and the RPOA. I'm not going to personally comment on why he was dismissed. I'm going to let the report speak for itself (you can read it below). Because Webster sued to try to force the NYPD to take him back, all this information is now in the public record for anyone who wants to to see it. I used to work with Brooke and thought everyone should know this in case you get a false impression of him or this organization.
First of all, here's the court case showing he was dismissed by the NYPD and that his dismissal was upheld by the courts. This is a public website of the New York State court system and this is a public record. The case is WEBSTER VS NYPD, File Number 107302-06:
Http://decisions. Courts. State. Ny.Us/fcas/fcas_docssep/3001073022006001sciv. Pdf
The below is an exhibit that is actually on file with the New York County Court in the case of WEBSTER vs NYPD, file number 107302-06. The case is public info and anybody can see it, but you would have to actually go there to see these documents (a friend of mine copied this and used OCR to convert it back to text). The court clerk is at 60 Center Street in Manhattan, room 103B (in the basement). You could call them at 646-386-5942 (the official phone number of the County Clerk's records room) to make sure they have the file.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
CITY OF NEW YORK
November 17
From: Commanding Officer, Internal Affairs Bureau, Group 51 PIIU
To: Chief, Internal Affairs Bureau
Subject: investigation of og 80-04, log 04-03329
auxiliary sergeant michael b. Webster, highway 1
1. On February 2 Detective Donald Mounts, tax #909846 assigned to IAB Group 51 was assigned to investigate a complaint initiated by a telephone inquiry from Chief Peter Warrick of the Florida Highway Patrol. Chief Warrick alleged that a NYPD Auxiliary Sergeant is the President of THE RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION INC. (RPOA), a police affiliated charitable organization operating in numerous states including Florida. Chief Warrick identified the individual as "BROOK WEBSTER and alleged that Webster and the organization are engaged in the following conduct in his state as well as other states around the country.
A. The RPOA has schemed to defraud the citizens of Florida and other states by engaging in fundraising in which the telemarketers impersonate law enforcement officers from various states and local police departments to raise money for the organization. The telemarketing is done from several locations inside the state of Florida.
B. The RPOA hires telemarketing companies that have current civil injunctions against them for improper fundraising practices.
C. The RPOA hosts an internet web site in which the S/O appears in a photo wearing a NYPD Auxiliary uniform. The site additionally displays the NYPD logo, Auxiliary patch and photos of NYPD officers.
D. Webster has appeared in a NYPD uniform at more than one RPOA fundraising event in Florida including a ceremony at the US Park Police Office located at Everglades National Park.
E. Webster hosts a training seminar every April in New York City where he invites Reserve Police Officers from around the United States to attend for a fee. Webster appears in full NYPD Auxiliary Uniform at this seminar and arranges tours of NYPD facilities, NYPD Aviation Unit helicopter rides and Harbor Unit boat rides for the attendees.
2. On February 11 the subject officer was identified as Auxiliary Police Sergeant MICHAEL B. WEBSTER, shield #1168, tax #407070 assigned to Highway 1. Detective Mounts reviewed Webster's personnel file maintained by the Auxiliary Police Section with the permission of the Integrity Control Officer Sgt. Rucinski. The personnel file indicates that Webster was accepted as an Auxiliary Police Officer on June 30,1982 and assigned to the 050 precinct. Webster has several commendations and was served charges for conduct unbecoming and failure to supervise on September 7,1984 after he was involved in a high speed chase with a moped. Additionally, New York DMV files show Webster surrendered his NY State drivers license on July 3,1993 and obtained a Connecticut drivers license in which he lists his residence in Madison Connecticut.
3. On March 3 Detective Mounts spoke to Chief Warrick by telephone and advised him that the S/O had been identified and provided him with the current information on Webster. Chief Warrick requested that Webster not be interviewed at this time as his agency had an ongoing internal investigation on members of his department. Warrick stated that he would provide Detective Mounts with a synopsis of their investigation in the form of a 500 page booklet as soon as he received permission from the Director of The Florida Highway Patrol.
4. With the approval of Chief Warrick, Florida Highway Patrol, on Tuesday November 9 Detective Mounts interviewed the S/O at 315 Hudson Street. The S/O agreed to the interview and the allegations were outlined to him. Auxiliary Sgt. Michael B. Webster gave the following statement in regards to this investigation:
A. Webster stated that he is the current president of the RPOA and has been the president since early 2002. The organization is incorporated in the State of Delaware and is registered as a charity with the New York Attorney General Office under #7A67708 expiring on May 15. The business address is 105 Fullerton Avenue, Yonkers, New York 10705. The RPOA currently fundraises by telemarketing and is currently in contract with two telemarketing firms. Webster, when ask to provide a copy of his current contract with the two telemarketing firms stated that he does not believe that the NYPD is entitled to the copies because the RPOA does not call inside New York City. Upon further questioning Webster did confirm the name of one of the telemarketing companies is Nationwide Fundraiser Inc., formerly of Naples Florida. Webster refused to provide the name of the other fundraiser, however he did state that the RPOA's current contract with Nationwide is 10% and the other gives the organization $1000.00 per week. Detective Mounts informed the S/O of the department's policy on telemarketing and Webster responded "That is the only way we make money and I don't intend on changing that policy." Webster states that he does not receive a personal salary, but he does have an expense account as indicated on the organizations IRS form 990.in regards to the practices of the telemarketing firms, he says, that it is the firm's responsibility to adhere to the script he provided them and that he is not responsible nor can help it if some of the telemarketers impersonate police officers. He added that he has never heard a complaint of any impersonations taking place while fundraising for the RPOA. Webster informed detective Mounts that he is registered with the Better Business Bureau in Florida but has never met their approval for the giving guide. He stated that the RPOA can not meet their standards because of its fundraising practices.
B. The S/O said that he is aware that one of his current telemarketing companies has been in trouble with the Attorney General's Offices of several States and that Nationwide recently moved from Florida to Arizona because of the current investigation by the Florida Attorney General's Office and the Florida Department of Agriculture which oversees charities.
C. The S/O was aware that his photos and the NYPD logo were used on the organization's web site. He stated that when he found out he requested that they remove his photo and crop photos of any NYPD patches that appear there now.
D. The S/O stated that he does not recall appearing in uniform at any fundraising event in Florida. He did admit to wearing his NYPD uniform while making a presentation to the US Park Police at their headquarters in the Everglades National Park in 2003 but stated that their were no fundraising activities taking place. The S/O was asked if he had received permission to wear the NYPD Auxiliary uniform other than when on patrol and he stated that he had not received any such permission. The S/O further stated that he always wears his NYPD Auxiliary uniform the first day of any RPOA event including while hosting the organizations annual training seminar in New York City.
E. The S/O admitted to the RPOA hosting an annual training seminar in New York City every April. The 2005 seminar is currently scheduled for April 6 to April 9. He stated that at all previous seminars that visiting 'Reserve Police Officers" are routinely given "VIP tours" of department facilities. He refused to elaborate further as to which facilities or units had been visited.
5. At the conclusion of the interview the S/O stated that if he were to be disciplined for any of the allegations that had been made he would request to be allowed to resign from the NYPD Auxiliary Force to keep his 22 year record unblemished. Detective Mounts informed the S/O that he would be advised of the outcome of the investigation.
6. The investigation further reveals that Nationwide Fundraising Inc., has numerous violations in Florida for its telemarketing practices. The company is rated as one of the lowest in terms of percentage given to the charity. Nationwide currently fundraises for two additional police affiliated organizations. The American Deputy Sheriffs Association and the American Police Officers Association, both of which were targeted by the CBS television show 60 minutes as police charity scams.
7. Allegations made against Auxiliary Sgt. Webster are substantiated. I recommend that the he be dismissed from the NYPD Auxiliary Police Force.
8. It is also recommended that the New York City Police Department formally disassociate itself from the Reserve Police Officers Association specifically its Spring Training Seminar scheduled for NYC in April.
9. Forwarded for your consideration and approval.
(signed) John V. Zerillo
Lieutenant
1st endorsement
Chief, Internal Affairs Bureau, to Police Commissioner, November 18. Contents noted.investigation has established that Auxiliary Police Sergeant Michael Webster misused his auxiliary police status in connection with his position as president of the Reserve Police Officers Association ("RPOA"). The fundraising practices of one of the two telemarketers that the organization employs are highly questionable and possibly fraudulent. Auxiliary Sergeant Webster refused to identify the second telemarketer when questioned by IAB investigators. His unauthorized appearance in uniform and use of the Department logo on the organization's Internet site creates the misrepresentation that the RPOA is affiliated with the NYPD and that the Department sanctions its activities. Mr. Webster's conduct indicates that he is not suited to continue in his position with the auxiliary police and, as such, it is recommended that he be terminated from the program. It is further recommended that the Department deny any request by the RPOA to tour Department facilities as part of the organizations scheduled April seminar or at any other future event and that the Department disassociate from the RPOA.
(signed) Charles V. Campisi
Chief of Internal Affairs
APPROVED
(signed) Raymond W. Kelly
Police Commissioner
Second endorsement
Commanding Officer Police Commissioner's Office to Chief of Department attn: Chief of Patrol, December 17: Please note the Police Commissioner's APPROVAL of the First Endorsement and the recommendation to terminate the services of Auxiliary Police Sergeant Michael Webster from NYPD's Auxiliary Police program. Additionally, any request made by the Reserve Police Officer's Association to tour either One Police Plaza or Department facilities is to be denied. Forwarded for necessary attention.
(signed) Lowell Stahl
Assistant Chief
Ls
Cc: Chief, IAB (1)
File (1)
3rd endorsement
Chief of Department to Chief of Patrol, December 21. Contents noted. Please note the Police Commissioner's approval of the First Endorsement and the recommendation to terminate the services of Auxiliary Police Sergeant Michael Webster from N.Y.P. D's Auxiliary Police Program. Additionally any request made by the Reserve Police Officer's Association to tour either One Police Plaza or Department facilities is to be denied. Forwarded for your necessary attention.
(signed) Joseph J. Esposito
CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT
Mike
New York, New York
U.S.A.
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