Waterford Police Chief Under Investigation in Campaign Sign Thefts
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 27, 2014)
The Michigan State Police are investigating the claim that Waterford Police Chief Daniel T. McCaw illegally removed and dumped political signs stating “No New Taxes” in the month prior to the August primary. In that primary voters in Waterford Township approved both a Parks and Recreation millage (with 60.61% in favor), and a Police Department Operating Expense millage (with 74.11% in favor).
The Detroit News reported that on a midnight shift in July an officer spotted a white jeep pull behind a commercial building and watched the driver throw the signs in a dumpster. The officer was surprised to find it was the police chief.
According to The Detroit News “McCaw reportedly told the officer he had been out that night knocking on doors of township residents with “No New Taxes” signs on their lawns and convincing them that passing a public safety millage renewal was in their best interests, Timpner [Fred Timpner, Executive Director of Michigan Association of Police] said.
Timpner is head of the union representing the officer. The officer never made a report of the incident, but was contacted by State Police in the course of their investigation.
Chief McCaw told the Detroit News that the complaint was from a “disgruntled officer.” McCaw has been Chief since 2006.
The investigation continues, and could result in internal discipline or a misdemeanor charge. To read more about the allegations, see http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2014/09/27/waterford-police-chief-campaign-signs/16299027/.
For more stories on sign-stealing, see our previous stories:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/11/04/things-get-sticky-for-election-sign-thieves/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/04/former-pleasant-ridge-commission-candidate-sues-over-alleged-lawn-sign-thefts/