CMPD's Tom Allen - Cited For Termination

Over the weekend word leaked out that Chief Monroe was seeking to fire long time Officer Tom Allen. 

Allen had been a fixture at the academy for some time and was an important part of the department's cadet and explorer programs.

The reason for Allen's termination is not clear, however the scuttlebutt includes talk of criminal charges. 

Cedar Posts Update February 19, 2014 12:01 p.m. - CMPD Office of the Chief released a statement saying the Officer Allen has been arrested.

Allen has been charged with 8 felonies all relating to photographic images of teen girls in positions that apparently exposed a view of their underwear. Typically called "crotch shots" or "gap shots". Allen apparently took thousands of images over the course of several years and stored them on his computers.


Thomas E. Allen

Cedar's Take: OK so the guy had a stupid moment, and cropped a total of four photos to zoom in on some poor girl's panties, or cleavage. Apparently he had a even a more stupid moment, he either showed someone or someone found them. Maybe he even deliberately used a zoom lens, to "get real close" to a couple of teenage girls. Maybe he is a monkey spanking pervert.

But....

I'm going to say it right now, there is no crime. If it's not "porn" or shower photos, or bathroom pictures. If there is no nudity or sexual acts going on, I'm willing to bet that the case is tossed.

Beyond the sick nature of charges against this CMPD Officer, I'm really concerned that Chief Monroe assigned 10-12 Detectives to the case during the five month investigation. That they scoured 1000's of images in an apparent "witch hunt" to prosecute a 20 year veteran of the department.

If I were the usual victim of a crime in Charlotte I'd be pretty upset that the number of officers working on my case never rose above ZERO!