Team 4: Wilkinsburg Police Chief Made Arrest But Isn't Certified

Paul Van Osdol Reports

POSTED: 5:14 pm EDT August 8, 2008

UPDATED: 11:39 pm EDT August 8, 2008

WILKINSBURG, Pa. -- A Team 4 investigation found that Wilkinsburg police Chief Ophelia "Cookie" Coleman is not a certified police officer. That means she is not allowed to make arrests.

Video: Watch The Team 4 Report From July

But in a follow-up report by Team 4's Paul Van Osdol, records and home video reveal the chief did help make an arrest.

The arrest happened during the midst of a big fire in downtown Wilkinsburg on Aug. 1, 2007.

Sherlivia Murchison and her husband, Andre -- owners of a candy store near the building that caught fire -- were arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance.

Coleman did not file the official paperwork, but the video and the documents show she clearly was involved in helping make the arrests.

Home video shows Coleman and another officer arresting Sherlivia Murchison and placing her in a police car.

A police report says the woman was being disorderly during a nearby fire, and Coleman told her to stop.

But the report says, "Murchison refused, at which point Chief Coleman told her she was under arrest. Murchison stood up and the chief grabbed her to place her under arrest."

And the criminal complaint charging Murchison with resisting arrest says she was "preventing ... Chief Coleman from effecting a lawful arrest... '"

The only problem is Coleman is not certified as a police officer. She can still be chief, but she is not allowed to make arrests -- or even write traffic tickets.

State police are in charge of certifying municipal officers. After Team 4 read the Wilkinsburg police report to a state police spokeswoman, she said, "From what you're telling me, that would be acting in the capacity of a police officer. She's not certified, so she shouldn't be acting in the capacity of a police officer."

Team 4 tried to ask Coleman about the case.

"Why were you involved in her arrest?" Van Osdol asked. "Is there a reason why you can't talk to me about this, chief?"

Coleman may not be talking, but Sherlivia Murchison is.

"She did not just arrest me, but she destroyed my life. She destroyed my business. She hurt my kids," Sherlivia Murchison said.

Murchison was surprised when she learned from Team 4 that Coleman was not a police officer.

"I could not believe how someone that's not certified could legally take my freedom and my business from me," Sherlivia Murchison said.

Murchison's husband was also arrested. He said he was only trying to help his wife.

"Chief Coleman said, 'Lock him up, too,' and I asked, 'Why are you locking me up? Why are you arresting me? You already did my wife in, why are you arresting me?' They didn't give me a reason for it," Andre Murchison said.

Both Murchisons are facing a trial in October.

State police told Team 4 that it's up to the local district attorney to decide whether a non-certified officer can be part of a criminal case.

A spokesman for District Attorney Stephen Zappala said he was not aware of the extent of Coleman's involvement in this case until we told him. He is reviewing the case.

Team 4 left several messages for Wilkinsburg Mayor John Thompson, who oversees the police department. He did not return the calls.

Related Links: