Former cop fired in Illinois hired by Las Vegas police

Las Vegas police confirmed this week that patrol officer Michael Whitty, 36, was forced to resign Feb. 2 when police administrators learned he was fired from the Elgin, Ill., Police Department five years ago.

"I am shocked, outraged and incredulous that Michael Whitty would ever again in his life attempt to become a police officer in Las Vegas or anywhere else," said Elgin attorney Garrett Malcolm, who represented several Illinois teen-age girls who filed complaints against Whitty in the early 1990s.

"Given Mr. Whitty's background, I would think it would be impossible for him to be hired in any capacity of trust or authority anywhere in this world."

Whitty has an unlisted phone number and could not be reached for comment.

Las Vegas police Deputy Chief Ray Flynn said he was prevented from discussing Whitty's case because it is a personnel matter. Flynn did say the department recently upgraded its process of screening officer applicants by allocating more detectives and resources to the task and that Whitty was hired prior to the upgrade.

"The important thing to note in this case is this guy was caught before he ever got out on the street working by himself," he said. "I believe it is a credit to the system that we found out about him when we did."

Police would not say how they found out about Whitty's past.

While conducting an extensive background check on Whitty, Las Vegas police claim they contacted officials in Illinois but those officials chose not to disclose details of Whitty's past. That contention is disputed by Illinois officials.

"Someone is trying to cover their behind," said Olufemi "Femi" Folarin, Elgin human resources director.

Whitty was fired from the Elgin police force in 1994 after that city's Fire and Police Board of Commissioners ruled he violated the police code of ethics and exhibited conduct unbecoming of an officer. Whitty appealed the decision and lost.

Specifically, Whitty was found to have used his badge to get underage girls into Elgin nightclubs. Four young women testified that he got them into bars and purchased alcoholic beverages for them at various times in 1991 and 1992.

Whitty, who was in his late 20s at the time of the infractions, acknowledged having sexual relations with one of the minors, but the officer claimed the girls misrepresented their ages to him. No criminal charges were ever filed.

Whitty, another officer and the city of Elgin eventually were sued by a Cook County, Ill., teen who claimed she had sexual relations with the officers while she was a minor in 1991 and 1992. The lawsuit recently was settled by the city of Elgin, but all parties refused to discuss details of the settlement.

According to Las Vegas law enforcement sources, Whitty applied to become a Las Vegas officer in 1998. He was hired in July after a psychological examination and an extensive background check.

Whitty graduated from the 19-week Las Vegas police academy and nearly completed the 18-week field training program when police learned of his past in Elgin.

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