Cop suspended for 'inappropriate contact' with female rookie

Lt. Kim Gibson, a 19-year veteran of the department, also was disciplined for "inappropriate use of the e-mail system."

Chief Jerry Hoover said an internal affairs investigation found the male lieutenant had improper contact both on and off duty with a female officer-in-training from another local department.

Hoover refused to identify the other officer or her department, but said the relationship was consensual and no criminal complaint has been filed against Gibson.

Gibson is a training officer for the Reno force, which helps train officers in other departments.

"This was a severe suspension," Hoover said. "Our lieutenants ... are held to a higher standard (than other officers)."

Gibson did not return phone calls. From 1991 to 1998, he was in charge of the internal affairs division, which investigates complaints against police officers.

Contrary to Hoover's contention, some officers are questioning whether Gibson's punishment went far enough, said Ron Dreher, president of the Reno Police Protective Association. The union does not represent command officers.

He said a patrol officer probably would have been fired for the same offense.

"Gibson was in charge of (internal affairs) for seven years. He should be held to a higher standard because he doesn't have an excuse," Dreher said.

But Hoover denied that Gibson received special treatment, and said there was no disparity in how administrators and officers were disciplined.

"I would not terminate any officer for the same thing," he said. "I asked my staff, 'if this was an officer, what would we do?"'

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