Steve Bellshaw retired as deputy chief of the Salem Police Department in February 2022 while suspected of misconduct. State officials have now stopped their review of Bellshaw’s conduct without taking disciplinary action.
Tag: steve bellshaw
City planned to break silence on police official’s departure, doubled back after legal threat
Emails released under orders from Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson show Salem city officials had intended in the fall to release records about the misconduct allegations against Steve Bellshaw.
Citizens get no city response to concerns about secrecy of police official’s departure
Citizens called on Salem officials earlier this year to address questions and disclose records it has withheld about the departure of a top police official suspected of misconduct.
Bellshaw started retirement talks once put on leave and no investigation was expected, attorney says
Salem city officials release documents showing what they said were their efforts to find someone to investigate allegations against Deputy Police Chief Steve Bellshaw. The city has said no one was hired.
City charges thousands for records proving public statement about investigating police official
The city of Salem said it would take the equivalent of a full-time person working a full week to compile records that show a public city statement was true. Salem officials said last month that the city couldn’t find a third-party investigator to look into misconduct allegations against Deputy Police Chief Steve Bellshaw, who retired under a special agreement earlier this year.
DA orders city to release records that police official was put on paid leave
Salem officials have yet to explain why Deputy Chief Steve Bellshaw retired under a separation agreement in February. The city said Friday it wouldn’t disclose records supporting its own claim that it didn’t investigate misconduct allegations because it couldn’t find a qualified investigator.
EDITOR’S COLUMN: Public interest in honest government not served by misconduct secrecy
EDITOR’S COLUMN: Salem Reporter has spent weeks seeking to answers for the public as to why a top police official was able to retire with an unearned $53,500. But Marion County’s district attorney recently sided with the city in keeping that information secret, while staying silent on an apparent conflict of interest.
DA backs Salem’s effort to keep police misconduct files secret
Marion County Deputy District Attorney Amy Queen said Monday she would allow the city of Salem to keep secret records sought by Salem Reporter detailing the allegations against former Deputy Chief Steve Bellshaw.
Deputy police chief’s retirement remains a mystery as city withholds documents
The city of Salem Friday refused to release public records sought by Salem Reporter of events leading up to the retirement of Deputy Chief Steve Bellshaw. Awarded extra public money, he left while facing misconduct allegations.
