Good Cop, Bad Cop: The Ottawa County Deputy Scott Dyke Story

[XLFD]

With at least 1,202 people being killed by U.S. police in 2015, and at least 1,110 killed in 2014, a significant number being under questionable pretenses (as in Mason County's own 2014 death of retired school teacher Bill Marble in his home), the public thirsts for the seemingly rare story that puts the police in a better light is great.  We would like to believe that there is hope despite all the negativity on the subject in the media telling us otherwise in covering the facts.

That's why I was pleased to see the story of an Ottawa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) deputy and his benevolent act while scrolling down my Facebook page:  Deputy pays for gas for stranded family.  I thought it would be about a deputy paying to fill a liquid propane tank for a family that was shivering in the cold, but it was different than that. 

As reported, Westley White and his family were going to the pawn shop to do some business when his car ran out of gas.  After a call to 9-1-1 to see whether he could get his car moved from where it was stranded, OCSO Deputy Scott Dyke arrived.  Deputy Dyke heard of their plight and took them to the nearest gas station where the officer filled up White's vehicle with gas and let him go about his business.

White, an African-American who reports that his stereotypical image of police was negative due to the nation's recent events and the rise of the 'Black Lives Matter' movement, said he wanted to show everyone else that there are good cops out there still. 

Even though a tank of gas set the deputy back only about $20 or so, rather than more than ten times that amount that a propane tank might entail, I was still pleased to see Deputy Dyke noted for his altruistic act, which is more than one could expect from most encounters with officers in similar situations...

But then Facebook has a feature which will sometimes show up to three other related stories to the one you just clicked on, and when I did that for this good cop story, it revealed an Mlive article from 2010 entitled:  "Popular Ottawa County sheriff's deputy in Jenison schools disciplined for double-billing county and district".  It came complete with what looked like a younger version of Deputy Dyke who was the main focus of the story.

The article began:  "Scott Dyke, an Ottawa County sheriff's deputy, must repay $2,125, serve a one-week unpaid suspension and give up 190 hours of comp time after authorities determined he double-billed for duties performed while working as a liaison officer at Jenison Public Schools.

Scott Dyke, a 15-year department veteran who has been at the school district for more than a decade, also is being reassigned to general patrol duties from his post, Undersheriff Greg Steigenga said Thursday."

The penalties would cost Dyke $7000 overall.  It was noted that the OCSO was planning on reassigning him before the discrepancies were noted, but that He was named Outstanding Youth/School Officer for 2009 by the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan.

A decade of double dipping will give you plenty on money to pay for a tank of gas on those occasions where it would be humane thing to do.  What was perhaps more revealing was the comments made in regards to this "popular" deputy in this Mlive article from parents and students at the school where he served as the 'resource officer'.

Beatrix:  "I watched this guy abuse his power every chance he got while attending Jenison. The only time he was ever respectable was when a parent or school official was present. He is the very reason teens do not respect the law and (for the most part) good people that enforce it. Jension student are lucky having lost him. Good riddance to Scott Dyke and the disgrace he does to the badge he hides behind."

Unglorious Lions:  "I used to be a student at JHS. And let me tell you. Dyke harassed everyone at that school. If you weren't on a sports team you were seen as a bad kid. He used to walk around the Hudsonville Fair and try and get people for the stupidest stuff."

Nick W:  "I am a former student at JHS and I would like to advise anyone who is pulled over by scott to immediately call 911 and ask for another officer on the scene."

Barracuda MAX:  "Dyke is well known for his daily harrassment & disrespect to students which left them with a bad taste toward law enforcement. Respect is out the window now that his criminal ethics are exposed. Jenison Community applauds the accountants who caught Dyke robbing the bank! Well Done!

This is not the 1st time Dyke has been demoted; it is appauling that he wasn't fired.
Now he's going to be on a bigger rampage with an even bigger chip on his shoulder pulling people over; although, he does have a documented history of lying & deceit..."

Todd7251:  "OK...they just fired 3,000 in Mexico who were corrupt...can't we fire just one??????????? Our children attended Jenison and did not get a positive message from this "popular" officer. He was notorious....not popular!! We are not sending a positive message to our children by keeping him on the streets....none of us want to be stopped by him or have to look at him. I certainly do not want my young adult children to ever have to see him again...it was bad enough in high school!!!!!"

Parent of Former WC:  "Regardless of the reason for his change of position, I am thankful that he will no longer be held up as an example of law enforcement. Perhaps for a few of his "favorites," Deputy Dyke will be missed, but for the majority of students who were treated with disrespect and harrassed on a daily basis, he will certainly not be missed. It is unfortunate that his behavior and example left many of our young people with a negative attitude towards law enforcement. I hope that the Administration will take more care in hiring his replacement."

Former WC:  "This guys is as phony as they come. And the reason they were considering reassigning him before this incident was because he was suspected in having a relationship with a co-worker at JPS (while they were both married.) Yes, a great role model for students, facility, and the community. I am glad he will be doing street patrol, it will give me a chance to thank him should I ever get pulled over. What a guy."

With almost unanimity, and recognizing that some of these allegations were done with anonymity and may be false, these students and parents believed that Deputy Dyke was a bad example even without the revelation that he had years where he received extra for his services.  One can hope that Deputy Dyke has atoned over the intervening five years and is now a police officer capable of being good all the time, but more than likely he still retains a dark side that he exhibited throughout his career at the school. 

So even though Dyke's behavior was exemplary in this recent article, Dyke should not be held up as an example of the ideal cop that he was portrayed as, without the context of his previous misdeeds being taken into account. 

[Willy]

He may have changed his ways. I know that some people cannot function very well around teenagers because those teens can be pretty darn obnoxious and mouthy.

[XLFD]

Ten years working with teens will drive you crazy at times, and undoubtedly there are a few students who would be holding grudges against Deputy Dyke even if he was doing his duties properly.  It struck me as odd, however, that only one of the 16 people who made comments on the story wrote anything positive, and they approved of the fraud he engaged in, so their views were likely that of Scott or his mother.

It would be fantastic if he changed his ways, but a few other outlets are picking up on the new story and deifying him as the next incarnation of sliced bread.  Westley White has a great attitude and has what looks like a sweet family in a bad situation; I bet that you, I, and almost anybody else on the Ludington Torch would have done the same thing here, if not more given the same circumstances. 

And if for some reason you wouldn't, good luck to you the next time you are on the side of the road.

[stump]

Well at least he didn't shoot MR. White for not being able to move his car off the road.