‘Troubling and disgraceful’: Raleigh police officer fired, accused of sex crime with crash victim – WRAL.com

Report on Law Enforcement Misconduct and its Conflict with Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Summary and Allegations

A report has been filed concerning a Raleigh police officer, Tremale Cogdell, 28, who stands accused of severe misconduct while on duty. The allegations represent a significant breach of public trust and directly contravene several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning justice, institutional integrity, and gender equality.

• Subject: Officer Tremale Cogdell, Raleigh Police Department, Field Operations Division.
• Date of Alleged Incident: September 12.
• Nature of Allegations: Following a response to a motor vehicle crash, Officer Cogdell allegedly transported a victim to his personal residence in a city police vehicle where a sexual encounter occurred. Court documents indicate this was in exchange for failing to conduct a DWI investigation.

Charges Filed

The officer faces multiple charges that reflect the gravity of the offense and its impact on the rule of law, a cornerstone of SDG 16.

1. Felony Sexual Misconduct of a Person in Custody
2. Felony Obstruction of Justice
3. Misdemeanor Willful Neglect of Duties

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goal Violations

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The alleged actions fundamentally undermine the objectives of SDG 16, which aims to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• Target 16.3 (Promote the Rule of Law): The charge of obstructing justice by allegedly failing to pursue a DWI investigation in exchange for sexual acts is a direct assault on the principle of equal access to justice for all.
• Target 16.5 (Reduce Corruption): This incident exemplifies corruption, where a public official is accused of using their entrusted power for private gain, eroding the integrity of the institution.
• Target 16.6 (Develop Effective, Accountable Institutions): Such misconduct damages public trust and highlights a failure in accountability. The subsequent investigation and termination of the officer are critical steps toward restoring faith in the institution’s commitment to this goal.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

This case also has profound implications for SDG 5, which seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

• Target 5.2 (Eliminate Violence Against Women): The alleged act constitutes sexual exploitation and violence, perpetrated by an individual in a position of authority. The victim’s decision to report the incident is a courageous act essential for holding perpetrators accountable and advancing this global objective.

Institutional Response and Accountability Measures

Chronology of Official Actions

In response to the allegations, the Raleigh Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) have initiated a series of actions aimed at ensuring accountability, in line with the principles of SDG 16.

1. The SBI notified the Raleigh Police Department of the allegation on September 26.
2. Officer Cogdell was immediately placed on administrative leave on the same day.
3. Following an initial investigation, Officer Cogdell’s employment was terminated.
4. A joint press conference was held to maintain transparency with the public.
5. A comprehensive internal investigation was launched by the Raleigh Police Department, concurrent with the SBI’s criminal investigation.

Ongoing Proceedings and Further Investigation

The pursuit of justice and institutional reform continues through several channels.

• The accused is being held at the Wake County Detention Center on a $30,000 bond pending a court appearance.
• The Wake County District Attorney’s Office and the Raleigh Police Department Internal Affairs Unit are reviewing all previous cases involving the officer to assess their integrity.
• A public appeal has been made for any other potential victims to contact the SBI, ensuring a thorough and comprehensive investigation to uphold justice for all.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This goal is relevant because the article details a case of sexual misconduct against a woman. The incident represents a form of gender-based violence, where a person in a position of power, a male police officer, allegedly exploited a female victim. The attorney’s statement, “There’s nothing scarier than a sexual predator with a badge,” underscores the gendered nature of the crime and the vulnerability of the victim.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article as the incident involves a fundamental breakdown of a key public institution—the police force. The officer is accused of corruption (obstructing justice for sexual acts), abuse of power, and violating the rule of law he was sworn to uphold. The subsequent actions, including the officer’s arrest, the internal investigation, and the police chief’s public statements about accountability (“no one is above accountability, not even those who wear the badge”), are all directly related to the functioning, integrity, and accountability of justice institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.

    The article directly addresses this target by reporting on a “sexual encounter” that occurred while the officer was on duty, which led to charges of “sexual misconduct of a person in custody.” This is a clear instance of violence and exploitation against a woman by an individual in a position of public authority.

• Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

    The officer’s alleged action to obstruct justice “by failing to conduct and charge a DWI investigation in exchange for sexual acts” is a direct violation of the rule of law. Conversely, the victim’s decision to come forward and the subsequent arrest and charging of the officer represent an effort to ensure access to justice.

  • Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.

    This target is addressed by the allegation that the officer used his official position to solicit a bribe (sexual acts) in exchange for foregoing his duty to investigate a potential crime (DWI). This act constitutes a severe form of corruption within a public institution.

  • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

    The response from the Raleigh Police Department and the SBI reflects this target. The police chief held a press conference, the officer was placed on administrative leave, fired, and arrested. The launch of both an internal and an external (SBI) investigation, and the chief’s statement that “this arrest does not define who we are,” are all measures aimed at demonstrating accountability and transparency to restore public trust.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 5.2 (Eliminate violence against women):

  • Implied Indicator: Number of reported cases of sexual violence by non-partners.

    The article describes a specific case of sexual misconduct, which would be a data point for this type of indicator. The police chief’s applause for the “victim for coming forward” and the attorney’s encouragement for “any other victims to reach out” imply the importance of reporting as a measure of addressing the problem.

• For Target 16.3 (Promote the rule of law and access to justice):

  • Implied Indicator: Number of individuals processed by the formal justice system.

    The article explicitly states that the officer was arrested, faces felony and misdemeanor charges, is being held on a bond, and has a scheduled court appearance. These are all steps in the formal justice process, serving as indicators that the system is being accessed and utilized to address the crime.

• For Target 16.5 (Reduce corruption):

  • Implied Indicator: Number of public officials investigated and prosecuted for corruption.

    The arrest and charging of a police officer for obstruction of justice in exchange for sexual acts is a direct measure of this indicator. The article details one such case, and the ongoing review of all of the officer’s past cases by the District Attorney’s Office could potentially lead to more.

• For Target 16.6 (Develop accountable institutions):

  • Implied Indicator: Existence of independent and effective anti-corruption/accountability mechanisms.

    The article mentions two such mechanisms: the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), an external body that initiated contact with the police department, and the Raleigh Police Department Internal Affairs Unit. The activation of these two bodies to investigate the officer’s conduct serves as an indicator of institutional accountability measures in place.

SDG Analysis Summary Table

Source: wral.com