2ND OFFICER PLACED ON PAID LEAVE IN SHAKEDOWN PROBE

Lawyer says drug dealers alleging money was taken aren't credible

A second Dallas police officer suspected of stealing thousands of dollars
from drug dealers and undocumented Mexican immigrants has been placed on
paid leave pending the outcome of a criminal investigation, a Police
Department source said Friday.

Officer Quentis R. Roper, 32, a former local football standout, has not
been arrested or charged with a crime. The source, who asked not to be
identified, declined to say why Officer Roper is a suspect.

Officer Roper, a seven-year veteran, could not be reached for comment. Bob
Baskett, his attorney, said Officer Roper has done nothing wrong.

"It is a drug dealer who claims he has taken some money," Mr. Baskett said.
"He's not a credible witness. He's a drug dealer."

A police investigation into the alleged thefts became public Sunday night
when Officer Daniel E. Maples Jr., 26, surrendered at Grand Prairie police
headquarters. Detective John Brimmer, a Grand Prairie police spokesman,
said the officer said he was turning himself in because he feared drug
dealers with whom he'd had contact in the past would hurt his loved ones.

"The drug dealers had allegedly threatened him that if he didn't give back
their money, they'd hurt his girlfriend and baby," Detective Brimmer said.

It is unknown why Officer Maples, a Dallas officer since 1995, turned
himself in to Grand Prairie police. That department has not been involved
in the investigation.

"He voluntarily stayed here until the [Dallas police] public integrity unit
arrived," Detective Brimmer said.

Dallas investigators did not arrest Officer Maples but did take away his
badge and gun while in the Grand Prairie police station, he said. The
officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, sources said.
Officer Maples and his attorneys have declined to comment on the
investigation.

Police officials also continued to decline to discuss specifics of the case.

"Any time information is developed or comes to the attention of the
department in which it appears an employee is involved in criminal conduct,
we owe it to every man and woman of the Dallas Police Department and the
citizens of Dallas to fully and thoroughly investigate the allegations,"
Executive Assistant Chief Willard Rollins said. "We will not tolerate this
type of behavior."

The two officers are the only police employees believed to have been placed
on leave because of the investigation. A source said it may take several
more weeks before the inquiry ends.

Police sources said detectives learned of the alleged theft about a year
ago, when several of the victims complained that the officers had taken
money from them.

Sources have said the scheme targeted Mexican citizens who may have feared
deportation if they reported the thefts.

Others are believed to be drug dealers who said the officers would arrest
them at apartments and motels, confiscate whatever money they had on hand
and keep it.

One source estimated the officers have taken in $10,000 to $12,000, but a
second source said the amounts could be much higher.

Officers Roper and Maples both work nights and patrol northeast Dallas. As
many as 15 of their colleagues have been questioned in recent months by
investigators, a source said.

Department records show that neither officer has ever been disciplined for
serious administrative violations. Officer Maples has received seven
commendations, and Officer Roper has been given 48.

Senior Cpl. Glenn White, president of the Dallas Police Association, said
it is hard for him to believe that Officer Roper is guilty.

"He is the epitome of a beat officer," Cpl. White said. "He takes an active
role in the community on-duty and off-duty."

Officer Roper was a star quarterback for Pinkston High School in West
Dallas in the late '80s. He went on to play at Rice University and for the
Dallas Texans arena football team.

"He said to hell with an athletic career and decided to be a policeman,"
Cpl. White said. "He's the kind of guy you would let your sister date."

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson