OSP Releases Internal Documents, June 10

The Oregon State Police released the internal investigative reports on former Detective Dave Steele today as a result of requests by the Oregonian. Starting January of 2014, criminal investigations were launched by the Salem Police Department at the request of OSP, which led to Steele’s conviction for Forgery and Official Misconduct (pled guilty in December of 2014). He subsequently resigned from the Oregon State Police and surrendered his police officer credentials to the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standard and Training. In August of 2014, the Oregon State Police requested the Oregon Department of Justice review the procedures of OSP Criminal Investigations Division and Detective Dave Steele’s involvement in the Pedersen/Grigsby murder investigation. OSP also worked with the Department of Justice to review Detective Steele’s past investigations that resulted in convictions, and sent letters to the defense attorneys who handled those cases and the local public defense consortiums alerting them to Judge Haggerty’s opinion, and offering them the opportunity to inspect OSP’s case files. The Oregon State Police withheld the release of the personnel investigation so it would not hamper the Oregon Department of Justice review related to the supervisory opinion issued by retired Judge Ancer Haggerty. The Department of Justice recently completed its review and OSP has chosen to release DOJ’s report in addition to the release of the internal investigative reports. A copy of DOJ’s review has been attached to this press release. The Oregon State Police prides itself with integrity and public trust and in response to this incident, OSP is committed to making necessary changes and has reviewed policies and training that may directly or indirectly be related to this matter.