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"From the perspective of the prosecuting attorney's office, I find this letter highly offensive," Parks said Thursday in an interview. "I blame the mayor for this misunderstanding.
"The sheriff's office, the Franklin County Narcotics Enforcement Unit and my office have been more than willing, and have been working with Gerald police to provide police protection," Parks stated.
"At the end of June my office conducted a training seminar for officers on the new search and seizure rules. It was a four-hour session. One of Gerald's police officers attended," Parks explained.
"Over the July 4 weekend, Gerald police were involved in a manhunt and requested mutual aid from the sheriff's office. Officers and a helicopter were sent out to Gerald to help," Parks said.
"I believe that this letter is a smoke screen by the mayor to divert attention from the lawsuits filed against the city in the (Bill) Jakob case," Parks said, referring to last year's string of illegal searches and arrests by Gerald police officers who were assisted by Jakob who claimed to be a federal agent.
Jakob's impersonation scheme began to unravel last April after a tip led county officers to begin an investigation that eventually led to the firing of then-Gerald Police Chief Ryan McCrary and other officers with the department.
Jakob was charged in federal indictments and pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts. He was sentenced last December to five years in a federal penitentiary.
After the fraud was exposed, federal lawsuits were filed by at least 17 plaintiffs who allege their civil rights were violated by Gerald police officers during a series of drug raids at homes in and outside the city limits.
Named in the suits are the city of Gerald, the Gerald Police Department, McCrary, former Assistant Chief Scott Ramsey, Schulte and Jakob.
The letter from the Gerald board cites a March 13, 2009, incident in which "20-plus" officers from different agencies raided a home in Gerald to arrest a suspect.
Schulte told The Missourian that Gerald police were not notified of the raid in advance.
"Basically we are just trying to get them to work with us and our chief. One of the things addressed is (other agencies) coming into town and not letting us know about a raid in our town," Schulte said. "The guy didn't live here anymore and the chief knew he didn't live here. They could have made a courtesy call instead of wasting taxpayers' money."
The incident "is especially frustrating due to the unprofessional lack of communication," the letter states. "This disrespect shown to Chief Zelch and his officers should not be tolerated by the local law enforcement agencies and must not continue."
Parks said officers with several state and county agencies were looking for a suspect who had been accused of kidnapping and shooting at an undercover officer. The sheriff's office assessed the situation and responded with the number of officers "we felt necessary," Parks remarked.
"We notified Gerald police prior to serving that warrant. They were there," he said.
Schulte said Gerald police were not notified of the raid and only learned of it when law enforcement officers converged on the home.
"We were frustrated and offended. There were 25 officers from the area and the Lake of the Ozarks and our officers didn't know anything," he said. "Our officers were the only ones in uniform. Luckily nothing happened."
"We served another warrant in Gerald in the last week or so and Gerald police were notified and asked to assist," Parks said. "There never has been any disrespect shown toward the Gerald Police Department or the citizens of Gerald," he stated.
Schulte added that he believes the lack of cooperation is due, in part, to the highway patrol investigation of Zelch.
"I guess they are not willing to work with us because of the investigation - I think that's what started it," said Schulte. "We are hoping we can work through that. They don't communicate and don't want to communicate. We are willing to start trying to work with them."
Schulte said the city of Gerald has made several requests to join the FCNEU that were denied.
"Chief (Zelch) asked numerous times to join the task force and to be a member. He even sent a check for membership dues and they returned the check," said Schulte. "We want to join and they don't want to let us."
