OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF
JOSEPH M. ARPAIO .
SHERIFF

April 6, 1995

Colin Peabody
Arizona P.O.S.T.

2643 East University
Phoenix, Arizona 85034

Subject: Avelino Tamala

Dear Co6n:

I have been advised that the Arizona P.O.S. T. Agenc:r ts reviewina the decertificatlon case
reference Avelino Tamala, ex-Deputy Sheriff of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Ofrice.
I am the Division Commander of the Special Investigations Division .in which Mr. Tamala
bad been wigned. A,ccording to the fjrullnp of (]Ur internal investigation which was
conducted during the latter part of January 1995, tl11e Sheriff's Office learned that Mr.
Tamala was engaged in inappropriate behavior inYol ring an adive female informant.
Mr. Tamala, a multi-year veteran of the Sheriff's O:rflee, was well-versed in Policies and
Procedures of the Sheriff's Office as well as the 51Ndflc
of conduct in which all
narcotic enforcement personnel are required to follo1;v.

code

The investiption revealed that Mr. Tamala became romantkally involved with a female
infonnant beginning in September of 1994. Realizi:ag his behavior and conduct was in
direct violation of M.C.S.O. Policy and Procedures, Mr. Tamala displayed dishonesty and
deception ln order to prevent his conduct from being detected.

Mr. Tamala was dishonest by giving oni a false address to his supervisor, Sergeant Rich
Rosky, when it was discovered that he had separated from bis wife In the fall of 1994. He
continued his dishonesty by lying to his supervisors 1;vben confronted as to the possibility
of being romantically involved with the informant in the tall of 1994.
His deceptive tactics included using the secretarial staff' or my division to screen all calls
from the female informant to him as well as having one· of the secretaries mail personal
bills of the informant in which Mr. Tamala was personally paying her bDls from his
checking account.

102WestMadisonStreet • Phoenix.AZB5003 • (602)256-1000 • StaeewkleTol1Frae1-800-352-4553

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COLIN PEABODY
Pqe2
April 6, 1995
Bis pattern of misconduct was further exhibited duril11& the latter part of January 1995.
On January 29, 1995, two days after Tamala resigned ha lieu of being terminated, contacted
and spoke with Detecti.e David Munley, another investiptor ailstgned to my dhtslon. Mr.
Tamala attempted to COOi.promise Detective Munley's Integrity and career by askina him
to find out on the •QT", the Investigative t«hniques uRd by the 1nteroal Affairs Unit of
the Sheriff's Office to determine his actual residence.

It is fair to state that Mr. Tamala demomtrated little reprd for his family, integrity and
career by choosing a life with a convicted dml felon at the expense of compmmisina his
fellow officers and the reputation or the Sheriff's Offk:e. 1be tragedy of this affair lies in
the fact of his blatant, uncaring attitude and lack cif remorse which was displayed to
Sergeant Rosky and myself at the time when I accept.«!d hJs resignation.
Upon reviewing the Arizona Peace Officer's Rules and 1~, I feel that Mr. TamaJa's
inappropriate conduct truly falls under Rll.+109 &dion A, Cause 18. Mr. Tamala's
pattern of conduct which lnchlded dishonesty, divenard of.Sheriff's Office Polley and
Procedure aad most Importantly, bis attempt to manlpa)ate _.t compromise other office
personnel to further his misconduct would surely jeopardize public tnMt in any Jaw
enforcement agency.

It is my strona belief that Mr. Tama1a should ruwer be given an opportunity to participate
in the police profesmon in the state of A.rimna.
·
Sincerely,

Joseph M. Arpaio

Maricopa County,,S.heriff

2)k~~~
Captain Steven Werner, Commander
Special

Investigations Division

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