Narcotics cop subject of 18 complaints

JEFFREY WALKER, the veteran Philly narcotics cop who was federally charged yesterday with allegedly robbing a drug dealer, has been the subject of 18 Internal Affairs complaints during his career.

The civilian complaints - none of which was sustained - included accusations of theft, physical and verbal abuse, and illegal searches.

Walker, 44, joined the police force in 1989 and was assigned to the Narcotics Field Unit South 10 years later.

Walker has worked with some of the six narcotics cops who were transferred to different assignments in December after the District Attorney's Office said that the officers would no longer be called to testify in drug cases.

District Attorney Seth Williams has not explained the decision, but federal lawsuits and citizen complaints to the Internal Affairs Bureau accuse the officers of theft, physical abuse, and planting and/or fabricating evidence.

The transferred officers - Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, John Speiser, Michael Spicer, Perry Betts, and Lt. Robert Otto - have not been charged with crimes.

Several of the Internal Affairs complaints filed against Walker portrayed him as a cop who was quick to use his fists on suspects.

*  Surreal Cunningham alleged that on March 19, 2011, Walker punched him in the face and then dragged him down the steps of his North Philly apartment during a drug-related arrest that also involved Liciardello.

Cunningham alleged that he suffered back and shoulder injuries. Investigators didn't sustain the allegation, noting that Cunningham had chronic back problems that were not caused by his encounter with Walker.

* Donald Graham, of West Philadelphia, alleged that Walker took $1,470 from a safe in his home during a raid on May 3, 2011. Graham, who was under house arrest for narcotics violations, claimed that Walker removed $5,670 from the safe, but only reported confiscating $4,200.

Graham told investigators that officers found drugs while serving previous warrants, but not during the May 2011 raid. Marijuana residue and plastic zipper bags were recovered inside the house.

Walker told Internal Affairs that he opened the safe, placed the money inside a plastic bag and gave it to his supervisor, who double-sealed it in evidence bags.

Internal Affairs concluded that since Graham could not provide bank statements, the allegation could not be proved.

* Donnie Athy told Internal Affairs that he saw Walker tackle his brother, Brian Jones, during a drug arrest in West Philly on May 17, 2004. Athy claimed that Walker put Jones in a headlock and choked him until he seemingly lost consciousness.

Walker allegedly kicked Jones and told him to "stop faking" while his body shook on the ground. Internal Affairs didn't sustain the complaint, noting that Walker and Liciardello, who was also involved in the arrest, denied the allegations.

John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, said the union will not represent Walker.

"We're not going to be wasting any of our resources on somebody who committed such alleged crimes," he said.

McNesby said it was "disheartening" to hear that a veteran cop had been accused by the FBI of committing crimes that include extortion, robbery and falsifying police records.

"I don't know what's going through people's heads," McNesby said. "It casts a shadow over all of the good cops. This is something we don't condone, and I've taken the stance that the FOP won't represent him."