To: City of Norfolk, Va public officials
From: Merle T. Rutledge Jr and Donna Lea

Concerns/Complaint against Norfolk Va Police officer Matthews

     I was informed by Donna Lea aka Lee that she had problems with the City of Norfolk, Va Police Department after a somewhat hit and run (from officers prospective). Ms. Lee alleges that after the accident and while in the hospital that she was treated rudely by City of Norfolk, Va Police officers. She was hit by a car in which the driver did not stay until police was around.  After she pleaded, for the man to stay until officers arrived. The man left his license plate number and a business card, but obviously in allege fear of arrest, departed from the scene of the accident. Ms. Lee was left hurt, crying, and pleading for anyone to help assist her because she was injured and in obtaining information on the driver responsible. While she was at the hospital, she was told rudely to get off her phone while talking to her daughter. She had fingers put in her face by Officer Matthews because he refused to file a report, and this was the method of mannerism used to instill that point.  Evans - El, pictured below.

     Ms. Lee alleges that she was treated like a criminal instead of a victim. She feels that the Norfolk, Va police department could have done more and refused to do their job and make an arrest for someone fleeing the scene of an accident, while injured parties was clearly present. I am seeking a full re investigation into the actions of Officer Matthews and his superiors. Ms. Lee alleges that Sergeant Kelly was aware of her complaint and told her that there would be a phone call returned to her. In regards, to her allegations against Officer Matthews. There was no phone call returned and no further follow up done in regards to the accident or her complaint against Officer Mathews. She also has complaints against other police officers, including Officer Sterling, that she alleges knowingly mislead her in saying the Virginia license plate did not exist  to anyone particular, and that the Police Department could get no hit on the identification of the driver.  She was also told that she could not get any information on the driver and this is when she knew that the Police Department has critical information towards identifying the driver, for even insurance purposes.  However, the same information was supplied to her by the  insurance company.  The insurance company was not only able to get a hit on the license place, but was also able to identify the driver involved in allege hit and run, and fleeing the scene of a car accident.

     Ms. Lee alleges that she did not give permission to the driver to leave and that the business card and virginia license plate left behind by the negligent party, was given to her under duress and that she in no way gave the intention that the driver should leave the scene. Nowadays, it seems like the City of Norfolk, Va Police Department is in serious need of people skills and ways to conduct themselves with victims of an allege crime or accident. I am concern with the direction that the Police Department is going in with handling complaints and taking relevant information in regards to allege crimes that happen with people, that they deem on a personal level, as being not fit for Equal Protection of the law. I am leaving her phone number (757) 401 0661 and expect serious follow up in regards to this officer and his supervisors. 
     Lastly, She wants an apology for the disrespect and lack of sensitivity and rude mannerisms done by this officer and his colleagues which are mention in this letter. The incident occured this year and I believe on May 24, 2012. I want all accident reports, police records, 911 calls, and documents done by police or depatch in regards to this incident as a Virginia Freedom of Information Act request. I perfer the information e-mailed to me. This whole matter needs to be reinvestigated.including the officers involved. Also, she alleges that Officer Matthews said that the only thing she could do was file a civil suit and gave her a legal conclusion, "that the lawsuit will go nowhere." When did police officers become lawyers?  

From: Merle T. Rutledge Jr
Norfolk, Va
Civil Rights Activist and Mayoral Candidate for Mayor of the Town of Chatham, Va