Police Department

Chief Straub's Statement to Media

Monique Cotton, Director of Communication and Public Information, 509.363.8285

Friday, October 3, 2014 at 4:12 p.m.

Spokane Police Chief Straub delivered the following statement today regarding the Internal Affairs investigations of Sgt. Lydia Taylor and Det. Mell Taylor.

View video of the entire news conference.

Today’s news conference is a departure from the normal way that we conduct and discuss internal affairs investigations.

I feel compelled to address inaccuracies in media reports regarding this investigation.

Specifically, our internal affairs investigation does not indicate any direct connection between Sgt. Lydia Taylor and/or Det. Mell Taylor with Matthew Baumrucker.

In January 2014, the Spokane Police Department was notified by the U.S. drug enforcement administration that Det. Mell Taylor had received a controlled substance, steroids, at his residence.

Subsequently, we referred the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They conducted an investigation pertaining to det. Taylor’s receipt of steroids.

Last week, after being interviewed by the FBI, Det. Taylor advised me that he would retire from the department. I accepted his retirement.

Det. Taylor honorably served the Spokane community for the past 27 years. During his career, Det. Taylor was the recipient of the Washington State Medal of Honor, the Spokane police department silver star, the distinguished service medal, and a lifesaving award.

Sgt. Lydia Taylor is the subject of an internal affairs investigation, related in part, to det. Taylor’s receipt of steroids at their home.

At this time, the investigation indicates that there are no other Spokane Police officers involved in this matter.

The Spokane Police Department will not tolerate illegal activity, including the possession and/or use of controlled substances, by any member of the department.

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