Joseph Sparks

Case #: 02PB2491
Police badge #: 60148
Download original case files
- 02PB2491_Charges.pdf

Recommendation Termination
Decision Resignation
Length of process about 2 months February 24, 2006 to April 20, 2006 Closed

Investigative Agency Not Specified

Charged with violating 3 rules on 13 counts


Rule 2	6 counts	Any action or conduct which impedes the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals or brings discredit upon the Department. Count 1 From or about August 1999 through August 2000, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that he failed to notify the appropriate supervisors of his interactions with Mario Hernandez regarding criminal investigations. Count 2 From or about April 2000 through July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Gang Prosecutions Section, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, when he attempted to gain favorable consideration for a reduction of charges against Mario Hernandez, by relaying information he received from Mario Hernandez regarding homicides and other gang related matters to Assistant State's Attorney Mike Smith. Count 3 On or about one or more of the following dates: April 12, May 1, June 9, and August 16 of 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that he received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-1, II, and III. Count 4 From or about April 2000 through July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Gang Prosecutions Section, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that he relayed information that he received from Mario Hernandez regarding homicides and gang related crimes to Assistant State's Attorney Mike Smith without obtaining approval, in violation of General Order 97-17-IV-C-3 and 4. Count 5 In or about July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Public Integrity Unit, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that during an interview with Assistant State's Attorney Nancy Donohoe, he demonstrated knowledge of the circumstances related to Complaint Register investigation #256152 and failed to submit a report regarding such knowledge, in violation of General Order 93-3, Addendum 2A-II-A-5. Count 6 In or about August 1999, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that he failed to report to the Department any violation of Rules and Regulations or any other improper conduct which is contrary to the policy, orders or directives of the Department, when he obtained information that Police Officer Donna R. Salvage was associating and fraternizing with Mario Hernandez, a person known to have been convicted of a felony, and he failed to submit a report.
Rule 6	6 counts	Disobedience of an order or directive, whether written or oral. Count 1 In or about August 1999, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks failed to report to the Department any violation of Rules and Regulations or any other improper conduct which is contrary to the policy, orders or directives of the Department, in that he obtained information that Police Officer Donna R. Salvage was associating and fraternizing with Mario Hernandez, a person known to have been convicted of a felony, and he failed to submit a report. Count 2 On or about May 1, 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he visited and interviewed Mario Hernandez, received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-I, II, and III. On or about May 1, 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he visited and interviewed Mario Hernandez, received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-I, II, and III. Count 3 On or about June 9, 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he visited and interviewed Mario Hernandez, received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-I, II, and III. Count 4 On or about August 16, 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he visited and interviewed Mario Hernandez, received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-I, II, and III. Count 5 From or about April 2000 through July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Gang Prosecutions Section, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he relayed information that he received from Mario Hernandez regarding homicides and gang related crimes to Assistant State's Attorney Mike Smith without obtaining approval, in violation of General Order 97-17-IV-C-3 and 4.From or about April 2000 through July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Gang Prosecutions Section, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he relayed information that he received from Mario Hernandez regarding homicides and gang related crimes to Assistant State's Attorney Mike Smith without obtaining approval, in violation of General Order 97-17-IV-C-3 and 4. Count 6 In or about July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office- Public Integrity Unit, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that during an interview with Assistant State's Attorney Nancy Donohoe, he demonstrated knowledge of the circumstances related to Complaint Register investigation #256152 and failed to submit a report regarding such knowledge, in violation of General Order 93-3, Addendum 2A-II-A-5.
Rule 22	1 count	Failure to report to the Department any violation of Rules and Regulations or any other improper conduct which is contrary to the policy, orders or directives of the Department. Count 1 In or about August 1999, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks failed to report to the Department any violation of Rules and Regulations or any other improper conduct which is contrary to the policy, orders or directives of the Department, in that he obtained information that Police Officer Donna R. Salvage was associating and fraternizing with Mario Hernandez, a person known to have been convicted of a felony, and he failed to submit a report.

Rule 2

Any action or conduct which impedes the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals or brings discredit upon the Department.

Count 1: From or about August 1999 through August 2000, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that he failed to notify the appropriate supervisors of his interactions with Mario Hernandez regarding criminal investigations.
Count 2: From or about April 2000 through July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Gang Prosecutions Section, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, when he attempted to gain favorable consideration for a reduction of charges against Mario Hernandez, by relaying information he received from Mario Hernandez regarding homicides and other gang related matters to Assistant State's Attorney Mike Smith.
Count 3: On or about one or more of the following dates: April 12, May 1, June 9, and August 16 of 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that he received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-1, II, and III.
Count 4: From or about April 2000 through July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Gang Prosecutions Section, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that he relayed information that he received from Mario Hernandez regarding homicides and gang related crimes to Assistant State's Attorney Mike Smith without obtaining approval, in violation of General Order 97-17-IV-C-3 and 4.
Count 5: In or about July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Public Integrity Unit, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that during an interview with Assistant State's Attorney Nancy Donohoe, he demonstrated knowledge of the circumstances related to Complaint Register investigation #256152 and failed to submit a report regarding such knowledge, in violation of General Order 93-3, Addendum 2A-II-A-5.
Count 6: In or about August 1999, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks brought discredit upon the Department and impeded the Department's efforts to achieve its policy and goals, in that he failed to report to the Department any violation of Rules and Regulations or any other improper conduct which is contrary to the policy, orders or directives of the Department, when he obtained information that Police Officer Donna R. Salvage was associating and fraternizing with Mario Hernandez, a person known to have been convicted of a felony, and he failed to submit a report.

Rule 6

6 counts

Disobedience of an order or directive, whether written or oral.

Count 1: In or about August 1999, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks failed to report to the Department any violation of Rules and Regulations or any other improper conduct which is contrary to the policy, orders or directives of the Department, in that he obtained information that Police Officer Donna R. Salvage was associating and fraternizing with Mario Hernandez, a person known to have been convicted of a felony, and he failed to submit a report.
Count 2: On or about May 1, 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he visited and interviewed Mario Hernandez, received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-I, II, and III. On or about May 1, 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he visited and interviewed Mario Hernandez, received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-I, II, and III.
Count 3: On or about June 9, 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he visited and interviewed Mario Hernandez, received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-I, II, and III.
Count 4: On or about August 16, 2000, at or near Cook County Jail-Division 11, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he visited and interviewed Mario Hernandez, received information regarding homicides and gang related crimes from Mario Hernandez, and then failed to document this information, in violation of Gang Investigations Special Order 94-1-I, II, and III.
Count 5: From or about April 2000 through July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Gang Prosecutions Section, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he relayed information that he received from Mario Hernandez regarding homicides and gang related crimes to Assistant State's Attorney Mike Smith without obtaining approval, in violation of General Order 97-17-IV-C-3 and 4.From or about April 2000 through July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office-Gang Prosecutions Section, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that he relayed information that he received from Mario Hernandez regarding homicides and gang related crimes to Assistant State's Attorney Mike Smith without obtaining approval, in violation of General Order 97-17-IV-C-3 and 4.
Count 6: In or about July 2000, at or near the Cook County State's Attorney's Office- Public Integrity Unit, 2600 S. California, Gang Crimes Specialist Joseph J. Sparks disobeyed an order or directive, whether written or oral, in that during an interview with Assistant State's Attorney Nancy Donohoe, he demonstrated knowledge of the circumstances related to Complaint Register investigation #256152 and failed to submit a report regarding such knowledge, in violation of General Order 93-3, Addendum 2A-II-A-5.

Rule 22

1 count

Failure to report to the Department any violation of Rules and Regulations or any other improper conduct which is contrary to the policy, orders or directives of the Department.

Joseph Sparks

Charged with violating 3 rules on 13 counts

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