Baytown officer indicted in solicitation of photos

A Baytown police officer has been dismissed from the department and indicted on a bribery charge after allegedly soliciting sexually explicit photos from a woman to whom he issued a citation, according to a news release from the Baytown Police Department.

The department was notified on March 28 about Michael Coppock allegedly asking for the photos from the unidentified woman in order to switch the citation to a warning, the news release stated. Police detectives presented evidence that on Thursday led to Coppock’s indictment on bribery, which is a second degree felony charge.

“This is the only victim we have right now,” said Lieutenant Steve Dorris with Baytown Police during a press conference held Thursday. “We are still exploring whether or not this has happened in the past. We don’t have any evidence to indicate that, but we are definitely looking at those angles.”

Coppock, 33, a nine-year veteran of the department who worked for the patrol division and the SWAT team, was notified on April 11 about the administrative probe.

A criminal investigation into Coppock also was initiated, according to the news release.

As the two investigations unfolded, evidence was uncovered that caused Chief C. Keith Dougherty to require the officer on May 1 to surrender his badge and duty weapon. He was placed on non-enforcement status and reassigned to the station.

After being presented with all the facts from the investigation, the chief indefinitely suspended Coppock on May 17 from the police department — the equivalent to his dismissal.

Baytown police detectives also presented their findings to the Harris County District Attorney’s office.

Officials said Coppock’s actions are “not reflective of the other men and women” of the police department who “proudly serve with integrity and honor,” according to the press release. Officers who do not reflect these standards will “not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law.”