Bellevue officer denies evidence tampering

11/11/2003

FREMONT — A Bellevue police officer pleaded not guilty yesterday to tampering with evidence. He allegedly misused a taped conversation between two captains in the department.

Rodney Dick, 40, was released on a personal recognizance bond after his arraignment before Judge James Sherck in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court. A second officer charged in the case, Joel Bick|hart, 43, had his hearing postponed until Thursday. Officer Bickhart is charged with un|authorized use of a computer.

Authorities allege that Officer Bickhart allegedly used an office computer to obtain a recorded phone conversation between the two command officers. That information allegedly was shared internally. Officer Dick is accused of removing the computer disk that had the recorded conversations on it.

Officer Dick has been scheduled for trial March 18.