Belmar’s Nov. 17 letter, on department letterhead, states, in part, “With regard to Michael’s offense, I will offer no excuse, but to say that I believe that he has the benefit of having a strong family surrounding him … I remain confident that whatever decision you render in this matter, it is the right decision and you enjoy my full support.”

He said he does not believe his comments undermine the work of his officers, and said nothing was done to sway the investigation. But he said of his use of official stationery: “I didn’t necessarily think it all the way through.”

He said he once wrote a letter on a defendant’s behalf when he was a captain, but does not recall the circumstances.

Stenger said he had not seen Belmar’s letter but had no problem with use of the letterhead.

Crocker, the union president, complained, “This letter should not have been written by Jon Belmar much less Chief Jon Belmar and to do it on department letterhead on a case that his own investigators were involved in is unnerving. I have less of a problem with Stenger, because he didn’t do it on letterhead, he knows the family and he’s not a law enforcement officer.

“However, it’s still a mixed signal for officers working as part of county government.”