DALLAS -
The Dallas Police Department on Friday announced that it has reprimanded supervisors they say were partially responsible for mishandling an August 911 call placed by a woman who was later found dead.
According to the department, Kimberly Cole received a written reprimand because she failed to help a call taker handle a difficult call. It said Cole left her post to attend a meeting and was not available when Deanna Cook placed a frantic call for help, during which she pleaded with an attacker.
The call taker failed to prioritize the call and officers allegedly responded 50 minutes later, leaving Cook's residence without entering when she did not answer the door.
That call taker was later suspended and another was fired.
Additionally, Lt. Ronald Thomasson, who called the meeting Cole had attended, received "advice and instructions" for failing to ensure a supervisor was available to handle difficult calls.
Cole, who has been with the department since 1997, has been assigned to the property room and can appeal the disciplinary action.
Thomasson is assigned to the communications division and has been on the department since 1985.
Lt. Ben Nabors was cleared of allegations that he failed to ensure a supervisor was available to handle difficult calls.
Meanwhile, Deanna Cook's family has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Dallas and the Dallas Police Department as a result of her death.
Cook's former husband, Delvecchio Patrick, is charged with her murder.
