Salem Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Official Misconduct

An internal investigation is also underway to determine if any department procedures were violated.

(SALEM) - Salem Police Officer Robb McCracken pled guilty this morning to one count of Official Misconduct in the First Degree (ORS 162.415).

The charges stem from an inappropriate personal relationship McCracken developed with the mother of a crime victim while he was on duty.

He resigned from the Salem Police Department effective today, prior to his appearance in Marion County Circuit Court.

McCracken was relieved of his duties and placed on paid administrative leave on Friday, January 26th.

An internal investigation is also underway to determine if any department procedures were violated.

The 42-year-old McCracken had been a Salem Police officer for nearly seven years.

Salem police spokesman Lt. Bill Kohlmeyer said the allegations came to light when the mother of a crime victim told her counselor about the relationship which developed while McCracken was investigating a case in which her daughter was a victim.

Due to a potential conflict of interest we asked the Oregon State Police to investigate.

Also, due to a potential conflict the Marion County District Attorney's Office asked the Washington County District Attorneys's Office to handle the case.

Allegations of criminal misconduct by a Salem Police Officer are very rare and are taken very seriously.

The information came forward on January 3rd and the State Police were contacted immediately Kohlmeyer said.

Police Chief Jerry Moore said, "I am concerned anytime a police officer is alleged to be involved in criminal wrong doing or inappropriate behavior. We hold our employees to very high standards, which is why we immediately asked for an outside agency to investigate the allegations of criminal misconduct.

"Our officers recognize the trust and high expectations the community has in us, and we'll continue to work hard to maintain that. I'm disappointed we had to deal with this situation, but I'm proud of the way we did so."

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Victim of case June 25, 2024 4:30 am (Pacific time)

I was 15 when this was posted and was unaware of this page until recently. I doubt anyone uses this still. However if someone does see this and wonders "Why is/was a Detective in trouble for a relationship?" The answer is: this Robb McCracked thought it was a good idea to sleep with my mother, that in itself should be fine. When you consider the fact he was telling his bosses he was "talking to victim (me)" but was actually sleeping with my mom- that's where the conflict arises. He was paid by tax payers to sleep with my mom. This cost me my case and justice for what had happened to me. Because this Detective lied about things on my case they had to dismiss. Meaning I'd never get justice and the person who tried to assault me was free to roam. I don't think Robb is a bad human I think he just made some bad choices. I hated law enforcement for the longest time... Robb was supposed to make people feel protected and instead I had justice ripped away from me solely based on his decisions. Because he said he was talking to me/victim but was participating in extra curricular activities the state didn't know what they could believe or not. That's why it was a big deal. I struggled with trusting my mom after this too. She was supposed to help me get justice and because of a mutual choice I will never get closure of knowing who he was. For all I know the suspect on my case has other victims because my case didn't send him away.

DEBI SHIMMIN June 16, 2007 3:43 pm (Pacific time)

KARMA HAS BITTEN. SINCE YOU ARE GULITY OF YOUR MISCONDUCT, TAKE YOUR OWN ADVISE. SINCE MY FATHER IS INNOCENT OF THE CHARGES THAT YOU HAVE PUT UPON HIM, HE DID'NT HAVE TO TAKE YOUR ADVISE. THE TRUTH WILL COME TO LIGHT ABOUT YOUR MISCONDUCTS.

FORMER SISTETR-IN-LAW February 12, 2007 6:58 am (Pacific time)

I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING ROBB. HE IS MY KDS UNCLE. ROBB HAS SEREVED IN THE MARINE CORPS AND THEN FOR THE CALIFORNIA HIWAY PATROL AND THEN THE SALEM PD. OUR FAMILY LOST MY YOUNGEST SON IN 1998 AND BEFORE HE DIED TONY HAD MET ROBB AND HIS FAMILY. TONY TALKED HIGHLY OF ROBB AND SAID WHAT A COOL FAMILY HE HAD. I MYSELF HAVE'NT SEEN ROBB SINCE I LEFT THE FAMILY MANY YEARS AGO BUT I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS GUY. YOU KNOW EVERYONE HAS MADE MISTAKES IN THEIR LIFETIME. I THINK HE DESEVES ANOTHER CHANCE.THANK YOU T.COMPTON

Albert Marnell February 12, 2007 1:55 am (Pacific time)

The first person I would call if someone stole my car is my insurance company. They would tell me that they need a police report as a technicality to reimburse me. How can you compare "bad breath" and "dog haircuts", to the horrendous crimes committed by some law enforcement against the public and even against each other? I am not so rigid that I would not defend a police officer if said person is involved in some triviality. Just as I think the public deserves a break, I think that some people in law enforcement deserve a break. Who would be so stupid as to think otherwise? There are too many cumbersome rules, laws, fees, fines, surcharges, taxes, commissions, contributions, etc. We are living on a "Prison Planet". It will only get worse until the global elite have you so regulated and documented that you may choose a battle to the death. I can't breath with the status quo. Every year another layer of rules and laws under the guise of a better society are laid down. You can not make life turn out perfect. If you could, people would never get sick, die or anything else. And yet we still do not have something compassionate like National Health Insurance.

Anonymous February 11, 2007 11:32 pm (Pacific time)

badcopnews.com Big deal. I am sure there are websites out there for "dog groomers who give bad hair cuts," and "dentists with stinky breath." McCracken violated department policies and the law! People are tired of you guys complaining about the police. I am sure that if someone stole your car, the police would be the first phone call you are going to make!

A.M. February 11, 2007 6:52 am (Pacific time)

Anon, Check badcopnews.com. You may not find a thing but will find other things that organized law enforcement blocks from MSM.

Anonymous February 10, 2007 11:46 pm (Pacific time)

Possible we can get a pic of this officer. Most news arrests, etc. have there mug on here but Id like to not see better treatment of him just because he was LEO? Thanks in advance.

Stoned Love February 10, 2007 7:42 pm (Pacific time)

Is this really happening or is it the Hash?

Albert Marnell February 10, 2007 7:02 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Anon, I complain about all police not just Salem. The Salem police are just a few grains of sand on the beach. If you read www.badcopnews.com you would complain about the whole corrupt system and how out of control it is. This to me is about a relationship between two people, not a patient and doctor or patient and therapist. We all have different values and guidelines. He did not force himself on her. Is she over 21? They both are adults and can make adult decisions that really affect no one. And I can have it both ways. Are you telling me there is no room for a grey area? I never said that or meant to imply that. I do however know that too much money and time is spent on value enforcement. Notice I hate the term law because laws change from day to day, era to era, culture to culture. I do not go for the cops and robbers routine or the good and bad guy routine. Things are not always not so clear. I can't have it both ways? Oh, yes I can! Clear and convincing evidence of what?....they both maybe got laid....GOD BLESS!

Hank Ruark February 10, 2007 6:36 pm (Pacific time)

Anon et al: Al seeketh not no-consequence for open/shut-case but lays out social structure surely involved, for better understandings by all and perhaps some mediation to come. What's wrong with that ? You more believable if you ID-self as good/will action and thus responsible for statements.

Anonymous February 10, 2007 7:28 am (Pacific time)

Come on Albert, you can't have it both ways. You complain so much about Salem Police but where there is a case with clear and convincing evidence, you state nothing should happen to hom.

JAFO; February 9, 2007 6:05 pm (Pacific time)

I missed somthing I'm sure, but if they can do this and justify it, how can they jusify OLCC?, or loopholes in constitutional law allowing "campaign donations" from corporate interests?, they do this in England buy the way, substantive capital infusions rewarded with Parlaimentary seats, etc.,just like here!, so way to go Salem Police! Are there any .,say, more pressing items on the roster?, I hope detective McCracken doesn't decide to (w/no conflict of interest of course)personally investigate any one in the dept. for "unseemly conduct un-becoming" etc., you may all,(69%?)have to find other jobs.

Otis February 9, 2007 5:35 pm (Pacific time)

If you think that Rob was the only person in the Salem PD doing things like this, you are seriously misguided. If someone dares digs deep enough, which the police chief would not want, you will find much worse than this..

Matt Johnson February 9, 2007 1:27 pm (Pacific time)

Rob McCraken is a really decent guy, I am sorry to learn of this. Kudos to Salem P.D. for their professional treatment of the situation. They have lost a good detective, if you read this Rob, best of luck and I know you regret mistakes and will weather this well.

Albert Marnell February 9, 2007 1:07 pm (Pacific time)

I am the first one to complain about some of the things that I read about at www.badcopnews.com . This is not one of them. Give McCraken a break! This is at most inappropriate behavior and I even question that. He got involved with a woman that has emotional problems. She turns on him and even gets her therapist involved. Maybe she has some hurt or confused feelings but at least she may have gotten some comfort although it might have been temporary. She had emotional distress before and you can't blame him for her ongoing sensitivity and pre-existing condition. I do feel for her but would like to see her let it go and not become the center of an already existing problem. She may have in fact feel more hurt, confused and angry. Obsessions migrate. Is she now going to be focused on him rather than her original issue. There will always be issues in our lives until the day we die. Life is problem solving. There is trouble around every corner. What could have been a bending of policy does not have to become a Federal Case. I would suspect that the woman was extremely needy and in want of comfort, a trait that probably existed since childhood. She has my sympathy. I wish the therapist had just instructed her to end the relationship and put the responsiblity on the patient. That is part of getting better and stronger. I wish all involved better days. This too shall pass.

[Return to Top]