Wichita police officer speaks out after being cleared in rape case

Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay and Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter held a news conference Thursday morning regarding an officer who was recently cleared in a rape case. Watch it here.

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A Wichita police officer is speaking out for the first time after being cleared of the rape allegations against him. 

Marlon Woolcock's attorney says a bell can't be unrung, after his client's name and mugshot were publicized by law enforcement. They are speaking to clear his name, but they want law enforcement to back Woolcock. 

"I did not. I am completely innocent," Woolcock said. "I did not rape this woman."

That's the message Woolcock, who was cleared of any criminal charges last month, wants associated with his name. 

"I couldn't wish this on anyone, 'cause this was extremely stressful and, like I said, I don't know how my career is ever going to recover from this."

In February, Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay and Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter held a news conference about an officer being arrested. Sheriff Easter named Woolcock as the suspect in a rape associated with an acquaintance of Woolcock. They said the alleged victim showed up at a hospital saying that she'd been raped. Chief Ramsay then said his department would openly communicate when an officer has been arrested.

No charges filed against Wichita police officer accused of rape

"I was extremely disappointed to learn about this incident," Chief Ramsay said when announcing Woolcock's arrest on February 13. "Unfortunately, policing is sadly unique in that when one officer engages in misconduct, it reflects poorly on the entire profession."

But Chief Ramsay has not spoken about the case since Woolcock was cleared of criminal charges. 

"Three weeks have passed and Marlon Woolcock has been completely exonerated, and we haven't heard a word out of the sheriff or the chief, said Jess Hoeme, Woolcock's attorney. "So we are asking. It's finally time to bring some closure to this case and make the point that Marlon Woolcock did not do anything wrong."

The district attorney's office found "insufficient corroborating evidence" to charge Woolcock. Now his attorney has a question for the department.

"To do justice to the case on behalf of Marlon Woolcock and...make the point that he is exonerated. He did not commit a rape.
How is Marlon Woolcock ever going to overcome this allegation?"

Woolcock is assigned to administrative duties until the completion of an internal investigation, a WPD spokesperson said Monday.