Fired Raleigh police officer has no answer to allegations he had sex with someone while on duty

A Raleigh police officer accused of committing a sex crime while on duty appeared in court on Monday afternoon. 

Tramale Cogdell is accused of accepting a sexual favor to look past a DWI investigation. Cogdell, 28, faces felony charges of sexual misconduct of a person in custody and obstruction of justice. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of willful neglect of duties.

On Monday, Cogdell went before a judge to hear the charges against him after he posted $30,000.

After court, Cogdell didn’t answer WRAL News’ questions.

“Mr. Cogdell, anything you want to share?” WRAL News asked.

“Nah, I’m good,” Cogdell said.

Cogdell walked down the hallway to meet up with his parents.

“Do you have anything to say to the people you were sworn to serve and protect?” WRAL News asked.

“I don’t really like being followed,” Cogdell said.

Raleigh police officer fired, accused of sex crime with crash victim

Last week, Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce called the charges against Cogdell, “troubling and disgraceful” in a joint news conference with the State Bureau of Investigation.

"What I'm to share with you today is both troubling and disgraceful," Boyce said on Friday.

Boyce said the SBI contacted the Raleigh Police Department on Sept. 26 about an alleged incident involving Cogdell earlier in the month.

Boyce said the Raleigh Police Department fired Cogdell on Friday morning.

A court document states Cogdell obstructed justice "by failing to conduct and charge a DWI investigation in exchange for sexual acts. This offense was done in secrecy and malice."

WRAL News asked Boyce about the circumstances of the Sept. 12 crash.

"This was a motor vehicle crash," Boyce said. "I don't have the details of that specific case, but it involved a vehicle collision here in the city of Raleigh."

Cogdell had worked for the Raleigh Police Department's Field Operations Division in the downtown district since June 22, 2022, according to Boyce.

"I'm disturbed about this. It bothers me," Boyce said. "As a member of this community, as the chief, it's not easy for me to stand up here and say that I arrested one of my officers."

Boyce added, "I want to applaud the victim for coming forward in this case, and I offer my heartfelt support to her, her family and to anyone who has been affected by this deeply disturbing incident."

On Friday, Raleigh-based attorney Stacy Miller said he represents the victim and provided WRAL News with a statement.

"There's nothing scarier than a sexual predator with a badge," Miller wrote. "He clearly would have done this again if not for the courageousness of our client, who is a strong, brave young woman."

Boyce said the Raleigh Police Department opened an internal investigation on Cogdell in addition to the SBI's investigation.

"I am angry and disheartened both as a police chief and as a member of this community," Boyce said. "The actions that led to Mr. Cogdell's arrest reflect poorly on the Raleigh Police Department and cast a shadow on the integrity that we work so hard to uphold.

"This is a reminder that no one is above accountability, not even those who wear the badge. But I want to be clear, this arrest does not define who we are."

A reporter asked Boyce on Friday whether anyone had complaints about Cogdell's previous conduct.

"We're looking into all that right now," Boyce said.

WRAL News asked Boyce if Raleigh police and the public could trust the integrity of other cases Cogdell was involved in.

"Everything right now involving that officer is under review now with the Wake County District Attorney's Office as well as the Raleigh Police Department Internal Affairs Unit," Boyce said.

Miller added, "We would not be surprised if he has committed this brazen misconduct in the past. We’re investigating that as well and encourage any other victims to reach out to our firm."

If anyone has additional information or believes they may have had an inappropriate encounter with Cogdell, they are asked to contact the SBI.

What’s next for Tremale Cogdell 

Cogdell is due back in court on Oct. 27. Should his case go to trial, he will have to face his accuser.

“It’s been very devastating for her,” Miller said. “She’s been traumatized.”

Miller applauded his client for speaking out against Cogdell.

“She was wanting to stand up and protect others who could be victims as well,” Miller said.