Raleigh cop fired, charged with sexual misconduct after vehicle crash
A former police officer faces multiple charges after Raleigh police say he had a “sexual encounter” with a woman in exchange for not conducting a driving while impaired investigation.
Tremale Cogdell, 28, of Raleigh, has been charged with felony obstruction of justice, misdemeanor willful neglect of duties and felony sexual misconduct of a person in custody. He was fired from the Raleigh Police Department on Friday.
On Sept. 26, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation told the Police Department it was investigating Cogdell, Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce said during a joint news conference held with SBI officials on Friday.
Cogdell was placed on administrative leave that day, he said.
“Mr. Cogdell encountered a victim during a crash investigation here in Raleigh,” Boyce said. “After completing a call for service, Mr. Cogdell drove the victim back to his personal residence in his city of Raleigh police vehicle, and a sexual encounter occurred while Mr. Cogdell was on duty.”
Cogdell “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did obstruct justice by failing to conduct a DWI investigation in exchange for sexual acts,” according to court documents.
Boyce said he applauded the woman for coming forward and offered his support to her and her family.
“What has happened is not only troubling, it is disgraceful,” he said.
“I am angry and disheartened, both as a police chief and as a member of this community,” he added.
Police officers give people involved in motor vehicle crashes a ride to a safe space on a case by case basis, Boyce said. He was asked about the circumstances of the crash but said he didn’t have the details.
“I’m disturbed by this,” Boyce said. “It bothers me 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. When I was selected as chief, I promised this community that I was going to be transparent and I was going to hold people accountable no matter who they are.”
The Police Department is reviewing Cogdell’s prior cases, Boyce said. Wake District Attorney Lorrin Freeman told The News & Observer Tuesday that her office is reviewing Cogdell’s 20 pending cases to see if they can proceed without him or must be dismissed.
If anyone has additional information or believes they may have had an inappropriate encounter with Officer Cogdell, they are asked to contact the NC SBI at 919-662-4500
Twumasi Duah-Mensah contributed to reporting.
This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM.
