BLOOMINGTON, Ind. --
A nationally known private detective tapped by the family of missing Indiana University student Lauren Spierer is publicly critical of the way Bloomington police are handling the case, likening the city's police chief to Gomer Pyle.
Private detective Richard 'Bo' Dietl, a former New York police officer, said he’s not impressed with the city of Bloomington or Police Chief Michael Diekhoff, 6News' Myrt Price reported.
When asked about cooperation between police and his investigators, Dietl had a less-than-flattering response.
"I thought I was talking to Gomer Pyle out there," Dietl said. "I met with the chief and all I have to say is, 'Thank God for New York City detectives.'"
Diekhoff released a statement responding to Dietl’s comments.
"Quite frankly, I was a little surprised that (Dietl), as a retired police officer, wasn't aware of the impropriety of a police department sharing investigatory information with a private agency," Diekhoff said.
Diekhoff also said that Dietl went to the FBI and other agencies that were working with the Bloomington Police Department looking for information from them, but those agencies refused to share evidence.
"As he did not get the information he came seeking, I can only surmise that is the reason (Dietl) described me as Gomer Pyle," Diekhoff said.
Pyle was a rural character on "The Andy Griffith Show" and on "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C" played by Jim Nabors.
Diekhoff also said Dietl's team wanted to harass certain people and that is something that the Bloomington Police Department does not approve.
Dietl went on to say that drug abuse is rampant on the Indiana University campus, a characterization that some take exception to.
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