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| NEWS > 29 December 2005 |
Other related articles:
Protests mount against Musharr
Islamabad and other Pakistani cities have seen violent confrontations in recent days between security forces and lawyers, opposition political activists, and ordinary Pakistanis opposing the attempt of the country’s US-backed military strongman, General Pervez Musharraf, to fire the head of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
To prevent protests last Friday when Chief Justice Chaudhry was to appear before the Supreme Judicial Council, the police detained scores of political leaders. Then, in an attempt to stop live broadcast of the protests, which occurred nonethe... Read more
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Brookline TAB - Needham, MA, U
29 December 2005
This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.
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Column: Checks and balances en
By Lt. Stephen J. Burke
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Dennis Fox, TAB columnist, recently authored an article "Police discretion, again" (Brookline TAB, Nov. 17), which I feel is outrageous and irresponsible journalism. His article alleges abuse of discretionary power by Brookline officers. He wrote "Even in Brookline, cops routinely come down harder on African-Americans and Latinos than on whites and charge defendants with undeserved offenses. Even here they make life difficult for defense attorneys and sometimes shade truth in court, knowing judges almost never penalize police even for obvious lies." I find it offensive that Mr. Fox nonchalantly labels the officers from this department as racist perjurers. I know the judges and other officers of the court before whom Brookline officers routinely testify would disagree with Mr. Fox's assertions and would be upset with his assessment of their judicial responsibilities and fairness.
Mr. Fox attended a Citizens Police Academy at our department. This highly successful program provides citizen outsiders with an insight and overview into the various functions of the department. Typically during the course of each Citizens Academy, I teach a class concerning citizen complaints against our officers. I not only receive complaints externally, usually from a citizen, but internally as well. Complaints are investigated, and culminate with a formal finding. Referring to my class, Mr. Fox wrote, "We also heard from the department officer who investigates allegations of police misconduct. In theory the board of selectmen can investigate further, but that rarely happens." Based on this Mr. Fox feels, "Town Meeting should advocate a civilian review board to help ensure that our police earn the accolades town residents too easily toss their way." Mr. Fox apparently misunderstood or misinterpreted my class and reference to the selectmen having ultimate review and investigatory power on a citizen complaint.
The point I make to all class attendees is that the complaint process has a number of checks, balances and reviews built into it that prevent "rubber stamping" or covering up a wrongdoing. If a complaint isn't investigated properly and fairly, it will be exposed somewhere along the line. After I investigate complaints and come to a formal finding, they are also reviewed by the chief of police, town administrator and, ultimately, the board of selectmen. My point to a class is that if a complaint is investigated properly and fairly, it will not be necessary for the board of selectmen to hold a hearing to investigate it further.
Investigating allegations of police wrongdoing is not a pleasant aspect of police work, but a necessary one for the protection of the citizenry, and the department. It also assures that we maintain the trust and respect of the citizens we serve. Police officers are human and we make mistakes. When an investigation determines we're wrong, we admit it, and deal with it accordingly. Some of the most serious complaints are generated internally. The department is capable of policing itself properly and does not need a civilian review board as advocated by Mr. Fox's article. Mr. Fox was an invited guest into our building and repaid us with an article of cheap-shot journalism; gee thanks.
Stephen J. Burke is a lieutenant with the Brookline Police Department.
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