Though I truly don't understand what's going on in this story about two city police officers put on administrative leave while something is investigated, I figured there may be some interest in talking about it. If anyone can explain what this is really about, I'd be especially grateful.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
17 comments:
I'm sick of cops being procecuted for enforcing the law. Do it and do it hard. That's what keeps Bristol from becoming a cesspool.
For those who want another take on the story, you can read the Courant's version here:
http://www.courant.com/news/local/nb/hc-bricomplain0919.artsep19,0,4709683.story
It sounds a lot worse in the Courant.
The citizens of Bristol will never get the complete story on anything having to do with the Bristol Police Department from the city's hometown paper. There will be feel-good stories and over-wrought stories about meetings no one cares about, but let's be honest if it goes against the BPD, you'RE only going to read about it in The Hartford Courant.
You are entitled to your opinion, of course.
With all due respect, Steve (and in this reader's view, you're due quite a bit), the coverage of the police department is the weak link at The Bristol Press. Coverage of other city issues is great, but forget about finding out what's happening at the police department. Thanks for posting both stories so we can compare. I'll still buy the Press, but I sure don't trust the cop coverage.
To the first poster: Get real. I'M sick of cops getting a free ride all the time. Rogue cops give the profession a bad name, and Bristol, which isn't a cesspool but certainly can't claim to be the lovely town it ought to be, seems to have more than its fair share of bad boys in blue.
Again, I must step atop my soap-box and preach the value of solid leadership. Let's look from the top down and see what the Police Department picture looks like:
An appointed board of police commissioners. This is a group of politicians that combined, to my limited knowledge, have all the law enforcement experience that comes from watching an episode of COPS. Commissioner Nicastro at least has military experience behind him.
A police chief who seems to hide behind spokesmen anytime scandal hits. No matter what the issue may be, Chief DiVenere manages to avoid public scrutiny whenever possible. How fortunate he was to have a city attorney near by to address the WNFR scandal.
A capitain who seems to have usurped his authority to bring a child to a tragic accident scene. While no parent would doubt the impact his lesson should have had on his daughter, the visual aides were most likely not necessary - particularly if his presence is found to have impeeded the official investigation.
Police officers and their spouses and families are heros in today's society. So much is focused on the negative - including front page headlines, yet positive stories about officers recieving commendations are buried on page 6 (I believe this Wednesday is the example I'm looking for.)
Let's give them as much power and support that they need to get the job done. They certianly aren't getting it from the top down. In addition to having faith in these heroes, let's put some faith in the courts. If authority has been abused, lawyers, juries and judges will have no problem making that decision - particulary in this state.
I work with law enforcement officers at all levels every day. I wouldn't trade all the overtime pay in world for thier jobs. Let's hope the Bristol First leadership team comes into office in a few weeks - perhaps quality people will be appointed to positions that matter so very much.
Give me a break, Red Dot.
Not every cop, or every cop's wife (or husband!)is a hero. And if you read The Bristol Press, you'll see a lot more fawning over the police than fair reporting about the actual problems plaguing the department. The Press would rather run some slop about some cop getting a lame-o award than report on how people get away with murder in Bristol (remember the detective who left all that stuff in his desk and never followed up on serious cases, some involving kids) and problems with other individual officers as well as systemic issues within the department.
Anonymous... please spare us. "Give me a break" is that what you hope for if you get pulled over? I'm quite certain that your tone would be different if you weren't protected by the invisible walls of this chat room.
First, note your rebuttal pokes fun at my comment about officers and their families. Should you choose, please re-read my initial entry and note that I referenced officers and their spouses and families, not just wives. I kept it gender neutral because we are lucky enough to have a city that has some diversity on their force in the form of females (and a few minorities.)
Additionally I never indicated that "every" cop is a hero, however I will assure you that even the worst in the bunch has sacrificed in ways most will never know...most of these men and women are too professional to remind us of things like that. They're too busy dealing with people like yourself.
Your final examples are all valid - some of which I also mentioned in my initial post. I question, however, if these reflect on the individual officer, the department as a whole, or a lack of leadership. My vote is for the lack of leadership. How does a detective retire with open cases? First it happens all the time - there's even a CBS show about it. Secondly, it's because supervisors, the Chief, the Police Commissioners, and the Pension Board all signed off on it.
If problems exist with specific officers for specific reasons, they should be quickly, professionaly, and thoroughly addressed, investigated and resolved- but the resolution should always be fair, and the punishment that the police impose - on themselves and ordinary citizens - should always fit the crime.
From the NAACP flap, to God only knows what else, the Bristol Police Department knows that at the end of the day, The Bristol Press is a friend that would never turn on it. The Hartford Courant has buried The Press in terms of covering the BPD and it's completely sad. It's disturbing that two newspapers come to my door each day, and only one is the paper of record when it comes to checking police power. And it's not as though The Courant is re-inventing the wheel with its reporting of the antics of the BPD, but at least there is some curiousity as opposed to tacit approval of a poor department.
Since being a land surveyor is more dangerous than being a police officer, I guess land surveyors and their families are heroes too, greater heroes even.
All this fawning over police and firefighters gets old. There are so many people out there that contribute just as much if not more to society then these people do, yet they don't get a fraction of the recognition as police and firefighters, or the super generous benefits, or the huge legal protection from the union when they do something wrong.
Policemen and Firemen deserve recognition for putting themselves in harm's way everyday.
Like all professions we can always find some who abuse their authority, act selfishly, or have weak character. Those people should be held accountable for improper actions that compromise the integrity of their organization.
However, sensationalizing the indescretions of a few does not help accomplish the goals of the organization which in the case of the police and fire departments is to serve and protect.
Complaints should be handled seriously and fairly. Disciplinary/criminal judgements should be communicated clearly so that the public has the faith in the organizations established for their protection.
Leave the drama and speculation to TV drama.
This whole notion of them "putting themselves in harm's way every day" is overdone. How many situations come up each week where a police officer is actually dodging bullets and is in real jeapordy? As for firefighters, it's even worse, how many days do they even work each week? What harm's way do they face, crossing the street to Dunkin Donuts?
Not trying to be mean or ungrateful, but people go over the top when talking about these jobs. I have friends who are factory workers and they are in real physical danger every minute of every day, one slip up or mistake and they get badly hurt, and for a lot less money and benefits. Again, how many situations come up each week where that situation applies to a police officer or firefighter?
The police department is so poorly run that it makes me ashamed to live in Bristol at times. The obvious goes unnoticed by the police in Bristol. I am surprised there are not more violent crimes in the city.
And by policeman and firefighters and their families getting elected to office they can make sure the benefits stay generous.
Until we get a Police Board with teeth and cojones, nothing will change. They are all nice people, but really: Neil Fries (don't know him); Jacqueline Bracco (secretary at ESPN who rose through the ranks there); Ray Lambert (not sure what he does, but he works for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce); William Stortz (need I say more?); Frank Nicastro (wannabe cop); William Greger (father of a Bristol cop - no conflict of interest here!); George Carpenter (local developer and big donor to political campaigns). This is what the Charter Revision Committee should look into.
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