State police problems
The NHR (by George Hladky) and the WRA (by Ben Conery) both have articles detailing allegations of state police wrongdoing. The Rep-Am described:
Frequently, investigators found, superior officers made sure the internal affairs division failed to thoroughly investigate allegations against troopers. Those allegations include sexual assault, domestic violence, drug use, drunken driving, brutality, bribery, and associating with drug dealers and prostitutes. Some of the alleged misconduct may be reinvestigated by internal affairs or subject to criminal investigation by Chief State's Attorney Kevin Kane.
The Register detailed:
In summer 2004, a lawyer for an accused drug dealer told prosecutors that his client was paying a state police officer $2,000 to $5,000 a month for "protection." According to the lawyer, when the alleged drug dealer stopped paying, the trooper would harass and arrest members of his family.
This isn't good. And since the allegations are so serious, I hope the investigations continue unimpeded. People need to be held to account, if these allegations prove true.
Tim White
Town Council, 4th District
Btw, did someone mention here that the new DOT commissioner is a former state trooper? As well, I looked at the Chief State's Attorney Office website for the actual report, but couldn't find anything.
3 comments:
Auditor? Yes. Dream? No. I'd call it more of a nightmare.
About the report though & what I glanced at... it really sounds bad. Makes IA and Command look terrible. I'm sure there's some good people there... but how many people turned a blind eye to stuff?
Beyond the apparent impending criminal charges, someone needs to ask the two Watergate questions of anyone even tangentially attached to this:
What did you know? And when did you know it?
And those answers should appropriately lead to suspensions and terminations of others who may not have been involved in any of the alleged crimes.
As for the numbers of cruisers and budget shortfalls and such... I'm pretty sure you're not tying that to this investigation. That would seem inappropriate to me.
Rather, you're tying that to the question of "Why is he now the Comm of DOT?" If so, good question. Makes no sense to me. Maybe he won't get reappointed?
Going forward though, I'd make an auditing suggestion.
Internal Audit departments are similar in nature to Internal Affairs departments. And Internal Audit departments of major corporations are a bit unusual with regard to "reporting lines." Int Aud always report to both the Chief Executive AND the Board.
If it's not done already, I suggest all of the state's internal audit departments (incl the CSPs Internal Affairs dept) begin directly reporting to the Legislature (presumably a subcommittee of GAE), as well as the Governor.
yeah. The culture. I believe LtGov Sullivan described it as a "clubhouse." Sure seems like one.
As for internal audit reporting to Nancy, that makes sense... considering she is elected. Although I'd still suggest all auditors and internal affairs report directly to the Governor and a subcommittee of the GAE. I bet Caruso would ask good questions of Internal Affairs and all the auditors.
I wouldn't want overkill of reporting and such, but... at this point, how could we overdo it?
The CSP is in serious trouble. And perhaps some auditors with direct reporting lines to all the key decision makers would jumpstart a discussion on CT using some halfway decent accounting practices.
The CSP for the most part are arrogant, holyier than thou individuals. All they are, are glorified traffic cops.
Used to be they were helpful, understanding and considerate, not anymore. Since a new generation of young punks with a bad attitude have been installed the CHP have gone to hell. If I was broken down on the road the last person I would welcome to help me is the CHP.
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