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| NEWS > 28 October 2006 |
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Less complaints about police m
The Queensland government says there have been less complaints in the past year about the conduct of the state's police officers - which shows residents are more confident in the force.
Police minister Judy Spence said complaints against the force were down by 24 percent over the past financial year.
Around 1589 complaints were filed in 2006/07, the rate dropping from 230.1 complaints per 1000 officers to 171.4.
“This reduction is particularly significant when you consider the on-going increase in police numbers in Queensland," she said.
“In an o... Read more
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Quad-Cities Online - Rock Isla
28 October 2006
This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.
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Ethics panel dismisses complai
The Rock Island County ethics commission dismissed a complaint Friday against the Republican candidate for sheriff, citing insufficient evidence to support the charge that he used department computer equipment for campaign business.
Republican Kraig Schwigen, a lieutenant in the sheriff's department, called the complaint baseless, while Democrat Mike Huff, a sergeant in the sheriff's department who filed the charge, vowed to refile his complaint.
The commission met behind closed doors for about 40 minutes before voting to dismiss Mr. Huff's complaint. The commission also ruled that Mr. Huff would be allowed to refile his complaint at a later time.
Mr. Schwigen said the information that he used department equipment to search for wasn't intended for campaign use.
"I've said all along it is a baseless allegation by a desperate campaign," Mr. Schwigen said. "Our agency has looked at this and found no violation."
Mr. Huff said he would more forward with his complaint. The complaint's accusation dates to Aug. 23, when Mr. Huff says his opponent used the computer to look up information about him from the Rock Island County circuit clerk's office and Illinois Fraternal Order of Police.
"I think running my name at the sheriff's department is a violation of the ethics ordinance," he said. "I've been in two sheriff races, and it has never been like this.
"I can't sit back," he said. "I have to defend myself."
In a motion to dismiss the complaint that was accepted by the commission after its decision, Mr. Schwigen raised concerns that the commission leaned Democratic, having been appointed by county board chairman Jim Bohnsack, a Democrat.
Mr. Schwigen also noted that reporters had copies of the letter notifying him of the hearing, and Mr. Huff held a press conference about Friday's meeting, before he himself had received the certified letter.
The motion also asked for dismissal because the complaint wasn't heard in a timely manner as required by the ethics commission ordinance.
The ethics ordinance requires that a complaint filed within 60 days preceding an election must be heard within seven days after the complaint is filed. The complaint was filed Oct. 18, eight days prior to Friday's hearing.
"I have concerns with the make-up of the committee, but when you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about," Mr. Schwigen said. "This was a staged political stunt, and the committee saw it for what it was."
Commission chairman Tony Thorpe said politics shouldn't have been a concern for Mr. Schwigen.
"We needed to look at the complaint to see if there was sufficient evidence, and we did that," he said.
County board chairman Bohnsack said he looked for people who would be independent, fair and honest when he appointed the commission. He said he has known Mr. Thorpe as a fellow Democrat, while commissioner Ray Lohse is a solid Republican and that the third commissioner, Joe Koening, has an independent voting record.
Mr. Bohnsack said he followed the ordinance on whom to appoint, including no one who is related by blood or marriage to any county elected official and no more than two members of the commission belonging to the same political. Party affiliations are determined by affidavits submitted by the appointee.
Though the ethics ordinance was passed in 2004, the commissioners weren't appointed until the Oct. 17 board meeting, the day before Mr. Huff filed the complaint. The board approved the appointments.
"The rumblings I was hearing from both sides made me think we better get this done," Mr. Bohnsack said.
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