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NEWS > 09 April 2008

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Number of police facing charge
Botswana: Outgoing Police Commissioner, Mr Edwin Batshu, has raised concern regarding the high number of police officers currently on interdiction and facing criminal charges.

Addressing police personnel in Selibe Phikwe last week, he said the numbers stood at 56 by June 13 and that some of them have been on interdiction for years.

Mr Batshu said it is his wish that officers involved in criminal activities be tried as soon as possible, even if it meant fast tracking such cases for the sake of safeguarding the professionalism and integrity needed in the Botswana Police S... Read more

 Article sourced from

jbracken@morningjournal.com
09 April 2008
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Police chief speaks out

LORAIN -- At Monday's City Council meeting, Councilman-at-Large Dan Given demanded answers from Lorain police Chief Cel Rivera about the conduct of his officers.


Yesterday, Rivera said he was surprised to learn Given had chastised him. The chief said he discussed his improvement plans with Given during his short stint as safety-service director.

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Rivera noted, ''Six months ago the city was out of control with homicides, armed robberies and the beating of an elderly couple, and our officers worked very hard to catch those responsible and hold them accountable.

''Those guys worked very hard and the few that make bad decisions are taking away from the good work of the cops that come here and put their lives at risk every day to do good work.''

Given has asked that Rivera talk to City Council about disciplinary issues that involve several Lorain Police officers. Most notable are Stanley Marrero and Jesus Sanchez, who are both accused of sexual misconduct while on duty and are currently awaiting trial on criminal cases.

''I can't and won't go public and talk about disciplinary issues,'' Rivera said. ''Our lawyers forbid it. I can, however, talk about it in executive (closed door) session.''

Safety Director Phil Dore said he understands the public's frustration with police behaving inappropriately.

''It's unfortunate that a few individuals charged with inappropriate behavior or violations in policy are overshadowing the good the police department is doing,'' Dore said. ''The public is frustrated over the disciplinary procedures, but it takes a long time for these proceedings to be completed.''

Rivera said after a complaint is filed with the department by a citizen or a police officer, a supervisor or office of professional standards investigates the allegations. A recommendation for possible charges is then made to the chief for possible discipline and then a series of hearings with the officer take place.

''I have to decide the appropriate punishment,'' Rivera said. ''I look through their personnel file, consider mitigating circumstances, the damage the action has caused to the department, progressive punishment and gross misconduct. It takes a lot of time.''

Marrero and Sanchez have both been on an extensive paid administrative leave, an issue Given called into question. Rivera said when officers are fired, they usually get their job back through arbitration, a system that is ''corrupt and unfair,'' he said.

Regardless, because Marrero and Sanchez are both involved in criminal investigations they are not required to make a statement during the internal proceedings and thus would not receive proper due process. The department's hands are essentially tied until they are found guilty or innocent, he said.

Marrero was to appear for a disciplinary hearing, but it was postponed, Rivera said.

''It's not as simple as people think it is,'' he said. ''We're stretched. And the complex cases we're left to fend for ourselves.''

Ultimately, when it comes to the handful of officers who have recently been in trouble, Rivera said he was not aware the misconduct was happening.

''Somehow, other entities are not held accountable for their employees' action when they are off the job,'' he said. ''Some people use poor judgment, but the truth is, they are responsible for their actions because it was done without our knowledge or they were off-duty where we have no control over them.''

In addition to Marrero and Sanchez, officer Corey Earl has repeatedly been in trouble for incidents that stemmed from a divorce. He was disciplined for the incidents that occurred while on duty.

Dore maintains the chief is taking an active approach at handling discipline.

''Disciplinary actions are going forward accordingly,'' Dore said. ''It's a slow and tedious process and they want to make sure it is done properly.''

Rivera, frustrated, said the department has obtained a variety of grants and other funds to get the necessary equipment and programs to sustain a quality police force. They have done so, he said, without council's assistance or legal guidance.

When it comes to summer safety initiatives, Rivera said he would be more than happy to discuss the many programs, among them a recently obtained $300,000 federal grant to fight crime.

''We don't have the resources, and we're struggling to get the job done,'' he said. ''We have no legal support. Every piece of our equipment comes from the police levy. Everything we try to do we do with reduced manpower, just as officers in schools and the community resource officers.''

Dore said he and the Rivera will participate in a regular council committee meeting to discuss the development and delivery of other police programs for this summer to improve the city's safety.

 

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