Jerry Bledsoe's series in the Rhino Times continues with a discussion of the RMA report's characterization of the "secret police". The following will represent a listing of the false or misleading statements in the RMA Report on this topic, and Bledsoe's response:
1. The RMA Report indicated Special Intelligence had investigated officers outside of established written procedures.
In fact, written procedures existed that supported the use of Special Intelligence in these cases; and in fact, the Police Chief was given the final authority on these matters as a matter of procedure.
2. The RMA Report alleged that a consultant hired by Wray during 2005 had recommended written procedural changes with respect to how Special Intelligence (SI) should be handled; and RMA said the consultant claimed the division should only be used under extraordinary circumstances.
In fact, SI had only been used under extraordinary circumstances-- and particularly for cases in which leaks needed to be avoided. But the consultant did not recommend any major changes to SI policies and procedures, contrary to what RMA suggested. SI had been placed under the direction of the deputy chief (Randall Brady), and the consultant indicated a directive should spell out that the deputy chief was responsible for criminal investigations regarding employee misconduct. RMA failed to discuss the good things the consultant reported regarding the approaches Wray's command team had taken.
3. RMA suggested the decision to use "hire-backs" (like Randy Gerringer) may have been an effort to further secrecy.
But it was not. The unit was short-handed at the time. And RMA failed to provide any facts to support its contention.
4. RMA said switching SI to the direction of the deputy chief was intended to enhance secrecy. It further said there was a deliberate effort to keep Brady over this unit over a period of several years when he moved to different positions.
These claims were false. There were operational reasons SI was placed under the deputy chief. And there had been, in fact, a period when Brady did not oversee SI. The initial effort by SI to investigate James Hinson had been initiated by two black command officers.
Again, RMA provided no evidence of its assertions. RMA failed to discuss the other officers in SI (other than Scott Sanders) who had been involved; and did not even try to demonstrate why they would have willingly participated in improper activities.
Maybe Blake should hire RMA to uncover this mystery tape of Sanders plotting to rid the city of black and brown folks so that whites and pacific islanders can finally live in harmony.
Posted by: brandonB | August 21, 2009 at 07:27 PM