Some Powerful Reactions to Bob Morgan's Reinstatement of AJ Blake

From the thread over at Ben Holder's blog, a couple of particularly powerful comments, presumably from GPD officers:

Comment #27:

To AJ Blake, Joe, I used to tell people you were a good guy, a hard worker, and a good cop. We were actually friends and I've stood behind you on many things in the past. You have lost ALL of my respect and I can no longer say you were even a good cop. A good cop, even one who slips up and makes a bad decision in a drunken rage, doesn't join forces with Nelson Johnson and Jorge Cornell. That picture of you arm and arm with Jorge, grinning from ear to ear, is like spitting in my face and the face of every officer here. You never had a problem with me, you've never filed a complaint on me, you've known me a long time and know I see no color when it comes to human beings, you are a disgrace. Was it really worth selling your soul to the likes of those two when you know deep in your heart what you've done to your girlfriend and Lorraine. I guess you've convinced yourself by now it was self defense, if one tells themselves the same story enough times I guess they really believe it, but you know that you assaulted them both and there was no self defense about it. You don't deserve your LEO certification, back pay, or to ever stand by my side on a call. I too believe in forgiveness and second chances but you lost all that with your press conference, lies in court, and that awful picture. To my fellow GPD officers, isn't it time to unite and lower the racial tension that has plagued this department for so long? A boneheaded decision was made regarding AJ Blake and for once it had nothing to do with this administration (administrations in the past have also made horrible decisions) but for once an issue is at hand that I think EVERY officer here agrees on. And if you stand behind Blake you too are on your own and you can be his assist partner should he ever return to answering calls. Let's use this one thing that we all actually agree on to bring us together as a department. We can't do anything about the decision of one complete imbecile, Bob Morgan, but we can do something about how we treat each other. Don't let Blake's duping the judicial system stir up even more racial tension. We should all be on the same side, the side of doing right, of upholding the law, and of protecting our families and citizens of this city. Isn't that what you took an oath to do? If not, then go stand with Blake, you are just like him. To the man who had the courage to tell Blake exactly how we all feel when you came face to face with him yesterday, THANK YOU! And while you probably wanted to say much more, you actually had the decency not to cuss at him (even in THAT complaint Blake couldn't get the facts straight). That's all, just speaking my mind...too bad I can't sign my name, I'm afraid Blake will file a complaint on me too!

And comment #35:

This is a bad situation for everyone involved. I sincerely hope both the mayor and Chief Bellamy are reading these posts. You have the power to deny Blake a spot back in this Department. Do it, for his sake, for the Department's sake, for the City's sake, and most of all, the citizens' sake.

With all this talk of cleaning up the Department, allowing A.J. Blake to return would be a disservice. He has done a number of questionable things, things that would be considered wrong and suspect, even if he was not an officer of the law. To return his badge would be a blight upon this city, an embarrassment, a mistake.

Consider the comments of what are clearly my fellow officers- Officer Blake is likely to find trouble quickly upon his return, and a great number of officers will refuse to go to his aid or will take their time. That is unfortunate, because it is their job to go. But just as unfortunate was the decision to reinstate an officer who made many poor choices that got him in the position he faces now. Assaulting two different women, perjuring himself on the stand, aligning himself with the leader of a violent and dangerous gang, and demeaning his fellow officers, not to mention damaging the image of our Department. No, you put Officer Blake in great danger by allowing his return. You can stop it.

Daily I see stories or am accused of corruption by working for this Department. I was not here under prior administrations, I have no connections in the Department, I no nothing of Black Books. I am a hard-working, moral, and fair officer, and yet I cannot escape the past of my Department. I work hard to try to reverse that image, and so do many, many of the fine young officers who have with pride put on that badge and uniform. But with the stroke of a pen, it appears all for naught. To avoid a legal battle, to avoid being sued, you sacrifice all which those on the front lines have worked so hard to overcome. Long after you are all gone, we will still be paying for this decision. Will this be your legacy? Will you finally be able to unite the Department, against you?

I solemnly wish I could leave my name, that this didn't have to be an anonymous post, that I could leave my name for all to see without fear of reprimand or risk losing my job outright. I wish the good officers of the Greensboro Police Department could stand up and let their voices publicly be heard and counted, that the administration would consider our views before allowing this travesty to continue. I would hope those at the top would remember that the pyramid is only as strong as its base. The base has spoken- we cannot accept the return of A.J. Blake. We cannot stop it, but we cannot accept it.

Chief Bellamy, it is time for you to show why you were chosen as our leader- you signed his dismissal, stand up for yourself. Stand up for the Department. Stand up for the citizens- if you fail to do so, you will lose their support forever. They deserve better.

Comments

[Cyndy Hayworth]

Joe:

If I am not mistaken, doesn't the City Manager (Interim or not) receive his directives from the City Council? If that is the case, who on the City Council encouraged him to give Blake his job back...even overriding the Chief of Police?

I have a feeling that this is a never-ending story...unless someone steps up to the plate on this current City Council or the next (if any of the current are replaced). It's getting really ridiculous!

Cyndy

[Jonas]

Select City Council members knew of this decision. Do not be naive and think that an Interim City Manager made this decision alone. You can probably guess which members of the council were complicit in this decision. The problem is they made a decision that was not based on the facts. Just remember: the city of Greensboro and the police department do not certify officers in the state of NC. The Training and Standards Commission has the power to stop this train wreck. Any council member that allowed this to happen without performing due dilegence about the repurcussions should not be re-elected.

[Joe Guarino]

I agree, Jonas.

Does anyone out there know what it takes for the state Training and Standards Commission to get involved?

[Joe Guarino]

Cyndy, we do not know whether Morgan received input or directives from city council members or the mayor. But common sense tells us the unlikelihood of his taking this action without having consulted council members-- or at least without having consulted a "critical mass" from among the group of council members.

[Brandon Burgess]

If the chief and his officers really feel that this man is not fit to be on their team, then they need to let the public know, and let us know why.

[Cyndy Hayworth]

Joe:

I was being a little tongue-in-cheek and implying that there is a need to know WHO on the current City Council directed Morgan toward this decision. Of course I am not naive enough to think that Morgan made this decision without direction from his boss(s) (City Council).

I am thinking the answer from Council would be that they are privy to information that we do not have and that it will all eventually come out.

Well, I am going to go outside, sit in the middle of the street and wait on that information to be given!

Cyndy

[Cyndy Hayworth]

Joe:

After further information received, the City Council does not make personnel decisions and when a case is appealed, the City Manager has the authority to make the appeal decision. But...the City Council can question the decision made by the Manager.

But, I would have to think that a decision this big would have had to be discussed with someone on the Council. Although, I may be mistaken.

Either way, I feel that it's a step in the wrong direction.

Cyndy

[Jonas]

No the Council does not directly make personnel decisions. However, they knew this was coming. Certain members have been advised of the repurcussions of their usual stance of backing a city manager. The department is required to report any arrest of an officer to Training & Standards. The officer is legally required to do so. Google 12 NCAC 09B.0101(8). This requires all law enforcement officers in NC to report any criminal offense (and some traffic offenses) to the commission if they are arrested or charged within 30 days. They do not have to be convicted. If the officer fails to make the notification the commission can suspend, revoke, or deny law enforcement certification. I have been reading probable cause hearing notes from this year and have not yet found where Blake's incident was reported.

This is how uninformed our City Council has become. I think they like it that way so they can have plausible deniabilty. I want elected leaders and the city administration to make informed decisions. They keep making this town, especially in the law enforcement community, look like complete idiots.

[Linda P]

I sent an email to Mayor Johnson and all the city council asking that they resend the reinstatement of AJ Blake. Being a former city worker, I am ashamed of the people we have in office now. Greensboro has never been so dishonest with the people they propose to care about.

[Joe Guarino]

Linda P, I am glad you contacted Mayor Johnson and the other city council members. I appreciate your doing that, and I hope others do it as well.

Jonas, I appreciate that information. Do you know with any degree of certainty whether there has been any complaint filed with Training and Standards with respect to this officer this year; or if there are any plans to file complaint(s)?

[Jonas]

The department is encouraged to report his incident. The state law puts the onus on Blake to report within 30 days the arrest. Any citizen or person with knowledge can report the arrest. I predict Training & Standards will know sooner than later.

I agree with Joe and Linda. All of you bloggers need to take the opportunity to voice your concerns to the City Council. They work for us and it is time to stand up for the officers at the police department who turned in his actions the night of January 16 and for the gang unit that he continues to defame (thanks News & Record for removing his most recent defamatory, unsubstantiated comment from your website; too late though-it's already been documented what he said). If this Council thinks it is appropriate to force other officers to work with someone who has consorted with a validated gang member, then they need to go.