Laserfiche WebLink
Jr <br /> Page 2. <br /> Public Safety Committee <br /> reads "Officers shall conduct themselves at all times, both on and off duty <br /> in such a manner so as to reflect most favorably on the Department. Conduct <br /> unbecoming an officer shall include but not be limited to : G. Willful <br /> maltreatment of a citizen or prisoner. " The Board demoted Officer Allen <br /> to. a Corporal and suspended him from the force for thirty days with a <br /> forfeiture of pay in the amount of $1,265. 10, and that any "future similar <br /> charge against this officer will result in the consideration of his <br /> dismissal from the force. " <br /> Councilman Harris then called upon the Mayor. Mayor Parent thanked <br /> Councilman Harris for the meeting and stated that he preferred it to be <br /> open. He believed that a. much broader prospective of the situation was <br /> in order. Councilman Harris advised the Mayor "not to give a political <br /> speech" and to confine himself to the issue of the reassignement. Mayor <br /> Parent stated that he was concerned about how the . Administration of the Police <br /> Department was being preceived especially since this entire event was started <br /> by the news media. He believed that the overall aim would be for betterment <br /> of the Police Department. He then asked Mrs. Schwartz to give a detailed <br /> background of the facts surrounding Sgt. Allen. Mrs. Schwartz then passed out <br /> a brief summary of all of the events which specifically noted Sgt. Allen' s <br /> misconduct at an incident at the Red Door Club on May 10, 1979 and and <br /> incident involving the arrest of Craig M. Stevens June 17, 1977. A copy of <br /> this summary is attached. She further noted that the information regarding <br /> the Board of Public Safety' s involvement listed by the Council Attorney was <br /> correct and that the reassignment was a transfer and part of the day to day <br /> operations of the Police Department administration. <br /> Mr. Carr, President of the Board of Safety stated that the main issue <br /> was Officer Allen' s reputation and his conduct in dealing with persons. <br /> Excessive force basically means police brutality. Suspiciofts;. are raised <br /> in the black community and especially with the black youth. He believed <br /> the Chief of Police acted within his right since crime is on the increase. <br /> Rev. Dillis also believed that the Chief had the right to transfer <br /> Sgt. Allen. He was concerned about the possibility of double jeopardy if <br /> we look at what he has done since his disciplinary action. He should be able <br /> to serve anywhere within the Department. <br /> Councilman Voorde appreciated the clarification of the penalty imposed <br /> on the officer since many persons believed that the assignment to the Labortary <br /> was a part of the punishment, but it clearly was not. <br /> Gladys Muhammad of the YWCA voiced several concerns. She stated that <br /> someone should be accountable on ...iimproper conduct matters and specifically <br /> brought this to the attention of the Chief of Police and Mayor Parent. <br /> Councilman Beck voiced concern that the prior penalty was inadequate, <br /> but believed that the overall system does work. <br /> Councilman Harris stated that the article itself in the newspaper was <br /> a public complaint which needed attention. A meeting of this type brought all <br /> persons and information to the forefront. The Police Chief added that <br />