Post by admin on Feb 14, 2008 5:49:20 GMT -5
Found in the Asbury Park Press
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080214/OPINION/802140629/1001/NEWSFRONT
Over the past week, allegations have been made against the Freehold Borough Police Department regarding police brutality. Some were made formally while others were made at various meetings.
The Feb. 2 Press story "Arrest spurs brutality complaint" reported the arrests of a 15-year-old boy and his mother in an incident after a motor vehicle stop that the woman said resulted in police brutality against her and her son. Police said the boy hit one officer and that another was injured in trying to subdue him.
Maintaining the public trust is paramount for any modern-day police department. In response to the allegations, we have launched a full investigation that will be conducted by command staff within our agency. We also contacted the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and requested that office conduct an independent investigation, which has since begun.
At this point, all we have are allegations. Every citizen has the right to due process and should be presumed innocent. Police officers are no different. It's disappointing and disheartening to read and hear some of the conclusions that have been drawn so prematurely.
Freehold Borough is a wonderful and diverse town, which we all celebrate as the snapshot of small-town America. Our officers interact, quite successfully, with people of all backgrounds on a regular basis. However, the picture that some have been painting of our department is not true.
In the past 12 months alone, we have been involved in numerous cooperative programs working with black churches, Hispanic groups and other community entities. We have an officer assigned full time to community relations functions. Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) classes are held several times each week at three different schools.
In an effort to expand our already diverse agency, we recently reached out to local churches and groups with information on the upcoming police entrance exam to encourage people of diverse backgrounds to consider a career in law enforcement. We even held a recruitment open house manned by more than a dozen officers to help those not familiar with the process.
We have responded to every request for a speaker or presentation, even if it meant extending ourselves under unfavorable conditions.
Other efforts have included the hiring of more bilingual officers, assigning an officer to sit on the community relations panel, co-op programs with the YMCA, bicycle safety seminars in English and Spanish, the annual Santa Train event, National Night Out, our upcoming Youth Police Academy and the list continues.
While helping the community falls within our purview, so does keeping the community safe. Last year, our 32-officer department effected almost 1,100 arrests ranging from simple warrants to homicide.
Whether warranted, frivolous or as a result of perception or misunderstanding, excessive force complaints are a fact of life for any police department. Balancing community outreach with crime prevention, enforcement and investigation can invariably lead to disputes between the police and those with whom they interact in the performance of their duties.
The police officers who serve Freehold are professional and well-trained. They are a dedicated group of individuals committed to keeping this community safe for all people. Our officers are trained to treat every person fairly and with respect. They successfully carry out their duties on a daily basis.
The least we can do for these officers is guarantee that their rights will be protected when faced with an accusation.
Despite what some have said, our commitment to Freehold Borough is firm and constantly evolving as our Freehold evolves. We will always fight to protect the rights of our citizens and ensure that Freehold is a safe place to raise a family.
Mitch Roth is chief of the Freehold Borough Police Department.
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080214/OPINION/802140629/1001/NEWSFRONT
Over the past week, allegations have been made against the Freehold Borough Police Department regarding police brutality. Some were made formally while others were made at various meetings.
The Feb. 2 Press story "Arrest spurs brutality complaint" reported the arrests of a 15-year-old boy and his mother in an incident after a motor vehicle stop that the woman said resulted in police brutality against her and her son. Police said the boy hit one officer and that another was injured in trying to subdue him.
Maintaining the public trust is paramount for any modern-day police department. In response to the allegations, we have launched a full investigation that will be conducted by command staff within our agency. We also contacted the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and requested that office conduct an independent investigation, which has since begun.
At this point, all we have are allegations. Every citizen has the right to due process and should be presumed innocent. Police officers are no different. It's disappointing and disheartening to read and hear some of the conclusions that have been drawn so prematurely.
Freehold Borough is a wonderful and diverse town, which we all celebrate as the snapshot of small-town America. Our officers interact, quite successfully, with people of all backgrounds on a regular basis. However, the picture that some have been painting of our department is not true.
In the past 12 months alone, we have been involved in numerous cooperative programs working with black churches, Hispanic groups and other community entities. We have an officer assigned full time to community relations functions. Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) and Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) classes are held several times each week at three different schools.
In an effort to expand our already diverse agency, we recently reached out to local churches and groups with information on the upcoming police entrance exam to encourage people of diverse backgrounds to consider a career in law enforcement. We even held a recruitment open house manned by more than a dozen officers to help those not familiar with the process.
We have responded to every request for a speaker or presentation, even if it meant extending ourselves under unfavorable conditions.
Other efforts have included the hiring of more bilingual officers, assigning an officer to sit on the community relations panel, co-op programs with the YMCA, bicycle safety seminars in English and Spanish, the annual Santa Train event, National Night Out, our upcoming Youth Police Academy and the list continues.
While helping the community falls within our purview, so does keeping the community safe. Last year, our 32-officer department effected almost 1,100 arrests ranging from simple warrants to homicide.
Whether warranted, frivolous or as a result of perception or misunderstanding, excessive force complaints are a fact of life for any police department. Balancing community outreach with crime prevention, enforcement and investigation can invariably lead to disputes between the police and those with whom they interact in the performance of their duties.
The police officers who serve Freehold are professional and well-trained. They are a dedicated group of individuals committed to keeping this community safe for all people. Our officers are trained to treat every person fairly and with respect. They successfully carry out their duties on a daily basis.
The least we can do for these officers is guarantee that their rights will be protected when faced with an accusation.
Despite what some have said, our commitment to Freehold Borough is firm and constantly evolving as our Freehold evolves. We will always fight to protect the rights of our citizens and ensure that Freehold is a safe place to raise a family.
Mitch Roth is chief of the Freehold Borough Police Department.
