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Post by admin on Jun 18, 2008 10:41:58 GMT -5
Admin of this site has eyes and ears everywhere. This is not in the papers yet, but will be soon......
Latino Leadership Alliance to Release Report on Inadequacy of Police Complaint System
National Latino Peace Officers and Hispanic Directors Association
Partners in Study
For Immediate Release: June 16, 2008
The Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey (Monmouth Chapter) in partnership with the National Latino Peace Officers Association (New Jersey Chapter) and the Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey (HDANJ) will hold a press conference on the steps of the Monmouth County Courthouse at 11 a.m. on Monday June 23, 2008.
The subject of the press conference will be the inadequacy of the system used to file complaints against police officers for alleged improper or criminal behavior. The Latino Leadership Alliance commissioned a study on the police complaint process focusing on Monmouth County after a widely publicized incident in Freehold Borough. During the four-month study the three organizations compiled reports of complaints against police from every department in the county.
The report has implications for the statewide process and the groups are looking for partners to conduct a study that includes every police department in New Jersey.
“The data in this report leads one to wonder whether citizen concerns are
take very seriously at all and whether the review process is more about protecting police officers than protecting the public,” the report states.
Copies of the report, which offers 10 recommendations, will be distributed at the press conference.
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Post by richardkelsey on Jun 18, 2008 15:49:23 GMT -5
Groups like this exist for only two reasons. The first is political pandering by unscrupulous politicians. The second is weakness, frailty, and the fear of under-qualified, overwhelmed politicians.
Once it is hoisted on its on petard, and bolstered by the quasi-acceptance of governments, you see groups like this emerging with the cloak of legitimacy. It is only a cloak.
This organization is a malicious tumor to Freehold Borough. It hurts the cause of lawful immigrants, and its advocated policies probably result in the exploitation of illegal immigrants, often for the group's own political purposes.
Politically, and by any sensible person, it should be treated as if it has the Ebola virus and is hell bent on spreading the virus for the purpose of destruction.
For the numerous law-abiding, hard-working, intelligent, legal, Latinos in New Jersey, the tactics, ideology, and motives of this organization must be repugnant, in that it purports to be some form of "Latino" leadership.
If the LLA held a press conference at 12 noon today to announce that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow, I'd be forced to look to the west first in the morning just to be sure. If the sun did rise in the east, I'd be sure the next line of the press conference would be to tie that natural phenomenon to some form of racial prejudice.
That a group like this will hold a press conference is not a surprise. That anyone will cover it or listen to it, that is shocking.
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Post by croque monsieur on Jun 18, 2008 16:26:28 GMT -5
They should be reported to the feds as a hate group.
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Post by admin on Jun 19, 2008 7:28:47 GMT -5
What to watch for...
It seams that every time these guys make noise and beat up the town, they get something. The question is what will the governing body give away this time?
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Post by admin on Jun 23, 2008 8:22:37 GMT -5
Just a bump and reminder, today is the day of this press conference.
I will be there and will come back here with a fair assessment of what transpires.
Quite some time ago, I opined that the people who sued our town will do so again. I wonder if the issues surrounding todays event will be the catalyst for the next suit.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Jun 23, 2008 9:09:18 GMT -5
Just a bump and reminder, today is the day of this press conference. I will be there and will come back here with a fair assessment of what transpires. Quite some time ago, I opined that the people who sued our town will do so again. I wonder if the issues surrounding todays event will be the catalyst for the next suit. Is this a prediction? Why not have a press conference in front to Borough Hall, or FBPD HQ or the Hall of Records? The Court House does raise question! |
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Post by admin on Jun 23, 2008 9:16:57 GMT -5
Just a bump and reminder, today is the day of this press conference. I will be there and will come back here with a fair assessment of what transpires. Quite some time ago, I opined that the people who sued our town will do so again. I wonder if the issues surrounding todays event will be the catalyst for the next suit. Is this a prediction? Why not have a press conference in front to Borough Hall, or FBPD HQ or the Hall of Records? The Court House does raise question! We will see. considering past record of the LLA, caution must be used. But, who knows maybe they will actually have a valid point for once. Prediction? Hardly. Just a matter of time. With the way events unfolded surrounding the police incident, it is not far fetched to think some kind of suit will come out of it somewhere. Is today the day? |
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Post by admin on Jun 23, 2008 12:47:15 GMT -5
Just a quick report with more to follow later....
The title of this thread appears to be inaccurate. While Freehold Borough was mentioned, we were not the focus.
The LLA and friends are petitioning for the ten point recommendations at the county and state levels.
There were few people in attendance. Some were familiar faces who are sympathetic to the LLA and open borders crowd as well as the law suit against our town. There was one Libertarian party person from Somerset county who is sympathetic with the issues we heard about.
There were at least three participants from this site.
There was little in the way of media. If the APP was there, the reporter could not be identified. The News Transcript was not there. There was a least one radio station and Hispanic news reporters there. No television crews present.
I will post the details of what the ten points are and the stated goals of the LLA later on today.
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Post by admin on Jun 24, 2008 5:34:58 GMT -5
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/NEWS01/806240341/1285/LOCAL09&GID=tSNvyFhgl7IlufQImwsmpg26G24Zf8a11u3nxOFBoMc%3DLatino groups: Police need oversight Hispanic leader calls for police-citizen review boards FREEHOLD — A Latino outreach group believes citizen-police review boards should be established at the municipal level and residents should be able to go online to download forms to file an internal affairs complaint. The group also said departments should post guidelines for citizens, letting them know how to file complaints against police, and in areas with large, non-English-speaking populations, those procedures should be posted in other languages as well. Those recommendations were part of a report that was released Monday, after an examination of internal affairs statistics for municipal departments in Monmouth County, the first step in what activists hope will be a statewide review. The report's cover lists the authors as the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, Monmouth Chapter, the Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey, and the New Jersey chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association. However, late Monday afternoon, the Peace Officers group released a statement saying the report was neither generated nor sanctioned by that organization. During a news conference at the Monmouth County Courthouse, Frank Argote-Freyre, the director of the Alliance's Monmouth County chapter, said the report was not an effort to give police a black eye, but to make internal affairs procedures more transparent. "We need a pair of outside eyes," he said. "The system, to us, appears to be too closed." The review of the statistics was prompted by a case in Freehold, which involved a Puerto Rican woman and her teenage son, who were arrested during a motor vehicle stop in January, he said. Their supporters claim the officer used excessive force, however, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office closed its investigation after the woman and her son — on the advice of their attorney — refused to give a formal statement, authorities said in March. An internal affairs review of the matter is pending, according to the police chief. According to the report, from 2001 to 2007: There were 387 complaints of excessive force countywide, with 11 substantiated. There were 293 complaints about differential treatment, with 12 sustained. There were more than 1,600 complaints by police administrators against subordinates, with more than half sustained. Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said more than a decade ago, his office became one of the first in the state to create a unit dedicated to investigate allegations of criminal conduct by law enforcement personnel. He said his department takes such allegations very seriously, and a number of local officers have been charged criminally over the years, but investigators also have found the vast majority of complaints made against police are without merit. Valentin also noted that during his office's outreach sessions in communities throughout the county, speakers tell residents about procedures for filing complaints, but, he said, having visited every local department in the county, he has found officers who take their responsibilities seriously. "I'm particularly proud of the courageous work being done by police officers throughout the county, who work tirelessly to ensure all that all citizens are protected under the law," he said. Staff writer Kim Predham contributed to this story.
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Jun 24, 2008 9:00:02 GMT -5
According to the report, from 2001 to 2007:
There were 387 complaints of excessive force countywide, with 11 substantiated.
There were 293 complaints about differential treatment, with 12 sustained.There were more than 1,600 complaints by police administrators against subordinates, with more than half sustained. So let me get this straight... They are saying that the process for reporting abuse by police is too complicated, and yet there were 387 reported instances of excessive force in the last 7 years (works out to just slightly over 1 per week) and 293 reports of preferential treatment (just under 1 per week)...that sounds like a fairly decent number of reports, especially when you throw in the additional 1,600 reports by police administrators about their subordinates (that number works out to around 4 per week). Perhaps the LLA is trying to insinuate that the the police in Monmouth County and throughout New Jersey are so out of control that they are using excessive force every day??? Next, look at the number of reports that are actually substantiated...11 out of 387 and 12 out of 293...roughly 3%...3%!!! I don't blame the police if they are somewhat skeptical of other complaints that come in to their office if the number of substantiated complaints is only 3%!!!! Why don't we start educating people about the fact that just because you think a police officer didn't treat you with tender loving care, doesn't mean they used excessive force or preferential treatment?? Then we see that this whole thing sprung from the case here in Freehold back several months ago...that's right...the case of Police Brutality which brought protesters to our town to march against the Freehold Police for their alleged use of excessive force. The article phrased it perfectly..."Their(the alleged victims) supporters claim the officer used excessive force"...but when it came time for these poor abused people to tell their side of the story, their lawyer supposedly told them to keep quiet...which still baffles me to this day. If you were abused, why would you keep quiet after creating such an uproar? The only reason I can think of is, it was all just another unsubstantiated claim. So this whole press conference was stimulated by an event that no one has proven ever really happened...this stinks of the typical slander that groups like the LLA are notorious for...throw out one side of a story and label police and officials as racist, biased, and uncaring towards certain portions of the community. Heaven forbid they deal in facts, that would be too difficult and wouldn't give them nearly as much ammunition as mere allegations. But the best part of this whole story, in my eyes, was seeing that one of the groups that was supposedly involved in this whole report, the New Jersey chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers, went out of their way to distance themselves from this report and this press conference by stating that they had nothing to do with the report. Once again...the LLA deals in "supposedly" and "allegedly" rather than fact. |
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Post by admin on Jun 24, 2008 10:34:37 GMT -5
"late Monday afternoon, the Peace Officers group released a statement saying the report was neither generated nor sanctioned by that organization."
It wasn't until I read Andrew's post that I went back and picked up on this. I had heard about this discrepancy and did not know what to make of it.
What made this claim stranger, there was a person, whose name eludes me, who claimed to be from the Peace Officers group. Even stranger, this guy looked younger than me and said he was retired.
It will be interesting to see how this alleged endorsement plays out.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Jun 24, 2008 10:51:34 GMT -5
According to the report, from 2001 to 2007:
There were 387 complaints of excessive force countywide, with 11 substantiated.
There were 293 complaints about differential treatment, with 12 sustained.There were more than 1,600 complaints by police administrators against subordinates, with more than half sustained. But the best part of this whole story, in my eyes, was seeing that one of the groups that was supposedly involved in this whole report, the New Jersey chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers, went out of their way to distance themselves from this report and this press conference by stating that they had nothing to do with the report. Once again...the LLA deals in "supposedly" and "allegedly" rather than fact. When is comes to Law enforcement; wherever and whenever poor enforcement and departmental wrong doing is proven with facts, these situations must be remediated quickly to eliminate any imminent harm to our citizenry as well as to preserve the CREDIBILITY of the department. something I touched on yesterday...When the public is lead down path of false accusation, using the example of officer Steven Pagones..., reputations must be protected before all the facts are PROVEN otherwise communities, careers as well as families risk unalterable ruin. Has Al Sharpton ever apologize to Steven Pagones for ruining his life with the Tawana Brawley incident? No one enjoys being stopped by an officer. It is easy to complain about what seems to be unfair treatment after an engagement with law enforcement. I have experience this myself! Never lose sight that all police deserve to be respected, just as every honest law biding civilians deserves respect from our Law Enforcement. The Officers I know and have met, that serve OUR community, take their jobs seriously. Our Borough Patrol officers should be proud in the way they perform their duty, how they make every effort in helping all residents and visitors, how they contribute in creating a safe living environment for Freehold Borough, even under difficult conditions! I say, get to know these people in uniform...be as friendly to them as you expect from them to you! Rather than a single focus on seeking visibility for disciplinary review proceeding...I say We need greater focus on “Situation Avoidance” and that WILL diminish senseless civilian – police situations. Trust is the smartest path to eliminate civilian complaints. Supporting the Officer on the Street and Building a "Bridge of Trust" Any honest lawful citizen can only agree...! |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Jun 24, 2008 11:14:00 GMT -5
"late Monday afternoon, the Peace Officers group released a statement saying the report was neither generated nor sanctioned by that organization."It wasn't until I read Andrew's post that I went back and picked up on this. I had heard about this discrepancy and did not know what to make of it. What made this claim stranger, there was a person, whose name eludes me, who claimed to be from the Peace Officers group. Even stranger, this guy looked younger than me and said he was retired. It will be interesting to see how this alleged endorsement plays out. Brian,. get used to it, your getting old like me, there are retired people that are younger than us......  Anyway...http://www.njnlpoa.org/mission_statement.htm If you remember the intro...he was "with" the njnlpoa, not introduced as "Representing" ..., Misleading? Mater of opinion I guess. About the turnout...I counted 10 people plus the press (App, that shore radio station, the Breeze, and some Latino press representative.) During the Q&A advocate supporter attorney Jacqueline Biddle stepped out of the court house and chimed in with responses to a few "Q"'s too. |
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Post by admin on Jun 24, 2008 11:17:23 GMT -5
"late Monday afternoon, the Peace Officers group released a statement saying the report was neither generated nor sanctioned by that organization."It wasn't until I read Andrew's post that I went back and picked up on this. I had heard about this discrepancy and did not know what to make of it. What made this claim stranger, there was a person, whose name eludes me, who claimed to be from the Peace Officers group. Even stranger, this guy looked younger than me and said he was retired. It will be interesting to see how this alleged endorsement plays out. Brian,. get used to it, your getting old like me, there are retired people that are younger than us...... Anyway...http://www.njnlpoa.org/mission_statement.htm If you remember the intro...he was "with" the njnlpoa, not introduced as "Representing" ..., Misleading? Mater of opinion I guess. About the turnout...I counted 10 people plus the press (App, that shore radio station, the Breeze, and some Latino press representative.) During the Q&A advocate supporter attorney Jacqueline Biddle and chimed in response to a few "Q"'s I guess this is where we have to be specific and define"is"  AS far as the age thing, I am only 37! Can I retire? I get to sponge off you tax payers if I do. ;D |
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apple
Novice
Just Eat the Apple
Posts: 21 
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Post by apple on Jun 27, 2008 11:15:05 GMT -5
exactly how was the Borough attacked by the notorious LLA this week, please explain. The LLA reports of one complaint that was in the press months ago. Is that your attack?
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Post by admin on Jun 27, 2008 13:24:58 GMT -5
exactly how was the Borough attacked by the notorious LLA this week, please explain. The LLA reports of one complaint that was in the press months ago. Is that your attack? Go back and read everything. For starters, here are a couple of quotes from me that will answer your question. The title of this thread appears to be inaccurate. While Freehold Borough was mentioned, we were not the focus. The LLA and friends are petitioning for the ten point recommendations at the county and state levels. In other words, Apple, I may have jumped the gun with the title of this thread. But, who can blame me considering the long history of hatred and hostility that the good people of this town have been on the receiving end of from the open borders crowd? On the same note as above, in many off line conversations I have had, many people are waiting for the other shoe to drop. |
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apple
Novice
Just Eat the Apple
Posts: 21
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Post by apple on Jun 28, 2008 8:32:30 GMT -5
Administrator Brian wrote; The title of this thread appears to be inaccurate. While Freehold Borough was mentioned, we were not the focus. In other words, Apple, I may have jumped the gun with the title of this thread. You certainly did. You want another reason for people to stay angry? Casual Reader along with many other readers I know agree that as of today "The LLA Attacks Freehold Borough again" is a non event. If you must editorialize, until the "other shoe" drops simply change the the name of this thread to "The Freehold Voice Administrator awaits The LLA Attack to Freehold Borough again". When, (if ever) the shoe drops you earned the right to post a big proud I told you so. "The LLA Attacks Freehold Borough again" heading only stokes a flame when we don't need the extra heat. Remember Prime Time. Your turn to bite into the apple, the Microphone is all yours now. ( Of course here comes the silly little notorious smite trolls because you cant handle constructive criticism like adults ) |
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Post by admin on Jun 28, 2008 15:02:04 GMT -5
Administrator Brian wrote; The title of this thread appears to be inaccurate. While Freehold Borough was mentioned, we were not the focus. In other words, Apple, I may have jumped the gun with the title of this thread. You certainly did. You want another reason for people to stay angry? Casual Reader along with many other readers I know agree that as of today "The LLA Attacks Freehold Borough again" is a non event. If you must editorialize, until the "other shoe" drops simply change the the name of this thread to "The Freehold Voice Administrator awaits The LLA Attack to Freehold Borough again". When, (if ever) the shoe drops you earned the right to post a big proud I told you so. "The LLA Attacks Freehold Borough again" heading only stokes a flame when we don't need the extra heat. Remember Prime Time. Your turn to bite into the apple, the Microphone is all yours now. ( Of course here comes the silly little notorious smite trolls because you cant handle constructive criticism like adults ) Apple, my favorite little fruit, I chose to exalt you. That exalt will hold until someone smites you, but I gave you a big on line hug. I can appreciate and respect your fair minded critique of my "editorializing. " Trust me, I am man enough to take the heat and admit when I jumped the gun, or when I may be wrong. It is for that reason I an not going to change the title. Let people make up their own minds and see if I am wrong. AS you said, we are adults and we should be able to take the constructive criticism like adults. As I have said to CR before, bring it on! Just don't forget, I corrected myself before you got to me. ;D I would hope that you would be kind enough not to hold the editorial against me, that is what the site is for- peoples opinions and perspectives. I hold that in the highest value on this site. Yes, it is news based, but, what people have to say about issues is what counts. That is why this is called the "Freehold Voice". None of us are always right, though some are always wrong.  ( kidding) If I recall, your very first post was one hell of an editorial, and I welcome it. It was a good and respectful first post from you. The bottom line, Apple my sweet fruit, your civil and fair minded rebuttal to me is very welcome. The civil dissent you have demonstrated is a good example of how to do it right.  |
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Post by casualreader on Jun 29, 2008 16:13:36 GMT -5
Apple Dude:
You have to understand something about the psychosis of this board to understand Brian's dude's inappropriate subject heading.
The Freehold Voice, particularly when it was known as the "PEOPLE Board" was obssessed with the LLA. Freydude, the Laz, and the Great Baldwin were the subject of constant vigilance by the wackos that used to post here.
The board still suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. After years of conflict even the mention of the LLA or Casa Freehold brings back painful flashbacks of conflict.
Some of the posters remember protest marches and angry brown people shouting "Si Se Puede." They blame those dark times on the LLA and Casa Freehold.
Even worse, they are still fighting that battle. Some members of the Freehold Voice long for that old conflict. It gives them a reason to wake up in the morning.
They want nothing more than the LLA to attack the borough so they can get on their white horses and champion the cause of anti-immigration.
And, remember Apple this is an election year and you can be sure that all of these candidates will in one way or another bash the hard-working immigrant community.
Apple you can bet that the immigrants will be attacked -- oh say sometime in late September or early October.
I predict right now -- If it does not happen I will reveal my identity on election night in front of the Hall of Records.
But, sadly Apple -- Casual will be right again. My identity will be safe.
Things are quiet now -- no attacks on the brown folks. -- But, they are coming and when the immigrants and advocates defend themselves -- want to guess who will be blamed?
Casually Predicting the Future
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Post by admin on Jun 29, 2008 17:04:29 GMT -5
Apple Dude: You have to understand something about the psychosis of this board to understand Brian's dude's inappropriate subject heading. The Freehold Voice, particularly when it was known as the "PEOPLE Board" was obssessed with the LLA. Freydude, the Laz, and the Great Baldwin were the subject of constant vigilance by the wackos that used to post here. The board still suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. After years of conflict even the mention of the LLA or Casa Freehold brings back painful flashbacks of conflict. Some of the posters remember protest marches and angry brown people shouting "Si Se Puede." They blame those dark times on the LLA and Casa Freehold. Even worse, they are still fighting that battle. Some members of the Freehold Voice long for that old conflict. It gives them a reason to wake up in the morning. They want nothing more than the LLA to attack the borough so they can get on their white horses and champion the cause of anti-immigration. And, remember Apple this is an election year and you can be sure that all of these candidates will in one way or another bash the hard-working immigrant community. Apple you can bet that the immigrants will be attacked -- oh say sometime in late September or early October. I predict right now -- If it does not happen I will reveal my identity on election night in front of the Hall of Records. But, sadly Apple -- Casual will be right again. My identity will be safe. Things are quiet now -- no attacks on the brown folks. -- But, they are coming and when the immigrants and advocates defend themselves -- want to guess who will be blamed? Casually Predicting the Future Poor CR! Just when I thought we had him better trained to act human, he spews this nonsense. And then wonders why his karma is so bad! What a pity. |
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Post by admin on Jun 29, 2008 17:06:09 GMT -5
almost missed this, and check out the comments on the APP link.... www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080628/OPINION01/806280342/1029Broaden focus of reviewA recent report written by Latino leaders in Monmouth County makes a number of recommendations for increasing oversight of complaints by people of color against police. Some of the recommendations warrant further study. But if they are acted upon, they should apply to the public at large, not just minority groups. According to the Monmouth County chapter of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, which contributed to the report, outside eyes are needed to review alleged incidents of racial profiling, excessive force and bias in Monmouth's police departments. We disagree with its recommendation for citizen-police review boards at the municipal level. The county Prosecutor's Office would be better equipped to establish a review process for reported incidents of police abuse. Many of the key points made by the Latino leaders bear consideration, however, including: — Developing a citizens' rights document that outlines how complaints against law-enforcement personnel can be filed and posting that document in every police station. — Making police complaint forms available to the public on the Web and establishing a toll-free hotline through the prosecutor's office. — Creating a centralized, countywide database to keep track of complaints filed against individual departments. — Training police dispatchers on the citizen complaint process. — Publishing an annual report that makes public the outcome of reviews. — Providing Spanish-speaking personnel (or an individual fluent in another second language common in the community) for any translation needs. These measures not only would increase the transparency of the legal process, they would help ensure accountability. That process should begin and end with the county Prosecutor's Office. |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Jun 30, 2008 8:27:29 GMT -5
— Developing a citizens' rights document that outlines how complaints against law-enforcement personnel can be filed and posting that document in every police station. — Making police complaint forms available to the public on the Web and establishing a toll-free hotline through the prosecutor's office. — Creating a centralized, countywide database to keep track of complaints filed against individual departments. — Training police dispatchers on the citizen complaint process. — Publishing an annual report that makes public the outcome of reviews. — Providing Spanish-speaking personnel (or an individual fluent in another second language common in the community) for any translation needs. These measures not only would increase the transparency of the legal process, they would help ensure accountability. That process should begin and end with the county Prosecutor's Office. I was at this "Media Event". one of the "Presenters" was Martin Perez, Esq. LLA of New Jersey President. As the team of organizer/presenters claimed how the lack of transparency of the civilian complaint "legal process" is a serious statewide problem....I wondered why was this proposal not presented on the steps of the State House, or in democratic controlled Camden County, Mercer County or Essex County were the more bountifully supply of civilian complaints against Law Enforcement would appear to be seriously compelling. Testimony of Martin Perez Esq., President The Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey Before The Advisory Committee on Police Standards April 26, 2007 www.state.nj.us/acps/home/hearings/pdf/070426_mperez.pdf |
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Post by richardkelsey on Jun 30, 2008 11:26:36 GMT -5
I predict right now -- If it does not happen I will reveal my identity on election night in front of the Hall of Records. But, sadly Apple -- Casual will be right again. My identity will be safe. Oh please let me do it instead. |
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Post by admin on Jun 30, 2008 11:54:34 GMT -5
Fiber wrote,
I was at this "Media Event". one of the "Presenters" was Martin Perez, Esq. LLA of New Jersey President.
As the team of organizer/presenters claimed how the lack of transparency of the civilian complaint "legal process" is a serious statewide problem....I wondered why was this proposal not presented on the steps of the State House, or in democratic controlled Camden County, Mercer County or Essex County were the more bountifully supply of civilian complaints against Law Enforcement would appear to be seriously compelling.[/color]
If I remember correctly, Frank mentioned this is state wide for multiple reasons. Yes, the Freehold incident is what got this issue going locally. It may have been my perception, but, I got the impression that Frank was intentionally trying to make clear that the reason for this being at our court house is because his chapter of the LLA, Monmouth County, is who is starting this initiative.
Should this have been on other court house steps or Trenton? Sure, and I judging by what was said, they will get theirs.
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Post by admin on Jul 1, 2008 18:48:13 GMT -5
I did not see this topic covered in this weeks News Transcript. I admit, that is a surprise. I think the entire press event was covered more here than anywhere.
Speaking of the News Transcript, there are a number of very good, positive stories about our town this week. That is a good thing. I am sure some of those articles will find their way to this site over the course of the week.
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Post by novillero on Jul 15, 2008 20:54:55 GMT -5
Groups want better look at complaints vs. police BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer Calling for more transparency in the way that complaints against police officers are reported to the public, three advocacy groups have issued recommendations they believe can begin to improve the situation. Complaints made by members of the public against police officers may range from alleged improper behavior to alleged criminal behavior. The three organizations that brought this issue to the attention of the public during a recent press conference in Freehold Borough were the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, the Latino Peace Officers Association and the Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey. Those organizations compiled a study on police complaint procedures, focusing on Monmouth County, after a recent incident in Freehold Borough. In that Jan. 29 incident, a Freehold Township woman who was arrested along with her teenage son alleged that a Freehold Borough police officer used inappropriate force against them while making the arrests. Advocates for the woman's family charged that the police officer involved in the incident "took part in racial profiling, brutality and discrimination." A press release from the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey identified the woman who was involved in that incident as Puerto Rican. According to Frank Argote-Freyre, the chairman of the Monmouth County Chapter of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office has since concluded its criminal investigation and declined to press charges against the Freehold Borough officer because of a lack of evidence. According to Freehold Borough Police Chief Mitchell Roth, an internal administrative investigation is still ongoing, but the officer, Patrolman Chris Colaner, is no longer on administrative duty. Roth said he is back on full-time patrol duties. "Since being back on patrol full-time, Patrolman Colaner is performing his duties in an exceptional manner," the chief said. Argote-Freyre said the examination of the complaints lodged against Monmouth County police departments "is not an effort to devalue the enormous contribution the men and women in law enforcement make to our nation and state every day. This is part of an effort to make the police department more transparent and more friendly to the public. We strongly believe there needs to be someone outside the law enforcement community with access to the complaints filed against the police - a pair of outside eyes. The system is too closed." The recommendations made by the advocacy groups include a citizen-police review board at the municipal level; the development of a citizens rights document that would be posted in a visible location in every police department in the state and throughout communities, in English and in other languages; the availability of police complaint forms on municipal government Internet Web sites; a county-wide complaint data base to keep track of complaints at each police department; and a community outreach program to educate the public, especially the immigrant community, as to what their civil rights are. The inquiry into complaints filed against police officers tried to determine the frequency of allegations of excessive force and racial discrimination by police officers, according toArgote-Freyre. The study was also expanded to review all citizen complaints against every municipal police agency in Monmouth County for the period 2001-2007. "We requested data from the 47 municipal police departments in the county," Argote Freyre said. According to Argote-Freyre and the report, most of the police departments "are not in compliance with reporting requirements mandated by the Attorney General. Of the 47 departments reviewed, only seven correctly filed Internal Affairs Annual Summary Reports." Argote-Freyre said he is hoping that a similar study will be conducted on a statewide basis. He said the Monmouth County study used official Internal Affairs Annual Summary Reports from each agency for the seven-year time frame. According to a press release provided by the advocacy groups, "The general picture that emerges from the investigation is not one that reflects well on the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office or many of the local departments." According to Argote-Freyre, the study revealed there were 387 complaints of excessive force filed against police officers in Monmouth County between 2001 and 2007. Of those 387 complaints, 11 officers were held accountable. With differential treatment complaints at 293 for the same time period, 12 complaints were sustained. There were 318 complaints of alleged criminal behavior by police officers in Monmouth County between 2001 and 2007 and 20 were sustained by the internal police investigative process. Meanwhile, of the more than 1,600 complaints by police administrators against subordinates, more than 50 percent of those cases were sustained. Argote-Freyre said he knows that this is "not the end of the conversation regarding this issue. It is a beginning." He said advocates will continue to monitor the situation. To that end, the organizations that compiled the study have established a Web page where the result of every police department in Monmouth County can be reviewed. The Internet address is www.monmouthcountypolice.com. newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0716/front_page/006.html
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Post by concerned on Jul 18, 2008 10:15:51 GMT -5
Why is FF always willing to stand up, investigate and run his mouth in regards to every law, and procedure involving law enforcement except for those involving the federal immigration laws of this country. Here's a clue; you have zero credibility.
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( kidding)
