| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"stoney" |
| Date: |
12 Jan 2006 09:36:24 PM |
| Object: |
OT: Official: Wray hid 'black book’ {Greensboro} |
http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060111/NEWSREC0101/60111001/1001/NEWSREC0201
Official: Wray hid 'black book’
By Eric J.S. Townsend and Eric Swensen
Staff Writers
Article published Jan 11, 2006
GREENSBORO — Former police Chief David Wray misled city leaders when he
covered up the actions of a “secret police” unit that targeted black
officers for unfair internal investigation, Greensboro officials said.
Part of the cover-up included the hiding of a “black book” that
contained photos of at least 19 African American officers, officials
said late Tuesday. The book was eventually recovered by investigators
probing allegations of misconduct within the Greensboro Police
Department.
And a black lieutenant whose claims of racism triggered seven months of
controversy in the department returns to work today , his record cleared
of unfounded criminal charges.
City Manager Mitchell Johnson disclosed during a news conference partial
findings of an internal probe into actions Wray and the Greensboro
police Special Intelligence Section took. He did so after a unanimous
vote by the City Council to make the information public.
Johnson described the “black book” as a police lineup used by Special
Intelligence, but he provided few details about its exact use by the
five-officer squad.
“The activities of this unit and its continued pursuit of unproven,
previously investigated and unsubstantiated charges against certain
African American officers created an atmosphere of fear, distrust and
suspicion, which undermined the department’s morale and efficiency,” he
said.
Johnson also said Wray violated North Carolina’s Personnel Privacy Act
and may have inappropriately negotiated with the Greensboro Police
Officers Association.
Wray resigned Monday. Efforts to reach him late Tuesday for comment were
unsuccessful.
Assistant Chief Tim Bellamy has been named Greensboro’s acting chief.
“If I was a black officer, I would certainly feel targeted,” Johnson
said. “Whether it represents systematic racism or simply very poor
decision making ... is yet to be determined.”
Johnson said he has not spoken with Wray since Friday, when the locks to
the chief’s office were changed after a meeting between the two men.
The city manager had given Wray the weekend to explain what was in the
report — and told the chief he would face administrative leave beginning
Monday “unless he was able to present information which would place the
totality of the report in doubt.”
“Our discussions have not included an apology for these particular
issues,” Johnson said Tuesday in response to questions from the media.
“He has expressed regret for what happened under his watch.”
Wray faxed a letter to media from a local FedEx Kinko’s explaining his
resignation.
“Certain events during the last several months have created
controversy,” Wray said in the letter. “During this period I have at all
times acted in what I believed to be the best interest of the department
and the community, attempting to find balance between a number of
conflicting interests.
“The result, however, is that the city manager and some others have lost
confidence and trust in my ability to lead. This is my great regret.”
The investigation, which has cost $70,000 so far, found Wray misled the
public and city leaders about Lt. James Hinson when he publicly implied
in June that Hinson was part of a drug investigation.
Hinson went public June 10 with accusations that Special Intelligence
was targeting him. He had spotted officers from the squad trailing him
during his shift the evening of June 3.
Wray hosted a news conference June 17 after placing Hinson on paid
leave. During that event, the chief said he was unable to address the
allegations sooner because of an ongoing drug investigation
“wide-ranging in nature” and with “far-reaching geographic and subject
matter implications.”
But Johnson said Tuesday that Wray knew before that news conference that
Hinson had been cleared of criminal wrongdoing in 2003 and
administrative wrongdoing in 2004.
Hinson could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. He did not return
a message left on his cell phone.
Reactions to Johnson’s disclosures were immediate.
“It’s going to take a little bit of digesting,” said Eddy Summers,
president of the 410-officer Greensboro Police Officers Association.
“This appears to have only touched upon one allegation that has been
rumored around the department.”
Summers said other internal affairs investigations had been altered
during Wray’s tenure. Johnson acknowledged he has yet to review a second
report that details other improprieties; he declined to provide
additional details.
Two other high-ranking officers retired without notice the week after
Thanksgiving, immediately after their interviews with the consultants
assisting city staff with the investigation, Johnson said.
Employee personnel records are generally confidential under state law.
But a city manager can release information about an employee’s job
status and reasons for change if elected officials concur and it “is
essential to maintaining public confidence in the administration of city
services.”
Greensboro council members said they authorized Johnson to release the
information to clear up misinformation and rumors.
Councilwoman Sandy Carmany said she heard a lot of criticism of
Johnson’s decisions and how he conducted the investigation, as well as
rumors that the Wray investigation was to appease officers unhappy with
his implementation of rotating shifts.
Mayor Keith Holliday said it was important to release information
because of “the loss of trust and faith in the police department and the
chief.”
“To have the chief make his own disclosure — it left too many unanswered
questions,” he said.
City leaders interviewed after the news conference Tuesday said the
findings troubled them. But they added they were pleased with Johnson’s
efforts to look into the situation.
Greensboro staff has spent an estimated 1,100 hours on the
investigation.
“It was very disturbing, but I am pleased with this administration for
not trying to hide it ... but to try to correct it,” Councilwoman Yvonne
Johnson said.
Carmany said she was disappointed in the report’s findings, especially
given her close ties to the department — her husband retired from it six
years ago.
But she said the investigation affirms “nobody is going to be above the
law.”
Contact Eric J.S. Townsend at 373-7008 or
Contact Eric Swensen at 373-7351 or
MORE ONLINE
Click here to read City Manager Mitchell Johnson's statement.
INDEPTH:
Click here to read stories and documents concerning the Greensboro
Police Department in the wake of David Wray's resignation as chief Jan.
9 and a probe concerning allegations of department misconduct.
Copyright © 2006
The News & Record
and Landmark Communications, Inc.
--
Fundies and trolls are cordially invited to
shove a wooden cross up their arses and rotate
at a high rate of speed. I trust you'll
be 'blessed' with a cornucopia of splinters.
.
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
