Allegations that three of his officers used their badges to steal from drug dealers prompted IMPD Chief Michael Spears to announce plans Tuesday to conduct random polygraph tests on all narcotics investigators.
"We want to maintain the highest integrity within these specialized units," Spears said.
Polygraph tests for officers in narcotics and other specialized units, such as vice, were eliminated two years ago with the formation of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Spears said. He said they had been standard practice under the former Indianapolis Police Department.
"A check and balance is important, and we're going to move forward with that," Spears said.
Polygraph examination results are not admissible in courts because of their unreliability. Yes, they might help weed out some bad police officers. The real issue which needs to be addressed, however, is the environment within IMPD which permits a police officer to stray so far from his or mission in the first instance. It starts at the top. If people within the department don't have confidence in or respect for the people managing the department, it's going to be reflected within the ranks. I should hasten to add that these latest problems within IMPD began under the leadership of Mayor Bart Peterson and Sheriff Frank Anderson.
Just another example of Bart Peterson, Frank Anderson, and their merry band of politicians dragging down a once highly-rated department (IPD).
ReplyDeleteLowering hiring standards, lowering testing standards, removing routine polygraph testing, etc. etc. etc.
When will people see the light?
You're so right, AI! It was Bart Peterson and Frank Anderson who invented corruption. Joe McAtee and Jack Cottey NEVER had anybody under them on the take, did they?
ReplyDeleteYea, AI, what's the matter with you!!
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to accuse a democrat of something now, you have to also accuse a republican from the past.
You have to be politically correct, you know.
Ummm...police corruption didn't start with the Peterson/Anderson administration. There have been weeds in the bunch for quite some time, and there will continue to be those that test just how far they can push their power. These indictments are a great thing, as they send a message to the many others engaged in illegal and/or borderline illegal activity. In an ideal situation, no corruption would exist. That's not really practical given the structure of most law enforcement agencies. At least for now some officers will straighten up their act.
ReplyDeleteEVERYBODY KNOWS THAT POLICE CORRUPTION DIDN'T START WITH THE PETERSON/ANDERSON ADMINISTRATIONS!
ReplyDeleteTHERE HAS BEEN POLICE CORRUPTION IN THIS CITY SINCE THE 1890'S!
BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT **TODAY** NOT **YESTERDAY**
QUIT CHANGING THE SUBJECT AND PRETENDING IT DIDN'T HAPPEN UNDER "YOUR" KIND OF ADMINISTRATION.
The main thing is, it WAS NOT IGNORED. It was REPORTED. Arrests were made of people who probably should not have been hired in the first place, and most likely would NOT have been hired 10 years ago.