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News Guilderland Police union seeks information silence (Albany County, Guilderland, Altamont) Posted on: 08/26/09 Dan Sabbatino email: sabbatinod@spotlightnews.com An area law firm representing the Guilderland police union issued a statement Friday, Aug. 21, condemning town officials for releasing information about an inquiry into police procedure based on a letter from an officer to superiors in July. The letter from the Police Benevolent Association’s law firm Gleason, Dunn, Walsh & O’Shea comes on the heels of a statement from the PBA asking officials to refrain from speaking about the inquiry. The matter was raised after officer David Romano sent a letter to his superior officers questioning the lack of petty cash funds available for drug investigations. The PBA said that the matter should have been kept confidential. Gleason, Dunn, Walsh & O’Shea representatives wrote, “The release of this document Romano’s letter to the media is a reprehensible dereliction of duty and a clear violation of law.” The letter also said that publicizing Romano’s complaint could jeopardize ongoing police investigations and informants. Town Supervisor Ken Runion said the union had based its original request on a section of the civil rights law that mandates personnel records be kept confidential during investigations. The letter from the Guilderland Police Benevolent Association States: “Since this is a pending investigation, public comments are inappropriate and detrimental to not only the internal investigation itself, but also may inhibit the ability of members of the investigative unit to properly perform their duties.” Runion said that by discussing the matter, the inquiry could be jeopardized. “It’s a personnel matter. Even under the freedom of information law, these sort of investigations are not open to the public,” Runion said. The inquiry began in light of a letter from officer David Romano to his senior officers that raises questions about the availability of money for drug purchases and cites an incident at Guilderland Center involving an assault and robbery suspect as the catalyst for his concerns. The investigation of the assault began April 29. In his letter, dated July 10, Romano said that the lack of money to buy drugs has left the department unable to use the assistance of an informant who could have brought police closer to bringing charges against the prime suspect in the assault case. “It is our duty as public servants to, at the very least, attempt to get this public menace off the streets,” Romano wrote. “If you would like me to set up a collection box for drug buying funds, let me know.” The inquiry into the questions raised by the letter is being conducted by the law firm Girvin and Ferlazzo. Police Cpt. Curtis Cox said the department cannot talk about personnel matters, but said all complaints are taken seriously. “When there’s a complaint made, it’s to be handled,” Cox said. “We take this seriously, and for good reason.” Cox said the inquiry is ongoing, and he is hoping to for a conclusion some time this week. He said it is unclear what action the department will take without hearing the results of the inquiry. Chief of Police Carol Lawlor initiated the inquiry, said Runion. Runion said the firm was hired with money pulled from the police department’s budget line, and it was not appropriated from the town’s general fund. Questions were initially raised by Republican Town Board member Mark Grimm about why the Town Board did not vote on the funding for the inquiry, but Runion said a vote was not required. Runion said he doesn’t know how much the investigation will cost. The matter was brought up at the Tuesday, Aug. 18, meeting of the town board at which Runion left abruptly after exchanging heated words with Redlich. Redlich said he had hoped to have a motion approved that would allow officers to discuss such issues with the Town Board. “Our cops’ free speech rights should not be impaired,” he said. “We can be their voice.” Redlich said he is seeking answers about the “secret police investigation” and said he has some reservations about the use of Girvin and Ferlazzo in the investigation because they have not given him documents pertaining to the inquiry. Grimm also called for openness in the matter. He said he has the right to know, as a town board member, when inquiries are being conducted. He said that the matter should have been disclosed, especially in light of department leadership issues raised when former Chief of Police Robert Murley was caught gambling while on sick time. Grimm said, despite that, he is supportive of the inquiry. “It’s clear he Runion should have done it,” Grimm said. Runion said there was no reason to alert the board members of the firm’s inquiry since personnel matters of this sort are usually handled by the department. Normally, in such an instance, the chief of police is alerted first, and then the parties involved are brought in, as well as the unions and council and an arbitrator. “I’ve never seen it go to the Town Board,” Runion said. A representative from Girvin and Ferlazzo could not be reached for comment as of press time. You can contact sabbatinod@spotlightnews.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below. Comments powered by Disqus |
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