Two links to two different media reports on the Mesa PD in what was shocking and unbelieivable conduct by cops in Mesa AZ

http://www.azcentral.com/video/3258113087001

http://www.azcentral.com/video/3263604727001

I finally had a chance to watch these two intense reports by Wendy Halloran – your remarkably accurate and factual journalist / investigative reporter and the citizen’s champion for justice.

The first report titled “the Fun House” was really scandalous as I found its contents to be disgusting, revolting and ghastly in nature as it made me recognize the fact that some cops act that way behind closed doors in areas not available to the public. It was certainly a tarnished reflection of their badge, uniform, sworn oath to protect and serve and revealed a vulgar comportment that can only be described as inequitable and condescending to the worth of human beings that lived there in.

Whether they were homeless or law-biding citizens these people were stereotyped to be unfit for respect or dignity and sub-human treatment, under their sworn protection as public servants.

Although it happened many years ago, it is likely still practiced and condoned in secret through their code of silence and still well hidden from their supervisors and administration or worse, still tolerated and covered up. 

Then I watched the second report and realized this shame was deeper than one could expect it to be. Watching the second report titled “Right to Know” gave me a negative impression of the administration that seemed to go the extra mile to hide this type of misconduct from the public and then, to make matters worse, encourage police officers that have received misconduct sanctions or discipline to purge their personnel files so these facts won’t be held against them when made public.

Needless to say, I am very appalled and disappointed in the Police Chief [past and present], the city administration / oversight board and the Mesa PD chain of command that endorsed these kinds of behaviors or misbehaviors through passive enforcement of the code of conduct; deliberate silence for not acting upon legitimately logged citizen complaints; encouraging pseudo&   inert informational cover-ups, failing to condemn and condoning actions through tacit approval or lesser disciplinary sanctions or even promotions after the facts gleaned their unfit behaviors to be agents of public trust.

As a citizen residing in the City of Mesa I would not trust my grandchildren in the hands of these bigoted and biased cops that roam the streets in disguise as uniformed or un-uniformed law enforcers as what they are in reality are self-appointed enforcers of their own standards and their own beliefs whether they are ethical or not since their culpability is not challenged and their [agency or PD records] transparency is discouraged.

It will be difficult to realize that not all Mesa cops act this way but to be truthful, when other cops who do not condone such conduct or misconduct look the other way, they are in some sense tolerating this type of behavior. That worries me too.

 

Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead

 

The ceremony was over – the flags was folded and as the trumpet played taps to close it all. There were many present to pay their last respects with thoughts of sorrow and confusion why did this happen and how could it happen when all was supposed to be safe and sound within the walls of the penitentiaries in Arizona.

While the officers wept, the suit and ties sat there motionless and with minds somewhere else. Only a few paid attention to the crowd and only a few really cared.

The epitome of two good human beings came to rest on the green grass so far from home with the gold trimmed casket six feet below as grief-stricken tears are shed for heroes that gave it all when all mattered the most.

Some say they never had a chance but they only whisper that in fear it may be heard by those that have their say. As cliché as it sounds, “We really just did our job that day," someone said out loud “but somehow it wasn’t enough.”

A somber moment, families headed out as family, friends and fellow officers gathered to pay their last respects to the fallen champion. “These were great officers” someone whispered as they bowed their heads and threw the dirt into the hole soon to be covered with green grass and a tombstone that will identify them as a father and mother and heroes to others they worked with.

No one really knows what happened for the truth will never be shared. In a letter written by the agency he worked for and read out loud to the audience at the funeral it read in part “these two young officers died a hero’s death as they performed their jobs flawlessly and took their assigned job responsibilities seriously and faultlessly.”

The letter went on to say “they were overpowered by five criminals that preyed on those wearing the uniform and badge; striking cowardly when they aren’t seen by others around while lurking in the darkened shadows.

In front of God and Duty these heroes have paid the ultimate price ……………. Their lives……..taken while still young and in their prime ..........but to those who took it we swear ………..may God have mercy on your soul as you will all hang from the gallows.”

“Although they called for help on the radio, these loud pleas went unnoticed for minutes as they struggled to stay alive. After fighting off two of the four assailants they were finally overpowered and beaten to death with their own radios and kicked, hit, punched and strangled with their own handcuffs.”

The responders, so far away yelled back at them on the radio while screaming “we are coming”………… but they had to travel a very long distance to reach the scene. There weren’t enough around to have their backs when they went into that pit of hellish danger where the devil lurks and the light is black and needed the help the most.

The responders were still a little less than two minutes away but their comrades'' spirits were crushed and the hearts had stopped beating. Running as fast as they could they reached their sides and began life saving methods but the nurse was too far away and the man-down bag was no were around.

The sadness is that the agency had played the danger ~ they knew how dangerous it was the way they were running these penitentiaries and ignored the needs of the “boots on the ground” that kept it together. Solemnly swearing all is was safe. They lied over and over to cover up their own mistakes and shortcomings as leaders for others.

It was an extremely tough day for all of them as first responders. They did an absolutely outstanding job that day trying to save their lives. They too were real heroes.

It was a challenge to convince those in power how dangerous it really was. It was a challenge to convince them that the perils were many and the staff were too few. They are told by many that “they know they are never alone – but the matter of fact is – they do work alone most of the time. Even when the odds are two hundred and fifty to two officers – they walk the gauntlet without fear yet they knew it only takes a spark to make it explode.

The agency had kept telling them “we are there to support you no matter where, no matter what, we are there for you.” They did absolutely nothing to make it safer and more secure for him and those that stand beside him.
They left them 4 dead.

Disclaimer - this may be offensive to some - to them I say you have to face realities ~
Of course we hope and pray this never happens to any of those that work inside the jails and prison but it has – too many times my brothers and sisters – too many times and the writing is on the walls.