After watching the Funeral service for Senator John McCain, I couldn't help if anyone was listening to the eulogies or any thing will be changed or be learned from John McCain's life and death.
For some reason I kept thinking about Hartford and the incident involving Sergeant Stephen Barone and questioning if anything will be learned from the incident and will any positive change come about, or will we go the other way and use some one's mistake to further divide our City.
I'm sure if our President had the chance, he would probably take back his poorly chosen words he uttered on the campaign trail regarding Senator McCain's captivity as a prisoner of war. Instead our President has chosen to dig in his heels and continue the divide.
I can only hope and pray that the Barone incident won't be handled the same way . All indications are that will not be allowed to happen. I know everyone will not be accepting of the eventual outcome, but as a community it is now part of our history, and we need to learn a lesson and make sure this type of history does not repeat itself.
Hartford over the years has been very progressive in its programs to build positive Police/Community relations. I think as a City we all have been very fortunate to benefit from the results of those programs , but we still have a long way to go. Sadly. some of the best programs have been decimated by the cost cutting ax that is swung annually by a City Hall that is more focused on preserving things such as high priced Council Assistants while slashing funding for Community Service Officers (CSO's)and other programs that have shown positive results The School Resource Officer program which assigned Police Officers to serve as positive role models in Hartford Schools has gone the way of the dinosaurs and is now extinct in the Hartford Schools.
To be fair though, the SRO's were removed from the schools more at the request of the Board of Education than by HPD. Whatever the reason, it was a stupid move, especially in our High Schools where it could help to build positive relationships between police officers and students as well as a potential recruitment tool to let students see police officers as normal human beings and not an occupying force to be feared.
Like I said earlier, not everyone will be happy with the eventual outcome of the numerous meeting held between community partners, politicians and the Police Administration. I have spoke with several people who have been included in those meetings and hearing that termination is "off the table". Let me get that one out of the way first because many of our so called "community leaders" have been insisting on termination.
Even more surprising is that many of those calling for Barone's termination are ministers and religious people. Now I usually don't get around to quoting the bible in my arguments, but I have to wonder how religious people can preach God's teachings from the Bible, and then totally ignore them when it doesn't suit their needs.
I am sure we have all heard at one time or another "Lest he who is without guilt, cast the first stone". No , I am not asking to call off the stoning of Sergeant Barone, but I think it is important that the 'punishment" fits the crime. This verse is not speaking to not judging at all , it is speaking to judging unfairly or in any other selfish way.
I have asked many people to name an offense committed by Sergeant Barone that is a termination worthy offense. Poor decision, but definitely not termination. Keep in mind that no criminal statute violation occurred or has been claimed. Not even a violation of the Hartford Police Departments Code of conduct.
Any termination for political expediency , and that's the only reason it would happen, would most likely result in a wrongful termination lawsuit that would cost the taxpayers of Hartford a large amount of money to defend. In the end, the most likely judgment, for Sergeant Barone's poor choice of words would be a judgment in favor of Barone. That judgment, if past history is any indication, would most likely be an order to rehire Barone with reimbursement for past due lost pay and benefits along with interest and quite possibly a monetary settlement and reimbursement for his legal expense which would be large.
And I don't want to go off the rails here, but we can't have different standards for Barone than we have for our so called "Community leaders". I have been told by more than one source that in one of the HPD meetings that a community leader was far from showing any leadership when they commented that anything short of Barone's termination would result in "buildings burning in North Hartford". Is that what little these leaders thing of the people they are supposed to represent ?
It also seems hypocritical to move to condemn Barone for his poor choice of words, whatever the intent, and then threaten arson for North Hartford. Bad choices are bad choices... across the board.
Again, to not use this incident as a tool to learn and build from is a huge waste. I do honestly think that Stephen Barone should be, and will be demoted from his rank of Sergeant. I do not think he will be terminated and he will have a long road ahead of him to once again prove himself and regain the trust of the people of Hartford. That is my hope that Stephen Barone will appreciate the opportunity that is afforded him if the eventual decision is to allow him to stay on HPD and that opportunity will make him a stronger, more compassionate human being
I am also told that when the full 12 minute video is released, we will have a much different impression than the edited, 90 second or so clip posted on Facebook. There was clearly an agenda in play here to not release the full video by the Facebook posters.
This is a huge opportunity for Chief Rosado to do the right thing and use this incident as a learning experience for every one of his officers and build community trust, and to do that it has to be addressed openly and candidly, with Barone also as part of that discussion and maybe a better explanation so we can get to know the person, not just rhetoric from Facebook
In the meantime, I keep thinking about Matthew 7:1, "lest he who is without guilt" How many of us can answer "yes, that's me , no guilt, never said anything wrong that I regretted afterwards."
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6 comments:
Key point - Matthew 7:1, "lest he who is without guilt" How many of us can answer "yes, that's me , no guilt, never said anything wrong that I regretted afterwards."
I think this quote summarizes why there should be some consequence to the words - perhaps suspension without pay for a period of time. However, I disagree with termination OR demotion based on this one incident. If there is a history of serial bad behavior, then one or the other may well be appropriate - but I haven't heard that that's the case.
"Leaders" in this City seem to have a tendency to go for the jugular when others make a mistake, and then minimize their own bad behavior and the bad behavior of those that work closely for or with them. Let's strive for some consistency.
Hartford’s dirtbags ,politicians,community leaders,community activists,local media and any other shitbags you want to add to the list are praying,waiting and prepared for a full scale civil uprising ... THIS IS NOT A “IF” BUT “ WHEN” DECLARATION !!! It’s only a matter of time before a WHITE officer JUSTIFIABLY SHOOTS A HISPANIC OR (GOD FORBID) BLACK CRIMINAL ,,,,, then watch as Hartford’s animals come out to destroy its own DIRTY NEST!!! As an outsider looking in ,please all you losers take my advice ,,,,since you will obviously be burning shit down,,, START WITH ALL THE BLIGHTED BUILDINGS !!!!!! WHILE YOUR AT IT PLEASE PUT ALL OF THE CITY’S LITTER IN BARRELS AND BURN THAT TOO!!! Kev,, I’m very concerned for the men and women of HPD and HFD “WHEN” THIS GOES DOWN.
I have enough confidence and hope in my neighbors and friends in Hartford that your prediction will not actually happen, but then again with the leadership void we have here and our so called leaders who love to stir the pot rather than try to unite us as community, it is entirely possible, sadly
I do not know Sgt. Barone and would not pass judgment on his actions without viewing all available evidence and interviews.
However your statement regarding the lack of a Code of Conduct violation is incorrect-HPD, like almost every police department and military branch, has a Code of Conduct charge of "Conduct Unbecoming" (Article 134 in the UCMJ).
The charge of Conduct Unbecoming is a catch-all for violations not specifically covered by other charges and might be appropriate in this case if the evidence supports it.
I am not familiar with the current HPD Code of Conduct verbatim, however in the past this charge carried a possible punishment which ranged from an oral reprimand up to and including termination, at the discretion of the Chief or the court.
True or false question.
Did kessler’s comments 4 years ago surpass the severity of barone’s ?
Its a valid comparison. My opinion is what kessler said is way worse. What bothers me is the arogance kessler showed. Barone was blown out of proportion. We dont deal with city of residents collecting for the march of dimes . The 10 percent of the community which carries guns and drug set a dangerous tone on the streets.
I have worked with both for many years and can honestly tell everyone that reads this blog that BArone actually cares about doing the job. My opinion of kessler is different.
Fact is they both made dumb comments. Kessler got 10 days. Barrone should get the same and be hidden in booking. Fair is fair. What is sgt boika going to get for using a racial slur towards another sgts girlfriend? What will boika get ?? The good ole “ i dont recall “ answer mind not work this time boika. Maybe an eap referrel to help out with your “angry” drinking habits.
Fact is. All these are bad mistakes make by good officers. Everyone makes mistakes.
Barone did nothing wrong! The simple fact that he later went on to explain himself in detail what he was trying to accomplish when he stated the “trigger happy” thing, proves that he’s a good officer that actually felt bad for saying it. I blame Rosado and Medina for Barone being in that position. They (Rosado/Medina) knew his history and put him out there with no leash to conquer the high crime areas and make gun arrests. Then as soon as sh%t hit the fan, they threw him to the wolves and deflected all the blame on Barone. This new administration is all about attacking Detectives and Patrol Officers, while at the same time protecting the higher up brass and allowing coverups and shenanigans to be undocumented and fall through the cracks. I understand that change is needed and nobody is perfect, but to stand up and tell officers and detectives that they will be held accountable like never before is laughable. Laughable when the same administration did nothing to the two sergeants who almost had a fist fight in Major Crimes while the new AC Medina, several detectives, and the so called Major Crimes Commander were there. The sergeant that was the aggressor and was heard yelling out profanities and antagonizing the other sergeant, is still currently supervising the homicide/robbery detectives and is a terrible supervisor. The other half of that incident (it takes two) was allowed to transfer to Internal Affairs, where he now investigates cops who probably didn’t do anything nearly as bad as he did.
We need to stick together and not allow these political appointees (Rosado/Medina) who didn’t earn the uniform they wear, to target just Officers and Detectives. YES, change is needed and officers need to be held accountable, BUT that goes for everyone who wears the badge, top to bottom or bottom to top. AC Thody earned his spot and I hope he sees through the BS before it’s too late. If the bottom continues to get no support from the top, then the top better be ready to work the streets.
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