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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

HALLOWEEN: The Right Kind of Scary




BASICS AND COSTUMES    
Younger children especially should be accompanied by adults. 

Reinforce traffic safety rules to kids who will be excited and distracted.  Remind them the rules to wait for adults before crossing a street, look both ways for cars and bikes, and hold hands with their buddy or parent before crossing.

Make sure costumes do not impede line of sight or cause any other safety problems with breathing or movement.  Be sure they are flame retardant.  Use bright colors and reflective surfaces.  Add reflective tape to costumes and bags for safety.

Everyone should trick-or-treat in groups, and make use of the buddy system to keep track of each other.  Establish routes, check-in times, and curfews for older kids and be sure they have a phone with them.  For Halloween parties, know who they’ll be with and review all rules about friends, drinking, getting in cars, and having the designated adult pick them up. 


IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD   
Stay in well-lit areas, and remember you can see cars better than drivers can see you.
Do not go to unfamiliar areas.  Do not enter houses of people you don’t know or accept unwrapped treats from people you don’t know. 

It’s unfortunate to need to know, but all year round, you should be aware of registered sex offenders in your area.  You can check by street, zip code, name, or other ways at the NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY and at the NC SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY

Remind kids BASIC SAFETY that applies all year:  if they need help, try to find a police officer for help.  After that, it is usually safer to ask a woman for help than a man—especially if she has children with her.  Teach children their home phone numbers and how to call 911.

Teach children that if anyone tries to harm them, touch them the wrong way (and talk about what that means) or grab them to remove them from their location, they should scream as loudly as possible, drop down from someone’s arms, and run away.  Teach them it’s okay to punch and kick adults in that case.

 
DEADLY NUT ALLERGIES
Check with parents about any potential nut allergies, which can be deadly, if you are watching children for other people.   Let others know if your children have allergies.  Read packages carefully.  Some items are “processed in plants that also process peanuts or other nuts” and can trigger severe allergies, even if they don’t contain whole or chopped nuts that are obvious.



PARTIES AT HOME
Consider having a party at home with friends and healthy treats as part of the evening, but don’t suck all the fun out of Halloween.  Just be prepared and safe.  And wear layers, because it’s going to be cold out there!






Thursday, October 4, 2012

MORE ABOUT MISSING CMPD RECORDS


TIP OF THE ICEBERG AT CMPD ACADEMY?

Following extensive research and inquiry, citynewswatch discovered that the initial report of hundreds of Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Officer records was just the beginning.  It turns out the first 499 out of 501 Officers’ records on the AUDIT list which indicated a problem were merely out of the first 501 checked…   it seemed CMPD and the NCDOJ Criminal Justice Standards Division were happy to leave the impression after many questions about a full audit of CMPD that those were all the problems found.  This would have been bad enough, but was only the first < 1/3 they checked out of 1782 officers’ files.

For details and copies of memos sent a year ago from Deputy Chief Katrina Graue ordering officers to come in and have fingerprints re-done and obviously admitting the missing records, see these previous citynewswatch posts here and here.


WHAT IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY DOING?

The NCDOJ CJSD has said they have no answer from Chief Monroe or any surrogate for him on what the heck happened in the first place, even for multiple officers who had to be pulled from duty by the State because they were working without certification standards—some for years.  Recent NCDOJ CJSD Director Wayne Woodard and current Deputy Director Pam Pope had issued letters to CMPD demanding immediate removal from active duty of the officers and a list of requirements for those officers (names blacked out here) before they could be reinstated.  However, the same agency says they don’t have any such letter from Monroe—but have reinstated the officers.   Hmm.  

One of the requirements was clearly to explain what the heck is going on in CMPD and the management issues.  You can read for yourself in some of the letters found below, including that multiple officers were working uncertified, that Chief Monroe was required to issue letters explaining the lack of management control was missed in his agency, and a recommendation in July, 2011 that CMPD should contact the District Attorney's Office, advise of the separations involving these officers and then “it is up to them whether they believe any action may be warranted.”  These are exactly the type of issues raised by citynewswatch a year ago, but there’s still no answer what action, if any, has been taken.


FULL AUDIT RESULTS VERY CONCERNING

When the full audit was complete, results show in a letter in September, 2012, that:
·        41 officers are deficient in some manner with mandated in-service training required in previous years; and
·        47 officers are deficient with Certification requirements of the Commission
The completion and report of audit findings does not preclude further Commission action as deemed appropriate.
When asked if this statement on his letterhead by Deputy Director Pope meant that 47 CMPD officers were now considered out of Certification and would be removed from active duty status, current Interim Director of the NCDOJ Criminal Justice Standards Division, Robert Yow, has said “the issues included in the final audit report (for all 1792 files) have been referred for further inquiry, and I cannot comment upon them.”


CONCERNED DIRECTOR FROM NCDOJ

Former NCDOJ CJSD Director Wayne Woodard expressed his concerns before the final audit was complete:

From: Woodard, Wayne
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 4:50 PM
To: kgraue@cmpd.org
Cc: Pope, Pam
Subject: CMPD Issues

Deputy Chief Graue,

I would like to talk with you in regards to several issues involving your agency. First, there is a need to follow-up with you concerning the audit of officer certification files that our staff recently conducted at your agency. Secondly, there are several other issues that have come up, both before and since the audit which merit our discussion. I will tell you I am very concerned about these other issues and concerned about the actions of some members of your agency regarding these issues.

Please let me know if you are available anytime within the next several days for a phone conversation. If so, what is a good time and at what number may I reach you. I do plan to ask my Deputy director, Pam Pope, to join us since she was involved in the audit process and has relevant information to share.

Thank you,
Wayne Woodard, Director
Criminal Justice Standards Division
North Carolina Department of Justice
919-661-5980

SUMMARY OF FIRST OFFICER RECORDS AUDITED

To get an idea the extent of the problem, here is a summary of the issues with the first 501 records reviewed:

From: Marrella, Teresa
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 3:41 PM
To: Pope, Pam
Subject: CMPD Audit Stats

Pam,
Below are the stats of files which were missing items or the wrong form was used.
I have attached the spreadsheet.

Proof of Minimum Age of 20
13 Missing

Proof of Education
27 Missing

Proof of Citizenship
15 Missing

Results of FP Record Check
111 Missing

Medical History F-1
397 Missing

Medical Exam Report F-2
417 Missing

Personal History Statement F-3
13 Missing

Qualifications Appraisal
22 Missing
Mandated Background Investigation F-8
16 Missing
191 CMPD form

Firearms Qualification
379 Missing




Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 4:23 PM
To: Pearsall, Sherie
Cc: Little, Jenny; Sauber, Jason; jcfields@cmpd.org
Subject:

Major Pearsall,
Per our earlier telephone conversation, we are requesting the following documents to straighten out the information and correct status on the above persons with your agency/formerly with your agency:

XXXXXX
• need an amended Form F-5B with corrected identifying information (DOB, SSN, Oath of Office)
Letter from Chief Monroe that has not separated from your agency and that has been working full time since XXXXXX date of hire on whatever specific date.
• Copies of all certification paperwork ("F" forms from our office)
Letter from Chief Monroe stating status of employment with CMPD including rank, current assignment, etc. Also, please include how this was missed on your agency profile since 1998.
• Date of drug test for employment or copy of same
• Training for in-service has been received by email and we will notify you if we need additional information
• Copies of all certification paperwork ("F" forms from our office)
Letter from Chief Monroe stating status of employment with CMPD including rank, current assignment, etc. Also, please include how this was missed on your agency profile since 1998.
• Date of drug test for employment or copy of same
• Training for in-service has been received by email and we will notify you if we need additional information

Again, these officers are not to work until properly certified through our Division. Additionally, as I mentioned, CJ Standards recommended that CMPD contact your District Attorney's Office and advise of the separations involving these officers and then it is up to them whether they believe any action may be warranted.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at 919-779-8204.

Pam
Pam Pope
Deputy Director
Criminal Justice Standards Division
919-661-5980




From: Pearsall, Sherie [mailto:spearsall©cmpd.org]
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 8:26 AM
To: Pope, Pam
Cc: Kukowski, Rebecca L. (Becky); Graue, Katrina; Monroe, Rodney
Subject: RE: XXXXXX and XXXXXX
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Confidential

Deputy Director Pope, first thank you once again for your prompt attention to this matter.

All items have been pulled and copies are on their way to you this morning. In addition a member of our H/R staff, Thyssen Brawley will be accompanying Sgt. Ray Williams this morning with each employee's complete file for your review and extraction of any additional data that you may require in order to expedite this process.

• We are currently attempting to locate the original drug screen form with date for XXXXXX and as soon as we have it in hand it will be delivered to you.

I am unable to provide a comprehensive explanation about how XXXXXX and XXXXXX were missed on our agency profile at this time. This issue is currently being researched by one of our current H/R supervisors. There appears to be some discrepancies regarding actual receipt of the profiles by our agency.

Rebecca Kukowski will be contacting Jenny Little today regarding same so that we may better coordinate our efforts moving forward.

Please feel free to contact me once you have these items in hand should we need to coordinate any additional efforts throughout the day. I can be reached at 704.619.2995.

Major Sherie E. Pearsall
CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
1770 SHOPTON ROAD
CHARLOTTE. N.C. 28217
704.432.1641
SPEARSALL@CMPD.ORG
"...PEOPLE WILL FORGE I WHAT YOU SAID, PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU DID, BUT PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL."
AUTHOR." MAYA ANGELOU





From: Pope, Pam
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 1:03 PM
To: mhannan@cmPd.org
Cc: Woodard, Wayne

Subject: FW: Audit results needing important follow up response
Importance: High

Miriam,
As I mentioned to you on the telephone the other day, we felt that it was important to send you information in writing on three of your officers where there were serious issues found during our audit of your certification files.

XXXXXX:
XXXXXX failed to complete his 2007 mandated in-service training as reported by your agency as deficient on the Form F-9 was suspended as of April 10, 2008 and a certified letter was mailed to him.  XXXXXX signed for this letter on April 18, 2008. At that point in time, XXXXXX should have ceased performing any law enforcement actions. My understanding is that this had not happened as of September 28, 2011. Per my conversation with Captain Bannerman, must immediately cease performing law enforcement actions until ill has complied with the following and has received a letter from this office rescinding. XXXXXX 's suspension:

XXXXXX.  needs to write a statement to address why XXXXXX continued to work as a law enforcement officer after receiving a letter of suspension. Also, this statement needs to address whether, XXXXXX discussed XXXXXX s suspension with any member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department including who XXXXXX spoke with, when XXXXXX spoke with them and what was XXXXXX told.

XXXXXX must complete the 2007 mandated in-service training which XXXXXX failed to complete (everything but firearms) or provide verification in the form of a certificate of completion with date, title, and hours of the course or a roster with the same information.

XXXXXX must also provide documentation that XXXXXX has completed all of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 mandated in-service training. The same documentation noted in the second bullet must be provided.

XXXXXX
XXXXXX was separated by an F-5B (Report of Separation) which was filed by your agency on May 15, 2008. We did not receive any additional information from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department requesting XXXXXX be moved to a reserve status instead of separated. Therefore, XXXXXX has not been certified since May 2008 and should not have been working in a law enforcement capacity. My understanding is that did not happen and IMO XXXXXX has been working actively as a reserve officer. Per my conversation with Captain Bannerman, XXXXXX must immediately cease performing law enforcement actions until XXXXXX has complied with the following and has received a letter from this office rescinding XXXXXX separation and reissuing le certification:

• A letter from Chief Monroe to Criminal Justice Standards Director Wayne Woodard addressing the request to rescind the separation of XXXXXX which would restore his certification. Additionally, include in the letter how did the error of separation happen.

XXXXXX must provide documentation that'll-las completed all of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 mandated in-service training. XXXXXX must provide verification of completion of this training in the form of a certificate of completion with date, title, and hours of the course or a roster with the same information.

XXXXXX
XXXXXX was separated by an F-5B (Report of Separation) which was filed by your agency on September 5, 2008. We did not receive any information from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department requesting XXXXXX be moved to a reserve status instead of separated. Therefore, has not been certified since May 2008 and should not have been working in a law enforcement capacity. My understanding is that did not happen and XXXXXX has been working actively as a reserve officer. Per my conversation with Captain Bannerman, XXXXXX must immediately cease performing law enforcement actions until has complied with the following and has received a letter from this office rescinding XXXXXX ',separation and reissuing XXXXXX certification:

A letter from Chief Monroe to Criminal Justice Standards Director Wayne Woodard addressing the request to rescind the separation of XXXXXX which would restore her certification. Additionally, include in the letter how did the error of separation happen.

XXXXXX must provide documentation that XXXXXX has completed all of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 mandated in-service training. XXXXXX must provide verification of completion of this training in the form of a certificate of completion with date, title, and hours of the course or a roster with the same information.

If you should have any questions about this issue, please feel free to contact me.

Pam Pope
Pam Pope
Deputy Director
Criminal Justice Standards Division
919-661-5980



From: Pope, Pam [mailto:ppope@ncdoj.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2011 2:11 PM
To: Hannan, Miriam
Cc: Woodard, Wayne
Subject: RE: Audit results needing important follow up response
Importance: High

Miriam,
I hope that you are doing well this Monday afternoon. I am following up on the below email which was sent to you last Wednesday reference CMPD officers who were to be pulled from active law enforcement duties.
My Director, Wayne Woodard, has requested confirmation that Officers  XXXX, XXXX and  XXXX   have been reassigned to duties which do not require law enforcement action to be taken. Would you please advise ASAP when these officers were reassigned and by whom in the Command Staff was this action taken by?

Additionally, who will be responsible for forwarding the requested information to me?

I appreciate your time in advance as I know how busy that you are.

Pam
Pam Pope
Deputy Director
Criminal Justice Standards Division
919-661-5980





As of June, 2012, Major Sheri Pearsall of the Administrative Services Group is paid $98,642/yr.  Deputy Chief Katrina Graue of the Administrative Services Group is paid $112,785/yr.  Chief Rodney Monroe is paid $190,550/yr.  These amounts are according to the Charlotte Observer and DO NOT include free cars and plenty of other benefits and perks.  An interesting point is that Monroe promoted both Pearsall and Graue on August 2, 2011—after the problems of officers working without being certified were reported on their watch (and Monroe’s).  Correction noted Oct. 4: Graue was actually promoted to the position in Administrative Services Group May 12, 2010, different from most recent pay increase.

Costs to City of Charlotte tax payers for lawsuits generated by Monroe have been tremendous.  Spending has exploded.  Maybe he could at least keep track of which police officers are certified to do the job.


Maybe they could find those 50 missing new police cars, too.