It was certainly not my intention when I joined a police force to write a book, but by the end of my tenure as police chief all had changed. From what I can tell, there are not many police chiefs in the United States who have been so motivated.
After years on the force, and lengthy experience as a veteran investigator, the police chief appointed me chief of detectives. Later I was appointed Chief of Police by the Mayor, amid grumbles from the black city council members.
As with most new administrators, it was my intention to improve the department and to make a positive difference in the community. Sadly, other agenda's came in the form of politicians, black reverends and a few journalist.
One of the many duties of the police chief is to take disciplinary action against officers who commit wrong-doing. Civil service guidelines must be followed and of course the police union will take a defensive stance.
If this is not enough, reverends demand firing the chief, the mayor goes in hiding, the black council, who instigated the banter to the reverends, stay silent. The journalist then run with their scoop.
Prejudice, jealousy, greed and blatant infringement of first amendment rights, were to produce a political mix of great proportions with very unfortunate consequences.
To certain newspaper reporters, the new chief, presented an excellent opportunity for classic tabloid newsmonger tactics. This motorized and constant journalistic hammering used character assassination and sensationalism to sell newspapers. Racial lines were drawn, by politicians, reverends, NAACP, as well as journalists, with the worst intentions possible. Once defamation of any sort is started and kept alive by part of the media, tragedy follows.
However, the problem appears particularly prevalent in the age-old news provider, the printed page. But competition from the Internet, television and even radio, is no excuse for an ethical journalist to report less than simply....the unadulterated news. The power of the press to shape local attitudes and belief's is a formidable force. It is one which requires the highest standards of ethical performance and it exercises a privilege and obligation afforded to it by the people... to tell the truth.
There have been no winners in this constant political mix, and if one were to question how such antics could play out, it is this simple. Most of our first amendment rights have been abused, nationwide, and freedom of the press leads the list...They did it..... Because They Could.
Thomas Cicardo
