Monday Morning Musings
I’ll be spending my week focusing on the Indiana General Assembly as lawmakers are back Wednesday. In the interim though, here are a couple interesting tidbits of gossip and rumor that always make life more enjoyable.
Sometimes a Cigar Really Is a Cigar
The conspiracy theorists are having a field day over the recent City-County Council Committee shuffle which saw at-large Councilor Ed Coleman lose some spots, including public safety. Sources tell me Coleman’s removal from the public safety committee had less to with his public criticism of the Ballard administration, but more to do with his attendance, saying he’d missed nearly half the committee meetings. He’s being replaced by Ben Hunter, a former IMPD officer who now oversees public safety at Butler University.
In addition, former Council Vice-President Kent Smith stepped down because his job and family committments would not allow him to step into the role of President if necessary. He’s being replaced (like I told you a month ago) by Ryan Vaughn. The conspiracy theorists think this is all part of some evil Barnes & Thornburg plot to control everything.
There was a news story this past week about an acorn shortage, I know where the squirrels can find a few nuts.
McAtee Attack
If there was any question whether Bart McAtee was running for Marion County Sheriff in 2010, question no more. McAtee has a website now, Click here to see it. There’s no word yet on how many of his family members will be on the payroll.
Different Drummer
Speaking of Sheriff, Center Township Trustee Carl Drummer is the latest name I’m hearing being thrown into the ring to run for the job in 2010.
JLT Redux
I recently ran into a former top official of the Jill Long Thompson campaign. He gave me an earful about the press’ coverage of her campaign and blamed her failed race on Evan Bayh, Dan Parker and the Democratic establishment. He said the state’s top Democrats didn’t want a Democratic Governor because they would lose their power and prestige. Yeah, right.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Carl has always wanted to be a lawman.
Just what we need, another corrupt sheriff…McAtees never learn.
The council take is interesting…but do we really need another LEO on the public safety committee? Spare me the “he knows ’cause he works it” argument.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:32 am
I disagree TA, the McAtees have learned a couple of things. One is that a family tradition in politics counts around here. lol
The other thing I think I’d better leave unsaid.
Why shouldn’t Carl Drummer want the big badge. He isn’t any less trained than some out there. Look what incorporating other lesser trained reservists has done for us over the weekend?
OMG! He moved his hand! Must shoot first! Gives the fully trained officers a bad name.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:49 am
Greg Ballard and Scott Newman say that crime is down….that is understandable since IMPD is shooting and running over citizens on a daily basis. Crime is down because citizens are down. IMPD ? what a wonderfully improved police department under this politically based consolidation. Has anybody actually seen Frank Anderson since the consolidation? I am sure that Scott Newman will come up with another “after the damage is done plan??????
When lawyers run the city it is time to leave the city!
January 5th, 2009 at 9:51 am
The reserve officer shooting was such a sad thing, Varan…it could’ve been prevented.
For some unknown reaosn, the sheriffs and chiefs of this city have long fostered the reserve thing. As long as they don’t have guns, I think it can be helpful. But every single damned one of the reservists with whom I’ve interacted over the years, is a scary Barney Fife wannabe. If I were a fulltime LEO, I’d be flat-out against giving the reserves guns.
Carl already has a taxpayer-provided police-outfitted car. As trustee. No, I’m not kidding. He’s also got several Corvettes he owns, stored at taxpayer expense in trustee-owned buildings. How he got the Corvettes on the trustee’s salary, with his multiple other obligations, is anyone’s guess.
It’s clear he has some kind of envy. Fill in the blank.
I know the McAtees. They’re corrupt, period. Putting them in charge of anything is a huge error.
January 5th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Tell the Sheriff, TA. He keeps the McAtee clan well provided with cushy jobs.
January 5th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Kicking Drummer upstairs to sheriff is one way to eliminate his opposition to township elimination. Find him a home in exchange for his staying out of the way on it. Negotiations in progress???
January 5th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I sure hope the GOP laughs this McAtee off! His web site says he is “Assistant Chief”, but he lost that title when the sheriff lost the political control of the police department and could no longer give him that title.
I think his daddy turning over to the Dems…(along with the entire family) would also be reason for the GOP to turn away any run for sheriff by a McAtee.
-As for Corrupt Carl. Well, I just laugh!
January 5th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
It’s amazing to me the uproar that comes up when a reserve ofc shoots someone. They go thru excactly the same training, do the same job and are exposed to the same risks. They are used as free help because IMPD has always and will be understaffed for the run load the officers do. When the city actually hires more people than what retirements and transfers are leaving, then maybe you can use the reserves somewhere else. Until then this great merger will continue to be a mess.
January 5th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
It’s sad that Abdul would be so quick to believe “sources” that have no history of being honest. So we are supposed to believe it’s a big coincidence that Ed Coleman’s name appears in the paper critical of a lack of openness in the adminstration and then a week or so later he’s stripped of his three committees? Please. I’m sure Abdul knows better. But, hey, impressive spin. When you have a losing argument, it always pays to go after the messenger.
January 5th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Does Ed missing a few meetings have anything to do with the medical challenges his daughter went through recently? It was my impression that took a bit of a toll on his schedule.
And Plowman seems to generally be better than most on the council, what’s his take on all of this?
It’s amazing to watch them eating their own. It reminds me of kids in High School, if you’re not part of the “clique” you’re ostracized.
January 5th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Sean, for some, who says high school (or middle school) social behavior ever ends? lol
January 5th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
The Public Safety Committee generally meets once between Council Meetings, so if Coleman was indeed removed because of attendance, he must have missed several months worth of meetings. His daughter’s injury could not be soley to blame for the absences.
In any case, Ben Hunter is a fantastic addition to Public Safety, being a security professional and a former IMPD officer.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
You are asking the right questions, Sean.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
At the top of Mcatee’s website it says “This page was last updated on Saturday, May 26, 107.”
107 is the year reported by many common web languages, but you’re supposed to add 1900 to the year returned by localtime.
As for the shootings and reserve deputies, this city needs more cops on patrol, period. Ballard ran on this issue and then went into Peterson mode, putting the Super Bowl bid in front of public safety.
(No I am not a cop)
January 5th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Coleman missed almost half of the committee meetings? If this is true, he should have been booted and he should be booted from office.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
>hat is understandable since IMPD is shooting and running over citizens on a daily basis.
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LOL!!! When I see an IMPD car behind me, I pull over even if the lights are not flashing.
January 5th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Interesting how quickly folks want to attack something that they don’t understand. To say that a reserve officer is less trained only speaks to your lack of facts. They have exactly the same training as merit officers. In many cases, they hold prefessional jobs that most merits would not in their wildest dreams have the intelligence or maturity to hold. They do have some goof-balls however. No different than Merits, and probably less as a percentage, although I could not prove this as it is an opinion, not a fact. After basic training, they go through the same 10 week road training, by merit field training officers (FTO’s) that new merit officers go through and must pass their approval. My opinion also is that we need more of these citizen volunteers, well trained, to suppliment the high cost of providing full-time merits. How could anyone, unless jealous, or lacking in understanding, be critical of those who choose to volunteer to help safety in the community, and at the same time, save taxpayers money. They may have, individually, alternative motives for doing this, but who among us would not challenge the thurst for power that almost every politician has, and they have far greater impact, although often subtile, on our lives. Lets focus on the good, and how to make it better, than to throw stones. We are quickly moving, in our social, economic structure, where we will need far more volunteers as taxes will not allow for full staffing in every public area. Of course, some will choose to merely sit at their computers and put forth many critical comments, but few if any solutions. Policy is one thing. Reality is quite another.
January 5th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
We need to hear from Ed Coleman on this issue. How many meetings did he miss? How many meetings were missed by others who are on committees? That’s the first thing I would want to know. Also, if he missed meetings, what was the reason? There might be good reason.
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I do know that Ed Coleman is outspoken against insider political elite dealings within the Republican party and that a lot of people (myself included) love him for it.
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Ogdon on Politics blog has more on the subject of Ed Coleman and his being pulled from committees, while Ryan Vaughn (recently employed by Barnes & Thornburg) is picking up a great deal of influence.
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Makes you go “huh”, doesn’t it?
January 5th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
@ Greg. Good comments. Although, I we need to petition Abdul to fix the comments section so it picks up line breaks properly.
@ Daw-G … I do too since some of the time they like to pull right up on your bumper like you’re not violating the speed limit enough and are in their way.
Aren’t they supposed to have their lights on if on a run? Seriously, just asking (not specific to the recent accident involving the pedestrian – certainly no harm was intended, just thinking more in general when they’re exceeding the posted speed limits with their lights off). It’s just always bugged me.
To be fair, I’ve found IMPD to be very helpful and respectful the past few years. Although, I was shocked they didn’t take fingerprints off the CDs in my wife’s car after it was broken into about a year ago. Small-time stuff, nothing taken, but I gotta think prints would show up really well on one of those.
January 5th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Abdul, I heard the Sheriff has purchased several Dodge Chargers? These cars cost about $5000.00 more than the Crown Victoria. Why is he wasting money on more expensive cars? Also, I heard that retired IMPD Officer Rolley Ferguson has decided to stay with IMPD as a reserve officer. He has been given a take home car and a motorcycle. I guess the sheriff has also given him a job at MCSD and gave him a take home car and a motorcycle? If this is true Rolley will have 4 City/County owned vehicles. Another waste of resources!
January 5th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Sean, to your second point. It is unfortunate, but they have pretty firm rules regarding when lights and sirens can be used. Generally, it is only when there is imminent threat to persons where they can be used (i.e. crash with personal injury, 911 calls where life is in danger etc. All other dispatches, the majority, are for non life threatening situations. They are expected to get there in a hurry, but are not allowed to use lights and sirens. Puts officers on the spot. Some can handle this in a mature response, others cannot. You never know when you see the police car speed by if they are headed to lunch, or likely, to a non life threatening call where they are trying to get there quickly (i.e. alarm going off at a business or private residence).
I too have found IMPD to be helpful. However, in todays world, almost all personal property damage etc. is a report run, and not one where I expect they will recover items. Not enough resources, and too many people in the community linked to backyard markets in stolen goods. Sad, but this is the world we live in.
January 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Greg hits the nail on the head. Reserves go through the same training as merit officers do, it just takes longer to do it because they also have to work a full time job during training.
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Brad (if that really is you), does it really surprise you that Sheriff Bling-Bling would go for the more expensive vehicles? I mean, he gave a contract to Payton Wells at MUCH more than State Bid was. And as far as Ferguson being on IMPD as a reserve and working for the Sheriff as well, how could he do that? When the Mayor took the police back from Bling, that effectively made them 2 seperate departments again. If I am not mistaken an officer in the state of Indiana MAY NOT hold credentials from 2 different departments.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Thanks for the clarification Greg. I had always wondered and never thought to ask an officer when the opportunity arose, plus would worry they might take some offense to the question.
And I completely understand the point you made regarding the volume of small crimes, the market for stolen items and likelihood of every recovering anything. We didn’t have anything taken, but were still surprised they didn’t try to take any prints or anything just to pop them in a database and associate them with the report. They do have a nearly impossible job sometimes.
Regards.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
brad bentley, rolley has in fact been given a take home car because he decided to remain as an unpaid impd reserve officer. this is a small token for putting his life on the line. he was not given a motorcycle, your information is wrong there. and further he is applying for a job, but as of now doesn’t have it. thanks for watching his back for him…..
January 5th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
statler, rolley is an impd reserve police officer. the sheriff does not have police officers, they have special deputies, and yes he could do both
January 5th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
This is all interesting…but reserves have been a source of constant irritation, as well as much-needed backup from time to time. It’s a delicate balance.
Greg: you might be correct for most reserve officers. I only know two very well at all. They are both well-connected politically, and neither of them had very much training at all. One was not even asked if he could fire a gun, or offered firearms training, and he jokes about that sad fact. He began under Cottey, and remains on IMPD today. I’m not sure how he handled the transition from Sheriff-IMPD, but he did.
I’m also aware that the sheriff had special deputies all over creation and got burned on it a few years ago. All the school police, for instance, except IPS, were special deputies. (IPS’s police are recognized by state law as regular police) Some of the township officers were acting like fools, and he called them all in and scolded them, threatened them, etc. One, who was a township school policeman (Pike or Washington, I think), took chase after someone a few years back (maybe 2004-5?) and his lack of training showed: he t-boned an old woman’s car, which killed her. THe victim was not aprt of the chase, and the officer was not using proper procedure. The sheriff had his EO, Kevin Murray, tell all the school superintendents, in writing, that their officers would not have special deputy status unlness they completed much more training.
There may be other shenanigans, and I’m not FA fan, but this story is true–I saw the letter Murray sent. It was scathing.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:29 am
T.A. I am not an expert on this subject, just enought information to be dangerous. In your note above, you are actually referring to three distinct categories. One. Political. They are given a 6 pointed star and generally undergo little to no training. These are, or have been, for the politically connected. Usually used to get out of trouble type badge. Only a fool would use one in a real situation. Two. Special Deputies. Again, a 6 point star and they do go through 300 or 400 hours of training, but do not have arrest authority or powers outside their direct assignments (usually crowd control, jail, traffic control, jail wagon drivers etc). The third group, and the one referenced in the above posts are Reserve Officers. They, before moving to IMPD, carried a 5 point star and underwent exactly the same training as all Merit officers. The primary difference was that all merit went through ILEA (Indiana Law Enforcement Accademy) whereas the reserves went through exactly the same curriculum only on site at the sheriff’s training facility. As for car training and firearms training they go through exactly the same as merits. The only non merit officers that I am aware of who are assigned street duty are the Reserves, not the special deputies and certainly not the political loons carrying badges.
To your point about them being a source of irritation, I am sure that is true from time to time. In a perfect world, I suppose you would say that only Merit Officers should be on the street. I suppose in a perfect world, we would say that only career military should protect us. Alas, we don’t live in a perfect world financially. So, to me, the key is to value their willingness to serve, and certainly to ensure that the training and assessments they receive are identical.
Now, regarding politics in the sheriffs department…..well, we would not have enough time to even get into this topic. Peace.