Sarasota News Leader

01/11/2013

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Sarasota News Leader January 11, 2013 Page 44 park, and when I drove by while showing my Police Lt. Steven Breakstone eventually reparents the city, it looked like a new park." signed following a series of charges, allegations and investigations. And she repeated her remarks to the CCNA about the High Point strategy. "We deal with As the civilians reviewed the old case of "abuse the same people over and over," she said. "We of position," they learned a senior member are looking at the most violent offenders in of the department had been selling jewelry our community." to other senior members while on duty. And those same senior officers had judged the case Her main point was trust. "I understand there as members of the Disciplinary Action Board. have been problems in the community. Starting right now, it is our job as police to put our "The chief and captains bought jewelry, and hand out to you. Please reach out your hand then some sat on the disciplinary board," said to us." Lt. John LeBlanc, the head of Internal Investigations. "We do not make findings or recCIVILIAN REVIEW GETS RAVES ommend disciplinary action. That's up to the The Sarasota News Leader is the only news chief." organization covering the monthly meetings DiPino sat quietly in the front row of seats, an of the city's Police Complaint Committee. The audience of one. At the end of the meeting, civilian panel reviews old and cold cases of Chairman William Fuller asked if she would the Internal Affairs Division of the city's polike to say a few words. lice force. Florida is one of the very few states to make these investigations public once they "I've heard about panels like this before. I are concluded, even if no disciplinary action wasn't sure what to expect," she said. "I'm is required and officers are cleared of miscon- quite impressed with this operation." duct. "I feel good you are taking another look. I In existence a little more than one year, it has don't have an issue continuing with this," she had a bumpy ride. Initially, the civilians were added. "I have not approved having a disciconcerned, and sometimes appalled, at how plinary review board. Ultimately, it is my delittle punishment is meted out for bad police cision." behavior. And the police were leery of any airing of their dirty laundry. But time has brought DiPino comes from Ocean City, MD, where accommodation and even some understand- the rules are different. ing to both sides. "In Maryland, internal affairs are totally The public seems never to attend (although the meetings are open and advertised), and nobody comes to complain. But on Wednesday, Jan. 9, Bernadette DiPino showed up to listen. And she happened to come to a meeting when the case of a senior officer was aired. sealed. You wouldn't even know what the penalty was," she said. "This is a great open system, and I don't have a problem with that. Even after the fact, it helps me gauge a citizen's perspective on what is appropriate or not." %

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