Wednesday, November 27, 2013

V.S.A. 316 (a), (b), (c) and (d)

I just finished my first complete reading of the 14 allowed police reports FINALLY provided (after a year's struggle to get them) to me by the Burlington Police Department in Burlington, Vermont. Without boring anyone I'll surmise the following analysis:

First I can see why the local police department tried so desperately to keep me from viewing these reports.

There is a big difference between a difference of opinion, and a basic concrete fact, such as where a particular traffic stop took place, or an address where an incident took place compared to someone's opinion on the description of someone.

The one police report which had nothing to do with Champlain College or my employment as a correctional officer involved a traffic stop at 861 Williston Road which is Staples Plaza, yet the Burlington Police Report of this very incident says it took place over three miles away at 1233 Shelburne Road.

I'd like to say that I remember this traffic stop vividly because it involved a defective rear break light on a previous SUV I owned. I remember this stop as I used it as an example in my mind because the responding officer was nice enough to give me a warning and let me go without citing me. I clearly remember thinking that the only reason he gave me a warning and didn't cite me was because he was distracted by his radio which appeared to have him in a much bigger hurry once the dispatcher called over the radio.

He quickly checked my inspection sticker and asked me if I was going to have it fixed and as I thanked him and said yes, he was already back in his cruiser peeling off with his siren and blue flashing lights.

The remaining 13 reports are glittered with entirely gross and defamatory remarks of my character. It was as if the responding officers were mad that I was documenting our repeated vandalism for public record. It was as if these police were trying to cover up the crimes being reported, rather than document them for future reference. This was a repeat pattern and only with the Burlington Police.

My professional assessment is this:

The Burlington Police are in a relationship of SELF ENRICHMENT in a multitude of public misconduct incidents, including but not limited to: access to public records requests (APRA) with a flagrant disregard for V.S.A. 316 (a),(b),(c) and (d).

A full year later I tried to get a copy of a one or two page police report notably #27132 which took place on Monday October 7th at City Hall and was submitted by Burlington Police Officer Kahlig. This report had a supporting witness which was documented into the report. On Tuesday October 8th 2013, When I asked officer Kahlig how much a copy was he said $25/ per copy of the report. That's practically $12. per page.

This proves the pattern of "Repeat Behavior" and unfortunately is:

1) a primary reason for me not being involved or utilizing my academic background in criminal justice for a career in local law enforcement

AND

2) Demonstrates a serious need for our city to have an independent oversight mechanism to safe check the unscrupulous misuse of government power by the local police.

A full year after generating and posting the preceding APRA documents showing the pattern of corrupt behavior by the Burlington Police Department, Burlington Police Chief Michael Schirling still steadfastly disrespecting the very legislation in which we tax payers, pay him to enforce.

Year's past (yes prior to 9/11) we had true Peace Officers. Personally I feel Kevin Skully was the last of those in Burlington and those days are now gone. Not because of 9/11, but because of our government's efforts to capitalize on 9/11 which involves scaring and misinforming the public as much as they possibly can.

From Paul Lawrence to Michael Schirling, The Burlington Police Department continues to disgrace its community by misinformation and enforcing the law with a political agenda in mind. Effective police must be "A Political" when enforcing the law.

My negative documentation and experiences with the Burlington Police Department are growing faster than I can keep track of.

In closing this entry, remember this, the police (particularly local police) are ALLOWED to lie with practical total impunity. We need oversight in Vermont and my experiences documented here are a case and point example of this need.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Burlington Free Press "Poll?" Hummm.... Does this prove the Freep's readership? Or is it a real indicator?

Though I have little faith in this Burlington Free Press "Poll," Please go their site's front page and vote NO to F-35's at the Burlington airport. Thank you. http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/

Friday, April 5, 2013

Burlington Police Chief Michael Schirling tries to violate V.S.A. 316 and 318 and fails

According to my Public Records Requests with the Burlington Police Department, there are "19" reports with my name in them. After being allowed to view only fifteen of them Deputy Chief of Police Andi Higbee confirmed what Greta Dumas had previously informed me of in way of a $20.00 per report copy fee. Since most of the fifteen reports were just one or two pages, this would have been more than the "actual cost" of copying them. It also represented a violation of Vermont's Access to Public Records Legislation and notably: V.S.A. 316 (c)(d) and (e). So not believing our Chief of Police, and in view of the numerous and gratuitous errors in many of the reports I examined I decided to take a closer look.
After not hearing back I sent a reminder :


NOT at all satisfied, I requested Discovery and Detail on the Chief's allegations of a legitimate $20.00 fees for copies of "reports." This is was my response :

I finally got a letter from the City's Custodian of Public Records :

Then, finally, just as I suspected and yes, sweet victory !

So with this I reiterated my request to the Burlington Police Chief and this was his response :

I have yet to re examine these "reports" of me but from what I remember of them at my first examination; I'm not super anxious to find errors in basic facts such as where specific traffic stops actually took place. I'll take a look and post the reports in which "facts" I found amusing or entirely false at a later date.