Enhancing Police Integrity/U.S. Dept of Justice
May 6th, 2009http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sum/209269.htm
“Integrity is driven by an organization’s culture. The researchers believe that this places direct responsibility for officer integrity on police administrators, obligating them to create and sustain an organizational culture of integrity.”
“Managers must clearly state that any officer who lies during the course of an internal investigation will be fired. A guarantee of anonymity and confidentiality as well as rewards to officers who come forward to report the misconduct of their peers may cause more of them to do so.”
“Contradictions in management may promote confusion and create suspicions outside/inside the agency and thereby compromise police integrity.”
Blog:
The organizational culture i.e., ethics and integrity at the top will trickle down be it positive/negative.
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Ann, are you kidding me? With all the integrity issues surrounding the MSJC Police Department, specifically Corporal Mark Medina and his confirmed and documented act of perjury which is being investigated by the Riverside County DA’s office (not to mention the criminal investigation also being conducted against so called “chief” Kevin Segawa, how can you even include the words ETHICS and INTEGRITY in your blog?
Neither the entire BOT nor the college Admin has done ANYTHING to rectify the ongoing problem known as the MSJC PD. It is sick!
Ann, initially I cringed at the title of this post because it included the word integrity and you are affiliated with MSJC. Upon further review I found this post to be both accurate and timely. I commend you for having the courage to post this information which is an obvious “jab” at the inept chief of police and his corporal.
Since its inception we have heard complaints regarding the msjc police department and its activities. Whether the complaints were financially, geographically or duty/responsibility driven; they have seemed to come from all directions.
For some time now you have been outspoken about your opposing the police department, or at least its current leadership. I, and many others, could not agree with you more on this issue. Had we all just listened to you sooner, I believe, we could have avoided lawsuits, investigations, bad publicity, etc.
Sadly, a Board of Trustees member must explain to the college’s chief of police about integrity, responsibility, morals and ethics. This is the person who is supposed to remain exemplary in these qualities at all times. Unfortunately we are all finding out that this is not the case.
As your blog says “The organizational culture i.e., ethics and integrity at the top will trickle down be it positive/negative.” It is unfortunate that chief Segawa character and lack of ethics and morals were passed on to his 2nd in command, Mark Medina.
In time we will all see these two reprimanded for there actions. In time we will also see either what was once a good idea (MSJCPD) that has gone bad disappear or be filled with officers of integrity, ethics, morals and positive character like those who are engaged in a lawsuit against it.
Thanks again for your courage.
Ann, I was doing some research on the MSJC PD and their department policies. Here is what I uncovered. Perhaps it will help you in your quest to do the right thing:
Revision Date March 2006
Authority
1.01.01 (A): All members of the MSJC Police Department will be furnished with a copy of the manual and it shall be their duty to become familiar with the contents thereof, that they may thoroughly understand all the rules, regulations and instructions therein contained and conduct themselves accordingly…
1.01.01(B): Any member of the department shall be subject to reprimand, suspension or dismissal from duty according to the nature of the events, for any violation of rules and regulations or any provisions of the Manual of Policies and Procedures
Codes of Conduct- Policy Violations
1.02.01 (A): Members of the Department shall have respect for and comply with all laws while on and off duty
1.02.01 (B): Members of the Department are required to speak the truth at all times whether under oath or not…
1.02.01(QQQ): Misconduct is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including terminations of employment.
Misconduct is defined as:
1) Violation of any law
2) Violation of and Department rule, regulation, policy or procedure
3) Neglect of any duty
4) Any conduct which is detrimental to the good order and discipline of the Department, or which tends to reflect unfavorably upon the Department of the Mt. San Jacinto Community College District
Receipt of Complaints
2.02.02 (C) The supervisor [receiving the complaint] or lieutenant on duty shall
a) Evaluate the seriousness of the allegation to ascertain whether an immediate initial administrative investigation should commence:
1) Criterion requiring immediate investigation is that the investigation will be jeopardized by delay. An example:
4. The allegation (if proved) constitutes criminal conduct
Ann, as you already know former Officer Scott Jensen filed a complaint against Mark Medina of the MSJC PD for perjury. Given their own department policy do you think Segawa has an affirmative obligation to act against Medina for perjuring himself in court recently against former Officer Scott Jensen? If so, what is the remedy…TERMINATION?
It is also important to note that Segawa was also provided with a “certified copy” of the court transcript which clearly and irrefutably illustrates Medina’s perjurous conduct.
Ann, how can you, or the district, justify employing these people without taking any reasonable corrective action? Corporal Medina has been on a PAID leave since early October, 2008. When will you begin to investigate this individual?
I can tell you that to date there has not been an impartial investigation conducted. Additionally, since the news of “changing of hands” (Tyler Zampi Group), no effort has been made to investigate this matter. Can you explain why?
I find it interesting that the district has now posted an open recruitment for a CSO II position. REALLY? You are going to take the extreme risk of placing another employee under the command of a chief of police that has 4 former officers and a civilian engaged in lawsuits against him, the department, and the district. I cringe as I remind you that he [Segawa] is under criminal investigation by the Riverside District Attorney’s Office too.
Ann, what is it going to take for you to take action against your police department?
Havent you been watching the news lately [more and more police abuses of power-including bad shootings, illegal conduct by police chiefs]?
By not acting you are culpable!