"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." Albert Einstein ...We all have a voice, let's speak out. Brunswick is just the jumping off point; if we can see what's going on locally, then let's expand our observations and never be afraid to question. Never be afraid to speak.
Showing posts with label Cumberland County DA Stephanie Anderson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cumberland County DA Stephanie Anderson. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Prosecutors Willing to Fight Police Corruption?
Kimberly M. Gardner
St. Louis Prosecutor Says She Will No Longer Accept Cases From 28 City Police Officers
"August 30, 2018 ... St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner will no longer accept criminal cases from 28 city police officers and is reviewing their open cases for 'viability'.
Gardner delivered the 'exclusion list' to the police department and in a written statement said, in part, that prosecutors have '...the responsibility to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system...and the credibility of the police is one of the most important attributes of the job...A police officer's word, and the complete veracity of that word, is fundamentally necessary to doing the job. Therefore, any break in trust must be approached with deep concern."
Gardner's predecessor, Jennifer Joyce, similarly refused to take cases from officers when their credibility was in question. Other prosecutors, Brendan Kelly and Bob Haida have also done the same for police actions including but not limited to: botched investigations, mishandling of evidence, reckless use of firearms and criminal conduct. (Article linked here.)
"Attorney General Janet Mills said she’s concerned with the dramatic rise in the number of people shot to death by Maine law enforcement officers this year but is satisfied with the standards her office uses in deciding whether fatal force was 'justified.'Twice as many people have been fatally shot by Maine police so far this year as in all of 2016 and 2015 combined. The attorney general’s office since 1990 has been in charge of investigating such cases and has never found a shooting unjustified."
Brian MacMaster, the director of investigations since 1984; a Maine certified law enforcement officer since 1969. Office of the Maine AG link here . (See Police Fatal Shootings in Maine, link here.)
.
Unless now censored, YouTube is and has been replete with videos of police brutality and harassment, and to deny this type of brutality and police action occurs is to deny truth. This does not mean all law enforcement officers are engaged in such actions. After watching several videos it becomes apparent the ubiquitous use by some law enforcement officers of such phrases as: "stop resisting", "he's going for my gun" even when apparent no such behaviors are exhibited by the alleged perpetrator(s). Kudos to all citizens willing to video document and show these police incidents and how LEO in their areas engage the public.
We cannot hope for change without citizens' awareness, documentation, willingness and courage to speak.
"Sheriff Dunning said his conduct was shocking... law enforcement officers are here to protect the public not prey on them." Article link here .
Disclaimer: In no way is this post an implication that all police officers/law enforcement officers and/or prosecutors are corrupt. Recognition is given to those LEO and prosecutors who abide by the rule of law and do their best to uphold the laws with humility and earnestness while cognizant of the powers entrusted to them. However, it's also reasonable to agree with the statement that many law enforcement officers, police chiefs and prosecutors are, in fact, fully aware of those LEO operating under the color of law and are, therefore, complicit.
Let's get serious about cleaning up the swamp, including at our state and local levels:
"As a component of the Obama Administration's initiative to improve transparency and open-access to the Federal Government and the information it produces formally introduced upon taking office in late January 2009[2] and as a result of an agency-wide review and recommendation process ordered in May of that same year,[3] the issuance of EO 13526 was ultimately prompted by several factors. One factor was the large backlog of documents scheduled to be automatically declassified on December 31, 2009 and how to deal with that reality.[4] Another factor was delivering on a campaign promise.[5]" Wikipedia link here.
"Executive Order 13526 Sec 1.7 'Classification Prohibitions and Limitations. (a) In no case shall information be classified, continue to be maintained as classified, or fail to be declassified in order to: (1) conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error; (2) prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency; (3) restrain competition; or (4) prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection in the interest of the national security.' Q"
Cumberland County DA Stephanie Anderson's motto?
In the microcosm, even small communities such as Brunswick, Maine are no different than Kimberly Gardner's St. Louis. It appears several law enforcement officers, including Chief Rizzo (see previous posts), are well-aware of police fraud and corruption. Could it be these actions remain unaddressed for the simple reason any/all such involved LEOs' cases would require review for "viability" and cause chaos to Maine's judicial system? Time for transparency to be more than just a word.
And it'll take more prosecutors like Kimberly Gardner, Jennifer Joyce, Brendan Kelly, Bob Haida and law enforcement officers stepping up to the plate to clean up this swamp. Much appreciation to Kimberly Gardner and those with the integrity and courage to do so.
Seems no one recalls seeing any media news article regarding Brunswick Police Department (BPD) releasing personal information, including Social Security Numbers, to at least four media outlets. Wonder if any of the town councilors were even aware of the security data breaches? If so, did any one of them tell others, or instead participate in the hush-up? This isn't a case of computer hacking by some anonymous source, but rather the Brunswick Police Department giving out individuals' personal information. Furthermore, this isn't the first time the BPD released personal information which included Social Security Numbers. As evidenced by the pdf link of documents from the State of New Hampshire below, the police department's security breaches hasn't stopped, but remains an on-going problem BPD hasn't fully acknowledged, rectified, and been held accountable for. Therefore, since the pdf document letters are both dated May 15, 2015, Chief Rizzo and his subordinates' incompetence and lack of accountability remains with the current Town Manager John Eldridge to address. Could it be possible your personal information is floating out there because of the Brunswick Police Department? In searching the web, it appears some police departments across the nation have fallen victim to instances of their computers being hacked into, but it seems there are no other web documents nor news articles where police departments, themselves, are the culprits for having actually released personal information, including SSNs. Perhaps the Brunswick Police Department under the leadership of Chief Richard Rizzo has the dubious distinction of being the first in the nation.
(See New Hampshire's Department of Justice pdf documents as evidence of Brunswick Police Department's security breaches linked here.) The above pdf was recently found during a web search for something else. Oftentimes it's the reality, but happenstance isn't how people should find out what's really going on, and especially in matters of law enforcement for which "services" are paid by the people for law enforcement powers and consequences reaching outside their own jurisdictions. In other words, Brunswick taxpayers pay for law enforcement whose actions impact not only those living in town, but also affect many others outside the town, throughout the State of Maine, including visitors and tourists.
Naively, some don't realize that any contact with BPD (and likely most police departments), results in the collection of personal data and has a high probability of using/including Social Security numbers. Several States require SSNs in connection with driver's licenses. So, even if someone's calling for services and/or assistance - be it a traffic accident, vandalism, or reporting theft, sexual assault, received a parking ticket, etc., a wealth of personal data is connected in the database. It's no wonder several police department computer records are being hacked. It becomes even easier if the police department, which people generally and reasonably have an expectation of investigation and protection of individuals from identity theft, becomes a source for handing out personal information. Brunswick's Police Department, in fact, has been aware there were problems with employees giving out personal information, including Social Security numbers which they, negligently and/or maliciously, caused to be released to the public as evidenced by letter to BPD dated April 26, 2004 and, in part, reads:
Not a great idea, Mr. Police Officer!
"We had previously inquired about the Brunswick Police Department's practice of including Social Security Numbers (SSNs) on documents and requested they be excluded prior to being released to the public. Again, we have received reports with SSNs; would you please look into this? It seems prudent that no one should be receiving documents from the Brunswick Police Department which contain SSNs." (emphasis added) These same concerns were repeatedly verbalized and documented in writing to the BPD even after the date of the above letter. No response was ever received by any Brunswick Police Chief regarding ongoing security data breaches. Additionally disturbing and also brought to BPD's attention, the Brunswick Police Department has, in at least one known instance, participated in identity theft when former town manager, Don Gerrish, placed a "call" as request for service using someone else's personal identification - a citizen and taxpayer's personal information, including Social Security number. This specific computer generated log documented on October 2, 2007 listed the "call taker" as Dowling, Kara. The "call modified and closed by" police officer is listed as Lane, Robert 10/02/2007 @0811; said call which was never made by the person whose identity was used. Identity theft is said to be the fastest growing crime, including medical identity theft:
I'd met a young Navy man while getting documents from the BPD. The man was almost in tears because, in the process of buying a vehicle from a local dealership in Brunswick, he'd found out someone had stolen his identity. I told the man it'd been my experience the BPD was aware, and still habitually gave out computer reports and/or logs which contained unredacted personal information, including SSNs. And for the price of only $5 it seemed anyone could request a report and possibly get this kind of information directly from the police department itself. Unfortunately, the man stated this experience represented yet another reason why he couldn't wait to be transferred out of Maine and into a different permanent duty station. Other local cases of security data breaches which media has covered include People Plus: "What did People Plus Leak? Nearly every entry in the leaked People Plus database contained a member's full name, telephone number, home address, birth date, partner or spouse name, email address, IP address and emergency contact information, which also included a phone number and home address." According to the Bangor Daily News article, the leak occurred because of changes to their data system, but didn't raise legal concerns: "...a glitch must have occurred when he was switching the nonprofit to a new database management system with a higher security system protocol." Nevertheless, the leak of information, which most would consider private, is cause for concern; as one person noted, some individuals live alone. (BDN source). Malware is reported as the possible reason for a security data breach at Brunswick Hotel and Tavern as reported in The Forecaster, September 2, 2015 (Data breach at Brunswick hotel possibly exposes cards of 2,600). Medical Identity Theft is reported on the rise, and has even further implications; death has occurred in some cases because the perpetrator's use changed an individual's records, including conditions, prescriptions, and allergy information. (See St. Louis Business Journal article "Medical identity theft is fastest-growing identity crime in the U.S., and also listen to an interview with Heather Weagenhals "Identity Theft Can and Probably Will Happen to You" linked here). The harm caused by identity theft is enormous, along with increasing numbers of lawsuits including a class action lawsuit against Anthem: "Less than 12 hours after Anthem Inc. reported hackers had stolen data on as many as 80 million current and former customers, local attorney Irwin Levin already was preparing a class-action lawsuit against the company. He expects there will be more as Indianapolis-based Anthem tries to control fallout from the largest data breach ever at a U.S. health care company." (article). Apparently, it's neither easy nor quick to repair the harm done by identity theft which can occur even years after the information was obtained. Even when going through recommended methods of self-monitoring ones' identity and credit in tandem with identity theft insurance, recovering is difficult and in some cases irreparable. The following are source links to further understand identity theft. Freezing your credit with the three credit reporting agencies is an option, but reading through more information may help individuals decide which route is best to take. Heather Weagenhals, among other sources, mention the number one priority is absolutely protecting your Social Security Number by not unnecessarily giving it out. It's my understanding that any business or organization requesting an SSN must explain why they need it and what it's used for. An excellent visual: "World's Biggest Data Breaches" (information is beautiful) State Redaction Laws
Not surprising is the fact mainstream media, even at local levels, withholds information from the public. And within the four media outlets regularly given police log information for their ubiquitous "Police Beats" it's reasonable to expect someone was aware of these security data breaches by the BPD and said nothing. Instead of reporting, they simply looked away. The State of New Hampshire at least makes an effort to be forthcoming and shares security data breaches information in an attempt to possibly mitigate potential and substantial harm by informing people. (Update 10/02/2015 to include another pdf link for "Identity Theft Resource Center, Data Breach Reports, July 7, 2015". Note: The Town of Brunswick is listed as the entity under "Government/Military" as type of breach in lieu of specifically listing The Brunswick Police Department. Report IRTC20150616-02, page 8 of 14. Access pdf here.) It's been my experience along with several others, and also my opinion, Brunswick is the antithesis of transparency. If Chief Rizzo is forthright and credible, the public would've been informed of his incompetence and he would've taken responsibility by stepping up to the plate and telling people it had been a documented problem with BPD. It wasn't long ago the public heard Chief Rizzo hadn't been informing nor requesting approval from the Town Council for surplus military weapons the BPD had taken in for approximately seven years from the Federal 1033 Program. (BDN's article "Brunswick police now must get Town Council's ok before accepting military surplus weapons." dated January 8, 2015). The following was also found by happenstance in Ripoff Reports this year. Ripoff Reports is a site which maintains permanent records, and the report on Chief Richard Rizzo was written by the same anonymous woman commenting in The Forecaster compelling me to begin with blog post "Smells Like Agenda 21 in Brunswick": Ripoff Report #1196847 Brunswick Maine Police Chief Rizzo Former Police Chief in Ayer, Massachusetts Contract Not Renewed After Conviction of Mcguane Brothers...Murder (of) Kelly Proctor:
"Kelly Proctor was a promising young black male who lived with his mother and sister in the small town of Ayer, Massachusetts. Ayer is a blue collar,predominantly white working class kind of town. Kelly Proctor was valedictorian of Ayer High School and a star player on the local football team. While Kelly was walking home from a fireworks celebration in his small town with his friends, he was viciously attacked and beaten to death in less than one minute by the Mcguane brothers, both who were much larger and physically stronger than Kelly. He never had a chance. Kelly tried to crawl under an SUV to escpae (sic) the Mcguanes but died at the scene. He was unarmed.
The vicious beating was witnessed and the entire Ayer community was in shock after Kelly Proctor's murder. He had been well liked and was attending nearby Nichols College. Outraged parents said AFTER Kelly Proctor's murder that they had repeatedly contacted Ayer Police Chief Richard Rizzo to complain the Mcguane brothers were bullying and physically assaulting their children - and Rizzo did NOTHING. The Mcguane family was influential in small town Ayer: one member was on the Board of Selectman (that supervised Police Chief Rizzo and approved his contract), another was married to someone on Rizzo's police department and the local high school gym was named after another relative. 2 standards of justice for Ayer Police Chief Rizzo: one for those from the local powerful families and another for everyone else. Poor Kelly came from 'everyone else" (sic).
Police Chief Rizzo did NOT investigate Kelly Proctor's death as a hate crime and he worked with Martha Coakley when she was the Middlesex District Attorney. Why weren't federal hate crime charges sought, Rizzo and Coakley? After all, the Mcguane brothers had bullied Kelly Proctor previously and evidence of this was brought at trial. Plus, Rizzo and Coakley did NOT bring in a top quality forensic pathologist and one month before trial, the public paid pathologist - who had botched the cause of death - was exposed so the charges were downgraded from first degree murder to involuntary manslaughter. The Mcguane brothers were both convicted BUT served only 3 years for murdering an innocent young UNARMED black teenager. The poor kid never had a chance against 2 much larger and stronger assailants.
After the convicton of the Mcguane brothers, Police Chief Rizzo didn't have his contract renewed for 6 months and he resigned, moved 2 states away and became the new Brunswick (Maine) Police Chief.
While he has been Police Chief in Brunswick, he has allowed an attorney named Mark Waltz to continue to practice his solo law practice while Waltz is paid by the public to work full time days. Waltz also runs a private business called Casco Bay Title LLC which provides real estate title searches. Rizzo and Waltz have refused (sic) local "influential" people who have been aggressively harassing, targeting, threatening and trying to financially exploit a female who owns private property in Brunswick. These people are all direclty associated with a bogus "non profit" called the Brunswick Tospham Land Trust and their Executive Director Angela Twitchell wh (sic) is an extreme environmentalist. The Town Manager John Eldridge refused to have an indepependent investigation of Rizzo and Waltz. And the entire Brunswick Town Council has refused to investigate the Brunswick Police Chief Rizzo and Captain Mark Waltz. Waltz has refused to disclose if Angela Twitchell and the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust is a personal client of his as ATTORNEY Mark Waltz. Has Brunswick Police Chief Rizzo been allowing Captain Mark Waltz to run a private attorney practice out of the Brunswick Police Department? Rizzo and Waltz have withheld ALL information from the Brunswick Police Patrol, Supervisory and Dispatch staff and have NOT permitted them to investigate Angela Twitchell and 2 local realtors and a female attorney who may be in on trying to coerce the female property owner or to financially exploit her. Rizzo has been accused of falsifying police reports and the Brunswick Town Council has reportedly received written letters of complaint which they have NOT publicly disclosed. This is a major public corruption case right now involving a Police Chief and Police Captain and a Town Manager and the entire Town Council.
Ayer to pay $3.4 million for unjust conviction - Boston Globe
Before Police Chief Rizzo arrived in Ayer, Massachusetts, it was already famous for its corruption and fraud.
Ayer Massachusetts was the setting for the false investigation and conviction of an innocent man who spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. And the District Attorney who could have vacated his sentence years before his innocence was proven: none other than Massachusetts Attorney General Marth Coakley.
Justice for Kelly Proctor and Justice for All Women in Brunswick.
Investigate Brunswick Police Chief Richard Rizzo and Police Captain Mark Waltz and Town Manager John Eldridge and Brunswick Town Council."
And General Comment #2 in response:"I first saw your comments in The Forecaster in December 2014, and noticed they began deleting them. However, I copied the remaining comments as I searched other articles, and subsequently began a blog; please check it out: www.freebrunswick.blogspot.com
Therefore, this response is not actually a rebuttal, but a way to offer support as I'm familiar with some of the issues you've mentioned; however, other information you've given is new.
I understand your frustration with a corrupt system which includes a police department headed by Chief Rizzo. Your comments about them selectively choosing when or if they will enforce town ordinances and state laws is true; along with whom they align with as also evidenced by a history and pattern of behaviors. Former town managers used the police force as their own henchmen. They are bullies and mess with people's lives without any sense of empathy or remorse.
I've heard from several people. Some examples are: One case concerned a group of teens. One of the prominent families of Brunswick's son purposefully hit another teen with his car; several witnesses reported this to the police. However, the report came out differently, and it ended up being the other teen's fault - the one hit by the car! Even a high school resource officer was seen by several stopping a teen with a coffee mug, pulling out a baggie of what appeared to be marijuana from the kid's cup, and kept it - never took the boy to the office, nothing.
Portland Press Herald
This police department has operated with impunity; Stephanie Anderson, Cumberland County DA is well-aware of police falsifications of reports, and the Attorney General's Office is, too. There has been a paper trail left behind for documentation; the letters, evidence, and complaints by several people are there, but the public will not be given access. This is how they roll. According to what you've written they're now following CIA rules (if you want to cover-up, write nothing down). Sounds like they won't even talk with you. Big flags; it means they have something to hide.
Michael Madigan, ADA, also hides police corruption; and destroys evidence. He is aware of unethical and unlawful police actions, but does nothing. Wonder how many others have been affected by this group, how many fines are paid, and people going to jail. The public at large is too easily victimized by their own - people whose jobs are paid for by the taxpayers. When police want a "meat" ticket, they can get their money and quotas very easily.
It's also easy for them to hide hate crimes; they simply don't report them, and report everyone as "non-Hispanic" on their forms. One citizen was taking pictures of town employees on her property; and one of the town employee sneered as he said, "Snap away, chink, etc." It was reported, Rizzo did nothing. Chief Rizzo did nothing when repeated criminal trespass occurred to another, and the perpetrator doing it told the property owner to "Go back to your own fucking country." It was witnessed, and reported; Chief Rizzo did nothing. But the reports are in the files.
A woman, Andrea Murillo, was sitting in her parked car with her disabled son; they were simply having a snack. Officer Potter came up to them yelling for them to get out of their car as he pointed his weapon at them. Ms. Murillo was a former police officer, she screamed loudly don't shoot me as she had her hands up. Sound familiar? Potter was described as being very nervous and concerned about her screaming don't shoot me. Potter falsified reports, too.
Brunswick Police Department is corrupt and operates under the color of law, and they get away with it. As mentioned, I'm familiar with some of the issues and it's fact several of the law enforcement officers there, including Chief Rizzo have filed false reports, and they refused to enforce a Superior Court Order as well as District Court protection orders on numerous occasions. On or about August 30, 2007 after trespassing (they removed no trespassing signs in the driveway) LEOs Mark Waltz, and Kevin Schofield entered a private residence beyond doors with locks and deadbolts to threaten the resident/citizens therein.
Fact is, we can find several stories from many people. They talk, but these don't make the papers which only seem interested in siding with corrupt LEO.
I understand where you're coming from. A lawyer has said as long as the LEO don't brutally beat you or rape you, they'll pretty much get away with anything. Seems very true, and they know it."
Conclusion:
When the major changes begin occurring in the U.S. don't count on any police officers who don't follow the laws, hide from their responsibilities, are known to have a history of corruption, falsify reports, and exhibit other unethical behaviors.
Because they remain in law enforcement positions doesn't mean they'll change their behaviors to suddenly become "good cops" when most relied upon to maintain an orderly community - while wearing their military gear. It won't happen. It's fact, not all police officers are this way. But trust your gut and keep in mind most Town of Brunswick police officers follow the thin blue line, and Chief Richard Rizzo is no leader. "Bully cops cost everybody"(You Tube - Razor Briarz Channel)
Rick Alexander was one of the sexually abused boys. He and others who speak about their sexual abuse need to be heard. Alexander took power back as a child by saying he was going to tell, but also evident is a lifelong struggle to keep a sense of self worth when perpetrators aren't brought to justice. Even worse, is when perpetrators of sexual abuse are known and protected by others willing to cover up the truth.
By having the courage to publicly speak Alexander empowers others now to know they're not alone. More men with courage like Alexander are coming forward and filing complaint: Larry Ouellette (he had also previously filed a complaint, was interviewed; no charges brought against any officers), Matt Lauzon ("Man recalls abuse by officer", Biddeford Courier), and Bobby Kalex (he had also asked the police for help). According to the following linked video web site, there are 5 men who've come forward at this time ("Biddeford, ME cops handcuffed, raped alleged victims"; Album on Imgur).
Now two Biddeford officers are currently under investigation for alleged sexual assaults ("2nd retired Biddeford police officer accused of sexual abuse"). The victims and residents are requesting Chief of Police Roger P. Beaupre, who was also working in the same capacity when the complaints were brought to him 13 years ago, to be suspended pending investigation.
I believe the men coming forward and what had happened to them. I feel sad they've had these experiences and perpetrators, knowing full well what they were doing, stole away the innocence of children. If we, as a society, are claiming all children to be our future - to be cherished and protected - then we must also speak up in support, demand changes and accountability of perpetrators of sexual abuse, and provide an environment which allows telling and believing what they are saying to us.
In the Bangor Daily New's (BDN) web page, "Crimes and Courts" articles are listed in the upper right and it becomes difficult to read some of them. Some commenters have written posts such as: Again! What is going on?... Police Officers, too... We're seeing 2 or 3 of these sexual abuse cases against children nearly every week! Another recent commenter about child sexual abuse said even though it's difficult to know what is happening we shouldn't turn away from the abhorrence, but address the issue in order to stop sexual abuse and sexual assaults.
As evidenced by documentation, police officers as sexual predators ("Who do you report to when your rapist is the police?"), and as pedophile predators isn't unusual as it may seem to some. What's unusual is if police officer sexual predators are even caught, convicted and fully prosecuted (i.e., not offered a sweetheart plea bargaining deal).
There is a Facebook page "Tribute to survivors of child sexual assault by law enforcement officers" (linked here), and posted with a statement:
"More police officers are convicted of child sex crimes than all other
professions combined. It's law enforcement's 'dirty little secret'."
"Pillars of the Community":
Last year, former Maine State Police Chief, Andrew Demers, once awarded "Legendary Trooper" status, reached a plea deal for gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact with a person under 12 years of age (see BDN article) - a 4-year old relative. Regardless of his legendary trooper award, according to a Portland Press Herald article Demers' law enforcement career wasn't without controversy. The sexual molestation of boys in the Cole Farms case being one of the controversies mentioned:
"The next year (1992), the state police came under fire for failing to pursue
allegations that the founder of the Cole Farms Restaurant in Gray had
molested several boys in the 1970s. After state police dismissed the allegations, saying they were too
old, the accuser turned to the District Attorney’s Office, which then
investigated and charged Warren Cole with sexually molesting a young boy
in 1986 and 1987. Cole was sent to prison in 1992. State police were accused of failing to pursue the case because of
their close relationship with Cole, who hosted dinners for troopers at
his restaurant. Demers admitted that the department mishandled the allegations but
denied that it had anything to do with Cole’s relationship with police. A
few months later, the department changed its policy to say officers
could no longer accept free meals."
"Most were 10 to 15. They said they were molested in his apartment, at
his cabin, at another camp he had owned or at a lodge he once had...
(Warren Cole) faces three civil suits filed on behalf of boys who are said to be
his victims. One accuses Cole of getting a 12-year-old boy drunk and
molesting him before he darted in front of an automobile and was killed
in 1981.
Another suit accuses Cole of throwing poker parties, providing beer
and showing porn films to law-enforcement officers. The suit says Cole
used his close ties with police to intimidate boys to keep quiet -
sometimes flashing his honorary sheriff's badge - and that his family
knew of his problems and helped cover up his activities."
Many believe Demers received a sweetheart plea deal aided by Cumberland County DA Stephanie Anderson which minimized his criminal actions and accountability, protected him because he was a former Maine State Police Chief, and disregarded the harm done, in general, to the public's trust in law enforcement. There's a deeply held belief by several, and rightly so, that law enforcement officers (LEO) are held to different standards and police officers usually get away with crimes, including brutality and murder. If LEO have perpetrated any crimes, then it's reasonable to question that same officer's involvement and judgment in all his/her other cases of law enforcement. Perhaps this is one of the reasons DA's like Stephanie Anderson look the other way when it comes to police misconduct.
"Thirteen years ago, I told the Attorney General there was a problem. It fell on deaf ears. You knew that you had a pedophile working in Biddeford." Rick Alexander According to the WMTW news clip linked above it appears, Brian MacMaster, Chief of Investigations since 1984 is also currently investigating (re-investigating?) the Biddeford Police Department case of sexual abuse. It's been my experience and opinion that documentation and complaints about LEO misconduct in Maine is something Brian MacMaster attempts to hide.
The average citizen will find it difficult to receive any documentation under a Freedom of Information request of LEO and prosecutor misconduct in general, let alone specific departmental police misconduct. Instead of providing documents requested pertaining to Brunswick police misconduct, the Attorney General's Office via Brian MacMaster referred, by letter, to possible destruction of such documents labeling them "sufficiently aged" when a new Attorney General takes office. Seems illogical and indicative of cover-up to write that documents, especially pertaining to police misconduct, in the possession of the previous Attorney General's files are no longer relevant to other governmental official successors nor the public.
Rick Alexander brought the allegations to the Attorney General's Office in 2002 - 2003 and no charges were filed against Police Officer Dodd; it appears there was an attempt to ignore the problem in hopes it would go away. As previously written and evidenced by documentation, Brian MacMaster works on behalf of LEO; there's no protection for the public when no criminal charges are brought forth for some of Maine's LEO who continue to be employed.
New Hampshire, at least, maintains a "Laurie List" of police misconduct, albeit available to defense attorneys and not the public (see Lies, Bigger Lies and Granddaddy Drug Dealers). Maine, on the other hand, seems steadfast in withholding truth about police misconduct, and admits no fault of LEO leaving citizens at risk and unprotected from corrupt, fraudulent, malfeasant, and even brutal cops.
LEO misconduct and ability to still remain employed as dubious law enforcers is ubiquitous (Texas being one such example: Grits for Breakfast). Complaints against cops are usually investigated within the department, thereby offering the first layer of protection. Further, complaints against LEO are considered "personnel issues" and the information is unavailable to the public.
Through tight control, protection of departmental processes, and cohesiveness of the municipality with a governing body even a public survey regarding the Brunswick Police Department's performance becomes meaningless as results and comments are cherry-picked for favorable ones while eliminating other legitimate concerns and complaints. Local mainstream media, via The Times Record, quickly mimicked Chief Richard Rizzo's cherry-picked results. Seems likely this happens in other communities as well as it's part of the propaganda.
Bottom line is all LEO engaging in, committing, and condoning police misconduct and criminal actions should be held accountable and fired - anywhere, everywhere. Police departments too easily become ensconced in the "good 'ol boys' club", and a thin blue line in which some departments also appear to turn a blind eye to known predatory, sexual child abuse within their ranks. Too often the good, hardworking and ethical police officers leave the system because it's corrupt (see Police State: To Serve and Protect) and then all of us lose.
Additional sources about pedophile police officers:
It's not just some police officers who are predatory sex offenders..."Political Pedophilia": Embedded below is a video from The Corbett Report; the approximately 68-minute report is both exceedingly disturbing and difficult to comprehend regarding the decades of abuse (in the UK victims are requesting the current investigations go back into the 1950s), lack of accountability and justice, and the scope of predatory sex offenders and global pedophile networks involving prominent politicians, celebrities, corporatists, bankers, billionaires, some in academia, attorneys, royals, etc. which appear to occur in plain view.
In tandem are the obvious and important questions of why do predatory sex offenders continue to get away with numerous crimes, who are they and how do we stop them?
James Corbett does an excellent job of bringing in sources to help us understand the power dynamics and patterns of predatory pedophilia and act towards solutions, instead of leaving us feeling sad and hopeless because of the pervasiveness and global magnitude of predatory sex offenders of children (of all people) which many others are knowingly aware of it, and the lack of law enforcement and justice.
"Hundreds must have known something."
Jimmy Savile was a disc jockey, television and radio personality (BBC's Top of the Pops, and Jim'll Fix It), and charity fundraiser in the UK. The reported numbers of people who'd come forward revealed multiple sex crimes; he'd sexually abused mostly children (girls and boys) from 1955 to 2009. The statistics are staggering: 450 people, 328 of which were children, 34 rapes, 126 indecent acts occurring even inside public institutions (13 hospitals, including a number of psychiatric units, a hospice, schools). "It's clear that their testimony, when taken together, presents a compelling case of a predatory sex offender across the whole of the UK. It could be said he (Jimmy Savile) groomed a nation. He was hiding in plain sight and yet none of us were able to do anything about him." Commander Peter Spindler, Metropolitan Police
Political, royalty, and media connections gave Savile cover; he raised enormous amounts of money for charities which he then also used as bargaining power to threaten newspapers and reporters.
Further, 5 VIP Pedophile rings have been uncovered from the 1970s and 1980s involving those in the highest levels of government - members of Parliament, 24 identified politicians, military officers, some connected to the royals, and intelligence agencies.
Police were ready to prosecute former MP Cyril Smith but were threatened and the case was dropped. Smith died in 2010. Sir Peter Morrison, also alleged to have engaged in predatory pedophilia, has also died without being charged. There are 17 allegations of police cover-ups.
Likewise, Savile had never been charged, therefore never prosecuted. Police in Surry and Sussex were told of 4 sexual assaults by Savile, and nothing was done. It seems those abused were given apologies, and a removal of Jimmy Savile's headstone (he died October 29, 2011) with these words inscribed: "It was good while it lasted.
Two women, 13 and 14 years of age at the time of alleged sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein, press to receive documents and to re-open sex abuse case.
Billionaire investment banker, Jeffrey Epstein:
"Nearly a decade ago, a wealthy financial guru came under FBI
investigation, suspected of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls at
his Palm Beach mansion. Then, abruptly, the investigation was dropped
and Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to a single state charge of
soliciting prostitution. He served just over a year in jail." ("Accusers of Investor Jeffrey Press to Reopen Sex Abuse Case") Epstein is accused of being a sexual predator willingly "sharing" underage children for sexual abuse with prominent politicians, businessmen, royals, those working in academia, etc. Multiple mentions are made of visitors flown to his island in the U.S. Virgin Islands (confirmed by flight logs) to attend parties.
Bill Clinton, Epstein's friend, is listed multiple times from 2002 to 2005, and is also connected to Epstein through computer data, e-mails, contracts, etc. including 21 different phone numbers for contact. Prince Andrew, Mick Jagger, Alec Baldwin, John Cleese, David Rockefeller, George Soros and many others are also connected with Epstein as evidenced by the documentation the women's attorneys were able to obtain.
A former "houseman" of Epstein provided a black book he claims contains a list of VIP pedophile friends, some names which he'd circled. (pdf, 92 pages with addresses and telephone numbers redacted, here). The Corbett Report episode above also links the documents including flight records (corbettreport.com, Episode 304, "Political Pedophilia").
Dozens of women have been coming forward, and Epstein has made 17 out-of-court settlements. "Joris Demmink, Netherlands - former Ministry of Justice, Secretary-General":
"Dutch Injustice: When Child Traffickers Rule a Nation"
Demmink worked in a high-level governmental capacity for 10 years as Secretary-General for the Ministry of Justice. It's obvious Demmink's position of power, which is a noticeable pattern for predatory sexual offenders, is a reason he's not been brought to justice. With Demmink's retirement and ability to remain free from prosecution for sexually abusing boys in the Netherlands it's highly probable he will continue predatory patterns of behavior virtually anywhere he wishes to travel. During the 1990s, Demmink is alleged to have had Mehmet Korkmaz (head of security in Turkey for Demmink) find homeless boys brought to him to rape ("Prosecutors probe 'evidence' Joris Demmink visited Turkey in 1996" ).
"In the Netherlands they want to go on believing their own fairy tale and they don't want to believe that they are ruled by people who do those horrible things to kids, and they are so corrupt. They want to believe in the fairy tale of the Netherlands. So, I think the Dutch people don't want to admit that this is happening in their own country. But not accepting it means they let it go on; that's the problem and that's where we stand for that we say no - we have to bring this out. We don't want that this goes on. This is not the country we want to live in." Adele van der Plas, attorney
Kakistocracy:
Dr. Tjeerd Andringa, University of Groningen, presents a helpful theory to understand ubiquitous "political pedophilia" we're witnessing. Dr. Andringa defines kakistocracy as "government by the worst and most evil people: a highly capable brand of psychopaths...":
"Psychopathy is only mildly hereditary, so an elite psychopath cannot
guarantee that sons or daughters will be just as psychopathic. I expect
this entails that they need a steady resupply of ruthless and power
hungry individuals who understand the world deeply and pervasively and,
as such, are highly capable. Normally deep and pervasive understanding
leads to wisdom and a sense of responsibility, humility even. But that
is precisely not what that the kakistocracy needs: it needs the same
depth and pervasiveness of understanding, but in combination with utter
ruthlessness and the capacity to appear respectable.
Enter child abuse. By abusing children you “give” them an attachment
disorder by violating or destroying the deep sense of security that is
the basis for an open attitude towards learning and discovering. With
this trust violated the child’s world changes from a world of
opportunities, to a world of potential and actual threats. And often
they will search and serve those who can protect them from these threats
an in doing so giving their autonomy away for life. And they might even
carry it over to their children: stultifying their growth towards
autonomy. Aristocrats and priest must have discovered a long time ago
that abused children lead to useful adult servants; slaves actually. And
while this is despicable to people with a normal moral development, it
is a positive thing for psychopaths who see other people as tools
anyway.
Yet this does not solve the problem of keeping the kakistocracy
supplied with respectable appearing, super high functioning, and
completely ruthless psychopaths. Only a small fraction of the
population (say 1%) is psychopath and as such has the benefit of an
absence of empathy and a conscience: psychopaths are able to exploit
others as if they were tools. Yet the vast majority of them are not
particularly evil: they can be ruthless, daring, and callous, but they
find mostly norm-abiding ways to be psychopathic: they might be
mountaineers, military, ER-doctors, car or insurance salesmen,
real-estate brokers, or white-collar criminals. But most are definitely
not the high functioning individuals that compare with how the power
elite sees themselves and would accept as their peers. So how do you
recruit suitable psychopaths in your midst if they do not advertise
themselves as such.
Enter child abuse again. If you organize events for the ambitious and
capable in which they progressively can show that, notwithstanding
their veneer of respectability, they are actually completly ruthless,
you have the ideal recruiting grounds for the kakistocracy. Of course
blackmail plays a role, but the suitable candidates gladly let
themselves to become blackmailable because this gives them access to the
inner sanctum of the kakistocracy: they proof themselves worthy members
and loyal (due to their blackmailability) and in return they will
receive access to power in a way they could never dream of on their own.
After a while they become fully accepted a level that suits their
capabilities and they will help to maintain the system that gave them so
much opportunities (and can end their respectability at any point in
time).
I think that what I have sketched above is a useful framework to
understand the dynamics of elite child abuse networks. It is never an
incident, it is “just” the kakistocracy maintaining and reinvigorating
itself: business as usual. But the few moments the abuse networks become
exposed it provides and ideal opportunity to glimpse the kakistocracy
at work (and frantically protecting itself)." (The Corbett Report).
How do we stop it? Dr. Andringa offers suggestions, some of which include:
compile more information, names, and networks
we need something resembling science to find a rigorous way to understand - through data mining, information graphics, networks of people to find patterns - a clear modus operandi for the kinds of people involved (Dr. Andringa says there could be more theories, besides his kakistocracy theory, to help us understand)
we can generate predictions; what kind of climate creates these people?
activism should follow, aligned with goals and outcomes but keeping in mind the dangerousness of premature activism
many people at the "bottom" are not corrupt; we can enlist their help (victims, religious groups, human rights watch groups, etc.)
educate about how to detect a "political parasite"
when we know what we're doing then we need to make it personal; ostracize these people, we could eventually have something like a "Political Parasite Purging Program"
we can enlist the help of alternative media; mainstream media, the police, etc. ostensibly are used to deal with these issues have covered up; there is no trust with mainstream media and the current judicial system [see Institute for the Study of Globalization and Covert Politics (ISGP)].
“The very first part in healing is shattering the silence,” Erin Merryn
