https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/a3dd8664-0e35-49c4-a4e6-95407fb12bb6
Every election cycle we hear the same old rhetoric from politicians running for office; “Unlike the past administration I will demand transparency!”. The problem is it never really happens, nor is the politician held accountable for not fulfilling campaign promises.
“I would explain it, and be transparent about that,” Stuckart says. “I know there are legal issues … It’s complicated. But I’ll try to be as transparent as possible. I don’t think withholding public records is very transparent.”
ONCE AGAIN…WE SHALL SEE!!!
The 2017 OPO Annual Report provides just a glimpse of the lack of transparency reality that exists as far as the City of Spokane and the Spokane Police Department is concerned. Granted the SPD is far more transparent than the SCSO, but the truth is SPD is far from transparent when it comes to anything that might make the them and the current administration look bad. In reviewing the 2017 Annual report I got a big kick out of this:
The reason I got a big kick about the OPO statement above and Recommendation #6 is because they are in reference to the McMurtrey story I broke and SPD wanted to hide a case I developed through sources. The McMurtrey case is much like another case SPD sure as heck doesn’t want made public involving one Cop accusing another Cop of being dishonest even to the point of contacting the Spokane County Prosecutor. Yes, I know guys and gals, but I doubt the City Council or the Public Safety Committee have a clue.
https://examplepro.me/2017/02/08/why-did-the-mcmurtrey-cover-up-take-place/
To give you and example of just how badly SPD wants the conduct of their Officers kept secret, think about how much time, money, and energy was devoted to trying to find out who my sources are, even to the point of falsely accusing OPO Logue of being one of my sources.
“What happens right now is someone calls Brian Breen and says ‘Hey, go request that one,'” Beggs says. “That should not be the way it happens.”
Well, Council member Beggs…nothing has changed since that Inlander Story.
https://examplepro.me/2017/07/21/the-attempted-intimidation-case-is-finally-over/
https://www.inlander.com/spokane/loose-lips/Content?oid=5107347
This Recommendation by he OPO, is of course a “No Brainer”, from the standpoint of transparency, the problem is, and what everyone should understand is that the whole issue is a simple matter of Mayor Condon directing his Chief Craig Meidl to post all the IA Cases…no need for any ongoing discussion, the law is clear as to what can and can’t be posted.
If you wonder what the now defunct Use of Force Commission and Cops DOJ reports had to say about SPD Transparency…here, you go:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/mar/20/justice-department-refuses-to-release-report-on-it/
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/sep/20/shawn-vestal-feds-retreat-from-police-reforms-leav/#/0
The fact is the only oversight left is the somewhat powerless OPO!
I should note that Council member Beggs is trying to legislate more SPD transparency, however his early Ordinance draft could create more problems for my friends Terri Pfister and Laurie Farnsworth, as it may force me to shotgun PRRs, something I would like to stay away from.
https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/944312d0-164c-4ed5-a1d7-e2acf464ee82
If you are really interested in the truth about SPD transparency you might want to read these previous stories…nothing has changed.
https://examplepro.me/2016/06/09/more-cronyism-and-cover-up/
https://examplepro.me/2016/03/26/furniture-gate-part-six-the-clean-up/
https://examplepro.me/2016/02/29/what-is-the-big-secret/
https://examplepro.me/2016/03/22/dont-blame-me/
Mr. JOE SHOGAN, might find this April 3rd, 2016 story of mine interesting:
Kind of Interesting given the Dobrow and Lundgren testimony in Mayor Condon’s Ethics Hearing…don’t you think?
I REPORT YOU DECIDE!!!
Buffalo Brian Breen 