In this issue: Around The Nation: A coast-to-coast roundup of police news. People & Places: Making history in Louisiana; private practice; these cops are tops; Crews control; now you see ‘em, now you don’t. Roll out the Barrows: Hartford runs out of patience with acting chief of troubled police department. First-response ability: Medical kits gives deputies a life-saving edge. Better safe than sorry: Rhode Island troopers get a secure place to store their weapons. Let’s go to the videotape: Awaiting the findings of a “proper & fair” investigation into the beating of a suspect in Philadelphia. What’s the score? A change in test rankings riles Fort Wayne cops. The people’s choice: IUPA head wins a second term. Too little, too late: Report rips flaws in NYPD discipline system. Good cop, bad cop: Pittsburgh residents are asked to report cops’ deeds, good & bad. Death takes no holiday: Homicides surge upward in LA. New faces on the block: A city disbands its police force, but not everyone is happy that the sheriff’s deputies are taking over. Forum: Outside monitoring of police is fine, but the job shouldn’t go to the Feds. Mum’s the word: Fairfax residents are reminded that they don’t have to talk to the press. Slurring his words: A top aide’s racial slurs bring down a chief in Louisiana. --top-- Note to Readers: The opinions expressed on the Forum page are those of the contributing writer or cartoonist, or of the original source newspaper, and do not represent an official position of Law Enforcement News. Readers are invited to voice their opinions on topical issues, in the form of letters or full-length commentaries. Please send all materials to the editor. --top--

Forum Manus: Outside monitor, yes. Federal monitor, no.       Should there be outside monitoring of local police forces? Yes. Our form of government relies upon a system of checks and balances to limit abuse by government agents, and the police are no exception.       The people, through legislation, have indicted a strong preference for the presumption of innocence, while local executives proclaim zero tolerance for minor violations of law. Police seize the autos of individuals arrested for drunk or reckless driving, and politicians proclaim that a finding of “not guilty” will not necessarily return the property to its owner. The courts will vigorously protect the rights of accused offenders, but there must be an advocate for the marginalized citizen who is targeted by proactive police strategies but not arrested and protected by judicial process. No matter how infrequent, police misconduct or abuse must not be tolerated, and police mistakes cannot simply be ignored... --top--