LVPD serves more than community
Campus Times
March 20, 1998
photo by Stephanie Lesniak
For the second time in recent memory, the La Verne Police Department
has disappointed its community by giving lenient punishments internally
in the name of justice.
Two police officers are the subjects of an internal investigation for
their alleged sexual interaction with underaged Explorer Program members.
The incident(s) apparently occurred early in 1997, Capt. Ken Swank said,
but have only recently "come to light." The investigations have
been conducted since.
According to Capt. Swank, the Explorer program, which serves as occupational
training for teens interested in becoming part of law enforcement, will
"not be affected at all" by the officers' actions. Moreover, the
investigation is due to "inappropriate activity of the officers,"
and will have no time limit until the case is "logically concluded."
However, the lack of "justice" is apparent in the LVPD now
more than ever. The fact that officers Troy Allen and Bryan Ongley, according
to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin,
have been accused of sexual offenses with minors, but receive a paid leave
of absence pending investigation, is not fair for the community.
Only a few weeks ago, the La Verne community questioned whether actor
Christian Slater was really serving a "sentence" at the La Verne
jail, when his punishment consisted of washing cars and helping the police
department with minor services, not to mention his privileges to roam about
the police facilities, speak to outsiders and now, an early parole.
If actors can get away with committing crimes, and police officers are
continuing that pattern, then why have laws and enforce them? It seems unfair
that only those with a uniform or a reputation are allowed to break the
laws that have been established for everyone's protection.
Regardless of its stature, the police department and its officers serve
a role much higher than serving the public in daily activities. In addition,
they serve as role models for civilians, and future explorer graduates to
follow and respect the laws that have been established.
It is ludicrous to believe that ordinary civilians are expected to obey
the same laws, when those who are assigned to enforce those laws cannot
even obey them within their own department.
Although Capt. Swank said whenever officers are accused of misconduct,
investigations are conducted to, "uphold and maintain" the ethics
and morals of the department, it becomes difficult to agree that this is
ever accomplished.
Regrettably, the quiet town of La Verne is not oblivious to the scandals
and wrong-doings of those that are looked up to.
Unfortunately, the Hollywood style trend of breaking the laws and receiving
minimal punishment is residing in our police cells and penetrating our police
discipline.
In the dictionary, police means "To control, regulate or keep in
order by use of police. To make clean. To supervise the operation, execution
or administration of, to prevent or detect and prosecute violations of rules
and regulations. To exercise such supervision over the polices and activities
of."
According to the dictionary meaning, the two police officers were not
following the correct criteria that they should have been. Even though the
case is still under investigation, how does a police officer get involved
in a situation like this one? By no means should a police officer be involved
in anything like this.
The community is supposed to be able to turn to the police for protection
and help. Who is the public supposed to look towards now if the police are
stabbing the community in the back?
We, as the community, need to ensure this sort of behavior does not
happen again. The La Verne Police Department needs to hire better personnel-almost
anyone can become a police officer and that is a scary thought. But can
these officers maintain the morals and high standards the community seeks?
