Iowa Officer Disciplined For Quoting Report
By Wyatt Earp | September 3, 2010
Apparently, alleged racial beatings are a “hot button” issue in Des Moines. Well, they are if the alleged victim is white.
In a typical jump-the-gun measure, Des Moines Police Chief Judy Bradshaw (who is white) transferred the department spokesperson (also white) for suggesting that a series of area brawls were racially motivated. Oh, did I say she was suggesting the fights were racially motivated. I meant that she was quoting the responding supervisor’s report.
Either way, Sgt. Lori Lavorato was reassigned for her politically incorrect sin. Nice, huh?
Des Moines Police Chief Judy Bradshaw reassigned her department’s spokeswoman Thursday, two weeks after Sgt. Lori Lavorato said it was “very possible” fights near the Iowa State Fairgrounds had racial overtones.
Bradshaw, who could not be reached for comment Thursday, raised concerns about statements Lavorato made after a series of fights outside the fairgrounds last month. A supplemental report about the Aug. 20 incident filed by Sgt. Dave Murillo said, “On-duty officers at the fairgrounds advise there was a group of 30 to 40 individuals roaming the fairgrounds openly calling it ‘beat whitey night.’”
Sgt. Lavorato simply quoted the report filed by Sgt. Murillo. Unfortunately, Sgt. Murillo didn’t get the memo stating that African-Americans cannot be criticized or shown in a bad light.
While answering questions from the news media three days later, Lavorato said, “It’s all under investigation, but it’s very possible it has racial overtones.”
Police commanders later said they found no credible evidence the fights were racially motivated.
“Credible evidence?” What does that mean? And how hard did they pursue that angle? The Des Moines P.D., like most police departments in this country, is run by politically-correct individuals. They would be especially wary of declaring a crime racially motivated when the offenders are African-American.
That being said, if the attacks were not racially motivated, why transfer the woman? She offered an informed opinion based upon the available police report.
“I had some real concerns with us making that leap and making a remark like that publicly,” Bradshaw told The Des Moines Register in an Aug. 26 interview. “That’s a huge statement that, quite frankly, can provoke emotions on both sides of the issue.
So if you follow her twisted logic, Bradshaw has no problem making that leap in the privacy of police headquarters, as long as no one repeats it in front of others. Isn’t that just the height of hypocrisy?
In my opinion, what Bradshaw is really saying here is that her department will not offer an opinion on a race-related issue unless whites are the alleged offenders. I’d have more respect for the woman if she just came out and said that, instead of disciplining an officer for not being politically correct enough.
Topics: The Job | 9 Comments »
September 3rd, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Chief Bradshaw is a lesbian, she’s not about to offend any minority group. I’d have respect for her if she resigned. If you’re that terrified of offending, if you’re that worried about everybody’s feelings, than law enforcement is not for you. Your duty is to enforce the law. The rule of law is the bedrock of this republic. If the citizens of Des Moines expect equal protection under the law, she is not equipped to offer it.
Hate crime legislation is a one way street. Hate crime laws were made to coddle minority voters and make it seem that the legislators who supported these laws are heroic. They are a joke, you can’t convict people for what’s in their heads. You can only convict them of their actions based on a preponderance of evidence.
Now I better hurry up or I’m going to miss Kingsfield’s contract class.
September 3rd, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Remember, only “whitey” can be a racist.
A pity more people can not live by the words Dr. King said so long ago, that we should judge a man by his character and not the color of his skin. Those who apologize for the actions of thugs because of fear to offend minorities are only demonstrating their contempt for them. Do the ones apologizing hold in contempt the intelligence of the minority community? Do they not believe someone in the minority community can identify criminal behavior and condemn it on their own? No one should be given a free pass on criminal behavior.
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Let’s hope this isn’t a trend. We had a similar situation here in Denver in late 2009. Black gang members targeting white patrons of the “LoDo” nightclubs from July to November. 32 were FINALLY arrested after an undercover operation. Problem was, no one in the DPD, the mayors office, or any other public safety concern bothered to warn anyone that these attacks were taking place and it took Channel 7 News with a statement by a law enforcement source who said the DPD was keeping the public in the dark about the attacks.
From the Channel 7 report:
“Police spokesman Sonny Jackson denied that police delayed warning the public for seven weeks to avoid frightening visitors to the popular and lucrative downtown entertainment district.”
“He said police had to confirm “a pattern of behavior” before going public.”
“But police reports say the gang attack pattern was identified during the summer as the department deployed uncover teams and used surveillance cameras to identify the assailants.”
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21868721/detail.html
It took 7 weeks before the public had any information regarding the attacks which put many more innocent victims at risk.
And not so much as ONE “hate crimes” charge has been leveled yet and not a peep from the dominant, liberal mass media.
Makes one wonder what the result would be if it were white gangs targeting blacks.
Wouldn’t it?
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Lesbian chief of police? Oh Ok. Never mind then. It’s all good.
September 4th, 2010 at 7:34 am
Mrs. Crankipants – I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, whites can not be the victims on Ethnic Intimidation. Apparently, every depratment in the country got that memo.
Officers at the scene heard African-American thugs claim it was “Beat Whitey Night.” The spokeswoman repeated that at the presser and said it was “possible” that there were racial overtones involved in the beatings.
“Possible.” For this, she gets transferred.
Robert B. – What about the good people there? The ones of every racial group that have contempt for these thugs? Who is standing up for them? Certainly not Chief Bradshaw.
The sad part is that to be a police chief in America, you must be a politician first, and an officer second.
RAPH – In a decent amount of the crime stories posted in the Philly
newspapersfish wraps, the race of the alleged offender is omitted. That is especially true if the offender is an African-American or a Muslim.Uber-liberal talk show tool Michael Smerconish ranted about this a year ago. And if he ranted about it . . .
Captain – There are some professions where political correctness has its place. Law enforcement is not one of them.
September 4th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Political correctness has no place in enforcement of the law. In fact, it could be argued that political correctness is often guilty of obstruction of justice.
September 4th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Wyatt, the point here was that the DPD and other public safety entities released NO information about the attacks so for at least 7 weeks people were being put at risk.
I wouldn’t give a tinkers damn WHAT color the perps were. I’d like to know that I’m putting myself in a dangerous situation.
Not that I’m not ready. Just sayin’
Exercise your Second amendment right. Get your concealed carry permit NOW.
September 5th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Bob – RE: Holder’s decision to drop charges against the Black Panthers.
RARH – Because in the end, the DPD was more concerned with not offending the delicate sensibilities of the alleged thugs than keeping the people safe.
September 5th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Wyatt…….
BINGO!