Cops Find Out They’re Not Above the Law – Now Morale is a Chief’s Worry
Last November a Colchester police officer allegedly failed to charge an off-duty Burlington police officer suspected of driving drunk. The alleged drunk resigned, and the Colchester officer was fired along with another Burlington officer who allegedly failed to be forthcoming during an internal investigation. Public criticism has, at times, been harsh.
In a January 28th interview with WPTZ television, Chief Steve McQueen of the Winooski department is worried about what effect people’s questioning of police integrity will have on morale. Morale doesn’t seem to be a problem for everyone, as the reticent Burlington officer has decided to appeal his firing to the city Police Commission. Chief McQueen teaches at the Police Academy. How about a course in ethics?