Word is that the cops from the Ossining P.D. that were involved in a shooting incident a few weeks ago were CLEARED of any wrongdoing by a Westchester Grand Jury. Unfortunately, the residents of the town that is home for Sing Sing Prison believe that "street justice" is the only way of handling these lawful, defensive, actions by police officers confronting an armed felon, and that the cops should have been indicted and sent to jail for responding to a 911 call and taking appropriate police action. Fortunately for the cops, the New York State Penal Law is the only law that is consulted here. It's funny, but the same people that believe that the President of the United States can lie under oath, as well as to the people of this country, and be given "high fives" for his "conquests" (while on duty, and on "department property"), are the same ones that call the cops in the first place, then criticize them for showing up and taking the lawful actions required to stop a potential killer. The 11 PM news covering this story in Ossining failed to reach out to "Big Al" Sharpton and Ron Kuby for their feelings on the clearing of the cops, but Al is still standing on Lenox Ave. holding Kallid Muhammad's coat after Muhammad took off like a rat fleeing a ship from the rally, and Kuby has to get up early to defend Clinton on the air with Curtis Sliwa.
The Saturday papers go into more detail of the outcome of the Grand Jury findings. It seems that Prosay's prediction was right! A quote from the Saturday NY Times from Joseph Valiquette, an FBI spokesman states that "...in light of the grand jury action there will certainly be conversations between the FBI and the US Attorney's office" as to whether a civil right investigation should be undertaken. This about says it all! Now, unlike any other citizen in this country, the findings of a local grand jury is invalid, if the decision is favorable for Police Officers doing their sworn duty! This is a total disgrace!
Sadly, something else must be mentioned here. While Prosay believes that, as law enforcement officers, we are all in the same boat, we must reconsider our relationship with agents of the FBI. Unfortunately, the politicians have made these agents the pawns of the Federal Government, and the US Attorney's offices in particular, to do their dirty work to enhance their political stance. It has also come to Prosay's attention that some of those in the FBI have taken their "responsibility" too seriously, and believe everything that they read in the papers about a cop or cops involved in an incident that makes headlines. With that "knowledge," they go full steam ahead with the investigation, following, not the truth, but the roadmap laid out by the politically savy US Attorney that initiates the investigation.
Having said that, Prosay must recommend that these agents be kept at arms length. Before extending a "professional courtesy" to these agents, remember the statement from the FBI spokesman, and how they hope to persue the lawful shooting incident, which a Westchester Grand Jury found no legal fault with. When you respond to a "10-13," and find it's an FBI agent "holding one" whose cleanliness is somewhat questionable, and the agent doesn't want to get his suit wrinkled, escort him to the stationhouse, then point him in the direction of Central Booking...they're NYS peace officer under the C.P.L., don't forget, and can make their own 'state' collars! When you come across an agent in a situation that is somewhat, well, questionable, call a boss, and let the boss cut him loose. But don't bet on it! NYPD bosses have pensions to protect and they don't seem to be too willing to put their pension in jeopardy for a fellow cop, so I doubt they would for an FBI agent!
If you think that the "goals" of FBI agents (and federal agents in general) are really above board, remember that HOWARD SAFIR was a career federal agent.
(9/22)UPDATE: Prosay has already received several emails agreeing with us wholeheartedly on our stand versus the agents. We must admit that this animosity even caught us a little by surprise. When time permits, some of the ideas will run in our LETTERS department.
Read how theU.S. Attorney for the Southern District of NY seeks out cops.
Our original story on the Ossining shooting.
