Post by Tom on May 14, 2009 6:53:37 GMT -5
POLICE OFFICER SCOTT CRAWFORD – WHY DOES HE STILL HAVE A BADGE? WHO IS TO BLAME?
I know for some this may be a touchy subject, but in some ways I feel compelled to write about Scott Crawford. Most of us know about Scott Crawford’s erratic behavior and excessive use of force.
Scott Crawford currently has 7 lawsuits against him within an 8 year period. This do not include any other instances that Crawford may have been a part of an incident that went unreported.
While employed in Waukegan, Scott Crawford was caught on camera hitting Jose Gonzales in the head while he was handcuffed in the back of a squad car. Even though Crawford was involved in a civil suit, he resigned from Waukegan in good standing in 2002. Marengo had hired him in February 2003. By June of 2003, he was being internally investigated for using excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution. Chief Mason, at the time, neglected to conduct adequate investigations into Crawford and other Marengo police officers. I was dumbfounded by the comment Patrick Shelton made in 2005 about not knowing about Scott Crawford’s past. I am sure they knew. Marengo could have stopped Crawford’s reign of brutality. Instead, they gave him a deal if he would resign. Marengo made it sound like Crawford’s resignation was due to the fact that he withheld information on his job application, took part in an improper high-speed chase, and fostered a hostile work environment. It was more then that.
Now Scott Crawford is the center of attention again in Round Lake Heights. He was caught on camera for wrongfully punching John Thompson in face in 2008.
Why does Scott Crawford still have a badge? Who is to blame? The system is to blame. When officers are facing criminal charges or termination, they tend to resign before a police commission decides their fate. Usually there is an agreement between both parties and any indiscretions are tucked away. When this happens, the city or police department are obligated to give other potential employers a reference in good standing. Police officers should be held accountable for their actions. There should not be second, third, or fourth chances.
Employers who hire rogue cops often claim they had no knowledge of an officer’s past. This is due to either not digging into the officer’s past, information not being shared by the previous employer due to some agreement, or just because it is cheaper to hire a previously trained officer. In fact, I do remember someone saying that it was cheaper to hire an officer with previous training then to train a new officer. But if you have an officer who is prone to getting into legal trouble, where is the money being saved?
Here is a suggestion for municipalities: there should be a new requirement that all police officers should carry their own liability insurance. This way if an officer does something stupid, the city and the taxpayers are not responsible for paying out lawsuits. Eventually unsuitable officers would not be insurable and therefore not be hirable.
Let’s hope that Scott Crawford’s current employer will bring charges against him and finally take away his badge that he does not deserve to wear.
“If you are reading this article anywhere else,other than at the McHenry County Il Blog - A little of this and that or The McHenry County Message Board, then this article has been shamefully stolen!”
Copyright (c) 2009 McHenry County Il Blog/McHenry County Message Board
mchenry-county-il.blogspot.com/
I know for some this may be a touchy subject, but in some ways I feel compelled to write about Scott Crawford. Most of us know about Scott Crawford’s erratic behavior and excessive use of force.
Scott Crawford currently has 7 lawsuits against him within an 8 year period. This do not include any other instances that Crawford may have been a part of an incident that went unreported.
While employed in Waukegan, Scott Crawford was caught on camera hitting Jose Gonzales in the head while he was handcuffed in the back of a squad car. Even though Crawford was involved in a civil suit, he resigned from Waukegan in good standing in 2002. Marengo had hired him in February 2003. By June of 2003, he was being internally investigated for using excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution. Chief Mason, at the time, neglected to conduct adequate investigations into Crawford and other Marengo police officers. I was dumbfounded by the comment Patrick Shelton made in 2005 about not knowing about Scott Crawford’s past. I am sure they knew. Marengo could have stopped Crawford’s reign of brutality. Instead, they gave him a deal if he would resign. Marengo made it sound like Crawford’s resignation was due to the fact that he withheld information on his job application, took part in an improper high-speed chase, and fostered a hostile work environment. It was more then that.
Now Scott Crawford is the center of attention again in Round Lake Heights. He was caught on camera for wrongfully punching John Thompson in face in 2008.
Why does Scott Crawford still have a badge? Who is to blame? The system is to blame. When officers are facing criminal charges or termination, they tend to resign before a police commission decides their fate. Usually there is an agreement between both parties and any indiscretions are tucked away. When this happens, the city or police department are obligated to give other potential employers a reference in good standing. Police officers should be held accountable for their actions. There should not be second, third, or fourth chances.
Employers who hire rogue cops often claim they had no knowledge of an officer’s past. This is due to either not digging into the officer’s past, information not being shared by the previous employer due to some agreement, or just because it is cheaper to hire a previously trained officer. In fact, I do remember someone saying that it was cheaper to hire an officer with previous training then to train a new officer. But if you have an officer who is prone to getting into legal trouble, where is the money being saved?
Here is a suggestion for municipalities: there should be a new requirement that all police officers should carry their own liability insurance. This way if an officer does something stupid, the city and the taxpayers are not responsible for paying out lawsuits. Eventually unsuitable officers would not be insurable and therefore not be hirable.
Let’s hope that Scott Crawford’s current employer will bring charges against him and finally take away his badge that he does not deserve to wear.
“If you are reading this article anywhere else,other than at the McHenry County Il Blog - A little of this and that or The McHenry County Message Board, then this article has been shamefully stolen!”
Copyright (c) 2009 McHenry County Il Blog/McHenry County Message Board
mchenry-county-il.blogspot.com/
