The problem isn’t just that several Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputies violated county policy by sending e-mails with inappropriate racial and sexual content; it’s that they apparently thought the offensive comments were OK. In other words, it would have been just as bad if the deputies had whispered the comments to one another rather than used county computers to disseminate them. It’s good that the office is taking the policy violations seriously and intends to take disciplinary action. But the lesson to the deputies is not about being more careful with their e-mail; it’s about changing their mind-set.
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30 Comments
All of them should be FIRED period. Not later but right now. The emails are there and that is all the evidence that should be needed. I have a union job and if I sent a racist email from my company computer, I would be FIRED- not after an “invetigation” and not after a “hearing” but today- as soon as my boss got a copy of it. There is no reason to keep Klansmen with a badge around. Fire them. Now.
You’re talking about firing 80 percent of the cops in the state.
cops are racist and sexist?
I’m shocked, SHOCKED, I say.
Psssst–They are generally homophobic too.
Wait until you see the new film about Harvey Milk.
I noticed in the story yesterday, they were concerned that if they fired everyone who should be fired, they would not be able to cover all their shifts and do their jobs.
WTF does THAT say?
Thugs
Didn’t see the emails, so I really can’t comment on that, but it does show that maybe they are in need of some computer email classes so as to keep their opinions more private.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SO who is surprised that boxlick thinks it’s OK for them to be racist and sexist, they should just keep it to themselves?
Jesus WEPT!
ksfarmgrrl, are you not YET capable of understanding what you read? I NEVER said what you claim, that “it’s OK for them to be racist and sexist, they should just keep it to themselves”. NEVER said it!
In fact I said I couldn’t comment on what was emailed because I hadn’t seen it, and don’t know what it is.
But, are you saying people don’t have a right to an opinion, whether P.C. or not, and to communicate it to those they choose?
Does seem dumb they would let it become public though.
That’s the thing–people make fun of PC thinking and PC training (I’ve done it myself more than once).
But unfortunately as this episode shows, we still need to be on guard against inherent prejudices and demeaning behavior.
And I include myself in that “we” as well.
This is another case of juvenile behavior in the workplace. I agree that political correctness can be carried too far but this should just be common courtesy and common sense.
Knowing that a graphic picture and/or racial tone is included in an email, why would any adult person even think about sending such an email on the county email system?
The answer is easy - because these people thought they could get away with it.
What I find humorous is that these very same people who thought they were being so clever, were the same stupid people that copied it and sent it out to multiple county employees. How ironic that it was their own stupidity that caught them in the end.
Boxic,
“But, are you saying people don’t have a right to an opinion, whether P.C. or not, and to communicate it to those they choose?”
I for one am glad they slipped up and set them to the wrong person. Now we know exactly what kind of person they are, and know that they are not fit for a job of authority which requires them to treat all our citizens justly.
“But, are you saying people don’t have a right to an opinion, whether P.C. or not, and to communicate it to those they choose?”
So… if these guys, and I’m sure they are “guys” arrest a minority or a woman anytime soon, you dont think this will play a part?
They are supposed to be part of the JUSTICE system. If that’s the opinion they hold of those they are charged to “protect and serve”…
…WHY TF are they allowed to even BE cops. Except that until now, there was no documented evidence they held that prejudice.
Which is what it is. Prejudice. Not just an ordinary opinion like choc vs vanilla.
That’s the problem when incidents like this happen. It puts a light of suspicion on everything these people do in the future.
Knowing these people sent these offensive emails makes the average intelligent person wonder about the impartiality it takes to be in law enforcement.
The sheriffs department employee is not the person that decides guilt or innocence, they are the person that has sworn to uphold the law. Leave the finding of guilt or innocence to the justice system.
But, unfortunately, prejudice is alive and well and we all have some degree of it. If you doubt that, just look at the political parties and their wedge issues.
But I don’t expect any more disciplinary action than a slap on the hand for the people involved.
I am not defending this, but to be clear those in Law enforcement are not racism or sexist per say. After a few months you see everyone with a crappy view. Their human being, subject to every opinion that everyone else is subject to.
So, jokes about race and sex is prejudice? If they put either in a negative light? Now I know we’ve had this discussion before, and I don;t know where everyone lands, but if it’s rascist or sexist, or g/l inflammatory, does it make any difference who says it? It shouldn’t. should it?
Jed Posted May 16, 2008 at 2:14 pm | Permalink
Boxic,
“But, are you saying people don’t have a right to an opinion, whether P.C. or not, and to communicate it to those they choose?”
“I for one am glad they slipped up and set them to the wrong person. Now we know exactly what kind of person they are, and know that they are not fit for a job of authority which requires them to treat all our citizens justly.”
But Jed, lets just say you don’t like me, or hold an opinion or prejudice toward me as an example. I know that’s not true, cough cough, but lets just say it is for an example. Are you saying you couldn’t remain neutral and fair in their position. That you would let it interfer with your job, your judgment. Gee, that’s a shame and weak of you. I know there are many people in many jobs and professions that simply do not let that influence their behavior and how they do their job. I have a health care background and I can tell you I would force myself to try even harder if I felt a negative attitude towards someone in my care.
And my question remains, do people not have a right to an opinion that is not P.C. or always charitable towards everyone? That to say no is a dangerous societal attitude and unrealistic.
Cops are the last of the realists. The kind of political correctness that leads to this kind of thing even being noticed is more poisonous than racism or sexism. Racism and sexism are both rooted in reality.
Boxic,
I have no idea who you are off this blog and I wouldn’t give a rats ass to find out. For all I know, you might even be a stealth christian! My comments are directed solely to the opinions presented under your alias, which I find appallingly obscene. Further, I don’t hold a position of authority and don’t want to, so I’m not required to remain neutral; I can call ‘em as I see ‘em. Bye bye!
WhiteMule53,
“Cops are the last of the realists. The kind of political correctness that leads to this kind of thing even being noticed is more poisonous than racism or sexism. Racism and sexism are both rooted in reality.”
And my opinion of bigots like you is also firmly rooted in reality. I’ve seen Wichita’s “Finest” beat the crap out of human beings for no other reason than they could, and get away with it, not just once but several times.
When I was put on a list of witnesses for the defense in one police brutality suit, I was paid a visit by one of our upstanding detectives and told that I needed to be out of town for the trial or my kids would be in danger. Fortunately, the city settled that one for several million, which considering the guy’s injuries, was nowhere near enough! I will be satisfied when every one of you bigots is rotting in a hell of your own making.
I’m wondering if the distribution of these e-mails really wasn’t an accident. Maybe someone wanted to get them out there where they would draw media attention and where SCSO administration couldn’t ignore them.
‘lucee’ is right - there will be long-ranging impact of this incident. Everytime an offender claims that he/she was “profiled” or any claims of discrimination will have to be given more credence. What concerns me is that these officers weren’t concerned about posting these e-mails on the SCSO’s network. Even computer neophites know that once you push the “send” button, it’s out there for daddy to see. They obviously didn’t feel it was necessary to hide there dialogue or to protect their identities when they put it out there. What does this insinuate about the agency’s culture? This incident could be an element of the defense for many people charged with crimes in the future. All these defendants have to do is create an element of doubt that the SCSO is playing by the rules, and convictions will be hard to get.
Yes, even cops have a right to their opinions, even if those opinions include prejudice. But when they put the uniform on they aren’t representing themselves anymore. It’s their job to represent their agency’s position with the community’s best interests in mind (much of which is dictated by federal law and politically neutral). They can not present their political beliefs, religious beliefs, promote affiliations, etc. in any circumstance where one might percieve they represent the SCSO or the government. They certainly cannot use SCSO equipment or facilities to do so.
Is it possible to hold personal prejudices and still perform your work according to a neutral posture? Sure. There really isn’t much left out there where a street cop has to originate resolution to a problem. 99% of situations that police deal with have been dealt with many times before and are resolved by the numbers. Unless a cop deviates from established procedure, there really isn’t much room for him/her to intervene his/her prejudices into an enforcement action or a civil service.
Unfortunately, there won’t be an independant investigation into this matter unless the County Board of Supervisors commissions one. No crimes were committed (I don’t think) unless the e-mails were conjunctive with an arrest or significant detention (as was the case w/ the Rodney King incident in LA - it was the e-mails the officers involved sent following his beating that hung them). I’m hoping that there is a resolution to this matter that won’t leave lingering doubts about the culture and collective mindset of the SCSO.
“Further, I don’t hold a position of authority and don’t want to, so I’m not required to remain neutral; I can call ‘em as I see ‘em.”
I am quite convinced you would be incapable of remaining neutral even if required, or holding a position of authority, so it’s better you don’t.
You have no exclusivity on calling “‘em as I see ‘em” either, others can also.
I am glad they slipped up too, so it can be addressed, but it’s not unforgivable. Others hold prejudices, including yourself so don’t be so quick to condemn.
You have quite the creative writing ability, “I was paid a visit by one of our upstanding detectives and told that I needed to be out of town for the trial or my kids would be in danger”. You should consider writing adventure fiction novels.
Boxic,
I have no interest in writing fiction; keeping my eyes open and taking note of the world around me has always fascinated me much more.
The truly interesting coincidence was that last night, less than 10min after describing the above incident, I signed off and and turned on 20/20 and watched a half-hour of actual taped footage of cops acting pretty much as I described, in cities across the country. I don’t need to write fiction- reality does so much better than I could!
Jed,
I’m sure you are correct in saying there are bad cops out there. I don’t know that I have run into many, but I’m sure they are out there.
I think being a ‘good’ cop is one of the most honorable professions possible….and being a bad cop is one of the most detestable.
My tendency is to respect them and the tough job they do, I couldn’t do it.
I wonder if most the people they come in contact with in the course of their job are people that are lying to them, or threating in some way and that would certainly ‘color’ my approach to people.
Have a good weekend.
They did it on the JOB boxlick. If you do it on the JOB, using the JOB’s equipment, that makes it no longer your “personal” opinion. It’s then your “professional” conduct that is in question.
Fire ‘em all. Dont be held hostage to bigotry.
Boxic,
Also, remaining neutral in the face of injustice would be saying that I don’t really give a damn how it turns out. I’ve spent a life fighting hard against injustice because I can’t just dispassionately watch someone I care about get the crap beaten out of him or killed by bullies and drunken control freaks who somehow qualified to wear a badge and carry deadly weapons!
If you want to be neutered, I certainly won’t stop you. That’s your choice, and it might even solve some of your problems. But pardon me, I’ll pass. I’d much rather be a partisan than a eunuch.
Boxic,
“think being a ‘good’ cop is one of the most honorable professions possible… ”
Yeah, I’ve known a couple, and they agree with me that they’re an endagered species.
One once brought a buddie over to discuss a possible construstion job about 20 years ago. In the evening’s conversation, the friend asked me if I’d seen much crack in the neighborhood. I told him I wouldn’t know, that I’d never even seen the stuff. He reached into his uniform pocket and pulled out two small vials and showed them to me. Rather taken aback, I asked him what the hell he was doing with it. “Just in case I want probable cause.” After he left, I called an attorney I knew and asked him the spread the word among his fellow lawyers about this cop, but the casual way he showed it to me told me that it was probably a common practice.
The truth of the matter is that in most cases, the cops are just as much career criminals as the guys we pay them to arrest.
Jed,
Evidently you hate cops because of your idealogy you’ve been on the wrong side of the law more than once?
I’ve met a lot of cops, have had them as neighbors, went to school with some. They are just like you and me, with different idealogies, Christian, non-Christians, Atheists, agnostics and etc.
Calling the majority of cops career criminals shows that your opinion is worthless as filled with hate.
I’m extremely disappointed in you Jed. Always thought you were a reasonable person, you just proved me wrong.
At the very least their stealing time from their employer. I doubt playing on the computer is part of their job duties
Jed,
If you are insinuating I’m a eunuch simply because I don’t agree with you that most or all cops are bad that’s quite unfair, and I am disappointed in the maturity of your attitude as well.
I have never had bad encounters with the police, other than minor traffic violations and have been let go several times when I probably deserved a ticket, the reason, probably because I’m not anti-social or a criminal and respect their position.
When the ‘jokes’ that were emailed get printed publicly, I’ll come to some kind of an opinion, but until then I really don’t have one other than it was careless or dumb to let it get out, and as TomPaine said above, was stealing time from their employer which is actually us as taxpayers.
I agree with Regular in that the few cops I am close to either as neighbors or friends were great people trying hard to do a tough job. But yes, they didn’t have a soft spot in their heart for bad guys, and I agree. My son-in-law was a county prosecutor and is now a public defender in another part of the country, and I know he did and does his best for whoever he is working with even though the ‘quality’, my own term, of people he works with on the ‘wrong side of the law’ is rather disgusting.
WOW, what conspiracy theories some of you have. Same thing with how quick to judge, point fingers, and accuse these deputies of horrendous dealings when no one has even read or heard what was said in them. Jumping to conclusions and blaming people is pretty easy on this blog and in the comments pages of different stories, isn’t it?
I don’t see where the Sheriffs Office was trying to hide things from the public, sweep it under the rug or anything like that. It apparently happened last Sunday, it was found out on Monday, the story breaks middle of the week, and the investigation was completed on Friday. But yet the conspiracy theory folks, cop haters, government haters, and just plain haters were out for blood.
From reading the story with excerpts from the emails the Eagle received from the Sheriffs Office in today (Saturday’s edition and the 15th)
http://www.kansas.com/news/local/story/404565.html http://www.kansas.com/news/local/story/406904.html
it was a group of friends/coworkers talking often as friends/coworkers do amongst one another. Granted we don’t see any of the 41 emails sent back and forth between the deputies, but the media aren’t ones to cover up for the cops. But what they did release sure doesn’t sound like anything was meant in a vicious manner. I’m sure everyone one of you have taken part in similar conversations between friends, coworkers, and even family members, but yet you are quick to wag your finger at these deputies.
This group of deputies was made up of hispanic, white, and black, as well as both female and male members of the Sheriffs Office and they were having a bit of good hearted fun with one another until they discovered someone had put the address to mass email the Zoo employees in the address line while they had been clicking the “reply all” button on the email client. I don’t see anything released by the media (print/tv) that would indicate any deputy should be fired, do you?
After they became aware someone had accidentally included the ZOO, this became an “OH CRAP” thing to them and I am sure the personal and public humiliation has been quite the learning situation for them. This incident will be placed in their employee files and follow them throughout their careers as LEO’s on the department. It will can also be available to future employers too.
So, give these deputies a break. I am sure the Sheriffs Department will punish them properly. I am sure they have personally been punishing themselves too. The result of this has also made many people (cops, other county employees, and many others outside the county) aware of the power of the email and how someone can get themselves in trouble by misusing it at work, even among friends.
Boxic,
I’m not antisocial or a criminal either, but I was one of the working poor for a while and that seemed to be enough. For quite some time now I have simply refused to call the police for anything, because I have never been in or even seen a situation bad enough that the police couldn’t find a way to make it worse!