Dear Editor:
In the event anyone is confused by Mr. Sawicki’s complaint about $45,000 spent in reference (1) it would do our residents well to remember that this was not a review (or “harassing our police” as Mr. Sawicki would have it) of CPD behavior or staff.
Rather than wait for the city to be hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit for misconduct (and hope it wouldn’t happen), as is happening in other municipalities, e.g. (2)(3), Council decided to ensure that the City’s Police Policies and Procedures (P&P) were consistent with national standards.
Bobcat, a firm of former police officers and administrators, identified 21 P&P items under which the City could be held financially or legally liable, and determined that 17 of those were written in such a way that they could leave the city legally or financially exposed (4). This report will guide the City in selecting and/or editing any future P&P document.
This is not a reflection on the Chelsea Police Department, as asserted in the letter cited; rather it gives the City guidance on updates necessary to protect itself from avoidable legal mistakes.
The proposal, including Bobcat research staff credentials, is at reference (5).
- https://chelseaupdate.com/letter-to-the-editor-what-does-45000-in-chelsea-taxpayer-money-buy/
- https://www.crcgroup.com/Tools-Intel/post/an-arresting-fact-municipalities-bear-growing-risk-for-police-actions
- https://www.wsj.com/articles/police-rethink-policies-as-cities-pay-millions-to-settle-misconduct-claims-11603368002
- https://city-chelsea.org/Portals/0/Set%20Work%20Session%20-%20Police%20Audit%20Report.pdf
- https://www.city-chelsea.org/Portals/0/Bobcat%20-Chelea%20Police%20Operational%20Audit%20Proposal%204-15-21%20reduced%20size.pdf
Donald Locker
Chelsea
