(http://www.fop530.com/pics/Trudy-Callahan.jpg)
Lt. Trudy Callahan, under investigation...again
Plus, 50 complaints in 20 years. Takes pictures of black americans while on shift. Posts them to instagram with racists remarks. Now, let's hear from our Crazy Uncle's on MetroJ how she's protecting the constitution... :-[
QuoteA police lieutenant – who remains on the job during a 20-year career marked by nearly 50 citizen and internal complaints – is being investigated by the Sheriff's Office about whether she is linked to pointedly racist posts on a social media photo site.
An internal affairs case now is open on Lt. Trudy Callahan to determine if she posted objectionable Instagram posts that use racial epithets to deride black people and their lifestyles.
Sheriff Mike Williams said be has seen some but not all the posts. "That is completely inappropriate and completely unprofessional," he said of the Instagram content. "Beyond that we will let internal take that and run with it."
Asked if that type of postings damages the department's image, Williams said they do. "You hit the nail right on the head," he said. "It absolutely is."
He also would not talk about how this kind of case affects the Sheriff's Office relationship with the African-American community or about the specific behavior of officers.
"That's not indicative of what lieutenants in our agency are like and it's unprofessional," he said.
Whoever was using the account "truds137" posted a photo of a blonde uniformed officer in the police zone where Callahan is assigned. The account has been removed, and police wouldn't confirm to the Times-Union if they'd determined who was using the account. Undersheriff Pat Ivey told the Times-Union he believed the account belonged to Callahan.
Callahan declined comment on the story.
Callahan, who is also a board member of the Jacksonville police union, was just re-elected to its board, where she has served as a member since elected to a two-year term in 2013.
New Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police President Steve Zona said the union would handle the issue internally. "We take any allegations of misconduct regarding a member of our organization seriously," Zona said. "I have just begun gathering facts regarding the matter, but we will not confirm a member's 'social media' identity, and any action deemed appropriate will be handled as an internal matter within our organization."
The Instagram postings include a variety of comments.
In one post describing condoms on sale, the caption beneath a picture taken at a drugstore reads: "I mean are condoms not selling enough in the hood they gotta put them on sale?"
Another is a re-posting of a police composite from another city that shows a man with dreadlocks draping his face and the caption:
"The police really expect somebody to find this n — — — a I know 6 n — — —.—s that look like this."
The image is posted by truds137, who also comments, "I could be a sketch artist."
Another positing shows a photograph of a black man standing in a VyStar bank drive-through while everyone else is in a car. The post jokes about the man needing money for gas.
At a time when relations between African-American communities and police across the nation are strained, allegations of racist behavior by police point to deeper, institutional problems and ethical behavior, studies show.
Serena Parekh, an associate professor of philosophy at Northeastern University who has taught political philosophy related to police, said racism remains embedded in institutions including police departments and jails. "It's bad for the citizens and it is bad for the police," she said.
Ethical standards are much higher for police officers because of their power, and Parekh said standards of nondiscrimination should be applied to all.
Parekh said social media has had the impact of taking what people formerly expressed in private, limited ways and exposing them to the public by broadcasting those thoughts. Posts such as those on Instagram make private lives public, she said.
"In modernity, the two get squashed together," she said.
Parekh said it was appropriate to investigate the posts. "It was not private, it was very much public," she said.
If officers make racist comments on social media, it can erode support for police among those who pay attention to law enforcement, she said.
"If that's the reputation of police, you are going to know that," she said. "They are going to have much less faith."
The investigation is the latest in a history of complaints against Callahan, who was hired in March 1996.
In 2003 Callahan was considered the most complained-about Jacksonville police officer on the force, according to a Times-Union story at the time.
She also had a long list of commendations, including one for saving a woman from jumping off a 19th-floor hotel railing and another for work helping shut down four drug houses. Then there was a suspension for acting irresponsibility with another distraught person. It was one of three suspensions she served.
Seven years into the job she had about two dozen in-house and citizen complaints against her, with 20 upheld, ranging from traffic crashes to rudeness, according to the newspaper account.
At the time, former Undersheriff Wyllie Hodges said he told Callahan she had to change her ways if she wanted to continue to be an officer with the department.
Since then, Callahan has risen through the ranks and was promoted to sergeant in 2006 and lieutenant in March 2011.
She has also accumulated more complaints. She has 49 for her nearly two-decade career, according to her personnel file. Of two dozen complaints since 2003, seven were sustained, according to Sheriff's Office records.
She was given formal counseling for some and two written reprimands, but no suspensions.
As in the past, Callahan also has been commended.
In a September Times-Union editorial about police partnering with the community, editors noted that in a visit to a sheriff's advisory council meeting, citizens applauded Callahan for work she had done with the group.
A copy of the complaint in the social media internal investigation is protected under public records law and will not be available until the case is resolved.
Dana Treen: (904) 359-4091
http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2016-02-09/story/jacksonville-police-lieutenant-history-complaints-investigated
(http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2016-02-09/story/jacksonville-police-lieutenant-history-complaints-investigated)
Maybe if police organizations did more to "police" their own, they would get more respect by avoiding these stories that pop up every couple of months. It will be an "internal investigation" which means that nothing will happen. Officers like her shoot first, and then think second because they are boldly racist. And she is a lieutenant!
Quote from: TheCat on February 09, 2016, 09:20:03 PM
Plus, 50 complaints in 20 years. Takes pictures of black americans while on shift. Posts them to instagram with racists remarks. Now, let's hear from our Crazy Uncle's on MetroJ how she's protecting the constitution... :-[
What do you mean by "Crazy Uncle's on MetroJ"??
Quote from: Jason on February 10, 2016, 02:21:15 PM
Quote from: TheCat on February 09, 2016, 09:20:03 PM
Plus, 50 complaints in 20 years. Takes pictures of black americans while on shift. Posts them to instagram with racists remarks. Now, let's hear from our Crazy Uncle's on MetroJ how she's protecting the constitution... :-[
What do you mean by "Crazy Uncle's on MetroJ"??
I think he meant "crazy uncles on the Metro Jacksonville forum".
Quote from: brainstormer on February 09, 2016, 09:58:22 PM
Maybe if police organizations did more to "police" their own, they would get more respect by avoiding these stories that pop up every couple of months. It will be an "internal investigation" which means that nothing will happen. Officers like her shoot first, and then think second because they are boldly racist. And she is a lieutenant!
Do you know her personally? Wouldn't it be prudent to wait for the findings in the investigation before calling someone a racist?
^ what do you mean? Do we really need an internal investigation to confirm whether someone's posts are racists?
Maybe you mean, confirm that the posts belong to her? It seems that has been confirmed.
Quote
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —
Claims of racism are being leveled against a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office lieutenant, centered on her Instagram posts.
These posts were made in the last few months. Sources have confirmed the officer in the pictures on the Instagram account is Lt. Trudy Callahan.
Action News Jax has learned Callahan has been with JSO for several years and is currently on the board of directors with the Fraternal Order of Police.
A tipster alerted us to the posts, calling them racist.
The posts were made over the course of several weeks by Callahan. Here are some of the postings that we found.
In one post, we have blurred out some of the text on the picture because it uses the "n" word.
Latest News Headlines from Action News
It shows a sketch of a black man with dreadlocks, the post insinuating this is what all black men look like.
The second picture shows a black man standing in a drive thru line at an ATM. The account belonging to Callahan posted the comment, "When you need money to get gas for the car you can't drive up to the ATM."
Another picture shows an African-American man lying on a broken fence.
The comment from Callahan's account reads, "yea it's almost Friday so get your hood hammock ready to chilax."
Late Friday, JSO said it is now looking into the posts.
Steve Amos, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, where Callahan is a board member, released the following statement:
"Although I have not seen the Instagram posts that you are referring to, I can say that the FOP is an organization that represents a diverse group of officers and our elected Executive Board reflects that diversity in it's make up. We collectively do not condone or support any public comment on social media, or otherwise, that any member posts that may be considered insensitive to any individual or group. I sincerely appreciate that you've brought this to my attention so that we may investigate the matter further.
"Let me add that any public posts or comments of that nature do not reflect the core values and principals of the Fraternal Order of Police."
For Action News on the go, sign up for Action News Mobile & Email alerts
Action News Jax Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson spent more than 20 years at JSO.
He said there's a line you can't cross as a police officer. He said even though these posts are on the lieutenant's personal page, as a high ranking officer in JSO, this creates distrust in the community.
Jefferson tells me these posts could have implications throughout the community.
"That's not good at a time when you're trying to build a relationship with a community," Jefferson said. "When people know you care, they'll trust you and cooperate and you'll see crime go down."
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/action-news-jax-investigates-jso-lieutenant-accuse/40029122
Quote from: TheCat on February 11, 2016, 12:50:17 PM
Maybe you mean, confirm that the posts belong to her? It seems that has been confirmed.
Yes, the investigation should be conducted to prove that the posts and/or account belong to her. If, in fact, they do belong to her then she should get what she deserves. I don't know her and actually have never even heard of her until reading the story posted yesterday. I just took exception to her being called a racist before all of the facts have been presented.
How does someone with that many complaints over the years get promoted to lieutenant? Seriously fishy.
Rank up to Lt is by testing. Beyond that, she is a phenomenal policewoman.
It's starting to feel like a family reunion up in here.
Quote from: Jason on February 11, 2016, 01:27:05 PM
Quote from: TheCat on February 11, 2016, 12:50:17 PM
Maybe you mean, confirm that the posts belong to her? It seems that has been confirmed.
Yes, the investigation should be conducted to prove that the posts and/or account belong to her. If, in fact, they do belong to her then she should get what she deserves. I don't know her and actually have never even heard of her until reading the story posted yesterday. I just took exception to her being called a racist before all of the facts have been presented.
She was asked to resign from the board of directors of the Fraternal Order of Police.
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/jso-lieutenant-under-investigation-for-racist-posts-resigns-from-fop-board-of-directors/71932727
(http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/jso-lieutenant-under-investigation-for-racist-posts-resigns-from-fop-board-of-directors/71932727)
50 complaints over 20 years, with 3 suspensions. Is this normal or outside the spectrum of acceptability?
This is an article from 2003 on Lt. Callahan:
Officer gets reduced suspension for repeated violations
QuoteBy JIM SCHOETTLER
The Times-Union,
The most complained about Jacksonville police officer in recent history has agreed to a reduced suspension for repeatedly breaking Sheriff's Office rules, police officials said.
Trudy Callahan was scheduled to challenge the latest charges against her Monday before a police disciplinary review board but instead elected to take a two-day suspension and a written reprimand, said Undersheriff Wyllie Hodges. Callahan was facing a three-day suspension.
A relatively minor complaint made by a fellow officer about Callahan's response to a call led to the rare repeated infractions charge. Callahan has had 26 in-house and citizen complaints against her -- the most of any Jacksonville police officer since she began work in 1996, internal affairs said.
Hodges said reducing the suspension wasn't a major concession, but he told Callahan she needed to change if she wanted to continue wearing a Jacksonville police uniform.
While the Sheriff's Office practices progressive discipline, Hodges said, it is willing to work with officers who promise to improve, which Callahan did.
"The ball is in her court to turn this around and be a productive officer," Hodges said.
Police union President Nelson Cuba said he expects Callahan, 32, to be known for good work from now on.
"After looking at her overall record, she understands the department was giving her that type of discipline and she wanted to go ahead and move on with her life," Cuba said. "She understands what needs to be done."
Callahan declined to comment.
Twenty of the complaints against Callahan have been upheld, ranging from traffic crashes and tardiness to unbecoming conduct and rudeness. She's received three suspensions, 10 written reprimands and been counseled more than a dozen times.
Callahan has also been showered with accolades by citizens and fellow officers for doing good police work, including saving the life of a suicidal woman set to jump from a 19th-floor hotel railing.
jim.schoettlerjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4385
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102803/met_13894344.shtml#.Vr4XbZMrKRs (http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102803/met_13894344.shtml#.Vr4XbZMrKRs)
QuoteLAW & DISORDER: Sheriff's panel advises suspension for officer
By Veronica Chapin
Times-Union staff writer,
A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office review board yesterday voted 3-2 in favor of suspending an officer for threatening a JEA employee after her electricity was cut off.
A five-day suspension is recommended.
The department's internal affairs investigation concluded that Officer Trudy Callahan made threats and used unbecoming conduct May 15 when she called JEA to complain after failing to pay a bill on time.
"I swear to God. I'm going to sit up there on Pearl Street by JEA and I'm going to write every one of them a ticket when they leave. I swear to God," Callahan said during a recorded conversation with a JEA customer service representative. It's standard for JEA to inform customers their conversation is being recorded for quality assurance.
Callahan said she thought she was on hold when she made the comments and was only blowing off steam.
The board's decision will be given to Sheriff Nat Glover, who will determine punishment.
Callahan has been with the Sheriff's Office since March 1996 and has 10 prior complaints in her file including unnecessary force, incompetency, tardiness and sleeping on the job.
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102701/met_7666412.html#.Vr4XfZMrKRs (http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102701/met_7666412.html#.Vr4XfZMrKRs)
Quote from: TheCat on February 12, 2016, 12:43:07 PM
QuoteLAW & DISORDER: Sheriff's panel advises suspension for officer
By Veronica Chapin
Times-Union staff writer,
A Jacksonville Sheriff's Office review board yesterday voted 3-2 in favor of suspending an officer for threatening a JEA employee after her electricity was cut off.
A five-day suspension is recommended.
The department's internal affairs investigation concluded that Officer Trudy Callahan made threats and used unbecoming conduct May 15 when she called JEA to complain after failing to pay a bill on time.
"I swear to God. I'm going to sit up there on Pearl Street by JEA and I'm going to write every one of them a ticket when they leave. I swear to God," Callahan said during a recorded conversation with a JEA customer service representative. It's standard for JEA to inform customers their conversation is being recorded for quality assurance.
Callahan said she thought she was on hold when she made the comments and was only blowing off steam.
The board's decision will be given to Sheriff Nat Glover, who will determine punishment.
Callahan has been with the Sheriff's Office since March 1996 and has 10 prior complaints in her file including unnecessary force, incompetency, tardiness and sleeping on the job.
http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102701/met_7666412.html#.Vr4XfZMrKRs (http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102701/met_7666412.html#.Vr4XfZMrKRs)
Your point would be a bit clearer if you would time-stamp the past articles such as this one from October 27, 2001.
Note to Mike Williams: Letting internal run with it(?)--where's your leadership on the issue?
Don't wait for Mikey to do anything, that guy is just a huge disappointment.
Stephen, there's no doubt that you know more about him and his works recently than I, but call me skeptical. If he was doing good I doubt he would miss the opportunity for a photo op.
This is a bit off topic, but I haven't been impressed with him. He won't get my vote next time around. Hopefully hackney runs.
Still waiting for him to look into body cameras that many Florida cities have.
a question: what exactly is "online racism"?
Quote from: AKIRA on February 13, 2016, 04:44:43 PM
a question: what exactly is "online racism"?
http://bfy.tw/4FTw (http://bfy.tw/4FTw)
refined question: what exactly is "online racism" as it relates to a violation of an employment standard?
The google search is too far spread in terms of opinion to be useful.
Quote from: AKIRA on February 13, 2016, 07:10:37 PM
refined question: what exactly is "online racism" as it relates to a violation of an employment standard?
The google search is too far spread in terms of opinion to be useful.
Probably nothing.... Yet.
http://www.geekwire.com/2015/seattle-police-dept-s-new-social-media-policy-cracks-down-on-officers-personal-posts/
Quote5.125-POL 2 – Employee Personal Use of Social Media
This policy covers employee personal use of social media affecting the workplace and/or the Department's ability to perform its public mission.
The Department recognizes the role that social media plays in the personal lives of some Department employees. However, the personal use of social media can have bearing on employees in their official capacity as they are held to a high standard by the community.
Engaging in prohibited speech outlined in this policy may provide grounds for discipline and may be used to undermine or impeach an officer's testimony in legal proceedings.
Employees Shall Not Post Speech That Negatively Impacts the Department's Ability to Serve the Public
Employees may express themselves as private citizens on social media sites as long as employees do not:
– Make, share, or comment in support of any posting that includes harassment, threats of violence, or similar inappropriate conduct
– Make, share, or comment in support of any posting that ridicules, maligns, disparages, expresses bias, negative connotations, or disrespect toward any race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, or any other protected class of individuals
– Make, share, or comment in support of any posting that suggests that Department personnel are engaged in behavior reasonably considered to be unlawful or reckless toward public safety
– Otherwise violate any law or SPD policy
Employees are responsible for the content of their social media accounts. Employees shall make reasonable efforts to monitor their accounts so that postings made by others on their accounts conform to this policy.
Using Seattle's template, "online racism" is mighty subjective.
Posting any clip from a better Mel Brooks movie can be perceived as a violation.
Quote from: AKIRA on February 14, 2016, 01:50:47 AM
Using Seattle's template, "online racism" is mighty subjective.
Posting any clip from a better Mel Brooks movie can be perceived as a violation.
But, should the allegations in the original post end up being true, she did far worse than that. It's not that difficult. I don't see how any rational person could argue in favour of a police officer doing the things that this woman reportedly did and being allowed to remain a police officer.
Edit:
The "Core Values" of the JSO are listed here:
http://www.coj.net/departments/sheriffs-office/about-the-jso (http://www.coj.net/departments/sheriffs-office/about-the-jso)
It's possible - and highly likely - that JSO officers are bound by an additional code of ethics or other policy/regulation(s). On its face, however, it would seem that the allegations, if proved, would amount to misconduct insofar as the officer in question's behavior clearly was at odds with the "community focused" and "worthy of trust" values.
I conduct disciplinary investigations for a professional membership organization (accountancy). It simply needs to be shown that, on the balance of probabilities, the person's actions amount to misconduct. "Misconduct" can be defined any number of ways (by different organizations), but tends to mean something along the lines of prejudicing your status as a member of the org, bringing the org into disrepute or bringing the wider profession into disrepute.
If the evidence is there, this seems an open-and-shut case for misconduct.