Media Coverage Hampers CRB, Internal Affairs Investigation

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Chief Says Leak Could Be Grounds for Appeal if Misconduct Found

(KCPW News) Media coverage of a complaint alleging excessive use of force by police has hampered investigations by both the Salt Lake City Police Civilian Review Board and the department's own internal affairs unit. Police Chief Chris Burbank says the dustup makes his job harder:

"Hypothetical - I find that the officer had some misconduct in this matter - the officer now has a perfect appeal to go to the Civil Service and say, ‘you know what? My due process rights were violated, thus this discipline cannot be held against me.' "

Burbank says such a scenario makes for a pretty good lawsuit for any officer in the case and could, hypothetically, lead to a guilty officer not being held accountable. Mayor Rocky Anderson says The Salt Lake Tribune's push for a "cheap scoop" has damaged the integrity of the Civilian Review Board process and is impairing his ability to recruit new members. Still he's hoping citizens will volunteer:

"We look for members from each district in the city, and we've asked City Council members to help identify some people who might be interested. We look for a very diverse makeup for this board, and we encourage anybody with any interest in serving to let us know; and we expect to be appointing new members of the Civilian Review Board right away."

Four members of the board resigned following an investigation into who leaked its findings to the media in a complaint filed an elderly man arrested at Liberty Park last year. The leak investigation was inconclusive, and Chief Burbank has yet to take any action in the case.

To hear the entire Midday Metro interview with Chief Burbank, Mayor Anderson and acting board chair Scott McCoy, download a podcast of today's Midday Metro.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW