Saratoga Springs, NY
As the attractive resort city gets in to full swing with the opening of racing season, the city's police chief is about to take the reins again.
If you've kept up with the story or read my previous posts of;
Police Chief Suspended for Sexting
Sexting Scandal in Saratoga
Police Chief Sexting Scandal Sanitized
you'll know that Police Chief Christopher Cole was slapped with an unpaid suspension of 60 days for sexting a picture of his junk to a woman he met on an internet dating site. If you piece the story together, it sounds like they never really hooked up in the conventional method, but she first texted a pic of her breasts, and he reciprocated by dropping his drawers in his office and then clicked away. In the Chief's statement to the press, he said that he didn't do this on city time but was instead, on his lunch break. (Like that somehow made a difference.)
As it turns out, the female half of this controversy, Laurie Masi, has an established and well documented history with other law enforcement officers in the area. There are police reports on file with at least 4 other area departments documenting that she has engaged in what some might call, "emotional blackmail." Some may even stereotype her as a classic "Badge Bunny." Whatever the case, Ms. Masi has allegedly terminated her relationship with her attorney and has literally disappeared from the public eye. In all fairness, if she had even an inkling of a case of sexual harassment or stalking, she no doubt would have gotten tremendous support. However, it's difficult to take anyone seriously when you initiate the sexting and then a history of failed relationships with other cops comes to light. She successfully embarrassed both of them.
As for the Chief, he indeed made an error in judgment. An error that would under normal circumstances have cost any other Police Chief their career. Apparently though, not in Saratoga. The city's Public Safety Commissioner, Richard Wirth, is an elected official who seems to wield a great deal of power, and he alone has decided the Chief's fate.
Initially, Commissioner Wirth announced that Cole was going to get a total of 60 days unpaid suspension, followed by 3 years on probation. The original reprimand called for 30 days unpaid suspension now and 30 days unpaid suspension in December. However, Wirth announced that the second half of the suspension was being "held in abeyance."
Merriam-Webster definition: abeyance: "temporary inactivity, cessation or suspension:" Let's hold that problem in abeyance for awhile.
Confused yet? Is his suspension suspended or has he ceased doling out the last 30 days altogether?
Wirth is a consummate politician. He waves his magic wand and says, Abra cadabra - let's make it all go away. If you've read the linked article above, it sounds as though Wirth is painting a delightful little picture to the citizenry with his typical political aplomb...."No, the city hasn't suffered any negative publicity because of this scandal. No, the police department hasn't been embarrassed in the least. No, there will be no problem with the Chief commanding the respect of his department. Yes, the fire is contained."
What a bunch of bullshit!
Anyone looked at the obnoxious salary you pay this politico? Come election time, you residents might want to consider why you even have a Public Safety Commissioner.
It's plainly obvious that Cole is holding out for the 25 year pension plan and Wirth is helping him do it. After 21 years, Cole's career is already shot to shit and he'd have a hell of a time finding any law enforcement or security job, what with this scandal hanging over his head.
My hat's off to the acting Police Chief, Capt. Michael Chowske, who has been performing the duties of 3 different command level positions. The Assistant Chief's job had yet to be filled after a recent retirement and then Cole got overly excited with a Badge Bunny, leaving Chowske steering the ship.
I happened across this on Youtube.....Chief Cole is the recipient of Weasel Award #997
While I profess not to have much knowledge of the Weasel committee and its background, a weasel seems a befitting characterization of Cole.
As the attractive resort city gets in to full swing with the opening of racing season, the city's police chief is about to take the reins again.
If you've kept up with the story or read my previous posts of;
Police Chief Suspended for Sexting
Sexting Scandal in Saratoga
Police Chief Sexting Scandal Sanitized
you'll know that Police Chief Christopher Cole was slapped with an unpaid suspension of 60 days for sexting a picture of his junk to a woman he met on an internet dating site. If you piece the story together, it sounds like they never really hooked up in the conventional method, but she first texted a pic of her breasts, and he reciprocated by dropping his drawers in his office and then clicked away. In the Chief's statement to the press, he said that he didn't do this on city time but was instead, on his lunch break. (Like that somehow made a difference.)
As it turns out, the female half of this controversy, Laurie Masi, has an established and well documented history with other law enforcement officers in the area. There are police reports on file with at least 4 other area departments documenting that she has engaged in what some might call, "emotional blackmail." Some may even stereotype her as a classic "Badge Bunny." Whatever the case, Ms. Masi has allegedly terminated her relationship with her attorney and has literally disappeared from the public eye. In all fairness, if she had even an inkling of a case of sexual harassment or stalking, she no doubt would have gotten tremendous support. However, it's difficult to take anyone seriously when you initiate the sexting and then a history of failed relationships with other cops comes to light. She successfully embarrassed both of them.
As for the Chief, he indeed made an error in judgment. An error that would under normal circumstances have cost any other Police Chief their career. Apparently though, not in Saratoga. The city's Public Safety Commissioner, Richard Wirth, is an elected official who seems to wield a great deal of power, and he alone has decided the Chief's fate.
Initially, Commissioner Wirth announced that Cole was going to get a total of 60 days unpaid suspension, followed by 3 years on probation. The original reprimand called for 30 days unpaid suspension now and 30 days unpaid suspension in December. However, Wirth announced that the second half of the suspension was being "held in abeyance."
Merriam-Webster definition: abeyance: "temporary inactivity, cessation or suspension:" Let's hold that problem in abeyance for awhile.
Confused yet? Is his suspension suspended or has he ceased doling out the last 30 days altogether?
Wirth is a consummate politician. He waves his magic wand and says, Abra cadabra - let's make it all go away. If you've read the linked article above, it sounds as though Wirth is painting a delightful little picture to the citizenry with his typical political aplomb...."No, the city hasn't suffered any negative publicity because of this scandal. No, the police department hasn't been embarrassed in the least. No, there will be no problem with the Chief commanding the respect of his department. Yes, the fire is contained."
What a bunch of bullshit!
Anyone looked at the obnoxious salary you pay this politico? Come election time, you residents might want to consider why you even have a Public Safety Commissioner.
It's plainly obvious that Cole is holding out for the 25 year pension plan and Wirth is helping him do it. After 21 years, Cole's career is already shot to shit and he'd have a hell of a time finding any law enforcement or security job, what with this scandal hanging over his head.
My hat's off to the acting Police Chief, Capt. Michael Chowske, who has been performing the duties of 3 different command level positions. The Assistant Chief's job had yet to be filled after a recent retirement and then Cole got overly excited with a Badge Bunny, leaving Chowske steering the ship.
I happened across this on Youtube.....Chief Cole is the recipient of Weasel Award #997
While I profess not to have much knowledge of the Weasel committee and its background, a weasel seems a befitting characterization of Cole.
2 comments:
Beware the badge bunny!
You tell them once, you tell them a thousand times....but do they listen? Nah. Us old timers don't know squat.
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