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Main Page I-Team Reports (Merged Threads)
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Posted by: bpd145

I don't know if any board member has watched the promo commercials for tonight's I-Team Report, but if you have a chance tonight at 11PM, tune in to WBZ.

After weeks of WBZ's cameras following multiple officers around on their off-duty time, lunch breaks, following them to their parents houses and kids' schools among other places, WBZ is airing a piece on the fall-out to an incident where a Billerica officer was severely injured while breaking-up a fight after a high school football game.

From the teaser shown this morning, the 14 year-old suspect's mother is seen crying on camera saying that the police are out of control and may end up killing someone if they are not stopped. This is the same person who, in the past, has targeted officers as they conduct their day-to-day business with their wives, husbands, and/or kids; video recording our actions as we shop, get our hair cut, conduct our banking, or just drive through town. This woman is the same woman who, while on the stand in a federal court accusing 30 officers of years of harassment against her and her husband, testified that the actions of the police department have caused her to become a 10-plus bag per day heroin addict.

I could go on, but I'll get off my soapbox. I'm very curious to see how one-sided tonight's report will be.

Stay safe out there.

Posted by: Redleg13D

In other words she's a "See you next Tuesday"?

Posted by: GodblessThearmy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redleg13D

In other words she's a "See you next Tuesday"?

thought it was Thursday...

Posted by: quality617

Quote:

Originally Posted by GodblessThearmy

thought it was Thursday...

That's if you're in mixed company.

Posted by: topcop14

And the moral of this story is watch your 6 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Keep one eye in the rear view mirror and the other on the road. You never know who could be following you. On another note, Is it open season on us or what?

Posted by: Hutch

Quote:

Originally Posted by topcop14

And the moral of this story is watch your 6 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Keep one eye in the rear view mirror and the other on the road. You never know who could be following you. On another note, Is it open season on us or what?

Is what they are doing even legal?

What you need to do is do it right back to her. Buy a video camera and stock her every move just like she's doing to you. I'm sure you'll be arresting her on a daily basis if she's that big of a doper. Or if you do it while you're off duty she'll like O.D within a week anyways from the 'stress', fixing the problem for good.

Posted by: CJIS

If she is recording us with sound guest what, she is breaking the law if we did not give consent. Officers should sue her ass.

Posted by: rg1283

These I-Team investigations are crap, unless they are exposing $$ waste like with the county government stuff. They piss me off, its one sided BS reporting. Bergintino is a BERG. Now if the Billerica PD decided to sit at dunkin donuts and shut of the HT or Mobile radio and ignore calls, that would be one thing.

Why is it that more and more of these I-Team investigations expose personal opinions of morons who are in the process of suing the party being investigated by the I-Team? Its all to sell the news.

You see some people are getting dumber, especially the under 25 crowd, actually I could safely say people well into their 40s in some cases don't vote, don't keep track of basic news events and know crap about crap and complain about everything after the fact.

So the news needs to show this garbage (more tabloid) stuff to get views to pay the bills.
Example why aren't their Paramedics (no offense to EMT-Bs) or more police officers in town? Well sherlock at the last town meeting you voted to have your liberal library paid for. So when your getting your ass kicked by some meth head and the police are tied up on other calls, then have a heart attack because you look like and eat like Michael Moore, and you die because no one could start ACLS on you, well atleast you have your library. Rant mode off.

Every profession (this is not directed towards Billerica PD in any way) has bad apples. The News Media in my opinion is only good for giving you half the story. Unless its cold hard facts like sports scores.

The media doesn't care about hard working people of any profession who do their jobs everyday to the best of their ability and then some, unless they need a story to fill space on the sunday night news.

Posted by: 94c

At 10 bags a day I'd call some of my MSP buddies to help out. It wouldn't take long to grab her.

Posted by: kwflatbed

With some luck you may grab half of the I-Team also.

Posted by: bpd145

The problems with the family stem from more than just making an arrest... The arrests have always been easy and plentiful (neither she nor her husband had a driver's license for many a year and their vehicles were never insured). Our wonderful court system with all their dismissed cases and nul pros dispositions have fueled their lawsuits with the town, claiming that if the case was dismissed, then obviously the police didn't have enough to make the arrest. And the jury in the federal civil suit somewhat bought this; feeling bad for their children, the kids were awarded monetary damages.

Just remember one thing, though: We still have an officer who susatained a serious injury as a result of coming to the aid of her kids, who were originally the victims of the fight. Just goes to show that regardless of who you are, the police will always respond.

Posted by: kwflatbed

I-Team: Teen Brothers Targets Of Police Revenge?

Joe Bergantino
Reporting

(WBZ) BILLERICA If you felt you had a legitimate reason to challenge the police would you worry about becoming a target of police revenge?

An I-team investigation raises serious questions about whether that happened in a case involving a suburban police department and two teenage brothers.

I-team reporter Joe Bergantino unravels the two conflicting versions of what happened.

"Why did they do this to my boys? You know, they're so young. They don't deserve it," said Michelle Kennedy.

Kennedy discussed what happened outside of a Wendy's in Billerica on a Friday night in early September.

The parking lot was filled with at least 100 kids who had just attended a Billerica High School football game. A fight broke out and police responded.

Among the kids who say they were just bystanders were 15-year-old Dylan Kennedy and his brother, 17-year-old Mitchell Kennedy.

"Mitchell wasn't doing anything. It was just a group of kids," said witness Nick Gallinaro.

"Standing there?" Bergantino said.

"Yes. Standing there," Gallinaro said.

But a police report says Mitchell Kennedy was yelling obscenities at police and lunged at the officer who eventually arrested him.

Several witnesses, who are acquaintances of the Kennedy brothers, tell a different story.

"The cop went up and just went through everyone and went right to Mitchell," Gallinaro said.

The Billerica police officer was Robert Moran.

"I saw the officer take Mitchell to the ground and he was choking him, and his face was like turning all blue," said witness Camilla Medeiros.

"I couldn't breathe. I couldn't even talk," Mitchell Kennedy said. "I couldn't yell."

Moran said Mitchell Kennedy elbowed him in the head. Every witness the I-Team spoke with said that never happened.

The police report says Dylan Kennedy began kicking, punching, threatening and yelling obscenities at the officer holding Mitchell on the ground.

Witnesses told the I-Team that patrolman Jeffrey Strunk singled out Dylan Kennedy for no reason.

"He punched Dylan in the head. Smashed his head to the ground," said witness Josh Mahoney.

"He was tackling me, yanking my arm, almost breaking my arm," Dylan Kennedy said.

Strunk says Dylan, who weighs about 115 pounds, punched him in the face, and he admits that he hit Dylan in the head.

"At any point in time did you touch the police officer?" Bergantino asked.

"Absolutely not," Dylan Kennedy said.

Two completely different stories. But is there any reason to believe police would specifically target the Kennedy brothers for no reason? The Kennedys say there are 350,000 reasons.

Last may, a federal jury awarded Dylan and Mitchell Kennedy $350,000 in a lawsuit accusing Billerica police of a pattern of harassment and intimidation against the Kennedys.

It was the culmination of 20 years of Billerica police arresting various members of that family for dozens of crimes, some serious, some not.

"I don't think these kids were random targets. Absolutely not," said the Kennedys' attorney Fred Gilgun.

So is this a case of revenge? The I-Team tried talking with Moran and Struck, as well Billerica's Police chief, Daniel Rosa. All three refused an on-camera interview.

Rosa said he wouldn't talk because the case is under investigation.

"They need to be stopped. Somebody needs to stop them before someone ends up dead," Michelle Kennedy said.

At this point, Dylan and Mitchell Kennedy are facing charges of assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.

At the request of the Kennedy family, the Middlesex District Attorney's Office is now conducting an independent investigation to determine if police are lying in this case.

Moran, who claims he suffered a concussion the night of the incident, is still out on work-related injury.

The town of Billerica is appealing the federal verdict awarding Dylan and Mitchell Kennedy $350,000.

http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_311223044.html

Posted by: SOT

Ohhh no not this shit again.

Posted by: rg1283

Well atleast they kind of reported both sides of the story, the side in the police officer's favor half ass of course. Unlike Fox 25 and their stories.

Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

Moran said Mitchell Kennedy elbowed him in the head. Every witness the I-Team spoke with said that never happened.
No shit, they asked a bunch of kids INVOLVED in the fight and they all said "the cop started it"...fuckin stupid reporters

Posted by: Tuna

I live in Billerica and Billerica has a straight up PD with alot of good hard working officers. These PUNKS (plastic gangsters) who live and hang out in Billerica are out of control but the courts and the media seem to side with them every time. This past summer a car full of punks drove into the woods at the end of my street. They all bailed out and picked a fight with my neighbor who went check on there well being. Left a case of empties and screwed from the scene. (wish I was home that day). Billerica punks are nothing but trailer trash with parental money to support there wayward behavior.

Posted by: Hutch

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

I live in Billerica and Billerica has a straight up PD with alot of good hard working officers. These PUNKS (plastic gangsters) who live and hang out in Billerica are out of control but the courts and the media seem to side with them every time. This past summer a car full of punks drove into the woods at the end of my street. They all bailed out and picked a fight with my neighbor who went check on there well being. Left a case of empties and screwed from the scene. (wish I was home that day). Billerica punks are nothing but trailer trash with parental money to support there wayward behavior.

Glad someone said it before I did. Back in my hockey days, Billerica was known to be the dirtiest team around with the most obnoxious parents. They didn't even play hockey, they ran around trying to hurt opposing players every chance they got. I think they hit more players from behind than from the front. They had more kids kicked out of games than they did goals. They got so bad that eventually the league kicked the whole team out.

Posted by: frapmpd24

Quote:

Originally Posted by topcop14

And the moral of this story is watch your 6 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Keep one eye in the rear view mirror and the other on the road. You never know who could be following you. On another note, Is it open season on us or what?

Three words: November sweeps month

Bad stories about cops must translate into good ratings, bottom line. You'll never see the preview three days in advance about a police officer doing good. Only a 30 second spot, usually before a commercial (if that)...even for those who receive the Hanna Award or some other commendation. It is disgusting!

Posted by: mtc

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpd145

Just remember one thing, though: We still have an officer who susatained a serious injury as a result of coming to the aid of her kids, who were originally the victims of the fight. Just goes to show that regardless of who you are, the police will always respond.

How's he doing?

Posted by: fightingsolveseverything

whats with these guys.. tonight they are airing a special on troopers driving records. with all the issues out there they are worried about troopers driving records. looks like someone on the I team got a ticket and now they are going on a smear campaign..FSE

Posted by: topcop14

The CBS 4 I TEAM has yet another anti police story coming. This one is about Troopers and their driving records. This is getting to be a weekly event on this station. How about they do a story on the court system in this state letting criminals walk time and time again.

Posted by: BPD148

MTC, I am doing alright, thank you for asking. My recovery is very slow, but i am recovering. The doctors think i will be out for at least one more month if not more. They are leaning towards more. For everyone on this board please be safe out there. You might think things are undercontrol then something like what happen to goes down, so you never know. BE SAFE

Posted by: MM1799

BPD148; that's great to hear. Make sure you don't come back too early and reinjure yourself.
Good luck.

Posted by: BPD148

Thanks MM1799. I will make suew I am 100% before returning.

Posted by: lofu

Good work BPD! Don't let this negative attention get to you. Know that your brothers and sisters in blue (i.e. the people who actually do this job) support you. Wish you well in your recovery.

Posted by: jski4w

Exactly.....

The best part is that from now on they will get bagged for EVERYTHING. They brought that on themselves........thats what happens when you'll do anything for a story.

Posted by: Rock

Did this air yet? If so, anyone see it?

Posted by: robodope

Hey BPD ...Keep your head up...I wish you a speedy recovery..I thought the I-Team report on Billerica PD was comical. The so-called victims couldn't even clean themselves up for TV and looked like the Whiskey Tango that they are. This whole I-team, Boston Herald attack is part of their little smear campaign to rid the State of details plain and simple. Just keep your heads up, hats on, cell phones tucked away and be careful not to give these people ammo. Maybe it's time to start digging dirt up on the I-team and associates and giving it to a competing station??

Posted by: topcop14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock

Did this air yet? If so, anyone see it?

Tune in Tonight at 11:00

Posted by: BartA1

It amazes me the low level that the media will sink in an effort to keep readers or ratings. whatever happened to reporting both sides of the issue and being fair and impartial in your delivery of the story to the public. I guess education, ethics and integrity are lost to the to the modern day media. First Billerica PD and the State Police. I wonder who turn it is next to get kicked in the nuts for doing their job.

Posted by: Kem25

This along with the herald bashing details is getting crazy. I actually had a kid (under arrest for going after his father with a knife) tell me that since the charges were dismissed in court he did not actually do what he was arrested for. Until the courts start holding people responsible for their actions these type of law suits may get worse.

BPD good luck with the recovery process and stay safe when you do return.

Posted by: Irish Wampanoag

You have two hard working cops and a piece of shit family.

Posted by: kwflatbed

I-Team: Troopers Cause Almost 500 Cruiser Crashes

By Maggie Mulvihill, I-Team Producer and Joe Bergantino, I-Team Reporter

State Trooper Crash Data

Accidents When State Police Are At Fault

(WBZ) BOSTON The men and women who monitor the state's roadways, issuing hundreds of thousands of tickets to motorists annually, have caused nearly 500 crashes in their own cruisers in the past seven years, internal state police data show.

And despite their advanced roadway training, scores of troopers are repeat crashers demonstrating the same poor driving habits they are citing the ordinary motorist for - like inattention, speeding and following cars too closely, an I-Team analysis of over 2600 cruiser accidents shows.

Nearly 120 troopers have had four or more crashes in the past seven years, the data indicates.

"It's certainly a problem we need to address," said State Police Col. Mark F. Delaney of the I-Team's findings.

Delaney did not defend the number of crashes, but pointed out that state police log 54 million miles a year in hazardous weather and driving conditions.

But the agency's own data indicates the overwhelming majority of crashes occur on dry roadways with clear skies and while state police are either commuting from home, working a detail or on a regular police patrol. In only 16 percent of the accidents was a trooper in pursuit of a suspect or responding to an emergency, the data indicates.

State Police brass have cleared their troopers in 55 percent of the total crashes and found them partially at fault only about seven percent of the time. They have been found to have caused the crash about 19 percent of the time, crash records show.

Among the top crashers, Trooper Michelle L. Sutherland, 38, who has been found at fault in four of the five accidents she has had since 2001. Sutherland joined the force in 1993.

Other troopers have had repeat accidents inn which they were the only motorist involved - such as Matthew E. Croteau. Croteau, 34, has had five crashes in four years - including four single-vehicle crashes in which he lost control of his own cruiser. He has been found at fault four times - twice on a regular patrol, once while commuting and once off duty.

In the one instance where Croteau crashed while responding to a call, his parked cruiser careened down a steep hill during a motor vehicle stop in Southbridge, internal state police records show.

"They are given vehicles that they are allowed to under some circumstances exceed the speed limit, operate them in an emergency fashion. The assumption I think the citizens have is that they are qualified to do so," said policing expert Dennis J. Kenney, a former officer and professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. "If they are having problems with accidents, that would suggest they may not be qualified to do so, which puts all of us at risk."

Of the 2500 members of the force, the most accident-prone is Trooper William A. Cameron, 38, who has has eight crashes since January, 2002. He has been found at fault twice.

"I don't think he should be driving and giving tickets if that's the situation," said Gabriela Herrera, 39, a Jamaica Plain mother whose car - with her two-year-old in the back seat - was rear-ended by Cameron in April, 2003 while Herrera was driving near her home.

It was Cameron's fourth accident in just over a year.

"It's scary," Herrera said.

Herrera stopped to let another motorist cross an intersection when she was struck by Cameron's 1997 marked Crown Victoria.

"I was being extra careful because I knew he was behind me," Herrera said. ". . . I was driving very slowly. I looked in the mirror before stopping just to make sure he had enough distance to stop. Then I let this person pass through and he hit me."

"I was shocked. (Hit) by a state policeman," she said.

Herrera said Cameron rushed over to her to see if she and her daughter were alright.

". . . He had this face that he was so ashamed."

Cameron was found at fault in the accident - even though his boss, Sgt. David E. Ford initially stated there was "insufficient information" to determine the cause, an internal state police report on the accident indicates.

Herrera said one of Cameron's superiors called her at home after the accident ordering her to bring her car to the Charles River Basin barracks. After inspecting her car, he tried to convince her the damage was already there, she said.

"He was looking at me to . . . try to get some sign that I was lying," Herrera said.

Herrera also disputed the internal report Cameron filed stating she came to a "sudden stop."

"I wouldn't do it if I had a state police car behind me. Well, I wouldn't do it if I had any car behind me . . . . and if I have my daughter in the back-seat. It just doesn't make any sense," she said.

Troopers are allowed to investigate themselves in accidents in which no one is injured and there is less than $1000 in damages. They frequently clear themselves of any wrongdoing and state police said they reverse that decision about 11 percent of the time. Kenney said it is flawed policy.

"It's not a good idea for a lot of reasons. One it obviously places a great deal of pressure on the individual trooper or officer to shade things in their favor," Kenney said. "It also communicates a bad message to the public in that members of the public are not afforded the same opportunity."

Delaney acknowledged having the trooper investigate him or herself had to change.

"I think inherently you can't investigate yourself . . . . you can't be objective," Delaney said. "I think that might be a glitch in the system."

Even when troopers are cleared of causing the accident, the circumstances can still raise questions.

In April, 2006, as he was making a left turn off of Park Drive in Boston during rush hour, Michael L. Benson of Weston claims he was struck in his left passenger side by motorcycle Trooper Joaquin P. Miranda. Benson was on his way to a dinner with a fellow Northeastern University student.

Miranda, 48, has had seven crashes since August, 2001, the data indicates. He has never been found at fault.

He was cleared of his latest accident in February by Sgt. Dennis M. Bertulli, who was sanctioned by his bosses for plowing into a pedestrian at this year's Boston Marathon.

Miranda claims Benson, now a doctoral engineering student at the University of Michigan, ignored him as he sped up Park Drive with his lights and sirens on.

"The crash occurred when Trooper Miranda attempted to pass Benson's vehicle on the left and Benson attempted to make a left turn failing to yield to the emergency vehicle," the internal preliminary crash report states. "Benson's vehicle struck the right rear of the motorcycle with the front left door, mirror and fender."

Miranda then lost control of his bike and slid into a nearby Subaru Impreza belonging to a local resident.

Witness accounts of whether Miranda had his siren on differ and Benson's passenger, a fellow Northeastern University student, said he also never saw the motorcycle.

"I had started to execute the turn. He was going straight, "Benson said. "He went into oncoming traffic to get around me . . . . the impact was to me."

While the police report indicates he was cited for "impeding an emergency," both Benson and his passenger said he was not cited at the scene and roughly an hour passed following the accident before any of the state police asked if they were hurt.

Benson said he was surprised to get a letter in June, 2006 from the Registry of Motor Vehicles indicating his license would be suspended if he did not pay a ticket for impeding and emergency and late fees.

Benson's, who continues to maintain he did not cause the accident, was unsuccessful in getting his ticket dismissed though his insurance company refunded his deductible for the accident.

Kenney reviewed the accident reports for the I-Team and said the ticket should never have been issued to Benson.

"I would say that generally the person who is doing the passing is at fault," Kenney said. "Odds are if it was a citizen they would be found at fault."

State law governing the operation of emergency vehicles indicates a driver must "willfully obstruct" the vehicle's passage to be guilty of a moving violation. Benson claims he never saw Miranda's motorcycle. Police emergency vehicles can exceed the speed limit and may ignore a traffic signal if they first bring their own vehicle to a full stop and then "proceeds with caution and due regard for the safety of persons and property," the law states.

"Having lights and sirens does not mean that no traffic laws apply," Kenney said. "Lights and sirens simply mean that you can within caution exceed speed limits, go through stop signs. The burden of doing so safely still rests with the emergency driver however. It does not shift the responsibility for safety to everyone else on the road."

"They're the experts. They're the ones we trust to keep the roads safe and orderly," said Benson. "Shouldn't they be leading by example, showing us the right way to drive? If they're not, then I'd say they aren't doing their jobs correctly and probably shouldn't be on the road."

Delaney said he plans on instituting a number of reforms to ensure problem drivers on the force are identified, including regularly reviewing the agency's crash data to better monitor the circumstances and causes of the accidents.

"I want to make sure that our highways are safe and that they are being patrolled by officers who are well-trained and are good drivers," Delaney said. "I do not want any of my troopers hurt and I do not want any members of the public hurt in any way."

http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_323112208.html

Posted by: Sniper

Wow...... What a disaster......

Posted by: chief801

Bergantino did a similar story about 10 years ago...

Posted by: MSP75

How many times have we, as POs, giving reporters and their camera crews verbal warnings for MV violations? Who knows the number of crashes they've been involved in.
I've had a good relationship with some of them in the past. Unfortunately, news has become sensationalized. Some of today's "news" employees are whores for any type of emotional and exciting "news". The "I-Team" is a perfect example. ( I-Team; Incomplete story-Team)

Driving a crusier to an emergency, we force ourselves in to an abnormal traffic situation. As ANY person on the roadway can attest to, there are alot of bad drivers on the road. One of those bad drivers will eventually meet a cruiser. We have to drive through red lights, make it through rush hour traffic, avoid every pedestrian not paying attention (or who doesn't care). Police also drive continuously for 8-hrs a day, 5-7 days a week.
This is not to say there are no bad drivers on the MSP. There may be. Probabilty assumes that there will be some bad drivers, no matter what the job does.

. But, to sensationalize the story and make it sound like the MSP has a mass coverup of crashes is PATHETIC.

Posted by: BartA1

based upon the numbers of accidents the number of troopers on the road and the amount of distance the department puts on the roads of the commonwealth. I would venture to guess their accident ratio beats any other organization. That doesnt even take into account the hazardous conditions or responding to emergency situations. Seems like the I team is trying to mudsling certain law enforcement agencies to get their ratings up.

Posted by: Q5POS

For those who haven't seen it yet...

http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_323112208.html

Posted by: MM1799

I believe there is another installment tonight.
Too bad I have real work to do and have to miss the great reporting!

Posted by: 94c

Using their math, a cruiser causes an accident every 108,000 miles.

That's like driving back and forth to California 18 times.

That exceeds the life span of many cars on the road today.

Posted by: mikey742

MM1799

You know you are going to record it. lol

Posted by: MM1799

Actually at exactly 11pm, I am just going to drive home real fast, cause a couple of accidents and hope to catch myself on the report.

When I return to my shift, I'll just explain that I can't miss that Joe Bergantino guy!

Posted by: 94c

But the agency's own data indicates the overwhelming majority of crashes occur on dry roadways with clear skies and while state police are either commuting from home, working a detail or on a regular police patrol.

Versus being parked in their driveways?

Posted by: honor12900

Troopers spend 8+ hours a day on the state roads responding to emergencies and enforcing the laws. When someone drives thousands of miles in a vehicle crashes can occur. I'll bet taxi drivers have a far worse record for crashes and they don't respond to any emergencies.

Posted by: Delta784

If you drive a car in traffic for 40+ hours per week, the law of averages dictate that you'll get in a crash sooner or later. Add-in priority responses, and what else do you expect?

Posted by: MSP75

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94c

But the agency's own data indicates the overwhelming majority of crashes occur on dry roadways with clear skies and while state police are either commuting from home, working a detail or on a regular police patrol.

Versus being parked in their driveways?

Posted by: mtc

So, like whenever is a trooper in a cruiser while "OFF DUTY"

Like they'd want to spend "off duty" time in it? How does one crash "off duty" in a cruiser? Other than the afore-mentioned driveway?

I know, rhetorical questions......

Posted by: resqjyw0

Troopers are still better drivers than the people running this story.

Quote:

"They're the experts. They're the ones we trust to keep the roads safe and orderly," said Benson. "Shouldn't they be leading by example, showing us the right way to drive? If they're not, then I'd say they aren't doing their jobs correctly and probably shouldn't be on the road."

STFU Benson. You should have learned that already in driver's ed. If not, then there is one question to ask. Who forged your driver's license?

Posted by: Mikey682

Mr. Bergantino, because I KNOW YOU READ THIS, please heed this humble man's advice:

If you plan on smearing any more police officer's names and reputations in future "I-TEAM" reports to further senationalize these petty non-stories,
please read over your articles before you post them for the world to see. Here's an example:

TOTAL FATALITIES

1 - TROOPER VINCENT SILA ON 7/22/2005

Could you do yourself, and the families of the next DEAD TROOPER a favor by taking an extra minute and SPELLING HIS FUCKING NAME RIGHT?

Look it up on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial site for the correct spelling. Maybe your next story can be about how the NLEOM has the audacity to let biased family members post thoughts about thier relative's deaths. Maybe create a spread sheet about how much taxpayer money was spent on each officer's funeral service.

You're the f*cking man!!!!!

Posted by: Killjoy

What an enlightening report, Bergantino! You should get the Pulitzer Prize! Troopers drive just about more than any other people or department out there, and you want to crap on them because they get into accidents? You are a genius...if your stories weren't so biased I might actually think they were funny.

I'm just wondering who's pocket you are in Bergintino? What exactly do you have against the men in women in law enforcement? Is it simple revenge? Wronged by some police officer in the past? Greed? Looking for advancement, or maybe political favors? Don't try to throw at me the sacred cow that the press is the "watchdog of democracy". We both are jaded enough to know that you are playing at an agenda. Well...I hope whatever it was it was worth it, and I hope whatever you gain will offset the damage you do to reputation of hard-working law enforcement officers.

Posted by: Hutch

Do you guys really think this dipshit is intelligent enough to actually WRITE the material that he reads on TV?

Can one of you find out where this moron lives and post his address so we can stalk him too and then manipulate the story and post in on this website?

Posted by: SinePari

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwflatbed

Other troopers have had repeat accidents inn which they were the only motorist involved

Looking for accidents by people who drive for a living 8, 12, or 16 hours per day is like me finding a spelling error by this author is a WRITES for a living. J'ever hear of spell check, Joe Bergan-douche?

Posted by: kwflatbed

I think it's time to nail this A-Hole reporter and producer

I-Team: Troopers With Bad Personal Driving Records

By Maggie Mulvihill, I-Team Producer and Joe Bergantino, I-Team Reporter

Joe Bergantino
Reporting
(WBZ) BOSTON Massachusetts state troopers with some of the worst on-the-job driving records also have personal driving histories littered with infractions such as speeding, failing to stop, improper lane changes and repeated accidents, state records show.

While Col. Mark F. Delaney said troopers can be hired with some negative marks on their driving record, he agreed the driving histories of repeat crashers reveals a problem.

"I am certainly going to review the criteria and the parameters we use to judge candidates . . . and I can assure you that we will tighten them up," Delaney said.

An I-Team analysis of moe than 2,600 State Police cruiser accidents since 2000 reveals a cost to taxpayers in the millions and nearly 700 injuries - including to the troopers. There were more than 500 trooper-caused crashes on Massachusetts roadways during this period.

The overwhelming majority of total accidents do not occur when police are in hot pursuit of a criminal, but instead when they are either commuting to work, on a detail or on regular patrol, the agency's internal crash records show. Most accidents also occur on dry roads when the weather is clear, the data shows.

Nearly 120 troopers racked up four or more accidents over the seven-year-period and many of those same troopers have personal driving records dating back years that indicate a recklessness on the roadways.

Trooper Michelle L. Sutherland, 38, has been found at fault in four of her five accidents on the job. Her two-page personal driving record, which dates back to 1986, includes six surchargeable accidents, speeding, improper lane movements and failure to stop. All of the violations occurred between 1986 and 1992 - prior to her becoming a state trooper in 1993 - except a surchargeable accident she had in Whitman in 2004, the record shows.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles defines a surchargeable accident as one in which the driver is more than 50 percent at fault and there is more than $1,000 in damage.

Trooper William A. Cameron is the department's top crasher with eight total accidents. Cameron, 38, who works as an undercover gang investigator, has been found at fault twice. His personal driving record, dating back to 1988, includes speeding, using improper equipment, failing to stop and a surchargeable accident. He joined the force in 2000.

"I don't think a person that has such a bad record should be driving a State Police car," said Gabriela Herrera, 39, of Jamaica Plain. Herrera was driving her 2-year-old daughter near her Jamaica Plain home in 2003 when Cameron's cruiser rear-ended her vehicle at a residential intersection. Cameron was found at fault in the accident - the fourth he had had in a 15-month-period, internal state police data shows.

Sgt. Matthew C. Gravini has had six accidents and been found at fault twice. He joined the State Police in 1994. His personal driving record, which dates back to 1989, includes two speeding tickets, a surchargeable accident and failing to stop.

Other troopers with multiple crashes have personal driving histories that feature skipping court appearances after receiving tickets, license suspensions and failing to have inspection stickers on their personal vehicles.

National police expert Dennis J. Kenney, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said reckless driving habits can signal a potential problem employee.

"Police agencies pay a lot of attention to driving records because it has some predictive power as to how the employee will turn out," Kenney said.

A bad personal driving record "may mean you are an unlucky person," Kenney said. "More often it may mean you are more aggressive or don't pay enough attention to detail. ... That may not make you a bad person but certainly would contribute to you not being a good police officer."

Delaney said he was going to scrutinize the repeat offenders and determine what, if any retraining, they might need.

"We certainly have to work on those folks," he said. "I want to make sure that our highways are safe and that they are being patrolled by officers who are well-trained and good drivers."

http://wbztv.com/topstories/local_story_324225711.html

Posted by: PBC FL Cop

Worcester T&G

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

State police cause many car crashes

Report says troopers often clear selves

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON— State troopers have caused nearly 500 crashes in their cruisers over the past seven years, including instances in which officers were inattentive, speeding or following cars too closely, according to WBZ-TV.

The WBZ-TV analysis of 2,600 cruiser accidents also shows nearly 120 officers have had four or more crashes in the past seven years.

State police chief Col. Mark Delaney said the problem needs to be addressed. State police officers log 54 million miles a year in hazardous weather and driving conditions, Delaney said in the report.

But police data shows the majority of crashes occur on dry roadways with clear skies and while officers are either commuting from home, working a detail or on a regular police patrol, according to the report.

Troopers are allowed to investigate themselves in accidents in which no one is injured and there is less than $1,000 in damage — despite potential conflict of interests. They frequently clear themselves of wrongdoing, according to the report.

Senior state police officers have cleared their troopers in 55 percent of the total crashes and found them partially at fault only about 7 percent of the time. They have been found to have caused the crash about 19 percent of the time, the report said, citing crash records.

“I think inherently you can’t investigate yourself ... you can’t be objective,” Delaney told WBZ-TV.

Even when troopers are cleared of causing the accident, the circumstances can still raise questions.

Michael Benson of Weston claims he was making a left turn off Park Drive in Boston during rush hour in April 2006, when he was struck in his left passenger side by motorcycle Trooper Joaquin Miranda.

Miranda, 48, has had seven crashes since August 2001, according to the data. He has never been found at fault, according to the report.

The officer was cleared of his latest accident in February by Sgt. Dennis Bertulli, who was sanctioned by his bosses for plowing into a pedestrian at this year’s Boston Marathon.

Other troopers have had repeat accidents in which they were the only motorist involved. Trooper Matthew Croteau, 34, has had five crashes in four years, including four single-vehicle crashes in which he lost control of his cruiser. The officer has been found at fault four times — twice on patrol, once while commuting and once off duty, according to WBZ-TV.

Dennis Kenney, a former police officer and professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said police officers are given vehicles and are allowed to exceed the speed limit under certain circumstances, including emergency situations.

“The assumption I think the citizens have is that they are qualified to do so,” Kenney said. “If they are having problems with accidents, that would suggest they may not be qualified to do so, which puts all of us at risk.”

Posted by: MSP75

Great defense Colonel.

Posted by: MSP75

The Worcester T&G is so desperate to smear police that they even use another media company's story. WOW!?

Posted by: Francois

State Police drive 54 million miles a year. According to this article, Troopers have caused 500 crashes in the past seven years. That is 1 at fault crash for every 760,563 miles driven. The average person drives 15,000 miles a year. That would be 1 crash every 50.7 years. Maybe it's just me, but I think that is pretty good.

Posted by: resqjyw0

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hutch

Can one of you find out where this moron lives and post his address so we can stalk him too and then manipulate the story and post in on this website?

Too many Joe Bergantino's to know which one is him.

http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zab...=&name_style=1

Posted by: Barbrady

Is it MSP policy to cover the damaged cruiser with a cover? I can remember as a kid driving by an accident with MSP and they put a cover over the wrecked cruiser before they towed it away.

Posted by: bbelichick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbrady

Is it MSP policy to cover the damaged cruiser with a cover? I can remember as a kid driving by an accident with MSP and they put a cover over the wrecked cruiser before they towed it away.

Usually only if there is a fatality...

Posted by: topcop14

http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zaba.php?sname=Candy%20Altman&state=MA&ref= %24ref&se=%24se&doby=&city=&name_style=1

http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zab...=&name_style=1
I was going to post the address but decided against it. It took longer to type this post then it did to find the address. Cross refference these two Zaba searchs and you will have the information you seek.

NO ONE CAN HIDE! ! ! ! !

Posted by: Barbrady

I hope that was not the case but the car was mangled.

Posted by: kwflatbed

Quote:

Originally Posted by topcop14

http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zaba.php?sname=Candy%20Altman&state=MA&ref= %24ref&se=%24se&doby=&city=&name_style=1

http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zab...=&name_style=1
I was going to post the address but decided against it. It took longer to type this post then it did to find the address. Cross refference these two Zaba searchs and you will have the information you seek.

NO ONE CAN HIDE! ! ! ! !

That one was to easy LOL

Posted by: resqjyw0

gotcha. didn't think of looking up the spouse.

Posted by: 40th MPOC#309

I'm with Mikey. I think there should be a dedicated Law Enforcement focused channel on every network. They can have documentarys on OT abuse, Details, employees with BOPs,Officers with potty mouth,or all the other million things we do wrong......Oh the entertainment! (and the fair, balanced, and accurate reporting too!)

Posted by: Delta784

Now, now kids; don't do anything stupid.

Posted by: 40th MPOC#309

As long as it doesn't pre-empt the newsflashes on Konyay West's mother......

Posted by: Dr.Magoo

I just did some non-scientific statistical analysis. Officers assigned to random foot patrol rather than a cruiser shifts were involved in zero motor vehicle accidents while on duty. Joe B, let's see you do a story about that.

Posted by: resqjyw0

Don't forget the guys on bike patrol and the ones behind the desk.

Posted by: kwflatbed

Just thinking we should look at his and hers driving records and accidents.
and compare.

Posted by: Sniper

You guys better learn to drive better......... hahahaaa

Posted by: mtc

What would this moron's liability be if the "undercover gang" trooper he outed, gets hurt?

**BECAUSE** of this report?

Ya'll know he's just waiting to get pulled over.....

I hope he puts his gerbil away before coming to a full and complete stop.

Posted by: SOT

So now we know, the "I" in I-Team stands for asshole...well really Idiot but asshole somehow seems more correct.

Posted by: justanotherparatrooper

I Hate Reporters

Posted by: SinePari

C'mon children, don't be driving by his house...that would be sinking to his scumbag level. Just use the power of the pen every chance you get. Press hard, 5 copies.

"Here's a violation for X, follow the instructions on the envelope."

End of conversation.

Posted by: Inspector

BOSTON -- After weeks of testimony and two jury verdicts, a federal judge has ruled that a Billerica family is entitled to nearly half a million dollars in damages against the Billerica police for violating the family's civil rights.
In a decision issued yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Patti Saris adjusted the monetary awards for the first and second trials involving Brian and Michelle Kennedy and their three sons against the police.
Saris' final award is a total of $424,500, according to court documents.
The attorneys representing the police have vowed to appeal.

Posted by: Delta784

For what??

Posted by: soxrock75

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784

For what??

I think there was an I-Team report or something a few weeks ago, maybe even a thread on here about this situation.

I guess the family is a bunch of shitbags with the mother admitting to having a "severe" drug habit due to the Police allegedly harassing her and her family. Apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and the sons are punks too. I know there is more to it than that but this is all I can remember..........Perhaps someone with more info could elaborate?

Posted by: resqjyw0

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxrock75

I think there was an I-Team report or something a few weeks ago, maybe even a thread on here about this situation.

This is the thread.

Posted by: kwflatbed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784

For what??

Somewhere back about post 12 on this thread

Posted by: pahapoika

$424,500, will buy allot of drugs. maybe the whole nest will OD and rid the state of these pests once and for all

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