We heard something this morning that has us seeing red... again. According to 770KKOB, the Albuquerque Police Department's Internal Affairs department has targeted Sergeant Heh for an investigation (read it here). Of course the department isn't releasing the nature of the investigation and the city attorney couldn't comment because it's a "personnel matter." But it seems to us that even though the nature of the investigation hasn't been released, the reason for it is perfectly clear.
As you'll remember, Sergeant Heh had the audacity to ask the APOA for a re-vote on the recent hastily passed APD contract. What made matters worse is he had the temerity to take his complaint before the city council Monday night as a private citizen exercising his rights to free speech and redress of grievance.
As a general rule, the 5th floor (and the 11th for that matter) takes a dim view of employees speaking their minds publicly - especially when their opinions differ from the powers that be. Over at APD officers are pretty much forbidden to speak to the media or anyone outside the department. Legally the SOP doesn't trump the 1st Amendment, but don't think for a second that public involvement of any kind in city policy or politics outside of the department isn't noticed.
In other words, don't talk about it, don't think about it, and don't reveal it to anyone even if it's unflattering, unethical, or especially illegal. It's the code of silence and hell hath no fury like a department whose questionable behavior is revealed.
In many circumstances it's important for officers to remain behind the blue wall - keeping what they know and what they've seen to themselves. In fact, most of us couldn't handle much of what they know and what they've seen.
However, that code of silence needs to be broken when their department and their futures are in jeopardy not from the criminals that they've sworn to protect the public from, but from the very leaders that are supposed to be backing them up - be they union or government. Of course, that doesn't sit well with those in power.
Our Eyes tell us that APD's strategy when confronted with someone like Sergeant Heh, is to put them squarely and resolutely back in their place or to fire them. Their favorite tool for keeping the troops in line is the Internal Affairs investigation. Don't get us wrong, IA does perform a needed service. Someone needs to police the police. Unfortunately, the power that IA wields can easily be used to intimidate and to seek retribution. In short, the power of an Internal Affairs investigation - like any governmental authority - can be misused and abused.
It's no surprise that Sergeant Heh is being investigated immediately after speaking out publicly. The 5th floor and no doubt some of the folks over at the APOA see the sergeant as the leader of a rebellion. How dare he question our contract? How dare he ask to see the contract before casting his vote? How dare he make us look bad?!
Intimidation and fear are the primary weapons of organized crime. Pay our "protection" money and we uh... the "crooks" won't destroy your store or kill your family. Keep your mouth shut and don't complain and you won't have to worry about Internal Affairs. It's sad and frankly terrifying, to see the Albuquerque Police Department brass using the tactics of their sworn enemy - on their own personnel.
What does that say about the department? What does that say about us? All of us have the responsibility to keep an eye on the leaders in government. When someone has the courage to step forward and expose a problem the investigation should be of the problem not the messenger.
Clearly APD has problems and their source seems to be the department's leaders - political and administrative. This type of blatant retribution by the 5th floor is just the latest shenanigan. Don't the 800 or so APD officers deserve better than to live in fear of their own department? Don't we deserve better?
27 comments:
The only blue wall of silence in Albuquerque exists on the 5th floor of the police station. Officers are always willing to tell the truth and not cover things up, but APD's administration has a code of silience that must be broken.
Gil Gallegos and his deputy chiefs and the Evidence Room is just one example. Who was there at that time? Ray Schultz and Marty Chavez.
So to you in the media and public who always complain about the blue code of silence within the police department, it is not the officers it is this administration that has a code of silence
I disagree strongly with SGT Heh regarding this contract. In fact, I wish he would just shut up. However, he has the right to speak his mind. What is happening to him is WRONG!!! Even more wrong than he is...
DOOCED!
Dooced as in in trouble/fired at work for writing something on a blog, or basically what Paul is doing. Like we all didn't know this was coming huh?
I think the 5th floor is absolutely wrong. I may not agree with what he is saying or how he is saying it... ACLU help???
You go Sgt, don't you love it when IA or anyone tells you that you can't talk to someone, what a joke APD is.
Agree or disagree with Sgt. Heh, this is bullshit and all officers need to unite in his defense. While I know there is a lot of disagreement and a lot of personal animosity towards Sgt. Heh, back him up. If you can't then you should really question whether or not you should be in this profession.
And don't start talking about him intimidating or any other crap. Everybody who's been here more than a year always talks about how crazy this place is.
Typical Schultz fashion!! Use I.A. to intimidate and then fire. Remember Kirby? Charged a whole year later because he wouldn't bow down to this chief!!! I agree with the contract and not Paul Heh. But this investigation is WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When IA tried to investigate the APD Evidence Room thefs of drugs and money and Chief Gilbert Gallegos and his deputy chief's for covering up thefts. IA was dismantled and the chief took control and for good reason. They needed to control who gets investigated! You just can't go investigate the chief and his deputy chief's even if they are dirty!
Well, the same still is true today. The chief uses IA to punish officers who speak up about illegal activity within the dept! This chief will do anything to punish anyone who says anything negitive about him! The chief also uses IA to cover up his crimes!
I will be retiring this year after 21 years. I started when Sam Baca was chief. I can't remember a time when a chief was hated more by the officers. I hope you are proud Ray. This is just non sense. If you other officers look the other way just remember this can happen to you!
This is why our founding fathers wrote the Bill of Rights and placed numerous limits on the Government whether it is the Feds, State or Local.
When I was a child growing up in San Diego we were told to be very careful if we went to Tijuana because things were very different there - you could be arrested and had to prove your innocence, etc. This is an abuse of power that can no longer be tolerated in a State that is part of America.
All of you were dissin' Sgt. Heh on this blog and none of you had his back on this issue! And now you just can't believe that they're targeting him. You know what, at least he had the nads to come forth and spit the truth....at least he put his name out there on this blog, he put his reputation out there and even tried to band all you "brothers" together to protest @ the hall. And what did you all do? NUTHIN' NUTHIN' none of you scaredy-asses even showed @ city hall, none of you did anything except anonomyously blog away, day after day. So now what, he's the sacrificial lamb of the Dept.is what! And whatever happens to him well, that's on all of you!!
I just heard what they are trying to do to Paul. What a shame....
Also, did you hear that joke Ray Schultz say we have a great new contract in our management meeting today. We all just about all lost our lunch and threw up! Does that dumb ass not know that all the Sgts and Lt's were screwed! We can't wait until you are gone RAY! Don't come back to APD after you leave, as you are not welcomed! Ray,do us all a favor and leave town! Remember, you won't be in power forever, and will will not forget what you have done to us!
ACLU step up and defend Sgt Heh!
Retribution? This investigation was underway prior to HEH taking his so called stand. In fact HEH new of the investigation then he decided he should find some way to get out of it. He never attended APOA functions before or cared about other contracts that he now complains about. This is his form of a distraction to say the department is investigating him because he was vocal. Bullshit, he is responsible for his actions and the investigation will show that it was his actions prior to the contract negotiations even being opened.
I'm a civilian,(85 years old) and after reading all of these comments, isn't it about time that the "rank and file" call the 5th floor on this and other
(B)dasterdly deeds, not to mention those assigned to 'Internal Affairs'? You guys,especially, know that this is wrong if not possibly against the law and you should know better and should be able to differentiate right from wrong.
I saw what Adolf Hitler did. I saw what his troops and the SS did to innocent people. I saw what Hitler's 'Youth Groups' did as they turned people in ( their friends a week earlier)and snitched them out in the name of some perverted ego of one man.
Chief Schultz; does your ancestry
follow this kind of logic and thinking?
God help you son.
The blue wall is not confined to APD.
Someone should check out what is going on over at BCSO and former deputy Evangeline Martinez.
The people of New Mexico have been suffering for decades under these corrupt, mafia like police tactics.
I hope they fire Paul....Shame on you. You bring discredit to our Department and our community. Time to go.....
Fire Paul for what??? Practicing his First Amendment Right??? That is still allowed in the United States isn't it?
Oh well that's what he gets for talking for all officers...(WRONG).. he has split this dept not the contract..Maybe he should ask some of those younger officers to back him during this IA investigation.
City Council will not touch this--hand a club for Marty to beat them with--overriding the best contract ever and leaving the City without a contract for their police officers. If you think the Council will do that, you need to check into a mental hospital because you are probably having other halucinations as well.
Only way to have revote is if BOTH the City AND the Union agree to reopen. Won't happen.
This is done. The senior officers sound like babies. The issue is with the APOA; they are supposed to represent the police officers. Man up, and make changes necessary to prevent it from happening in the future, or go elsewhere.
Cadigan for Mayor!!!
Its past due for that vote of no confidence on Schultz. He has got to be one of the worst chiefs this department has ever had.
yeah but who has the balls to vote no confidence?
can we ask steve to make a motion of a no confidence.. hes the only one protected right now
Hey, where can I get one of those Puck Faul bumper stickers?
FIRE PAUL HEH !!!! He has trashed this place. Talk about Judas $108K
Why get on Paul's case for making $108. All he did was work while you sat in a bar or became a professional couch potato. One other thing for you junior 34's, what will be your position on money issues in forthcoming contracts when you have your 20?
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