Mike Mercurio teaching ethics class???

:snicker: Look who is teaching a class about "ethical behavior" --

TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
at the
Sarasota Criminal Justice Academy

Criminal Justice Officer Ethics Course
(FDLE #1134)

Dates: February 25, 2011

Days & Times: Friday: 0800 to 1700

Duration: 8 hours*

Training Credit: Specialized Course: Mandatory Retraining NOT Salary Incentive

Class Size: 30 Students
(Region 10 officers have Priority-others are Wait-listed)

Location: Sarasota Criminal Justice Academy
SCTI Portable J-3 (across parking lot from SCJA)
4748 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34233
Entrance on Proctor Rd., west of Beneva Rd.

Instructor: Lt. Michael Mercurio

Cost: No Cost to currently active Florida certified law enforcement officers

Registration: Register through Agency Training Section

Training Sections:
? Phone Academy to reserve seats, then
fax (941- 316-1822) or email Training Authorization Form by February 24
? Priority will be given to sworn personnel from Region 10. If “civilian” indicate this on form.
? Advise personnel of SCJA Dress Code

SCJA Dress Code: Uniform of the day or Business Casual – no jeans, shorts, or t-shirts

Information: Call (941) 924-1365 ext. 62314
_______
* FDLE rules require 8 hours of attendance for credit. Absences may result in an “Incomplete”.

Isn't Mike Mercurio the one who repeatedly flunked the supervsors exam, but was still promoted ahead of those who passed the test??? What are the ethics of that???

Mike Mercurio is teaching how to be ethical? :roll:

Mike is an expert on ethical behavior, as long as those same rules aren't applied to him.

The Internal Affairs Investigator
Who should be chosen?


RANDY RIDER
Internal Affairs Contributor
Officer.com


One of the many questions that a Police administrator must decide is, "Who will be the internal affairs investigator?" The decision must take into account the best interests of the department, chief/sheriff, city/county, and the employees. The issue is, should just anyone be chosen to do this specific job? Let's look at some trends and customs.

The first that comes to mind is when the chief/sheriff of the agency decides to be the IA investigator himself. Some believe the executive officer should handle complaints on officers, particularly in small departments. This approach is problematic in many ways. Internal affairs investigations take an extraordinary amount of time to complete. Executives have too many other problems to work besides IA complaints. It puts them in the awkward position of being both investigator and making an unbiased decision as to punishment to be dealt out. It may lead the officers within the department to a belief of unfairness.

The officer's supervisor is another problem choice. He may not be a bad choice if the matter is a policy violation that can be handled easily. But there are time restraints, biases, and the question of the fairness of the investigation. If the matter is of such a serious violation that raises it to an internal affairs level, a disinterested officer should handle the investigation.

Is a special operations team member a good choice? The officer might have to review an action where fellow team members are involved. Also, they may become the focus of an investigation. The nature of SWAT operations makes complaints common. Understand that most complaints brought to bear on a SWAT team are unfounded. Could a member of the team look at a use-of-force issue objectively? What would the media and public say? They may believe the investigator would lean towards the use of force with a biased opinion.

What about a hostage negotiator? They have good people skills. They are trained in questioning and reading responses. They are rarely involved in shooting incidents or, use of force.

However, look at this in another light. What is the negotiator's ultimate job? They are charged with the responsibility to end a confrontation, without the use of force, by negotiation with the suspect. Having this in mind, can they be unbiased?

I have found the negotiator believes that any matter can be settled with time and effort. Rightly so, in the majority of cases those officers undertake. In most cases officers must make decisions immediately without the benefit of time. Internal affairs investigators cannot take that element away from the officer. I teach in use-of-force training that during a crisis situation there comes a time that the situation must be brought to a close. This reinforces the fact that officers do not have the luxury of lengthy negotiations.

Next in mind is a detective supervisor. This would be a good choice, assuming they would have the time to complete it. They can be delegated and released from other duties for a period of time. However, in a serious situation this officer's time may be consumed with assisting other agencies on the criminal aspect or completing it themselves. They are already delegated to other duties at the time of a serious incident. They are trained investigators knowing how to conduct an investigation and complete it fairly. I have been there and done that.

A fairly new idea is to assign the position to the training officer. An officer in this position would be in the position to put other duties aside for the period of time needed to complete the investigation. In most cases they will not be involved in the incident, not supervising the employee, and have the ability to look at all aspects objectively.

Policy is most often written and training is given at this level. Training officers are experienced in all aspects of police work and can handle an investigation. They are removed from the normal day-to-day operations of a police department. They most often have a variety of experience in all fields of police work.

Should any of these officers be trained in internal affairs? Should they be afforded the opportunity to take the training and even the position? If the shoe fits within your organization, by all means put them to work. All positions should be re-evaluated constantly to insure the proper person is in their field of expertise. Keep in mind the importance of this position. Internal affairs officers can take the livelihood of an officer and their dignity. They are a valuable asset if used properly.

Several police departments in the USA have been compelled to institute civilian review or investigation of police misconduct complaints in response to community perception that internal affairs investigations are biased in favor of police officers. For example, San Francisco, California, has its Office of Citizen Complaints, created by voter initiative in 1983, in which civilians who have never been members of the San Francisco Police Department investigate complaints of police misconduct filed against members of the San Francisco Police Department. Washington, DC, has a similar office, created in 1999, known as the Office of Police Complaints

Several police departments in the USA have been compelled to institute civilian review or investigation of police misconduct complaints in response to community perception that internal affairs investigations are biased in favor of police officers. For example, San Francisco, California, has its Office of Citizen Complaints, created by voter initiative in 1983, in which civilians who have never been members of the San Francisco Police Department investigate complaints of police misconduct filed against members of the San Francisco Police Department. Washington, DC, has a similar office, created in 1999, known as the Office of Police Complaints

And that does not sound totally stupid?
I'd like the citizen review board to take a look at my taxes this year after my accountant is done with them, to make sure they're done correctly.
Also the air traffic controllers at TIA cold use some help, please send a citizen review board there next to check up on them.


Doctors have review boards too, but they are made up of other doctors.

Isn't that what Sarasota PD is going to, A Civilian Review Board that will oversee their IA investigations?

If Washington DC is doing it, why not SSO?

Many large agencies appoint IA investigators rather than promote them. Good Investigators are not necessarily good test takers.

Agencies like Bradenton PD test for Corporal and Sergeant, but no one there is tested to become a Detective, Lieutenant, Captain or Major, they are all appointed. BIg Deal.

And as for promotional processes, what is the flavor of the year? Outside test makers, standardized tests, Assesment centers, "in basket" testing. senario based testing, Take your pick.

What percentage of the final grade does an oral board, past evaluations or immediate supervisor recommendation account for?

No one seems to agree which one produces the best choice for promotion.

Isn't Mike Mercurio the one who repeatedly flunked the supervsors exam, but was still promoted ahead of those who passed the test??? What are the ethics of that??? :roll:

Nobody is saying that Mercurio is stupid just because he repeatedly flunked a supervsors test. The issue is much bigger than promoting unqualified people. Some people are promoted for all the wrong reasons, like who they drink with, golf with, go to strip bars with, etc. What upsets people is that those kinds of connections have more weight in the Sarasota Sheriffs Office than being able to righteously pass a promotional process that is rigged anyways. Soooo first the honest employees who righteously passed the promotional test are not promoted. Second, those that flunked the supervsors test are promoted ahead of those who righteously passed it. And now Mike Mercurio is going to teach a class on how to be ethical in our agency. Does anyone see a contradiction here? Of course!!! Steve Burns and Mike Mercurio refuse to admit that an elephant is in the room. This is just an example of how out of touch SSO staff is with SSO employees. And Kurt Hoffman is backing all this up with his grandious pontifications. This is a Knightmare in Sarasota. :roll:

Grow up, Man Up, and get over it.

It happens everywhere.

You need to crawl out of your hole and look around more.

Isn't Mike Mercurio the one who repeatedly flunked the supervsors exam, but was still promoted ahead of those who passed the test??? What are the ethics of that??? :roll:

Nobody is saying that Mercurio is stupid just because he repeatedly flunked a supervsors test. The issue is much bigger than promoting unqualified people. Some people are promoted for all the wrong reasons, like who they drink with, golf with, go to strip bars with, etc. What upsets people is that those kinds of connections have more weight in the Sarasota Sheriffs Office than being able to righteously pass a promotional process that is rigged anyways. Soooo first the honest employees who righteously passed the promotional test are not promoted. Second, those that flunked the supervsors test are promoted ahead of those who righteously passed it. And now Mike Mercurio is going to teach a class on how to be ethical in our agency. Does anyone see a contradiction here? Of course!!! Steve Burns and Mike Mercurio refuse to admit that an elephant is in the room. This is just an example of how out of touch SSO staff is with SSO employees. And Kurt Hoffman is backing all this up with his grandious pontifications. This is a Knightmare in Sarasota. :roll:

So now Mercurio gets to stand in front of a class of officers who know the truth about him!!!! That's got to suck!!!! Will he talk about it and try to justify it and crack jokes about it???

Dear Mr. Malcontent .....Please try and get over your bitterness. Did you go to school with one of the IA guys? Did they shove you in a locker or pants you in gym class? Guess what ...Those guys are specialty supervisors which at the SSO is equivalent to nothing. It sounds like you were on a promotional list and didn't get promoted to me so nautrally its everyone elses fault. The IA guys, staff, other guys that got promoted, everyone but you. If that is so then we are probably better off becuase supervisor or not you sound like a gutless idiot who probably is one of our more better known losers.
Here is an idea . How about you get a sex change? Because if you are a guy you are in dire need of some midol and a box of tampons. O yea and some psycological help, which if you are getting some it ain't working.....Go ahead Corky fire away.