Published: June 24, 2009 11:41 am      

FOP: Galligan’s police comments ‘inappropriate’

The Fraternal Order of Police issued a statement to The Evening News on Tuesday calling comments made by Mayor Tom Galligan “inappropriate” and pledging support for the police officers involved in last week’s incident with Larry Wilder, the city council’s attorney.

At a press conference Sunday, Galligan apologized to Wilder’s family for photographs taken of Wilder passed out in a neighbor’s trash can last week. The pictures were sent anonymously to members of the local media. Galligan said it is still under investigation who took and distributed the photographs, but said they were taken by one or more police officers.

“We understand that the photos were taken by one of the officers,” stated Joseph Hubbard, president of FOP lodge 100. “However, there has been no proof that the photos were released to the media by any member of the Jeffersonville Police Department.

“In the course of the investigation, if any officers violated Indiana state and federal statute or any Standard Operating Procedures established by the Jeffersonville Police Department, the matter should be heard by the Police Merit Board.”

When asked at the press conference if the situation is a matter for the merit board, Galligan said, “it’s going to be a matter for the mayor.”

“We are going to take appropriate action to ensure that no police officer will be comfortable abusing their authority again,” Galligan said Sunday.

Nathan Samuel, the city council’s liaison to the police department, agreed with the FOP that any disciplinary action should be handled by the merit board.

Hubbard said that it was inappropriate for the mayor to prejudge the situation and call the officers “renegade,” as he did in the press conference. He added that the FOP is proud of all members of JPD and the FOP “sincerely hopes for a quick and positive resolution for everyone involved.

“The Fraternal Order of Police will not sit idly by and let the city use these officers as a scapegoat to avert the attention away from the real issue,” the statement reads.

Hubbard said the officers used their discretion in not arresting Wilder, but ensured he made it home safely.

Galligan did not immediately return a message left with him at the end of the business day Tuesday. The city’s communication director, Larry Thomas, said the mayor made it clear that action would only be taken after an investigation is complete.

“The only thing [Galligan] was really adamant about was that the police undertake an internal investigation and try to ascertain the circumstances around the release of the photo and who did it,” Thomas said. “That certainly is not prejudging the situation.”

Samuel said he has not talked to Galligan about the issue, but he did not believe the mayor was negative toward the police department as a whole — only the officers who released the photographs.

He said he did not have enough information to know whether the mayor was justified in accusing the police officers.

“If he does not know for sure [who sent the photographs to the media], then I think he was premature,” Samuel said when asked if it was appropriate for the mayor to hold the press conference. “I would hope that before the mayor would come out with a press conference that he is certain.”

Samuel added that the mayor may have proof the police leaked the photos, but is not ready to make that information public.

A police merit board was formed in December to handle hiring, promotions and disciplinary decisions. The board is made up of five people. The police department and mayor each appoint two representatives from Jeffersonville — one Republican and one Democrat. The council will appoint the fifth member of the merit board.