Pot times
Serpas Responds
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1090/a06.htmlNewshawk: chip
Pubdate: Thu, 07 Jul 2005 SERPAS RESPONDS
Source: Nashville Scene (TN)
Copyright: 2005 Nashville Scene.
Contact:
editor@nashvillescene.com
Website: http://www.nashscene.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2409
Author: Police Chief Ronal W. Serpas
On June 27, I had the pleasure of meeting with four representatives from the
Tennessee Equality Project ( TEP ), a group that promotes and sustains the
equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. After reading
the June 23 Scene ( "Policing Gays" ), TEP members questioned whether
the Metro Police Department was indiscriminately targeting gay men in sting
operations involving chat rooms.
Using facts about the investigation that the Scene chose to omit, I assured the
group that was not the case. I write this not to defend the police
department's investigations or actions, but rather to present a complete
picture.
Internet chat room investigations of the type the Scene described have been
conducted on five of the approximately 200 workdays since Sept. 1, 2004.
The investigation began after a citizen reported to the Hermitage precinct that
offers of illegal drugs in chat rooms were very common and had gone undetected
by law enforcement. That individual and others worked with our undercover
officers during the investigation to correspond with potential suspects and
explain chat room terminology that is not readily understood by
"non-chatters."
As a result of those five days of investigation over the past 10 months, it is
abundantly clear that illegal drugs were not only being offered, but were
brought along by men who expected to meet a cooperating informant for a sexual
encounter.
Of the 16 persons charged as a result of this investigation thus far, 10 showed
up with crystal methamphetamine, which, as we all know, has become one of the
most feared illegal substances in the history of our country.
In another of the cases, the person showed up with cocaine, yet another showed
up with marijuana and one individual was carrying both methamphetamine and
marijuana. From those cases alone, the police department has seized 14
grams of crystal methamphetamine, two grams of cocaine and 10 grams of
marijuana. The informant was clearly correct regarding the true offers of
illegal drugs in chat rooms with which he was familiar.
This police department, every day, follows up on criminal information brought to
our attention.
Our actions in this investigation are no different.
The sexual orientation of Nashvillians is of no concern to the Police
Department. Engaging in criminal activity, however, is and will be
responded to appropriately.
The defendant who spoke to the Scene showed up to meet with the confidential
informant carrying amyl nitrite.
He had represented the substance as being illegally obtained.
Our officers had not encountered amyl nitrite previously in this sting operation
and, in good faith, charged the defendant with delivering a counterfeit
substance and resisting arrest.
District Attorney Torry Johnson is now researching Tennessee law to determine
whether the charge is appropriate. As for the resisting arrest charge, the
defendant, in his statements to the Scene, admits that he attempted to flee and
did not comply with officer commands. While it is true that the officers
were not in full uniform, they were wearing vests with clear police markings.
In fact, in an interview with a police supervisor, the defendant acknowledged
that he saw one of the officer's vest and badge.
Also, during the same 10-month time frame, Hermitage precinct undercover
officers made 431 arrests related to drug and prostitution offenses.
Again, only 16 of those were from the chat room investigation.
As I discussed with the members of TEP in our cordial, 90-minute meeting, we are
targeting violations of the law, not individuals' sexual orientation, race or
religious beliefs.
This police department values all citizens and looks forward to building on our
relationships of respect and trust.
Police Chief Ronal W. Serpas
( Nashville )
