Walgren's letter offensive to law enforcement
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Editor,
Accountability needed in law enforcement? Certainly. Just as accountability is needed in all aspects of life.
I’d like to address the letter submitted by Arthur D. Walgren in the last issue. As a retired member of the law enforcement community, 27 years, I do not believe Art Walgren speaks for law enforcement in general.
Making a blanket statement, generalizing about the condition of law enforcement standards, ethics and practices is a slap in the face to the hard working men and women who serve Montana and Lake County communities.
The sign of a good commander; a great chief, or assistant chief, is that he/she places their officers first before themselves. They demonstrate that they genuinely care about their community and personnel. They certainly don’t throw them under the bus in order to puff themselves up.
This rambling article touches upon allegations of misdeeds and criminal behavior with several departments including Butte, Colstrip and apparently his own department. A good investigator would notice and question that Art Walgren is passing along hearsay comments from officers he has “spoken to.” What are the “many issues in our area” that he cites? Why is he making such strong allegations against the chief of police of Colstrip? Well, isn’t Mr. Walgren a former employee of Colstrip Police Department?
Art Walgren has worked at numerous police departments and has left a trail of accusations of corruption and misconduct at many of them. I will not generalize. Art Walgren published a letter of resignation from Musselshell County alleging corruption with the Sheriff's Department. He has also alleged his former employer, Colstrip police department, of similar allegations. He appears to be continuing this pattern by submitting this article. Is the entire law enforcement community out of step, except for him?
Art Walgren states that he doesn’t see anything wrong with taking a free cup of coffee. Professional law enforcement agencies, generally, have an established policy regarding gratuities. Even accepting a “free” cup of coffee is strictly prohibited. Accepting any freebies compromises the integrity of the officer and department. So, I have a problem with even accepting something as small as a free cup of coffee. Shouldn’t Mr. Walgren?
Art Walgren notes that the Montana POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) director, Wayne Ternes and the POST compliance officer, Clay Coker, are coming to interview him. Note: The compliance officer is designated to insure that every police department is in compliance with established State of Montana POST standards.
I find it interesting to note the timing of his letter as it relates to his upcoming interview with the POST compliance officer. I would suggest that Mr. Walgren insure his own house is in order before trashing others.
Beth Bartholome
Ronan
