EDITORIAL - MAY 24, 2023 - The latest revelations of Bedford Police Department in the October 2022 arrest of a Mitchell man, planting of evidence of a former police officer in 2021, and the battery and official conduct of another police officer in 2021 the time has come for the City of Bedford investigate its police department.
The department is currently facing a lawsuit following one of these incidents.
Police officers are required to first of all take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of Indiana, conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, properly enforce the laws in the State of Indiana, and are held to a higher standard than the general public, and properly investigate all calls for service.
The public must have trust and confidence in its public safety officials.
Bedford Mayor Sam Craig being a former police officer has failed to recognize the issues that are lingering within the Bedford Police Department.
Although these evaluations are costly, the issues surrounding the department can no longer be ignored and must be addressed immediately.
The issues must be properly evaluated by an independent consulting firm, no agency can properly evaluate itself.
The firm report will identify whether the department need changes in leadership or whether the training of department needs reformed.
The department lacks transparency and communication with the public in addressing the issues within its department.
At no time will any reform or trust in the public be restored until proper investigation of the department's leadership, and training is thoroughly conducted by an outside agency.
The time is now for this type of action needs to be taken by the Bedford Board of Works and Safety to bring integrity back into the police department.
This is editorial of the Lawrence County Zephyr.
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