Clearwater Police Chief Slaughter took the unusual step of making a YouTube video in response to The Aftermath episode which recounted the “Park Incident” with Mark Bunker.
This was then published on the OpEd page of the Tampa Bay Times.
Below is the full message from Chief Slaughter so everyone has complete context.
Then some of my thoughts following this:
For years the Clearwater Police Department has been thrust into the middle of a debate between a controversial religion and its critics, without a voice in the matter. We feel it important to publish some facts of our own to provide the city we serve and anyone else who may be interested with some perspective.
The Clearwater Police Department was established in 1915 and currently serves a 31-square-mile community of 115,000 people. This base population increases regularly due to a tremendous influx of visitors and tourists. We serve our community and visitors with a dedicated staff of 245 sworn officers and 128 civilian employees.
Scientology’s hub of activity is in a portion of the downtown corridor occupying approximately half a square mile. None of our on-duty officers are assigned to or stationed at Scientology property.
The Clearwater Police Department received over 78,319 calls for service in 2018 with approximately 109 or 0.1 percent of those calls originating from Scientology staff or security.
The Police Department’s funding is derived from the ad valorem (property) taxes. Any ad valorem taxes collected from any taxable properties owned by Scientology are co-mingled with all collected ad valorem taxes and disseminated to multiple government entities and multiple city departments.
Consistent with other law enforcement organizations, the Clearwater Police Department has an extra-duty program to provide off-duty officers to a wide variety of businesses and religious entities. These programs are not funded by taxpayers, and most important, do not draw from the on-duty resources paid for by the taxpayers. All officers serving in an extra-duty capacity are bound by oath to remain impartial and operate under the policies and procedures of the Clearwater Police Department. Regardless of who pays the bill, the extra-duty officers work for me.
The total billed to all organizations using off-duty officers through the extra-duty program including recognized religious entities was approximately $790,127.50 in fiscal 2018. Scientology extra-duty accounted for approximately $26,740 or 3.4 percent of the total.
Scientology being a recognized religious entity is entitled to contract for the same services as any other religious entity or business. The Police Department does not have the latitude to cease providing extra-duty services to one religious entity without denying the same services to all recognized religious entities. If you believe your law enforcement organizations should be bound by the Constitution, as we should be, then you must agree we do not get to pick and choose which religious entities get access to services.
The Clearwater Police Department has, and will continue, to investigate all crimes, without passion or prejudice, regardless of who the victim or suspect is. Many examples of this are evident in our history.
Law enforcement officers throughout the country swear an oath to uphold the Constitution, to include the First Amendment covering freedom of religion. Clearwater Police Officers swear to do the same. Our hope is that anyone reading this will recognize that we don’t get to pick and choose who we protect and serve, nor should we. We are bound by the Constitution to answer all calls for service and deliver those services in a fair and impartial manner.
Our officers are human beings who work a hazardous job that exposes them to human tragedy on a regular basis. The mere suggestion that our officers exist to serve Scientology is patently false and an affront to them and the great community we serve. To see them criticized and vilified for trying their best to interpret complex legal orders, confusing complaints, and mediate disputes between the constitutionally protected activities of religion, speech, and assembly is not only unfair but done in the absence of perspective. Hopefully, we’ve provided some today.
Daniel Slaughter is the chief of the Clearwater Police Department.
First, let me say that I have never been treated with anything other than courtesy and professionalism by police officers from the CWPD (or the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office). The officers on the streets do a terrific job. They are NOT the problem here. Scientology is. And the willingness of some in the city to be bullied.
Chief Slaughter does his best to put scientology into the same box as other religions. This is the first and biggest fallacy.
While scientology may be recognized by the IRS like other churches in the community, there are some BIG, GLARING difference.
- No other church has WRITTEN, UNALTERABLE policy to spend their tax exempt money trying to destroy their enemies. This is not a matter of conjecture, Chief Slaughter can read their “scripture” for himself with a fast Google search (or this article which I wrote to lay out this information for anyone interested). This is the POLICY of scientology. It was the policy when scientology moved in and will be the policy til the end of scientology’s days.
- Scientology has as proven, documented track record of seeking to destroy the Mayor of Clearwater with a fake hit and run accident, planted phony marriage records to accuse him of bigamy, fake “affairs” and even sending in a spy to act as his attorney. They did the same to others in the Tampa Bay area, including a Federal Judge, a reporter for the St Peter Times and a State Attorney. Scientology says this is ancient history. But it was all done pursuant to Hubbard policy and IT HAS NOT CHANGED.
- Scientology has a stated intention to “take over Clearwater” and make it “the first Scientology city”. The documents have been made public. They don’t pretend otherwise internally, but will make statements to the contrary so the community doesnt get more alarmed than they already are.
- Scientology has a complete disdain for law enforcement and government. See the Hubbard writing here How Scientology Views Law Enforcement. Look at the history of scientology ignoring local ordinances on tree removal and constructing tents and even back to the accumulated fines for the failure to construct the Super Power building. And when the city went through with the deal for the Aquarium lot scientology acted butthurt that they didnt get what they wanted and withdraw all their previously claimed offers of support for downtown redevelopment.
- The FBI, who conducted an investigation into scientology, wrote a conclusory report that states in part: “All Sea Org members are instructed how to lie to outsiders and authorities…”
Scientology is NOT the same as “other religions.” No other religion in Clearwater displays ANY of these characteristics. No other religion dominates the downtown. No other religion plays the system like scientology does.
Chief Slaughter, in his effort to defend his police force, exposed his unwillingness to address the scientology presence looming over his headquarters like a black cloud. He tried to brush it off as “hey, they’re like everyone else and we treat them the same way.” Well, they’re NOT like everyone else. This defense is little better than a Police Chief of a city in New Jersey dominated by the mafia saying “Hey, we have to treat everyone equally. These citizens have the same rights as everyone else. We answer the call for them just like we do the Rotary Club.” Yeah, that is a true statement, but taken in context (something the Chief says he really cares about) one might conclude either the Chief is scared of reprisals from the Mafia or is on the take or both.
The Chief repeats himself a number of times “… we do not get to pick and choose which religious entities get access to services” we “investigate all crimes, without passion or prejudice, regardless of who the victim or suspect is” and “…we don’t get to pick and choose who we protect and serve, nor should we. We are bound by the Constitution to answer all calls for service and deliver those services in a fair and impartial manner.”
Well, this is not entirely true. Let’s take a look at the “Bunker in the Park” incident.
This is ostensibly a public park, provided as a “service to the community” by scientology, where everyone is welcome unless they are doing something offensive or causing a public disturbance.
Mark Bunker sat alone in the park. Not another soul around. He was not violating any of the publicly posted rules.
Nobody from scientology approached him and asked him to leave. Had they done so he, would have acceded to their request. Mark Bunker is an exceedingly polite and genteel man.
Instead, the police were called. It is their obligation to show up, just as Chief Slaughter says. It is what happened next that is the problem and why he has come under such criticism.
When the first patrol car arrived, they walked over to scientology security guards who were standing across the street looking at Bunker in the park. Whatever conversation they had with them, they were handed copies of the 20 year old injunction by scientology.
Scientology KNOWS this injunction does NOT apply to this property. The lot was a Checkers restaurant when the injunction was issued. The injunction includes SPECIFIC locations it applies to. Scientology knows this but they still gave it to the police to go across the street to try to use it to get rid of Mark Bunker (and now Leah and me, though we are definitely not named in the injunction). Scientology Security Guards knew the injunction was a ruse. They also KNOW THE LAW about evicting someone from private property (even though in this case the private property is represented as a public park open to anyone as long as they follow the rules). The Security Guards did not walk across the street to issue a trespass warning, which is what a property owner must do. The police then inform the person they have been warned and that a further breach could result in arrest.
Instead, because this was now a “scientology complaint” the officers had to wait for their boss to show up to make any decisions about what to do. It’s the protocol the police have put in place when something has to do with scientology (they’re just like anyone else…) A second patrol car arrived. Now 4 police officers were present. They discussed what to do. Still nobody from scientology appeared to issue a trespass warning, but they were watching from across the street. The third patrol car showed up with a Corporal who had been summonsed to decide how to proceed. He came to speak to Bunker and us and there was discussion about the injunction. Surely, after 20 years, the CWPD knows the parameters of this injunction? Scientology tries to use it ALL THE TIME. (Perhaps this is what the Chief means when he talks about “complex legal orders” — it’s really NOT complex).
He asked US to wait while he called Sarah Heller, the scientology Legal Officer. He then asked us to wait a little longer while he dutifully walked across the street and into a scientology building to speak with Sarah. We could see her watch all this happen through the window. Sarah did NOT come out and talk to the officers SHE CALLED to get rid of Bunker. She insisted they come to see her while we were kept standing on the street. The Corporal came back and said she will be “coming over to issue the trespass warning”. We said we were ready to leave. He asked us AGAIN to “wait”. I told him we were walking across the street and would be outside the building where Sarah was sitting to make it easier for her. She STILL DID NOT COME OUT. 4 security guards watched on and 2 PI’s in cars were filming us.
Almost an hour passed with 5 Clearwater Police Officers in front of the park waiting. Though scientology called them, they refused to come out and issue a trespass warning.
I can imagine what would happen if any other business owner or church in Clearwater called 911 about someone on their property. A single police officer would show up, the owner would ask the person to leave their property in the presence of the police, the person would comply (or not and be arrested) and it would be over in 5 minutes. If the police showed up and the person that called them refused to issue the warning they would not call their supervisor to come down and sort out what to do. They probably wouldn’t wait around for more than a minute.
But not if it involves scientology.
The police at some senior level are intimidated. They worry if they do anything wrong or out of the norm, innocent or not, they will be accused of being anti-religious bigots. Because this is what scientology does.
Scientology is NOT treated the same way as everyone else.
Chief Slaughter laments at the outset: For years the Clearwater Police Department has been thrust into the middle of a debate between a controversial religion and its critics, without a voice in the matter. This is another false premise. The “debate” is not between scientology and its critics, it is between scientology and the community. The City of Clearwater. The taxpayers who subsidize scientology owning empty buildings and lots they do not pay tax on. And the police certainly have a voice in the city.
Lt. Ray Emmons, who investigated scientology for the CWPD for 20 years concluded scientology is a “criminal enterprise.” He felt strongly that the CWPD after he left is failing to study, investigate and understand scientology. It was his view that this is the Department’s biggest failing. They don’t understand what they are dealing with. I agree with him. Chief Slaughter seems oblivious to the fact that scientology will lie, even to law enforcement, if they feel it serves their purpose. That they will destroy evidence (and has been testified to by Marty Rathbun who did so in the Lisa McPherson case). They will refuse to voluntarily provide witnesses and will send them out of the jurisdiction if needed. That they will bully and threaten.
Or perhaps he IS well aware of this and fears it.
Scientology has perfected the art of hiding behind the mantle of “religion” and has diligently and repeatedly accused anyone who crosses it of being an anti-religious bigot. Chief Slaughter seems to have bought the scientology party line. He does not need to bolster their arguments by giving them more credibility by stating they are just like every other religion.
I have pointed out a lot of things I think are wrong with what Chief Slaughter said. So, what in my view, should he have said in response to criticism?
“Everyone in this community understands we operate in an unusual climate in downtown Clearwater. I was embarrassed that our officers were given the run around by scientology, but they acted in a courteous and professional manner as they always do. They respond to every call no matter who it is from. But this latest incident highlighted a problem and I am taking steps to remedy the matter. I have instructed our lawyers to seek to dissolve this injunction that scientology has been abusing for many years. The reason it was ordered is long gone. I have also informed scientology that they wasted our officer’s time by calling them and then refusing to issue a trespass warning and have asked that they make restitution for the wasted officers’ time as a gesture of goodwill to the community. I have sought their reassurance this will never happen again. The citizens of Clearwater should not be subsidizing this sort of waste of our valuable police force. Rest assured, we will continue to do our jobs to protect all citizens of Clearwater as our highest priority, but we won’t tolerate anyone playing games.”
That sort of statement would result in a lot of accolades and appreciation from the citizens of Clearwater. Sure, scientology would scream bigotry and religious discrimination, but they do that all the time anyway. Those words ring hollow today.
If there is any information I can help impart to anyone in the Police Department I am more than happy to do so.
PS: Chief, I think taking PR photos with scientology front groups is a bad idea. I would offer the same advice to the Police Chief of the that town in NJ.
As an outsider who has lived most of his life in California,it seems apparent that HUGE amounts of money has been and is likely still being funneled over from Scientology to those who manage the city of Clearwater. It could very well be that the Chief is under strict orders to not investigate the rapes etc as has been presented on the TV show. City Manager, somebody with POWER is being paid a LOT of money to halt any investigation as i would bet money that NOBODY from the city has ever stepped inside their mostly empty buildings to talk with anyone, including their dirty lawyers who themselves are paid well to protect their inner criminals. Shameful. IRS tax exemption MUST stop. Oust those in charge of the police and since this guy has been in charge since 1992 !!!!! he needs to go. The people of Clearwater seem naive and perhaps have NO idea about what is going on in there. There is nothing good about this church, nothing.
All we have to do is look at the past 18 years of law enforcement agencies, federal and local, targeting mosques to show how laughable and inept the police response to Scientology is. Considering the documented history of surveillance, infiltration, and attempts at undercover stings conducted at mosques, and yet they claim must treat Scientology with kid gloves? Laughable. Similarly, you can look at those same tactics being used against BLM, environmental, groups and other constitutionally-protected protest groups to illustrate that Clearwater and Los Angeles PDs are making a deliberate choice to be hands off.
Tony Ortega also made a great point asking if that 3.4% of off-duty contracting includes FSO, the front groups, etc., or if it’s just for one entity. Hopefully, the records will be forthcoming.
I have no doubt this is an uncomfortable situation for these agencies, but they need to stand up for the victims of Scientology with the same dedication they show in protecting the powerful. That’s their obligation to their citizens, their bosses.
Great response. There’s more than enough evidence about Scientology to execute a RICO case. All this work raising public awareness will generate a response.
When will the FBI do something about Scientology? There is so much evidence against them!
I saw a great article that answers this question over on Tony Ortega’s website. It was written by someone named Chris Owen. I’m still trying to learn who that is. I know Aftermath had an academic on the season 1 episode 9 titled “Merchants of Fear” and now I’m wondering if there’s a body of academic writings about Scientology.
https://tonyortega.org/2019/02/11/untouchable-scientologys-60-year-plan-to-protect-itself-from-the-law/?fbclid=IwAR2fgTEQIFulci2qy-PBF6t7NNuGEo140g_O2mUJ7iS8fZFyvBKD1al6p9U
I believe that Mike Rinder told the FBI that it would be pointless to raid Gold Base in Hemet California. He said that they could round up everybody, even those who’ve been in the hole for years and every single one of them would tell them they wanted to be there.
Scientology employs drills at every major headquarters for a warrant delivered by the FBI. They are to destroy documents and smash computers hard drives and get rid of all evidence of wrongdoing.
That said, I don’t know why they don’t at least try to raid Clearwater and Hollywood Scientology bases.
To sit on a bench watching ships coming in to a bay is okay. To sit on a bench watching a crew moving out of the bay is not okay,
Problems don’t exist, only lack of love but problems exist also thanks to love. Masters don’t call the police in purpose to remove a man on a bench. Masters sell a bridge to a lonely man on a bench.
I am an avid watcher/huge fan of the show, Leah, Mike, and all the brave guests, but new to the blog (what wonderful and important writing btw). This also makes me new to comment. If this has already been said and somehow I missed it, I apologize in advance. My comment is this. With the absurd amount of money $cientology has, isn’t it very possible at least some of the Clearwater PD are on the $cientology payroll?? I find it hard to believe they all do what they do for $cientology strickly out of fear. I do know it’s a fear I could only imagine in my worst nightmares, but still..money, lots of money, can corrupt even some of the best. Again, if this was already mentioned I do apologize. I look forward to catching up on the blogs. It’s amazing work and I know good will continue to come of it. Never lose hope!! We are all rooting for you!! Thank you and God bless.
I told you and Arron a thousand times this was going to happen to you as it did . i have lived here from 1970 on and can shed some lite on how much his lies really are they are liars and arrest who ever when ever Scientology city of cult tells them to they are called by the locals Scientology city police call me and i will add much more to your list 727-225-5486 thanks hope to here from you mike
The ones who do not fight against $cientology make it seem like they have something to hide! I mean think about it if you’re doing everything right you shouldn’t have to worry about the repercussions of an organization and just because you don’t believe in what they believe doesn’t make you a bad person harassment is what’s bad! And the funny part they just continue to do exactly what you say they’re going to do which proves how evil they really are at heart!
I don’t know how wasting resources (time and money) on protecting your religion is beneficial to “saving the planet“ even the Catholic Church has its pitfalls people that are trying to go against it but they don’t have to attack and harm other people in order to survive! If Scientology didn’t have these tactics they know they would’ve been consumed by now and without Scientology David Miscavage is absolutely a nobody and knows that he would face criminal charges if he doesn’t have the money and the religion backing him up!
I haven’t yet had the chance to read all of the posts, so I hope I’m not being redundant, but several things struck me while I read. The Chief is using numbers in a very “Scientology” way- although I am sure they are accurate, there is a little bit of obfuscation here. Clearwater is a summer beach town, so the number of businesses who would need extra, off duty help would swell to enormous amounts during spring and summer months- for example, bars, night clubs, hotels, resorts etc would all hire off duty officers during times where crowds could become unruly. He makes a point of stating that Scientology “ONLY” had 109 calls in 2018…WHAT kind of church calls the cops 109 times in a single year??? A bar- yes, a nightclub- probably more often- a church???? Once in a blue moon would be excessive!! he also makes a comment about money from taxable properties (including Scientology properties)- hold the phone… which Scientology properties are being taxed and how much??? He says that 3.4% of total extra duty was to Scientology- that is a HUGE percentage when taking into account all of the activities that I mentioned above. I would also like to see the percentages that other churches and religious places used extra duty officers to compare it to Scientology…..I’m pretty sure that a church might have one or two occasions for an extra duty officer, say a family fun day or a summer carnival…but to the excess that COS uses them- not a chance.
The use of extra duty is something that is normal and helpful to businesses who cater to large crowds and rowdy or drunken clientele. They are also used sometimes for other purposes if a business expects issues with crowd control or security. Using them as personal thugs and guards to intimidate others (or as personal messengers) is NOT a valid reason. There should be some guidelines in the department that clarify these situations so that the department can not be exposed to allegations of bias or corruption.
Unfortunately, it is the appearance of impropriety that is at issue here – whether or not there is an issue that is ongoing is partially irrelevant at this point. The appearance of this is everything to a public entity and now that it has been brought to attention, they need to take a very hard look at what is really happening in this town and why. Then they need to decisively address the entire thing in a very transparent way- not use obfuscation or a mental shell game to cover it up.
Clarification about above statement- I meant to say 3.4% of the extra duty billed was from Scientology- I didn’t mean to mis-state the facts given in the statement.
Kat
Great comment Kat!
Seems like he forgot to give a byline for whoever helped him write that.
Great response from you Mike.
Is Chief Slaughter related to well known #scio Benetta Slaughter? People have a funny way of being over tolerant of their families foibles …
No they are not related
Mike – the cult of Scientology contacted me today to recover me and the family.
I told them we are all watching Leah Remini and Mike Rinders show on A&EScientology – The Aftermath
and they need to watch it too if they have any self determinism left
We will NEVER have anything to do with Scientology ever again.
Go ahead and declare us all SP’s and never call us again.
This last episode is outstanding. I do believe we are going to see Scientology lose their tax exempt status!
Thank you Mike and Leah and A&E!
We love you all for helping the World finally get the truth.
Well, I have to say Chief Slaughter’s video didn’t really help matters for him or his force. Pretty much every comment following the TBT article is negative against the CWPD and their relationship with Scientology. And, not only is every comment on CWPD’s facebook page following the video negative against Slaughter/the church, those comments have spilled over to every single post about anything on the page.
He really should have just said nothing. The more he tries to defend his/their actions, the worse it looks.
When you’re in a hole, continuing to dig is generally not the move…
I absolutely love seeing this!
Good for you. I wish you and your family all the best in life.
That’s awesome news!
For some reason all I can think about is the “PR” pictures with his $cientology colleagues. I would love to see a collage of pictures with his dedicated scio fans.
What an excellent write up.
Chief Slaughter should rise to the occasion or go down in the Internet history books (they never forget) as being intimidated by the local Mafia.
What I find totally mind boggling is his statement:
“Scientology’s hub of activity is in a portion of the downtown corridor occupying approximately half a square mile. None of our on-duty officers are assigned to or stationed at Scientology property”
Well….FOUR PLUS of them had to “show up” when Mike, Leah & Mark Bunker were sitting on a park bench minding their OWN business. They weren’t destroying property, picketing, protesting, throwing things, stomping around or yelling. Throw in a few more police officers & a few more “cruiser driving by” & just WHO else is watching the REST of Clear Water should an emergency arise OUTSIDE of “Clamville”?
The trio were sitting there carrying on a PRIVATE conversation, with film crew with heavy expensive equipment carried about……NOT looking for ANY trouble & seemingly obeying the rules & regulations set forth by the “Park Rules/Regulations”……yet FOUR or more big strong able bodied “Clam Water” Police Officer had to confront them because GUESS WHO called????
A TWENTY YEAR OLD LEGAL DOCUMENT caused ALL THAT? Yet no one from INSIDE the “Flag Building” or any OTHER COS building WILLINGLY came out for a “trespassing complaint”.
It seems to me that NO ONE from inside the Flag Building wanted to be FILMED…or possibly asked ” Hey, since I’m here…WHERE THE HELL IS SHELLY MISCAVIGE?
So…scientology can call police and have the CWPD deal with a man sitting in a park because he said some stuff against scientology BUT WON’T call the police when children are molested…women are raped and many people abused and held against thier will?! I wish authorities would wake up and stop being so afraid to take on this dwindling organisation. Make DM spend his millions by dragging his sorry ass through every court possible.
Very well written post, and excellent suggested statement that the Chief should have made. The CPD should hire you to do their PR. Ha
So about that Park….If I sat on that bench, wearing my look-a-like Sea Org outfit, reading TroubleMaker, do ya think they would try and make me leave?
What is the Crime rate generally in Clearwater? Esp. the Cult, Scn city area? Is it kind of dead or calm there so the Police is kind of satisfied that they don´t have to deal with that much daily there. Therefore they can quickly arrive to calls from the cult.
Hey! I think I met you briefly at the church a few months back. I’m definitely interested in joining but I’m really not sure where to start…do you think you could give me some advice? :p sorry if you think this is random.
O/T. Nation of Islam Sister Brandi Muhammad has completed the Scientology Pro Metering Course and spoke at Scientology Graduation.
The E-Meter is a Scientology religious artifact for use only by Scientology Ministers and Scientology Ministers-in-Training.
https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/1092906970871287809?s=19
/
O/T. Elijah F. Muhammad has joined the Nation of Islam paramilitary organization The Fruit of Islam (FOI) and his next goal is the Scientology religious.State of Clear —
https://twitter.com/IndieScieNews/status/1092944893729824768?s=19
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Has anyone done a study about how much tax money the city of Clearwater has lost due to the buying up of property by a tax exempt church? What is the difference in tax dollars the city would have if the property in downtown Clearwater were owned by for-profit businesses? Most tax exempt churches are exempt from paying property taxes. If that is the case in Florida (and Clearwater), then Clearwater is losing lots and lots of money of their tax base every time Scientology takes property out of the taxable hands of a for-profit company.
So the chief of police isn’t being honest when he says: “The Police Department’s funding is derived from the ad valorem (property) taxes. Any ad valorem taxes collected from any taxable properties owned by Scientology are co-mingled with all collected ad valorem taxes and disseminated to multiple government entities and multiple city departments.” If they aren’t paying property taxes, they aren’t adding to the “co-mingled” moneys. That’s one of the biggest problems. They are taking government services, but they aren’t paying in their fair share of taxes to cover those services.
And just one more cynical thing I have to say. “The Clearwater Police Department has, and will continue, to investigate all crimes, without passion or prejudice, regardless of who the victim or suspect is.” NO ONE in this day and age could possibly believe that police departments investigate all crimes regardless of who is the victim or suspect. PLEASE. That’s why groups like Black Lives Matter have formed. Because it’s not the case anywhere in the US that all victims and suspects are treated equally. That’s just plain insulting.
What is the CWPD’s oversight? The Mayor or the City or City Counsel can (and should) also be held to account for what officers wearing their cities uniform participate in. All officers in uniform are easy to pick out as targets for complaint (and sometimes deservedly…I must admit) but many times they are just trying to stay within the policy guidelines handed down by the elected officials they answer to. A Police Chief in most cases is appointed by and works at the pleasure of said officials so you wont see many of them tossing the issue up the chain in any public announcements.
I don’t begrudge any officers participation in regular off-duty assignments such as traffic and crowd control at large events. It gives officers some extra money to support their families and the duty itself provides a service to the general population (keeping traffic regulated and motorists and pedestrians safe). If they are expected to support questionable Church activities and look away while Church members violate the law that would be a different story.
The Chief does have a point with his statement that his department has to be fair. If they are going to deny services to the Church then he has to make an official statement as to why that is so. For him to do that he would need a pretty blatant legal reason or the support of the Clearwater politicians.
I saw the “park episode” and having worked in similar positions myself I definitely got the feeling that those officers were simply doing what the law and their department policies required them to do and would obviously preferred to have been doing something else than deal with
I was obviously typing faster than my brain could process.
I meant to end with “than deal with a Church trespassing complaint”.
I can sense your effort to be fair. It is commendable. In the episode, I agree, the police officers were polite and professional (as were Marc, Mike, and Leah). However, SIX police officers? SIX!!!!!!!!!!
To be totally transparent, I am a Police Officer so my thoughts and opinions will naturally be shaded by my experience. But I was hired in my early 30’s so I had some life experience “pre cop”…so I understand the common perceptions about the number of officers at a scene. but bear with me.
In the end the number of officers at a scene doesn’t really signify much. People with an “issue” over the contact tend to bring it up as some sort of proof of excessive force, but there’s nothing fundamentally different from a legal standpoint if 1 cop is there or 6. What matters is what those Cops did while they were there. Where I work one Car is dispatched to a call. Sometimes a second car is dispatched to cover that first car. That could be 2 to 4 officers right there depending on how many are in each car. Any other officer not busy, but close is allowed to head to the call too if they are close. If they are the first car there they may call off additional officers (or they may not).
The thing people watching situations like these have to keep in mind is that we you seeing the whole thing through the camera lens absent a lot of information. From a Police standpoint they have more than three people on a trespass complaint that they have to deal with…Mark, Mike, Leah and at least one cameraman (possibly more people never seen on camera). I’m sure the officers knew that this was part of Mike and Leah’s show and that any screw-up or mistake they may make is going to be broadcast nationally. If I was a lowly Patrol Officer I would certainly call in someone “in charge”. And if I was “In Charge” I certainly wouldn’t send one of my subordinates in front of the cameras alone.
Now sure, the police officers probably know that in the end they are not going to have to arrest the hosts of a well known television show and all their workers, but we (police) cant operate on assumptions. Until some sort of handle is grasped on whats going to happen there, having six officers (for a period of time) is not really excessive. I’d rather have too many cops show up then tell some to leave then have to get my @$$ kicked by a group of people while waiting for more to show up.
That was also an hour (plus) of time condensed into a handful of minutes. Mike can verify but I would bet that the supervisor on the scene (at some point) decided that many officers were not required and sent some of them on their way. I didn’t see six officers there the entire time.
Thanks. All the officers were there until the end. I.e. when they finally concluded nobody from Scientology was going to come out.
Any supervisor, whether that be the patrol sergeant or the watch commander would not want that many officers there for that span of time. For several reasons, 1st, the appearance. 2nd, waste of resources. How many times do supervisors get asked every day why so many officers? I’ll tell you, it’s very common.
Having served as a patrol officer, the FTO-training officer, to the task force, then on to sergeant and lieutenant, I’m fairly certain that any front-line supervisor would have shed the unneeded officers ASAP, just on appearances alone. I would just about bet that the chief or his designee, had that very conversation after the fact because it did not shine a positive spotlight on the officers.
I’d also bet that a major catalyst for the large and continual presence was the fact that the show was there. Let’s face it, police officers have egos. Nothing wrong with that. UNTIL, the reason for having that many officers has passed. And yet they stay. Why? Probably because they loved the spotlight. Hey mom, dad, look for me on National TV tonight!! Ha.
Another item, and Mike would probably know, is that I would find it hard to believe that the COS hasn’t got intel on any/all the major players in the department. Any PI worth his salt could gather a lot of info on the management, as well as the street supervisors etc. and keep it in their hip pocket just in case they needed it at some point.
I would also just about bet that they have individual(s) working in the department. Dispatchers, records clerks etc. if the Hells Angels can do it, why not the COS.
Police officers are human, they have financial problems, affairs, etc. and the rumor mill inside police departments are very active. Any fly on the wall could net valuable intel.
I’m a believer that the department needs a freshening up. Things can stagnate in a department where you have old fossils and old ways of doing things. I’d be curious to see if anyone contacts you who is a member or recent retiree, who could shed some light on what the administration is like at the PD.
Words, words, I say Chief Slaughter. But you merely spout words. The actions by your agency belie your words.
Over and over, for many years.
Yours is a failed leadership. The people you lead cannot face intimidation if you do not.
You know what needs to be done. Actions speak louder than words.
If, and when, you find your balls again, I think you’ll discover that David Miscavige lied to you (as always): his were never, ever bigger than yours. Miscavige always operates upon stolen valor and authority.
“I think you’ll discover that David Miscavige lied to you (as always): his were never, ever bigger than yours. Miscavige always operates upon stolen valor and authority.” Jim you said it better than I could.
And don’t forget that the church has probably given all policemen, rank and file as well as chiefs and heads of it, the OSA DA Pack on Mike and Leah and Mark Bunker. And they probably bought those lies too.
Twenty years later the CWPD goes not have a written protocol for dealing with these types of calls? This should have been part of the Chief’s mea culpa: ” We have been dealing with very similar situations during the 108 calls last year alone, and over [one thousand, two thousand] similar calls by Scientology during th past twenty years, and have developed routine responses and written guidelines, available on FOIA request.”
At the very least, anyone responding to a call about that silly injunction should have memorized it, or at least been in a four-hour training session concerning it, since it seems so important to Scientology – and not understood in the least by CWPD, not even with a copy in their hand.
However, in the absence of any harm to citizens or officers, I hope this continues to happen, as long as it is recorded and discussed in public to bring focus on Scientology’s normal irreligious attack practices. And, absent that trespass warning that was never formalized that day, Mark & Co. are free to return often, just don’t forget the film crew!
What really bothered me about the clip was that the police clearly THOUGHT they understood the legal papers in their hands and seemed to get a sick satisfaction that it allowed them to remove a man from a park. The PC should be embarrassed that police resources were wasted on what was basically a play ground argument. They didn’t break up a violent act, no property was destroyed and peace wasn’t being disturbed. I get police have a hard job and I back the blue. Proud of Leah for confronting the issue for what is was. “Scientology doesn’t like us sitting.” That was the bottom line.
Not trying to imply anything in particular with this question Mike, but just out of general curiosity, were law enforcement officers, politicians, lawyers, judges, etc. ever (or currently) known to be members of the Scientology flock?
No, not generally
Chief Slaughter – I send this quote to you – because you know the truth –
William Wilberforce Quote: “You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.”
Clean up your act – clean up your department – clean up the crooked ‘stuff’ going on in your city – if you don’t do it – at some point in time, you will pay with your reputation and career.
People in your city are being abused and held against their will. You know it’s happening. You know it’s wrong. Fix it! Grow a set even!
In defense of Chief Slaughter, I’d just like to say that he has always treated me with kindness even though the video I made back in 2000 pushed a lot of buttons and I’m sure still does to this day.
I agree that the Clearwater Police Department should provide services for Scientology as they do for all other groups but I’d like to suggest that he and the department go above and beyond. They are allowing themselves to be used by Scientology. By now, they should know the injunction covers protesting in certain areas downtown. Here’s two quick questions: “Is anyone protesting?” and “What block are they on?” Even with a TV crew on hand, they should be able to handle this with one squad car and not allow it to get blown all out of proportion. “Hey, tubby, they don’t want you here.” All right.
For 20 years Scientology has used this injunction to try to stop anyone who wants to speak out about Scientology, even people who were never associated with the LMT. It’s Scientology’s Golden Ticket, that magical scrumdiddlyumptious parchment they can produce at will to make the evil SP’s disappear in a poof.
When I moved back to Clearwater in 2013, Scientology tried to use that injunction to have me evicted. Attorney Denis deVlaming and I went to the police station to have a meeting with the then Chief of Police. When we said we would like the police department’s support in dissolving the injunction, the Chief said, “Yeah, we know. Scientology was in here right before you.” Well…that was a surprise. Long story short, the police and the city were quite content to let the injunction ride. So Scientology could continue to use you. With the injunction gone would Scientology call any less? Probably not because David Miscavige is a frightened little bunny, leading an organization who sells its members the promise of being able “to confront’ any obstacle all the while locking doors and shuttering windows when an SP like me walks by. It really is sad.
So Scientology uses the injunction to use the police. But you can’t honestly say that you’re an impartial broker when you attend events for Scientology’s lofty sounding front groups and smile as Scientology snaps pictures for their PR. It’s called Safepointing in Scientology. They get you vouching for them so they can proudly say the mayor loves us, the police department values our work.
So when Scientology calls in an emergency call, please respond. That’s your duty. But when they call you to attend some function…you really don’t have to go. And you shouldn’t.
It’s a corrupt law enforcement agency. Sorry, but they have created this appearance. They can argue the opinion all they want, but an outside internal affairs should investigate the Chief and the staff. First step in getting control over the COS is to take away their force. I understand that the tax exemption is their kryptonite, but in the mean time the tree needs to be delimb.
I am a retired police lieutenant who’s also worked as a federal task force agent on an OCDETF organized crime drug enforcement task force. I immediately sensed that the initial responding officers were obviously working in an information vacuum. They had No Idea as to how to proceed and it became very obvious while watching this unfold that there HAS TO be some type of informal mandate in place by the administration instructing them to wait for a supervisor to arrive before taking ANY action in an incident, like Mike said, would be handled COMPLETELY differently in any other jurisdiction absent of the COS.
If I was a citizen, I’d be very upset at police resources being wasted on a civil issue from some 20 years ago. If you multiply the officers by their hourly wage, it quickly becomes apparent that the TAIL is Wagging the DOG!
Policing has changed a lot over the years. So much is guided by fear of civil torts and such that in a lot of ways, law enforcement has been muzzled to a certain degree. We saw the proof last week.
I’m a firm believer that somebody or someone who has some weight in the administration is “running scared”, or fears the COS in some way.
I’d be very interested to see what would come out of a FOIA request for any/all internal policies, memorandums, emails etc concerning the COS. I’d also try to extract the same from the Clearwater Police’s Union because they are always involved in setting rates etc for off duty work details etc.
Some locales restrict police officers from wearing their official uniform when working private security because it blurs the line of what they’re doing and for WHO.
It’s patently clear that there’s a vacuum concerning the Clearwater PD and the COS. The over reaction in this incident was clearly overkill in regards to the actual threat level of the complaint.
Sadly, I bet it’s more common place than they would ever want to admit.
Yes! yes! Yes!! FOIA the CWPD!!
I agree with RetLt……I think they must have something on someone….with all of COS’s PI’s following people, and investigating, the odds are that at least ONE of the CPD has been caught doing something, even something minor like talking to a sexy bartender can be photoshopped, misconstrued….film them running a red light or stop sign after leaving a bar, and blowing that up…following one to a gay bar…….who knows….? They have the ability to dig deep and find people’s past transgressions, weaknesses and vulnerabilities, embellish them and use them to silence and control people,, not to mention that they out and out lie and make things up to ruin people. I don’t think the police want the heat. And I wonder, why so many police? Obviously, they know Leah and Mike are not drunken or crack-head criminals. I think two cops in one car sufficient, and then call in the boss. I would think Clearwater is losing tons of tax money with so many empty and useless buildings being tax exempt. The FBI needs to infiltrate COS and work their way to the top. The only way this org will come down is from the inside out somehow.
I completely agree with you Lynda!
I concur exactly ♦ My experience locally has shown the risk you mention is deadly and not currently spoken of correctly
I have direct knowledge of 5 Decedents locally with none of it showing in media
So correctly rather than organized crime drug lets say dis-organized enforcement task force based on personal contacts and other socialization which utilizes such situations for PR and not Enforcement be it organized crime drug enforcement task force or otherwise
If persons choose to participate I can say that I have had over 2 street-side interviews by badge due to pushing my opinion in one case and seeking employment in another
They are ineffective; I did Portland and like it to this day that I did it
An utterly superb rejoinder: fact-based and courteous, giving credit where it is due but calmly refusing to be party to the delusion.
And most importantly of all, defending a friend.
Mike, you should send a copy of your post to the media as well as the Police Chief and Mayor. It makes excellent points.
Indeed you should. This is so well written!
Excellent write up.
It’s absolutely brilliant! One of the best ever. Perfectly said.
” have asked that they make restitution for the wasted officers’ time as a gesture of goodwill to the community.” Yeah, and the check is in the mail.
Look at how much, if any, the Clampire donates to the PBA or other real local charities, the proof is in the money actually given to real charities.
In the past, Slaughter was paid for his ‘off the books’ security work at the $cieno properties. His hands are already dirty.
Chief Slaughter, you got some ‘splaining to do.
Perhaps he needs to do the ethics specialist course ………… on his dime.Then do the conditions beginning with doubt of who one works for.
The officer who stated he was issuing the trespass warning for $cientology overstepped just a bit. The last paragraph of Florida Statue 810-08, that $cientology likes to reference on their building signs, says:
“810.08 Trespass in structure or conveyance.
3) As used in this section, the term “person authorized” means any owner or lessee, or his or her agent, or any law enforcement officer whose department has received written authorization from the owner or lessee, or his or her agent, to communicate an order to depart the property in the case of a threat to public safety or welfare.”
Note that even with written authorization to act on $cientology’s behalf, the police can only issue the trespass warning, “…in the case of a threat to public safety or welfare.”, in any other circumstance, “…the owner, lessee, or his or her agent…”, must issue a trespass warning before the police can act.
On the flip side of this, I’m really curious how many citations have been issued to $cientology, it’s front groups, or those acting on their behalf, for violating this Florida Statute:
“Title XLVI: CRIMES Chapter 837: PERJURY
837.05 False reports to law enforcement authorities.—
(1)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or subsection (2), a person who knowingly gives false
information to a law enforcement officer concerning the alleged commission of any crime, commits a
misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b) A person who commits a violation of paragraph (a) commits a felony of the third degree,
punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if the person has previously been
convicted of a violation of paragraph (a) and subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. applies:
1. The information the person gave to the law enforcement officer was communicated orally and
the officer’s account of that information is corroborated by:
a. An audio recording or audio recording in a video of that information;
b. A written or recorded statement made by the person who gave that information; or
c. Another person who was present when that person gave that information to the officer and
heard that information.
2. The information the person gave to the law enforcement officer was communicated in writing.
(2) A person who knowingly gives false information to a law enforcement officer concerning the
alleged commission of a capital felony, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided
in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 57, ch. 74-383; s. 34, ch. 75-298; s. 206, ch. 91-224; s. 5, ch. 97-90; s. 1, ch. 2013-117.”
For instance, in the case of the park incident was a false report citation issued for calling in a trespass complaint, but then never actually coming out to make a trespass statement?? Hmmmmm??
This is how you know our government as a whole is as corrupt as $cientology. Clear, blatant misuse of the law and yet THEY are not arrested! Bc of the fear they instil. We need anti-bullying and -harassing laws to combat the “fair game” usage of this cult. People can claim other unproven (no physical evidence) crimes 20 + years ago (rape claims for example) and yet multiple people have come forward with crimes….but ….because it’s their “religious practice” they can get away with it?? It likes saying let me go smoke crack bc my religion believe I can. It makes no sense how our “laws” can be chosen on agendas smothered in money! Wonder if that police chief had already been harassed? This is outrageous! I am so proud of Mike and Leah and hope that overwhelming support continues everyday until they are no more!
Wow. This is grabbing the bull by the horns. It’s all true. Scn obfuscates and can easily confuse the ordinary person who knows little about them. I remember appearing so benign to others when I knew we really were about safe pointing and recruiting them later. Smoke and mirrors! That’s what they do with their lawyers and threats.
Lies and Deceit. The Church of Lies and Deceit.
If the mighty US Internal Revenue Service was literally cowed and bullied by Scientology into providing it non-profit status in the 1990s, why wouldn’t a local police department be cowed by the same power? That young woman’s horrible death and Scientology’s ability to hire the foremost foremost forensics experts [including the famous Dr. Baden] to shall we say ‘influence’ the local coroner to ‘change’ her professional opinion on cause of death is a glaring example of Scientology’s power and influence in Clearwater.
Good point, but perhaps CWPD is not so much cowed or afraid of getting sued, as dependent upon the cherch, financially.
I’m not accusing CWPD of taking kickbacks or money under the table, btw. I don’t think they are.
I’m referring to legitimate income.
Flag hires Clearwater’s off duty cops as security for their endless events, don’t they?
This income could be quite important to the livelihoods of local policemen.
Chief Slaughter has to be aware of this.
Just a theory. A “follow the money” theory. Not trying to be right about it or justify the glaring outpoints. Certainly, that Co$ is a consistent employer or off-duty CWPD cops should NOT be a factor in how these police respond to Scientology when said cops are ON duty, in an ethical world.
Realistically, though…
While Clearwater police officers are offered the opportunity to work off-duty jobs for other employers, can they pick and choose who they will work for, or what events they will work for? I am thinking it is time they say “No thanks” to the COS jobs. I know it means giving up extra pay, but it just might send a message that Scientology can’t control our police dept.
MJR, refusing to work for Scientology would be very noble of them. Clearwater is a small town that’s lost a great deal of its tax base. CW police salaries are probably higher than some backwater in Mississippi but much lower than the living wage that cops get in big cities. Realistically can CW coops live and support families on what they earn? Very llikely not. Very they NEED what they make from Scientology in order to LIVE. If they don’t piece out by working for Scientology, where will they work in their off hours and make decent money for their time in downtown Clearwater, which is a ghost town? And don’t you see, a side benefit that Scientology enjoys from buying up whatever CW real estate they can, is that the police they hire for security work have few, if any other options than the cherch for their 2nd jobs? What are they going to do, work in a 24hr mini mart for minimum wage, or work for Scientology and make – I don’t know how much, actually, but certainly far more than minimum wage! What would YOU do? Would you turn down that money for work that was legal that you could do in your spare time that paid well? if you had to support a family would you choose working a 2nd job at minimum wage over something that paid the most for the least time?
Look, the enemy is not the Clearwater police. I’d say they’re among Scientology’s victims too, in their own way!
You notice the cult LOVES to buy up real estate in relatively depressed and/or out of the way locations – do you think this is coincidence? I don’t. I see this as a stratagem to not only own a building, but to some degree the area, its government, and its people. “Foot traffic”, hell! The last thing the cult needs is an org in a busy, rich, prosperous area! Just my opinion and I’ve digressed so I’ll stop.
Slaughter is your your typical corrupt LE official. He KNOWS the crimes the church commits. He DOES set the tone of the beat officers towards the CoS. For example I have seen MANY videos in CW where church members assault protesters in front of police officers. The police do NOTHING to the church member. A protester accidentally bumps a church member and the police arrest for battery.
This guy needs to go
Very true. The Police Chief makes a public statement implying that he knows, understands and enforces the U.S. Constitution. Really? He hasn’t even shown he can understand and properly enforce a simple injunction that has been put in his face by Scientology for 20 years. The guy is an embarrassment to Clearwater.
Mike, Is the police chief an elected or an appointed position?
Appointed
I’m guessing he’s appointed by the mayor? The same guy who proudly posed in front of a Scientology banner at the opening of some Scientology ‘education’ something-or-other?
I’ve been watching your show from the beginning and I’m astounded at the lengths the so called church is willing to go to, to destroy people. I see the hurt in your eyes when you are discussing the things which you were involved in. I can’t help but notice that when you show old footage of you in the position that you held, you looked so unhappy. There is no life in your eyes. Please be proud of the work you are doing now and the people you are helping. Keep up the great work ❤
Chief Slaughter,
You failed to mention how soon you will be making all three of your patrol districts ‘Ideal”.
Priceless, Jim – just priceless.
The Chief’s statement would have been more impactfull if he had included statistics on ALL churches in the city. Even better if he had information on how often various churches call police within the county or state or the country as a whole. But perhaps that information would have sunk his argument a bit; I wonder, would it be (just an example) 2 calls from the three Catholic Churches in the city, 1 call from the Presbyterian Church, 0 calls from the Baptist Church. I wonder too about the breakdown of total calls of all types vs. COS calls – to be a fair comparison calls for things like auto accidents should have been excluded since COS calls would be along the lines of them alleging trespassing, harassment etc. To lump them in with ALL calls isn’t comparing like to like. How many trespassing calls like the sitting in the park incident does the police force get in a year? How many originated with COS? That would be a fair comparison and true information. But I suspect his point that COS doesn’t really make a lot of calls or cost the police time and money would be lost if he broke down their calls to that level.
There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.
Chief could not compare apples to apples, rather large churches to large churches, because it would not show him or his off-duty officers’ well-paying employer in a good light. But, since there are few, perhaps no churches in the city with the population of Flag, no proper comparison would be made.
I wish they would let me do the stats. I can call up a party of angels on the head of a pin and make them dance widdershins and sing the Happy Birthday song, just give me some data, I’ll get right on it.
For example, “Scientology has cost CW [x-millions, x-dozens] of [dollars,cents] in lost tax revenue, compared to the taxable use of the properties before Scientology bought them. It works out to xx.x% of all lost taxable revenue, making Scientology an [enormous, inconsequential] drain on the city.”
Keep going, you guys are doing important work. The world is watching. Continue to shed the light on the truth.
Mike, the A&E show last night on tax exempt status and the IRS was so well done. Fascinating and the guests you had on were very good and enlightened us a lot. the police officer who had once been in a cult really gets it and she rightly said that police everywhere need to be trained on how to deal with cults.
Thank you for all of this.
I’d like to see some of it as a “letter to the editor” so that you can get your points heard along side his.
Bet a bunch of the locals in CW/Tampa area would cheer it too.
When you “enter” Scientology as a member or as a Staff, you are entering another “country” where US laws no longer apply. In this regard, Scientology is the antithesis of the American way of life. It is way south of the USSR
America is the refuge for any oppressed people like ex-scientologists. It is a country where freedom of speech is a sacred right. Where whistleblowers are protected from retaliation. Where truth reigns.
Scientology HAS been stopped in America just like the KKK has been stopped in America. You are still free to join the KKK or join Scientology, but because of freedom of speech and brave whistleblowers on the A&E’s/Disney Mike and Leah’s Aftermath program, we as Americans are now informed about Scientology and we are free to make our choice to join or not join.
Except you have people in positions of power claiming there are good people in both these organizations. I don’t doubt that there are good people in COS, that have been duped and controlled, but I do not believe there is anyone good in the KKK.
Great article Mike – this provides everything the Chief needs to start cleaning this mess up – but I doubt that anything will change – everyone in CW is (understandably) terrified of getting in the $cientology cross-hairs. A unified approach is the only way, but the cynic in me thinks that this will be a long time coming due primarily to the effectiveness of their vindictive policies. So sad.
For the record the related episode was excellent !
I would think some local universities or some Florida state universities would be researching Clearwater Police’s and the local and state and Federal prosecutors’ cases relating to Scientology there in Florida.
Where is academia?
—————–
I’d love to see the full breakdown of the off duty income made.
….”….Scientology extra-duty accounted for approximately $26,740 ….”
How much was spent on every other single “religious entity” extra duty?
The percentage of extra duty on Scientology vs all others, a full breakdown of required extra duty for all other religious entities in 2018, and henceforth in coming years, I hope some interested credible local citizen does the reporting or academic paper.
I’ll bet if the statistics are really laid out, that it will unfavorably show Scientology’s getting way more extra duty compared to other religious entities and groups.
What ate the other extra duty groups?
How many and which ones are religious entities?
Honestly, I just don’t get why off-duty police are allowed to wear the City’s uniforms (which represent the City) and be paid to protect a private entity, individual or church and not have a conflict of interest, especially if that entity is rich and powerful. I just don’t think it should be legal. If a private entity, individual or church wants to pay an off-duty police officer then I don’t think that officer should be representing the City by wearing it’s uniform. As police officers paid by a private entity, they would be immediately obligated to “rule” in favor of whoever they were being paid to protect and if they can’t decipher who is breaking the law or not (interesting that Chief Slaughter brought this problem to light), then who’s side will they be on? The fact that the off-duty officers are being paid several thousand dollars a year by the church of scientology exacerbates the problem.
If the City itself wants to have extra patrol around an event or protest where there might be trouble, then that’s the duty of the City and in that case it’s to protect all of the citizens who are not breaking laws.
There is some sense to them being in uniform. Mostly they are hired for traffic control. Events. Sunday church service. Etc
Yea, cuz Sunday Church Service at the church of scientology is such a happening thing. LOL
But I did see footage of what I thought were hired police at the LMT protests and it seemed the police tilted in favor of protecting the church but my vision may have been skewed. Still I wonder about the conflict of interest.
Mary, cops are American citizens. They can’t be forbidden to work a 2nd job in their off duty hours so long as its legal work. Many of them work in their off hours as security for factories, office buildings, research centers, hospitals, museums, schools – all kinds of organizations. Cops in small towns make small salaries. It doesn’t matter if they’re “needed” or not. If they’re trying to make ends meet and they’re offered paying jobs that they can do in their off hours and its legal work, cops are just like everyone else, they’re going to work, just like anyone else would.
No one will argue that cops don’t make enough and have the right to a second gig. The controversy comes in when they’re doing it in uniform using their work vehicles. Their rent-a-cops who look and act exactly as they would if they were working for the city/state/community. That’s confusing, kind of weird, and looks like a conflict of interest.
Like I said in another post, it’s not just the CW cops working for Scientology. This issue is controversial no matter who else cops are working for.
And all you need is one cop, who’s poor mother or child or wife has some debilitating medical issue, and their medical treatment is beyond their income, that might take a “little extra” as a gift of gratitude to help them get the medicine or rent, or food they need. And then, boom, COS has them by the balls. It only takes one.
I didn’t know that, Lulu and Lynda. You’re teaching me something. I didn’t know that cops wear their uniforms when doing off-duty after hours security work! I agree, its wrong. Bizarre and confusing. It shouldn’t be allowed. Taxpayer money buys their police uniforms! If uniforms are required for their off-duty security work, the organization hiring them should provide them. .
I agree with hiring for traffic control as they are performing a normal police function on PUBLIC property that is completely agnostic. However, guarding private property while in uniform should be forbidden.
Totally, Wynski. I Just shared above that its news to me that cops wear their cop uniforms doing private security detail. Not only is this wrong, its shockingly wrong.
Our tax money pays for those uniforms!
Mary, this practice of having cops work for private corporations on their time off wearing official cop uniforms and using official cop vehicles is done all over the place. It’s apparently legal. It’s also very controversial, for obvious reasons.
I don’t know if Mike allows outside links in his comments but if you google “private companies hiring off duty police” you’ll see some stuff about it. Slate ran an excellent article about it called “The Blurred Blue Line”.
chuck “academia” died long ago in the morass of political correctness. Most college grads I have hired in the last 2 decades cannot even spell or do basic math. Let along analyze something slightly complex.
My husband is a mental health counselor, Professor of Theology and Reverend (the cool kind). He has been saying this for decades: no other “Church” or “Religion” has policies that can’t be amended. He’s also counseled many who have left various cults.
People have ben led to believe that the Police protect People in America. This is not true. police protect Money in America.
Scientology has “hired” off-duty Clearwater Police and has become the “Money” that Clearwater Police now protect.
The saddest thing is that the residents of Clearwater who pay the real estate taxes that pay the “base” salary of these Police Officers cannot expect any help from the Clearwater Police if Scientology targets them, the Clearwater Police now protect the Money in Clearwater = Scientology and it’s Billions of Dollars.
Zenster, to me you’re absolutely spot on: it does seem (more and more) that law enforcement, and law in general (legislation and practitioners) are all more focused in protecting power and MONEY in the US than in upholding legal principle on behalf of PUBLIC INTEREST.
This had been lately puzzling me greatly about the US (of which I’m not a citizen but an admirer), until I saw that John Oliver’s sketch Mike posted here, the one on televangelists. I did know that “Prosperity Gospel” was really such a formatted and structured thing. But that gave me some insight: in the modern US, money & power seem to be the real deities. It’s the only explanation as to why super-rich “religious” organizations like this “Scientology” thing (that name cracks me up every time) can carry on buying their way into the legal system, with tax-free BIG money. Or terrorrizing into silence those who are not for sale. Crazy Town, BIG time.
Again, I’m not a US citizen, and have never been a resident in the US. I live in a country with no relevant Scientology presence (Brazil – we have enough problems as is). To me, watching all this unfold from afar is sad and frustrating: what a pervertion of a legal system that was conceived to safeguard freedom, equality and justice. For all, right? Regardless of big money involved, right?
Please don’t get me wrong; this is no “anti-America” criticism AT ALL. It’s really not even a criticism – more of a sad realization. I love the US. It’s just that it is very, very frustrating to see the US cultural, social and legal achievements, which were much fought-for and hard-earned, be twisted to aid, abet and ultimately enable a huge financial scam under the guise of a “religion”.
Mike, you and Leah are FANTASTIC. Really respect and admire what you’re doing.
@ Zenster:
“Police protect MONEY in America”.
Sure, and from what I observe, they also protect the poor, the aged, children, the disabled and the mentally ill.
What you stated may be the reality where you live, but where I live, police answer calls from ALL kinds of people, of every race, color, creed, age, gender, nationality and socio-economic group.
But then, respectfully, I don’t live in Mayberry.