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The Ronnie White Story: The Public and The Washington Post (Opinion, Analysis)
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by PEP | July 4, 2008 at 04:50 am
1342 views | 5 Recommendations | 7 comments
As I earlier noted in "Death of Newspapers? Save the Press!", one of the core strengths of traditional newspapers is the constant interaction with readers. Here, Marc Fisher aptly demonstrates this strength in responses to reader's views on the death of alleged cop killer Ronnie White while in police custody.
"The dominant story this week is clearly the tragedy of the killing of Prince George's police Cpl. Richard Findlay and the subsequent murder in the county jail of the suspect in the killing, Ronnie White. The officer's funeral is today and there's nothing like a police funeral to drive home the awful danger and responsibility that comes with a law enforcement job. But of course the questions and investigation surrounding White's murder have sadly poked their way into the mourning of Findlay's passing. Today's column tries to weigh the ethical obligations that law enforcement officers, including correctional guards, have when the tables are turned and they are being questioned in a criminal investigation. Shouldn't officers be held to a higher standard and shouldn't they have to overcome the natural inclination to rally around their colleagues and come forward with whatever they know about what happened in the jail?"
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (7)
at 04:52 on July 4th, 2008
Note: Highlight decided not to come int to work on this holiday for this story, so I've made sure that what should be the highlighted portion is in quotes. :)
The commentary accompanying this piece is really quite good.
at 05:15 on July 4th, 2008
PEP, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 04:05 on July 5th, 2008
Hi, Rhonda! Happy 4th of July weekend! Thanks for the read and the flag.
at 07:04 on July 4th, 2008
From the article entitled, Officers Have a Responsibility to Set an Example and Speak Up, it states:
The Blue Wall, the vow of silence that binds law enforcement officers, is so strong that the few who feel compelled to inform on wayward colleagues become the stuff of Hollywood chronicles. Decades after Frank Serpico told authorities about widespread police bribery in New York, his name remains a curse word to many officers.
In a nationwide poll of police by the National Institute of Justice, 61 percent said officers "do not always report even serious violations by fellow officers," and 67 percent said whistle-blowers were likely to be "given a cold shoulder."
The ethical obligation of law enforcement officers is to uphold the law.
at 04:27 on July 5th, 2008
Karen, I've been plopped into a large cell with convicts (one a murderer, I learned during interviews) and left there, no supervision, for a long, extended period by a jail guard miffed that a reporter had gotten access. That happened when I was a lead reporter (the only female) in an investigation into substandard jail conditions in one area where I once lived. The guard and his bosses decided there wouldn't be interview room access, as I and the newspaper had expected. Instead, they decided they'd just throw me into the "rec" cell and leave me on my own. That was a stupid move--gave me the chance to do some real interviewing!
So I have some extra interests in this case. Thanks as always, thanks for your comments. I have a question--did you read the discussion and the original column? While the Grand Jury and investigators examine this case, I'd hoped to stimulate a dialogue on how the columnist and this newspaper handled interaction with readers. We can discuss IA (Internal Affairs) investigations in police departments across the country, "The Thin Blue Line," etc in relationship to this case, but I'd hoped for just a brief excursion into how media handles cases like this and the resulting interactions (or not) with readership. I think the link provides an excellent example of that topic, which is why I posted it. I'd really like to hear your thoughts on that.
On the case itself, I understand that county official Jack Johnson asked that the public focus short-term be turned to honoring the officer killed in the line of duty and his funeral day. He left behind a wife and two young daughters, so very sad.
I notice that there isn't much more public information forthcoming right now, so it seems that they have indeed Grand Jury sanctions on the investigation. Given the short time frame involved, and the multiple options, I really want to see a) what a full autopsy, including toxicology, shows (I found it curious that the initial medical examination showed no visible marks on the body) and b) what the extent of gang activity and access is in that jail, especially given that they have found guards with gang connections.
In a good op-ed, the Baltimore Sun noted that White should have been held in another facility. Until this is solved and resolved, this will remain an open sore in that area.
at 11:21 on July 8th, 2008
The Funeral for Ronnie White will be held at the Tabernacle Church in Laurel Maryland, 20708, (301)490-3838 on Thursday at 11:00am and a prayer vigil will be held at The Tabernacle Church of Laurel, Maryland, at the same address on Wednesday evening at 8:00 for "PEACE AND HEALING IN THE COMMUNITY". We do not want things to escalate between the PG Police and the Community, we need peace and healing for all parties involve. Cpl. Finley and Ronnie White's family and friends. It was a terrible tragedy in both cases, Bishop George Randolph Gurley Pastor of the Tabernacle Church in Laurel will be officiating the services, He is the author of many books, one of his books deals with racial reconcilliation, the title is "Light Not White"
at 17:28 on July 9th, 2008
I have knew Ronnie since 4th grade i miss him so much..