Boise’s investigation of a rogue captain’s racist views are off to a rocky start

I’m hearing many people express concern regarding the mayor’s ineptness in the handling of daily operations related to the Boise Police Department, from her confusing responses to the complaint that nine police officers filed for workplace harassment to her differing statements on the Office of Police Accountability.

The waters muddy even further with a hastily created contract to investigate a retired captain who has sullied the reputations of so many fine officers.

What thought went into consideration of the many respectable and capable Idaho law firms who employ former United States Attorney’s office employees experienced in civil rights investigations… and arriving at a more affordable cost than what one Boise Council member described as “sticker shock?” Why wasn’t there time for an expedited process to seek bids from equally capable and locally based law firms? Perhaps if the mayor was more familiar with local resources she governs versus the power base that influences her from outside Idaho, that decision would have been very different. We all see the need for expediency, but not when it comes with a ready, fire, aim attitude.

Despite the early McCarthyite rhetoric of the mayor in initially casting aspersions on the men and women of a really good police department, I stand firm in my belief these detestable statements and writings were the lone beliefs of one troubled individual. From my perspective ready, aim and when sure of your target, fire would have been a preferable approach.

All good investigations are focused on the suspect, when the suspect is known, and then develop accordingly. The scope of the investigation should be focused on the captain, his emails, correspondence and interactions with others then expand to his inner circle of friends and workplace colleagues; to those he supervised; then to the command staff, he interacted with daily.

Because he was in a command position, I highly doubt that he has made any arrests within the last 7 years. His promotional peer evaluations, reviewed by department leaders as he progressed through the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain won’t provide any credible leads or answer to the big question: Why?

Most prudent people I have spoken to on this issue believe it’s better to use the precision of a rifle rather than a shotgun approach to this important inquiry. If there is such an urgency to seek immediate answers why wasn’t language added to the contract to request a preliminary report in 60 days?

I have recommended the department immediately initiate an ethics or conduct unbecoming a Boise Police Officer investigation based solely on his interviews and writings during the time he was still employed as a police officer but all the time writing under his now-known pseudonym. Based on what I’ve seen and heard, a decertification recommendation to Idaho P.O.S.T is not only warranted but obligated. I’m not convinced City Hall feels the same.

There’s no doubt this investigation is warranted, but not at the cost of a half-million dollars. This is just one more example of statements and decisions from the mayor’s office lacking sense. Citizens are losing confidence in local elected officials, particularly in regard to integrity and transparency, and it starts at the very top.

This story was originally published December 15, 2022 at 4:00 AM.